"Then I will be rude first."
Having just experienced a threat that was truly close to death.
Gatō naturally became much more honest. How honest? Very honest. The corners of his mouth that had previously carried arrogance were quickly restrained. His eyebrows lowered, his posture became submissive and ingratiating, and his entire demeanor no longer resembled that of a so-called master. Instead, he looked extremely obedient and compliant as he spoke in a respectful tone.
It was obvious that he could also sense the impatience in Zabuza's attitude.
After bowing repeatedly.
Gatō waved his hand at the large group of "men" behind him who were clearly frightened out of their wits, signaling them to leave. He then led them onto the ship they had arrived on and departed the island first. However, the moment the ship left the shore and began to sail away from the island, Gatō's expression twisted once again into something extremely vicious.
"Damn it! Just wait! Next time, I'll make you regret it! Momochi Zabuza!"
Standing on the deck, Gatō stared at the small island gradually fading into the distance. His face was distorted with rage and humiliation, his pupils filled with hatred and killing intent.
Being humiliated by someone he believed to be beneath him.
This was, in Gatō's mind, the greatest disgrace.
Just a rogue ninja.
"I must go back and report this to the adults. Once this mission is completed, I'll make sure you die without a proper burial!"
Gatō roared inwardly.
Yet Gatō was still foolish.
He still had no understanding of the chasm-like gap between ordinary people and ninjas.
He did not realize that even the so-called politicians of the great nations were not necessarily held in high regard by truly powerful shinobi. To put it bluntly, weren't the Five Great Countries nothing more than strategic resource warehouses and financial vaults that the major ninja villages could draw from when needed?
Gatō, who lacked a true understanding of the world.
Was never destined to stand on the real stage of this era.
"Hmph, just trash. What is there to be arrogant about?"
The Demon Brothers also looked toward the direction where Gatō's ship had departed, expressions of extreme disdain on their faces. In the eyes of ninjas like them, what was a businessman?
In a world where a trained shinobi could slaughter dozens or even hundreds of armed men with ease.
These so-called businessmen, who had "no strength to even bind a chicken," were nothing more than walking moneybags.
Even the politicians of major countries, in the eyes of shinobi, were merely figures with limited practical value.
Daimyō? Yes, they were individuals of high status. Even the daimyō of a small country would, under normal circumstances, receive a certain degree of courtesy from shinobi of the great villages due to their noble lineage.
But that was only surface-level respect.
Politeness, etiquette, and formality.
Since ancient times, shinobi had obeyed only one absolute principle.
That was the supremacy of strength, and respect for the strong.
To put it plainly.
Even though the daimyō was the supreme ruler in name.
To shinobi, he was only a symbolic authority.
The ninja of the great hidden villages truly obeyed only their own Kage.
When comparing a Kage and a daimyō.
The criteria used by shinobi were extremely simple.
What is a daimyō? Can that be eaten?
Naturally, someone like Gatō—who could not even be considered legitimate nobility—was not worthy of even superficial respect. Even rebellion against him would not cause hesitation. The only thing about him that still held value was his money.
After Gatō and his men had completely left.
The island, which had previously been filled with noise and commotion, instantly fell silent.
Across the entire area.
Only four figures remained.
Zabuza led Haku and the Demon Brothers straight into the building on the island. This place was also one of his备用据点. Naturally, the funds used to maintain it all came from Gatō. As mentioned before, Gatō was nothing more than a convenient money source for Zabuza.
"So, Zabuza-sama, are we waiting for those Konoha shinobi to leave before proceeding with the mission target?"
The Demon Brothers did not dare speak too directly in front of Zabuza. They followed behind him respectfully, their posture cautious. As shinobi who had once served Kirigakure, they understood better than anyone how terrifying Zabuza's strength truly was.
After all, Zabuza was a former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
In Kirigakure's eyes, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were among the strongest existences beneath the Mizukage himself.
More importantly, Kirigakure had long been governed under the "Bloody Mist" policy.
In that village, strength reigned supreme, and brutality was the norm.
Blood and cruelty were the constant themes.
For Zabuza to rise and survive in such an environment.
Was proof enough of how terrifying this "Demon of the Mist" truly was.
What could be said, what could not be said.
What should be asked, and what should never be asked.
Any shinobi who graduated from Kirigakure understood these rules clearly.
In such a situation, the Demon Brothers could only ask indirectly. Remaining silent was often the safest choice.
"No need. There's no need to wait for them to retreat."
Zabuza shook his head lightly and sneered.
"I want that old man's life. And I want the Sharingan and the Byakugan. If I'm not mistaken, the Hyūga girl is from the main family. Opportunities like that are rare."
Zabuza's voice was low and cold.
"Just wait a few more days. Once that person arrives, we can move."
"Yes, Zabuza-sama."
Haku replied respectfully.
Though he was slightly curious about who Zabuza was referring to.
Haku maintained the awareness and discipline of a "tool."
He did not ask unnecessary questions.
He simply followed Zabuza's orders.
Unless it was absolutely necessary.
The Demon Brothers exchanged glances, equally puzzled.
"That person?"
Had Zabuza invited another powerful shinobi?
No matter how much they thought about it, they could not imagine someone significant enough for Zabuza to personally call upon.
One thing, however, was certain.
Anyone invited by Zabuza would unquestionably be a powerful jōnin.
At the very least, they would not be inferior to Zabuza himself.
Only with such strength would it be possible to ignore the presence of Konoha's shinobi and complete the mission directly.
After all, there were two jōnin among the enemy.
And several Konoha genin whose strength already surpassed that of the Demon Brothers.
(According to the latest information, there were now six genin.)
Inviting another powerful shinobi.
Would significantly increase their chances of victory.
With two elite jōnin, the Demon Brothers themselves, and an Ice Release user.
They would absolutely be capable of crushing those Konoha brats.
Of course, from a purely personal standpoint.
The Demon Brothers still preferred waiting until the Konoha shinobi left before acting.
It would only cost a few more days.
But once the Sharingan and the Byakugan were involved.
It became an entirely different matter.
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