Chapter 15 Murderous Intent
"Let's go!"
Kakashi raised one hand and gave the order.
The group of five set off for the Land of Waves.
Along the way, Kizaru was filled with curiosity.
Such an experience was truly rare.
Previously, in the Pirate World, nine out of ten days were spent on the boundless sea, on a ship.
Now, such a long period of land life was uncommon.
They walked and chatted.
Kizaru and Sasuke gradually gained a basic understanding of their employer.
A bridge building expert.
A rather sharp-tongued bridge building expert.
Wearing sunglasses, Kizaru looked at the big sun in the sky.
Kizaru gradually felt that the Pirate World was better; he didn't have to walk much at all.
As for sailing, that was a job for professionals.
And he could also use the Glint-Glint Fruit to travel.
However, most of his Devil Fruit abilities were currently suppressed and sealed, so he had no ability to travel quickly and could only rely on his feet.
The sun is really scorching~
Looking up at the sun, Kizaru walked step by step.
Splash!
Kizaru stepped into a puddle.
He looked down and saw his pants were covered in water stains and mud.
"How unlucky..."
He sighed and continued forward.
Kakashi also glanced at the puddle but showed no reaction and continued walking.
So awkward~
A strange feeling lingered in Kizaru's heart.
It wrapped around him like a thread, refusing to dissipate.
He walked two more steps, then wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Sweat?
Sweat!
Kizaru finally realized why something felt off.
On such a hot day, with such a big sun, how could there be water stains on the ground? They should have evaporated long ago!
Kizaru suddenly turned his head!
Whoosh~
The sound of water rose as two Ninja, wearing headbands of a different style than Konoha, emerged from the water.
Waving long iron chains, they rushed towards the five-person team.
Kizaru's pupils widened rapidly!
Holy crap!
How did they do that?
Two people could hide in such a small puddle?
And he had just stepped on it without noticing anything.
Are Ninja's methods so unpredictable and mysterious?
Could it be that Ninja can also elementalize like Logia-type Devil Fruit users and merge into water?
Seeing the two Ninja rushing towards him, Kizarustared blankly, showing no reaction.
The strength of these two Ninja... is really weak~
With Kakashi, a Jonin, present, he didn't need to act at all.
However, that being said...
His motionless stance, in the eyes of Kakashi and Sasuke, meant he was... scared stiff!
Sasuke pulled out a shuriken, threw it, then quickly twisted his body and delivered a spinning kick.
The two Ninja bypassed Sasuke and wrapped their bladed chains around Kakashi.
With a pull, "blood" splattered.
Kizaru was a little surprised. This guy shouldn't be dealt with so easily!
"You're next!"
One of the Ninja rushed towards Naruto, and the other towards Tazuna!
Kizaru looked and thought, "Well, they're coming for me!"
Do they really think I'm a pushover?
Just as he was about to make a move, Kakashi's figure instantly appeared beside the two, wrapping an arm around each enemy Ninja and twisting hard.
The two Ninja's necks snapped, and they died!
The dead man came back to life?
Kizaru was greatly surprised. He turned his head to look at the spot where Kakashi had just been "killed."
Several scattered dry branches lay on the ground.
Is this the Body Replacement Jutsu?
Having been in the Ninja World for some time, he had learned about the Body Replacement Jutsu, but this was the first time he had seen it in actual combat.
Ninjutsu is truly amazing; it grants extraordinary power without the need for Devil Fruit.
Kakashi smiled.
"Don't worry, Naruto, I won't let my subordinates get hurt."
Sasuke also showed a strange smile, "Scared stiff, Loser!"
Loser? Scared stiff?
Are they talking about me?
I was just spacing out for a bit. When did I get scared stiff?
Kizaru was too lazy to bother with these two who were imagining things.
He walked ahead by himself.
The danger had been resolved, so the escort mission would continue.
"Mr. Tazuna, there's something I'm very concerned about~"
Kakashi looked at Tazuna, his brows furrowed.
A hint of tension flashed across Tazuna's face: "It's finally here, isn't it? As expected, I couldn't keep it a secret."
"I understand what you mean. I'll tell you now..."
...This old man sure knows how to play... He paid for a C-rank mission, but in reality, it's close to A-rank difficulty.
"Gato, the gang, the shipping company, and even hired Ninja... is that it?" After listening to Tazuna's explanation, Kizaru murmured to himself, understanding the beginning and end of the matter, "This is not much different from pirate crews in the Pirate World~"
..."Alright, the mission continues!"
After some haggling and Tazuna's deliberate act of misery, Captain Kakashi decided to continue the mission.
"Wait a minute..." Kizaru quickly asked, "If we continue, will the mission reward become A-rank level?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Tazuna only paid for a C-rank mission, so it's still C-rank remuneration!" Kakashisaid.
"Is that so? Then I'm not going. Who works without money~" Kizaru turned to leave.
"Although that's the case, since the mission difficulty has increased, everyone's reward will be five times higher. While it still doesn't reach B-rank mission levels, it's still a considerable amount!" Kakashi smiled, narrowing his eyes.
Five... times!
"I'm in!"
Kizaru was the first to walk forward.
Just as expected!
Kakashi looked speechless. How did Naruto, who was perfectly fine, turn into a money-grubber?
Sakura naturally had no objections either... After some time.
Kizaru's expression suddenly changed.
Someone else was coming!
Although he hadn't detected any traces, a faint killing intent had already begun to swirl.
And from the intensity of the killing intent, it was a strong individual!
A strong individual no less than Kakashi!
Who could it be?
"So that's it. I wondered why those two brothers failed to assassinate an old bridge builder. So you were here too!"
A deep male voice came.
Kizaru looked in the direction of the voice; a man carrying a terrifying large sword stood on a tree branch.
Kakashi also saw him, his pupils slightly constricted. This person is... "Zabuza Momochi, the rogue Ninja of Hidden Mist, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
That great sword is kubikiribōchō!
"Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake! I didn't expect you to recognize me!"
Zabuza drew the great sword from his back and threw it, "So where should I cut you from!"
Swish, swish, swish~
The great sword spun as it slashed towards the group.
They quickly dodged.
The great sword chopped into a large tree.
Zabuza Momochi leaped onto the great sword, standing on it.
Killing intent began to surge out.
Hiss~
Kizaru prided himself on being well-traveled and knowledgeable. He had witnessed things like souls being squeezed out and countless instances of cities being slaughtered and nations destroyed.
Devils, angels, villains... he had seen all kinds of people.
Yet, he had never seen a person's killing intent so pure!
Even the most monstrous and evil individuals possessed malice, but not this kind of killing intent!
"Interesting..."