"This isn't so bad either," Naruto said with a faint smile.
"You've already mastered several medical ninjutsu. Sachiko really looks up to you, you know? She's been dreaming of becoming a medical ninja."
Sasuke's eye twitched. Naruto's words sounded particularly grating to him. Over the past few days, Sasuke had indeed learned quite a few medical techniques—but of all the ones Naruto taught him, only the Chakra Scalpel could be used in actual combat. After testing them, he found them mostly impractical.
If he were seriously injured in battle, he wouldn't even have time or chakra to treat himself properly. And if he won, it'd be easier just to have a proper medic ninja heal him afterward.
Naruto noticed his sour expression and asked knowingly,
"Judging by your face... are you looking down on medical ninjas?"
"…No."
Sasuke exhaled slowly.
"I just don't think medical ninjutsu suits me."
"Oh? Then what kind of jutsu—huh?"
Naruto paused mid-sentence, his expression suddenly shifting to one of surprise. Out of habit, he had spread his sensory perception—and unexpectedly picked up on two familiar chakra signatures near the daimyo's mansion.
"Who is it?" Sasuke's eyes lit up with a sharp gleam, excitement bubbling in his chest.
Since his battle with Kosuke, Sasuke had felt a major boost in his overall combat strength. Now, he was eager for a new opponent to test himself against.
Noticing Sasuke's shift in attitude, Naruto chuckled lightly.
"It's someone you've met before—and nearly lost to."
"…What?"
Sasuke frowned. A moment later, two figures flashed through his memory. From Naruto's tone, his brow furrowed.
"You mean… Zabuza Momochi and that Ice Release kid?"
Naruto smiled and nodded.
Before long, two agile figures ran up to them—a boy and a girl.
"Sir!"
"Sensei!"
Each addressed them differently—Naruto and Sasuke were both using transformation jutsu to hide their identities—but the contrast in titles was stark.
"Eiji, those two guests didn't give your father any trouble, did they?" Naruto asked with a flat tone.
He had already sensed Zabuza and Haku waiting inside the daimyo's mansion.
"You… you already knew?" the boy stammered.
"My father said they're friends. After meeting them, they said they wanted to see you two, so he asked me and Sachiko to come inform you."
Though Naruto's voice was calm, Eiji felt an inexplicable chill in his soul. He lowered his gaze to the ground, not daring to look up.
He didn't know why, but this man terrified him on a fundamental level.
Naruto nodded slightly, then turned to the side.
"She called you sensei. Aren't you going to respond?"
Sasuke looked down at the little girl and sighed.
"Sachiko, how many times have I told you—don't call me 'sensei.'"
Her expression fell.
"Yes… I understand… Lord Sasuke."
He sighed again and shook his head.
"Fine. Call me 'sensei' if you really want to."
The girl's eyes lit up instantly, her smile blooming like a flower. Eiji glanced over with envy in his eyes.
Ten minutes later, the group gathered in the mansion's guest room. Naruto and Sasuke sat across from Zabuza and Haku.
"Zabuza-san," Naruto said with a strange smile as he eyed the long blade slung across Zabuza's back.
"I see you've taken up the Needle Blade. I never expected the so-called hero who saved the Mist would be here. What's the matter? Come to take back the Executioner's Blade?"
"No. We're just passing through."
Zabuza's voice was sharp, his face wrapped once again in bandages.
"When I heard that Gato became daimyo of the Land of Waves, I was curious what kind of powerful figure backed him. Didn't expect it was you two all along."
"Just passing through, huh?"
Naruto leaned back lazily in his chair. He cast a sidelong glance at Haku and smirked.
"Isn't it more likely you came because I told you about the Fourth Mizukage… and you want to ask about the whereabouts of the Six-Tails Jinchūriki to gain support for your own bid to become Mizukage?"
Zabuza and Haku's expressions both darkened.
After a pause, Zabuza asked cautiously,
"You know where the Six-Tails is?"
Naruto scoffed.
"Of course I don't. And even if I did, why would I tell you?"
Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
"We could cooperate. If you give me the Six-Tails' location, the Land of Water and the Land of Waves—"
"You're mistaken, Zabuza-san."
Naruto cut him off with a mocking smile.
"I really don't know. And besides… you should give up on becoming Mizukage. You're no match for Mei Terumi."
Zabuza's anger flared. Just as he opened his mouth, Haku stood up, visibly upset.
"What did you say?!"
Sasuke had been watching Haku closely the whole time. The moment Haku showed signs of attacking, his eyes lit up with fighting spirit.
He had always been hung up about losing to this "pretty boy"—especially after Naruto told him that Haku had gone easy on him out of kindness.
"…Why?"
Zabuza suppressed his rage and asked quietly.
Naruto pointed calmly at the door.
"I'll answer that—but first, I need to confirm: those people outside the mansion… are they with you?"
Zabuza frowned, clearly realizing something.
"…Wait. You don't mean…"
Naruto smiled faintly.
"Ah, so they're not with you. Judging from your expression, I guess you know who they are. That's why I said… you're better off not running for Mizukage."
Zabuza's shoulders slumped slightly.
"…I get it. Just hard to accept."
Seeing his master's disheartened expression, Haku's eyes widened. She spoke passionately,
"Zabuza-san, please don't give up! Everyone in the Land of Water knows it was you who ended the 'Bloody Mist' tyranny! Even the daimyo has publicly named you as one of the official candidates for Mizukage! People will see the truth—"
"That's enough, Haku."
Zabuza slowly shook his head.
"You've been with me since we were kids. You know better than anyone that truth and justice mean nothing in the shinobi world. Only strength matters."
"All our supporters are civilians and a handful of low-ranking ninja. The major Kekkei Genkai clans and most jōnin are backing Mei Terumi. And let's be honest… when have you ever heard of a missing-nin becoming Mizukage?"
Naruto, face emotionless, glanced at the two.
"If that's all, you can leave now. Any longer and someone might lose patience and attack."
"Hmph."
Sasuke shot a cold glare at Haku, who looked genuinely confused by the hostility.
Zabuza stood in silence and walked toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, he stopped and asked,
"Why didn't you kill us this time?"
Naruto grinned.
"Because you're still useful to me."
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