Zabuza frowned.
This masked man was claiming to be Senju Hashirama.
Nonsense.
The "God of Shinobi" had lived generations ago—how could he possibly still be alive?
Although Zabuza didn't believe the man's words for a moment, he didn't voice his doubt. Someone who hid behind a mask and spoke like this clearly had no intention of explaining himself. If he wanted to play Hashirama, Zabuza would let him.
Regardless, their positions were already opposed. And Zabuza was never the type to retreat in the face of danger—no matter how terrifying his opponent appeared.
He tightened his grip on the Executioner's Blade and sneered.
"Why aren't you staying in Konoha, First Hokage? What brings you to the Land of Waves?"
"Konoha is no longer what it once was," the masked man replied calmly."The people there have forgotten their original purpose—forgotten why I created the village in the first place."
He sighed, then raised his head.
"I am disappointed. I regret founding Konoha."
His voice hardened.
"I will correct Konoha—and this shinobi world consumed by ambition and desire. I will plant trees of peace across the world… and the Land of Waves will be the starting point."
This man…
He truly believed he was Hashirama Senju.
Correcting the entire shinobi world.
Haku glanced instinctively at Zabuza.
That ambition…
It was eerily similar to Zabuza's own.
In the Hidden Mist Village where Zabuza was born, the rule of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had turned the village into a blood-soaked nightmare. Students in the academy were forced to kill one another; only the final survivor was allowed to graduate.
Zabuza's dream had always been to overthrow Yagura and end that era of madness.
Thinking of this, Zabuza clenched his fists.
"A masked fool spouting grand words," he growled.
This man was far too mysterious. Zabuza still couldn't discern his true intentions.
"You don't have to believe me," the masked man said evenly."Just don't interfere. I need to speak with Kado."
"After I defeat you," Zabuza snapped,"you can talk to him all you want!"
Mist Concealment Technique—Silent Killing!
Zabuza glanced at Haku. After a brief nod, he formed hand seals, chakra surging violently through his body, a ghostly red aura spilling outward.
In the next instant, he vanished.
The masked man shook his head slightly.
He won't listen.
The Mist Concealment Technique was meaningless before the Byakugan. Against Zabuza, there was no need for a second move.
The masked man stood calmly with his arms crossed. Beside him, the masked girl tilted her head, curiously observing the surroundings.
Within the dense fog, roots and vines erupted from the ground, spreading rapidly—chasing something unseen.
Hidden within the mist, Zabuza felt a chill crawl down his spine.
He slashed through the encroaching roots with his blade, but more trees and vines surged up immediately, endless and impossible to fully cut apart.
No matter how he dodged or countered, the forest closed in.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A roaring torrent blasted forward, tearing open a temporary path.
The ground trembled as another wave of trees began to rise. Zabuza's eyes sharpened.
"Body Flicker Technique—Mist Flicker!"
In an instant, he crossed several meters, the Executioner's Blade roaring down toward the masked man's head.
"Not bad."
The words sounded like praise from a spectator watching a street performance.
Zabuza's eyes widened in fury.
"I love killing arrogant people like you!"
He swung with all his strength.
The wind from the blade snapped the masked man's robes. Behind the wooden mask, Zabuza met a pair of beautiful, emotionless white eyes.
Two massive wooden hands burst from the ground.
Zabuza leapt instinctively, narrowly evading them.
"That trick won't work on me—!"
His words froze.
The wooden hands hadn't caught him—
They had trapped his Executioner's Blade.
Zabuza hesitated for a split second, then abandoned the sword and retreated.
Too late.
Countless vines surged up, binding his limbs completely.
As his vision was swallowed by branches, the last thing he saw was the masked man standing there—calm, unmoved.
…I couldn't even force him to take a single step.
When the masked man departed, Haku cut through the vines and found Zabuza lying on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
"Why didn't you help me?" Zabuza demanded hoarsely.
"He never intended to kill you," Haku replied softly.
"…He might as well have," Zabuza muttered. For the first time, life felt meaningless.
"Zabuza-san," Haku said gently, touching his face,"you haven't achieved your dream yet. Why think of dying?"
Silence followed.
Then Haku spoke again, his voice calm, like a stone dropped into still water.
"Should we ask that Hashirama… to begin correcting the shinobi world with the Hidden Mist?"
The words lingered.
In a corner of the manor, Kado collapsed to his knees as the masked man approached.
"How much did those rebels pay you to kill me?!" he screamed."I'll pay double!"
He had never imagined that Zabuza—worth fifteen million—would lose so completely.
Just how terrifying was this masked man?
There was no way the people of the Land of Waves could afford someone like him.
"Can you afford it?" the masked man asked lightly.
Kado clenched his teeth.
"The rebels are poor! I'm rich! Spare me, and I'll give you everything I own!"
"I'll open the shipping routes! I'll leave the Land of Waves forever! I guarantee you'll earn more than that bounty!"
Silence hung in the air.
"Deal," the masked man said, nodding.
Kado nearly collapsed in relief.
Then came the next words.
"You don't need to leave. And you don't need to open the shipping routes," the masked man said calmly."Just keep doing what you've been doing to the people of the Land of Waves—only more intensely."
Kado froze.
If he wasn't hired by the rebels…
Then who was he working for?
"May I ask… why?" Kado asked weakly.
This level of oppression couldn't last.
"Soon, the world will descend into chaos," the masked man replied."Keeping them confined is for their own protection."
Kado didn't believe a word of it.
How were people supposed to survive?What would they eat?Who would provide for them?
But fear crushed all questions.
He nodded frantically, forcing a smile.
As he cursed inwardly, he saw the masked man raise his hand.
Two branches shot from the sleeve—piercing straight into his eyes.
"AAAAH!"
"My eyes!"
Kado writhed on the floor, screaming.
"Byakugan Curse Mark," the masked man said calmly."It is both a curse and a blessing. Once you reach a certain level… you can break free from it."
His voice faded as he walked away.
PS :
Blood Mist System - Kirigakure's brutal shinobi system under the Fourth Mizukage, forcing students to kill one another to graduate.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789