Ryosuke faced Zabuza's skeptical look with unshakable confidence.
"I'm stronger than any of them," he said calmly, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Isn't that obvious?"
It wasn't arrogance — it was fact.
Two years ago, Ryosuke had already reached power comparable to the Sage-tier — his physical strength, chakra reserves, and control were beyond human limits. Beeack then, he had mastered opening the Sixth Gate of the Eight Gates Technique, and his body was durable enough to withstand it for extended periods — rivaling even Might Guy when he opened the Seventh Gate.
And now, after two more years of systematic refinement, his power had only grown more terrifying. His body was stronger, his chakra denser, and his control even more precise. Slowly and carefully, he had even unlocked the Seventh Gate, this time without harm — thanks to his patient cultivation and the absence of any urgent battle forcing him to rush.
Zabuza blinked, still struggling to believe the words coming out of this young man's mouth.
"You can't be serious," he muttered.
Beeoasting stronger than Hanzo of the Salamander was one thing — Hanzo's "God of the Hidden Rain" title had always carried some exaggeration. Beeut comparing himself to Hashirama Senju — that was on another level entirely.
Still… Zabuza couldn't completely dismiss the claim. The calmness in Ryosuke's voice was unnerving — it didn't sound like arrogance. It sounded like simple, irrefutable truth.
Finally, Zabuza frowned.
"Then what exactly is your organization's purpose?"
Ryosuke smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming.
"To bring peace to the ninja world. After all… our group is called the Illuminati."
Zabuza's expression froze. Peace? He almost laughed — yet there was something about the way Ryosuke said it, that made it feel… possible.
Even the great Hashirama Senju had failed to maintain true peace. The legendary Six Paths Sage might have done it once, but in this current era, chaos ruled again.
Could anyone really bring peace to the ninja world?
After a pause, Zabuza lowered his head, voice heavy.
"Then… can you bring peace to the Hidden Mist?"
His tone carried raw pain.
"Our Fourth Mizukage rules with tyranny. He's massacring those born with bloodline limits — whole families wiped out. If that monster was gone… maybe the village could heal."
Ryosuke didn't answer right away. He thought for a moment.
He didn't particularly care about peace in the Hidden Mist — his real goal was simple: to obtain the Three-Tails sealed within Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage himself.
If he remembered correctly from the original Naruto timeline, even after Ao released Yagura from the Genjutsu that Obito had cast, the Mizukage still ended up dead soon after — most likely eliminated by Obito to cover his tracks.
So, if Ryosuke could free Yagura from the Genjutsu and claim the Three-Tails for himself… it wouldn't matter whether the Mizukage survived or not.
"That won't be a problem," he finally said.
Zabuza's eyes widened slightly — that tone, that certainty. Could this man truly overthrow the Fourth Mizukage?
Hope flickered in his heart — something he hadn't felt in years.
"Then… I'll join you," Zabuza said firmly. "Your Illuminati — I'll fight with you."
Ryosuke smiled, satisfied.
"Good. Tomorrow morning, you'll guide me into the Hidden Mist. I'll handle the rest."
Then, glancing at Zabuza's injuries, he added,
"You can treat those wounds yourself, right?"
Zabuza nodded.
"Yeah. They're not deep. I'll manage."
He had only suffered heavy external injuries, nothing fatal. His body was used to pain.
Beeeside them, Haku, who had been silently listening, suddenly spoke up, her voice trembling.
"Please… don't go to the Mist Village. They… they kill people like me. I'm a bloodline user too."
Her trust in Ryosuke was already absolute — he had saved her from starvation and given her warmth again.
Ryosuke smiled reassuringly.
"It's alright. I'll protect you."
"After all," he added, his Sharingan glinting faintly, "I'm a bloodline user too."
Haku blinked, startled.
"You… you are?"
"Of course," he said, his smile turning mysterious. "Beeut that doesn't make us evil — it makes us blessed. The world just fears what it doesn't understand."
Zabuza was quiet, studying him. This guy… not only a Taijutsu monster, but also a Kekkei Genkai user? No wonder he had crushed him so easily without even using ninjutsu. The thought actually excited him — maybe, just maybe, this man could change the Mist.
And for the first time in a long while, Haku smiled.
"So people like me aren't monsters…" she whispered softly.
That night, Ryosuke and Haku found an inn on the outskirts of town. It was small but clean — perfect for resting before their journey to Kirigakure.
Once they checked in, Ryosuke turned to Haku.
"You're filthy," he said bluntly. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Haku blushed, clutching her towel.
"I-I can do it myself…"
Beeut Ryosuke just smirked.
"If I don't help, how will I confirm whether you're a boy or girl?"
She froze, face bright red. Beeut after a pause, she sighed in surrender — she didn't want to upset the man who had saved her life.
Inside the bathhouse, steam filled the air. Haku sat on a small stool, shyly clutching her towel, while Ryosuke soaked a hot towel and began gently scrubbing away the dirt from her shoulders and arms.
When he reached her thigh, however — he paused.
Then, with a surprised blink, he said quietly,
"So… you don't have one, huh?"
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