This Naruto is a player.

Chapter 216 The curtain opens
at the same time.

Another location in the Land of Hot Water.

Compared to News Corporation's headquarters, which is located next to a bustling city center, this place is rather quiet and secluded.

Comparatively speaking, the scenery here is actually better.

Surrounded by green mountains, a clear river flows through the area at the foot of the mountains, with dense forests on both banks, so lush and green that even the air you breathe smells exceptionally sweet.

Right at the bend in the river, there is a giant tree.

In the middle of the giant tree stands a huge treehouse, the residence of Zabuza Momochi, who holds a series of titles such as "Hero of the Land of Waves," "Savior of the Hidden Mist," and "Good Friend of the People of the Land of Water."

I don’t know if Zabuza is used to it, but he lived in a treehouse in the Land of Waves and the same way in the Land of Hot Springs.

In external communications, this is precisely a manifestation of the fine virtue of thrift!
It was midday, and the sun was high in the sky.

Inside the main house of the wooden cabin, Zabuza was sitting quietly reading a book.

Zabuza always felt that what that person said was right. He was about to become the Mizukage, so he had to keep up with the cultural literacy.

From now on, even if you can't speak eloquently, at least you can't use foul language!

Zabuza spent this period of time reading books, which was during which he was very obedient.

however.

Today's weather is a bit unusual.

On such a fine day, why is there an unusual fog rising around the cabin?
Zabuza hadn't paid much attention to it, since although the weather in the Land of Hot Water was much better than in the Land of Water, the country still had just as much water.

Therefore, foggy weather is not uncommon.

However, as time went on, the fog grew thicker and thicker, until it became so thick that one could not see their hand in front of their face.

"Is it an enemy?"

Zabuza muttered to himself, keenly sensing the chakra contained within the mist.

Only those from the Hidden Mist Village could use this kind of mist concealment technique.

can.

They actually used this move on me without any warning?
Kirigakure no Jutsu!

This is an assassination technique exclusively used by Kirigakure!

Someone in Kirigakure wants to kill me?

Zabuza was quite puzzled.

Just two days ago, he learned from Minazuki Tetsuju that the plan was progressing very smoothly. In another six months at most, he would be able to go to Kirigakure, the village he was loyal to, as its master, and become the Mizukage, amidst the warm welcome of the people.

What is this place before us?
They've actually started targeting me.
who is it?

Zabuza was confused, but his hands didn't slow down. "If it's just 'Hidden Mist Technique,' then I'm your ancestor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the fog thickened instantly, and Zabuza vanished from the spot.

"Captain~"

A voice whispered from within the fog, "The target has disappeared!"

"Huh? Weren't you inside just now?"

"But just now, he disappeared!"

"Fool! Look around, see if the other party is also a master of the Mist Concealment Technique!"

"Yes!"

"Keep the change, please!"

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice interrupted their conversation.

"Who are you?" The captain's voice sounded inexplicably panicked through the fog.

The enemy had silently crept up to them; if they wanted to eliminate them...
"I am the person you are looking for!"

The sound seemed to come from all directions. The captain nervously looked around, but found no sign of the enemy.

"Where are you?"

He looked flustered, and the composure on his face had long since vanished.

“I am right here beside you.”

The voice seemed to come from near and far, and the captain and another team member felt an omnipresent sense of oppression.

The surrounding area was shrouded in thick white fog, so dense that even two people facing each other could barely see each other.

The enemy is hiding in this thick fog, and we can kill them anytime, anywhere!
They were originally hunters!

But now that their roles have been reversed, they've become the prey?
"Is I your target? What do you want to do? Kill me?"

Zabuza's voice was so ethereal, as if it were far away, yet it was right in front of him in the next moment.

Zabuza had now taken the initiative, constantly pressuring his opponent psychologically while also interrogating him.

This was his favorite tactic before!
He enjoys the expressions on his prey's faces even more; those expressions of fear and dread please him!

Seeing this, the captain knew that the two of them were probably no match for each other.

However, thinking of something, he started to pull and try to delay as much as possible, "Zabuza, the newspapers all say that you are a great person, loyal to Kirigakure. You also came from Kirigakure, so you naturally know the rules of Kirigakure."

"Ah!"

The omnipresent voice sighed coldly, causing the surrounding temperature to drop by three degrees.

Zabuza bluntly exposed their stubbornness, saying, "I know there are more than just the two of you, look~"

Plop~~
Two objects flew over from within the fog.

They initially intended to draw their weapons to defend themselves, but upon recognizing the incoming object, they immediately ceased their attack.

"Oni-Hero? Ni-Maru?" The captain was furious upon witnessing the two men's miserable state!
It turns out that the people Zabuza threw out were actually the corpses of two other members of their team?
Shouldn't these two have been hiding and providing support to them long ago?

Why were they discovered, even before they were killed?

"What, you're still not going to talk? If you don't, this will be what happens to you two!"

Upon hearing that voice, seemingly from the abyss, issue a death notice once more, the captain gave a bitter smile.

His voice was unusually calm, "Zabuza, I wonder if you still remember me. I never expected that after more than ten years, your strength has grown to this level. It's truly astonishing."

The captain knew the strength of his two subordinates; even he would have to expend considerable effort to overcome them. Yet, the other party simply vanished from their sight for a moment before instantly killing them.

The gap in strength between the two sides is like an insurmountable chasm!
Only unconventional methods can create miracles!

After he finished speaking, no sound came from the fog, but he clearly felt a gaze fixed on him from within the fog.

However, how could one see anything clearly in such a thick fog?

With a sigh, the captain continued, "You guessed right, we came here to assassinate you. Now that the assassination attempt failed, you should know the discipline of Kirigakure."

"bring it on!"

The captain roared and spread his arms wide, making a gesture of accepting his fate without resistance.

"team leader!"

The teammate next to him tugged at his clothes, but it did not change the captain's mind.

whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~~
A whooshing sound of a large sword echoed through the air, clearly indicating that a massive object was rapidly approaching.

However, due to the thick fog, the two could not see the large sword at all.

Wait, I see it!

By the time they saw the flying blade, it was too late for them to react.

stab-

puff-

The two men were cut in two by the sharp and heavy broadsword, like rag dolls.

swoosh~
The next second, a figure appeared and directly grasped the hilt of the flying broadsword.

In the thick fog, the blurry figure looked down at the two figures and sighed silently, "How pathetic!"

puff-

Suddenly, the sound of a sharp blade piercing through a body rang out.

Zabuza looked down and saw a shuriken suddenly appear and pierce his abdomen.

At this moment, bright red blood gushed out like an inexhaustible fountain, instantly staining his clothes red.

Zabuza looked back with a cold gaze, and the figure was none other than the former captain. When he looked back at the spot where the body had been, there was only the body of that team member, while the captain's original body was wet.

Upon realizing this ability, Zabuza instantly thought of something, "You're from the Hozuki family."

"That's right,"

The captain grinned cruelly. "I didn't expect Zabuza-senpai to be so careless! In that case..."

Just as he was feeling smug, crash—

Zabuza, who had been stabbed, suddenly turned into a puddle of water. It turned out that the Zabuza he had stabbed was actually a water clone? When did this happen?
He thought he had succeeded, but...
"Fire Release: The Art of Fire Dragon!"

A sound rang out from close by, and by the time Hozuki Kogetsu reacted and turned around, a burst of fire had already filled his entire field of vision!
The fire dragon drew closer and closer, and in an instant, it swallowed it whole.

After a while.

Click, click, click——

Zabuza walked over, stepping on the withered branches. He looked at the charred body but made no attempt to test whether it was dead.

He knows his own abilities.

Since that day, he has reached the pinnacle of mastery in the fire attribute, whether in terms of proficiency with fire escaping techniques, or in terms of nature transformation and form transformation.

This level of escaping technique would be far too easy to deal with a mere Jonin.

just.

These people are really weak!

Thinking back to when he was hidden in the mist, what kind of teams were they?
What kind of garbage is this now?
"I never imagined that after more than ten years away, the ninjas of Kirigakure would have become so lax. If I were to become the Mizukage, I would have to train these ninjas properly; they don't even possess basic assassination skills!"

Zheng——

Zabuza picked up the large sword from the ground, turned around and left, but after taking only a few steps, he turned back and frowned as he carefully examined the enemy's corpse on the ground.

The Dark Side?
As a rogue ninja who escaped from Kirigakure, Zabuza easily recognized their identities—the Anbu.

But, their goal was to assassinate themselves?

"It seems the plan went awry. How pathetic. My mission, Zabuza, was to save you all, but instead, they came to assassinate me. How pathetic." With a sigh, Zabuza shouldered his greatsword and walked back.

"white!"

Arriving at the foot of the wooden house, Zabuza called out.

swoosh~
A small figure appeared and landed beside him.

This is a young man with long hair, who is quite handsome at a young age. One can imagine that he will grow up to be a stunning beauty, like the 'Mizunazuki Teppei'.

"Zabuza-sama."

Mizuki Haku called out respectfully.

Zabuza glanced at Haku and saw that there was no sign of battle on him. He showed no surprise at all.

The enemy's surprise attack wasn't just aimed at him; it also targeted Bai. A total of two squads, six people in total, were heading straight for him, while two went to Bai's side.

However, given Bai's strength, the outcome was self-evident.

"Have you gotten anything out of them during the interrogation?"

Do not kill him.

Having gained nothing, he naturally placed his hopes on Bai.

Upon hearing this, Bai shook his head, "They are very tight-lipped; we haven't obtained any information."

"嘁~"

Zabuza couldn't help but curl a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth. "That's the only good thing about the Hidden Mist Ninja. Their high-pressure policies make them extremely tight-lipped, otherwise they could easily be wiped out."

This is what the mist hides.

That was true at least in his time.

This is his original intention in making him determined to change the Hidden Mist Village!
With this thought flashing through his mind, Zabuza turned and left, but this time he didn't go back to the house; instead, he headed into the distance.

"What are you going to do, Zabuza-san?"

Zabuza paused for a moment, then glanced back at him out of the corner of his eye. "The plan has changed. They've come to our doorstep, so of course we should go and greet them."

After saying that, he turned and left, as if he had made up his mind.

Bai naturally followed immediately.

The two, one adult and one child, did not head directly to the Land of Water, but instead took a detour to the News Corporation headquarters.

After all, the entire strategy for conquering the Land of Water was devised by Minazuki Tetsuju, and their activities also had to conform to the plan.

But when Zabuza arrived at News Corporation headquarters, he discovered something hilarious.

Surprisingly, there were also four assassins from Kirigakure here. Judging from their clothing, they were the same as the group that attacked him, all from Kirigakure's Anbu.

These four people actually dared to attack this 'Minazuki Iron Pillar', daring to attack this very being?

"Have the higher-ups in Kirigakure become so incompetent?"

It's worth noting that News Corporation rose to prominence in just a few months, with its various news scoops boosting sales but also attracting more enemies. So why has News Corporation remained standing for so long, without any major upheavals?

Naturally, it's because of the club president and all those members!

Thinking about this, Zabuza felt a chill run down his spine.

So many members, each one of them was no less important than him.

If this force were to conquer Kirigakure, Kirigakure would be powerless to resist.

It's not just Kikage; it's probably the same for all five major world powers!
Thinking of this, Zabuza felt a little apprehensive, but this was also the reason why he relied on the News Corporation.

When Tie Zhu saw him arrive, he was surprised for a moment, but then he instantly understood.

He asked with a smile, "What, were you attacked too?"

That smile, that smile!

Zabuza immediately avoided eye contact.

Even though he was a man in his twenties, and even though he felt he would never love again, this man's charm still stirred something within him.

Yes.

Even though she already knew the person in front of her was a man!

"Yes."

Zabuza answered confidently, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the four assassins. "Are these the ones who attacked you?"

"No,"

Mizuki Tetsuju denied it, saying, "These people have come to seek refuge with me."

"Join us?" Zabuza was utterly astonished.

As far as he knew, the ninjas of Kirigakure were all people with 'discipline' ingrained in their minds. How could there be any fools who would travel so far to defect to the enemy?
Looking at the four of them again, there were indeed no signs of battle on them. Although each of them looked a little dazed and had dead fish eyes, they were all full of vitality.

"What intelligence do you have?" Zabuza sat down in his chair, his large sword held upright beside him.

"It's Ao from Kirigakure who wants to deal with you,"

Tie Zhu glanced at him sideways, his words carrying a pointed meaning: "You know Qing, right? They wanted to assassinate you! Even..."

After a pause, Tie Zhu offered his guess, "Even that 'Master Yuan,' who is not the Mizukage but is more like the Mizukage, also has the intention to kill you."

This is just Tie Zhu's guess.

But he spoke directly and decisively, and then prepared to force Zabuza to go in the direction he had envisioned.

"Qinghe Yuanshi, is that it?"

Zabuza pondered, thinking of those two people.

Ao is a senior, and it is said that it was his Byakugan that exposed the reality that the Fourth Mizukage was being manipulated.

As for Yuan Shi
Did that person actually make such a choice?
Zabuza knew that if that person also thought of him that way and used that as an excuse to kill him, then he would have no place to exist in the current Hidden Mist Village.

That being the case!

A ruthless glint flashed in Zabuza's eyes. If that's how it is, then let's kill them and turn the entire Hidden Mist Village upside down!

but.

Zabuza turned his head to look at that stunning profile and asked in confusion, "Didn't we agree that after a few more months I would be able to rely on my immense prestige to win without a fight and answer the people's call to directly sit on the throne of the Mizukage?"

How did the plan end up like this?

Tiezhu handed Zabuza an investigation report, "Take a look!"

Zabuza took it and examined it.

The above are various charts, mainly showing impressions and support for Zabuza.

After four or five months of promotion, Zabuza's trust level in the Land of Water has reached around 50%, and his penetration rate has reached 60%.

Further predictions suggest that if this kind of promotion continues, the trust level will reach at least 80% within six months.

The above is the survey of the Land of Water. As for the Hidden Mist Village, it is slightly lower than this, but it will be enough for a "return of the king" to take place in half a year!

With such high approval ratings, what's a Qing? What's a Yuan Master?
Isn't it all up to Zabuza to decide what he says?
"But the enemy won't give us that chance!" Tie Zhu explained.

"Since the enemy isn't giving us a chance, we have no choice but to forcefully launch the follow-up plan!"

Thinking of his plan, Tie Zhu smiled broadly. "Although there were some unforeseen circumstances that left us somewhat unprepared, the current situation is sufficient. So,"

"Zabuza-san, are you ready to become a hero?"

(End of this chapter)