Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

"Zabuza-sama, we're almost there."

On a narrow path in the Land of Waves, Haku and Zabuza were heading toward the heart of the region. Their target was none other than Kado.

After Zabuza's failed assassination attempt on the Mizukage, he had taken advantage of the chaos caused by the Kaguya clan's rebellion to leave Kirigakure and become a missing-nin.

However, the years since hadn't been easy. Constantly taking assassination jobs to survive, their lives were far from stable.

In order to secure a more reliable source of income and gather enough funds to eventually return to the Land of Water, Zabuza naturally turned his attention to Kado, who was recruiting ninjas.

Kado might be a scoundrel, but his wealth was undeniable.

And Zabuza, having undergone Kirigakure's professional training, shared the same professional ethics as Kisame Hoshigaki. He had no intention of simply cutting Kado down... for now.

"Hmm, let's move quickly."

Zabuza nodded, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

"The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can return to Kirigakure. Over there..."

Zabuza was an ambitious man. Like Kisame, he still cared deeply for Kirigakure in his own way.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have attempted to assassinate the Mizukage in an effort to change the chaotic state of the village.

Even after leaving, a part of him still longed for his home.

"Yes, Zabuza-sama will definitely succeed."

Haku nodded in agreement. As Zabuza's loyal tool, he would unconditionally support any decision Zabuza made.

As they continued on, both of them suddenly frowned.

Not far ahead, three figures were approaching, and judging by their attire...

"They're ninjas. From Konohagakure?"

Zabuza scanned the group. The white-haired older man seemed familiar, though Zabuza couldn't immediately place him.

He ignored the younger boy entirely, but the man with white hair and a forehead protector covering one eye caught his attention.

"The Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi?"

"Huh? Who are they?"

Kitagawa Minamoto and his companions were equally puzzled as they looked at Zabuza and Haku. Minamoto, in particular, wore a strange expression.

Wasn't this Zabuza and Haku?

Judging by the timeline, it made sense for them to be heading to Kado right about now...

Minamoto also noticed that Zabuza wasn't carrying the Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade).

He wasn't entirely sure about the timeline in the Naruto universe. He vaguely remembered that Zabuza had obtained the Kubikiribōchō around the time of the Kaguya clan's demise, which was also when he encountered Kimimaro.

But back then, Itachi Uchiha hadn't yet wiped out the Uchiha clan, and Jūzō Biwa hadn't been killed by the reawakened Fourth Mizukage. The timeline was a bit messy.

Still, Minamoto didn't dwell on it.

The moment he saw Zabuza, he knew he had found the person he was looking for!

Especially Haku—with his Ice Release, he might even prove to be a valuable ally.

"That guy... he looks like a missing-nin from Kirigakure."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, speaking with a hint of curiosity. Kakashi nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, Momochi Zabuza, also known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist. He reportedly fled Kirigakure after attempting a coup. I didn't expect to run into him here."

"A coup?"

Minamoto blinked, muttering softly,

"So he managed to escape Kirigakure after all that? That must mean he knows the village inside out."

Minamoto didn't need to say much more; both Kakashi and Jiraiya had already come to the same conclusion.

After hearing Minamoto's earlier suggestion, they had considered going to Kado to see if they could find a missing-nin from Kirigakure to act as a guide.

They hadn't expected to stumble upon such a big catch right here...

"What a pleasant surprise."

Zabuza, cautious as ever, didn't feel he had any reason to provoke Konohagakure. Unaware of the potential danger, he spoke up first.

"To think I'd run into the famous Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi, in a small place like the Land of Waves."

"Ah, I didn't expect to encounter the rogue ninja Momochi Zabuza from Kirigakure either."

Kakashi glanced around briefly before nodding and replying,

"I wonder where you're headed. After all, you're still quite dangerous."

"Where I'm going is none of your business."

Zabuza frowned, letting out a cold snort.

"I think it's best if we mind our own business. While it's true that Kirigakure and Konohagakure haven't always gotten along, I'm no longer a Kirigakure ninja."

"We're aware of that."

Jiraiya thought for a moment before smiling and speaking up.

"That's why we have a small favor to ask."

"A favor?"

Zabuza snorted coldly, finding the group from Konohagakure increasingly strange.

"What kind of favor? Go ahead and say it."

"Jiraiya-sama, allow me to explain."

At that moment, Minamoto spoke up, and his words made Zabuza's eyes widen.

"Jiraiya? The Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin?"

As a former member of Kirigakure's assassination squad, Zabuza couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with Jiraiya's name. His files naturally included information about the man.

However, Jiraiya had been away from Konohagakure for some time, and with the Land of Water being relatively isolated, information had become scarce. Zabuza hadn't paid much attention to the older ninja.

He hadn't expected to encounter him here. No wonder the man had seemed familiar earlier!

"The Copy Ninja Kakashi, and Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin... what are these guys up to?"

Zabuza swallowed nervously, feeling that the situation was becoming increasingly complicated. Still, he maintained his composure.

"You're going to explain?"

Jiraiya gave Minamoto a curious look but quickly nodded.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you."

"Thank you."

Minamoto smiled before turning to Zabuza.

"Zabuza-sama, to put it simply, we have an important mission in Kirigakure. Since you're very familiar with the village, we were wondering if we could hire you as a guide?"

"Hire me? To go to Kirigakure?"

Zabuza was beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation. He realized he was in trouble.

He had never imagined that coming to the Land of Waves would lead to an encounter with this group.

Even though they hadn't said much, Zabuza, as a former ANBU ninja, understood what Konohagakure's presence in Kirigakure could imply.

Especially with such a formidable lineup...

And knowing Kirigakure's methods, any personnel involved in sensitive matters would likely be eliminated afterward.

If Konohagakure operated the same way, Zabuza would almost certainly be disposed of once his usefulness ended.

Realizing this, Zabuza's expression darkened. Slowly, he reached for the short blade on his back, his voice low and tense.

"Gentlemen, I don't understand what you're talking about. I think it's best if we part ways here and go about our own business."

"..."

Zabuza's cautious response caught Minamoto slightly off guard. With a faintly amused expression, he asked,

"So, there's no room for negotiation?"

"Kid, I suggest you don't push me."

Zabuza's tone grew heavier, his grip tightening on his blade.

Even Haku, sensing the tension, began gathering Chakra and assumed a combat stance.

Jiraiya and Kakashi, realizing that negotiations were breaking down, prepared themselves for a fight.

The atmosphere grew tense, the falling leaves in the distance adding a somber note to the air.

"So, it seems there's really no room for negotiation..."

Minamoto let out a theatrical sigh. In an instant, his Chakra flared, and purple lightning crackled across his body.

"In that case, let's settle this with our fists!"

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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