Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

"Snap...!"

A crisp clang of metal being struck echoed around.

"This is acceptable? Chop... Can't you even concentrate? (?Д?)ノ"

"The knife...the knife broke. (Д)"

The scene the three kids had envisioned—the blond old man being cut in half at the waist—did not occur. Instead, they saw the super machete striking the blond old man with a clanging sound, and the blond old man was completely unharmed; not even his clothes could be torn. Most importantly, that awesome machete actually broke.

The three of them nearly dropped their jaws.

That's way too hard!

"This... the Seven Swords of Kirigakure are getting weaker and weaker, huh? I can't feel it at all. Is that ugly monster not full? His strength is lacking."

Shinto looked at the broken sword that had slashed at him and curled his lip in disdain.

I've carried Grandpa Ban's forty-meter-long broadsword, but you're just a toy knife?

"Damn it! Die!" (▼he▼メ)

"Jingle bells...!"

That look in his eyes, that tone of voice.

Zabuza, who was initially shocked by the hardness of the Golden Lion, suddenly lost his temper and ignored the old man from the Land of Waves and Kakashi, unleashing a frenzied barrage of attacks with his super machete.

The mission can fail, the money can be forfeited, even the reputation can be lost, but this old guy must die!

Since his debut, everyone who dared to call him an ugly monster has died. Now, some old guy is calling him an ugly monster again and again. Does he really think he's some kind of nobody?

947. They actually exhausted their opponent.

"Jingle bells!"

"Hit harder! Hit harder! Slash here! Didn't you guys in Kirigakure teach any basic skills? You can't even hit the mark."

"Damn...1(▼へ▼メ)"

"Jingle bells!"

"A little to the left, yes, yes! Right here, push harder, push harder! Don't do a horizontal chop like Teacher, can you try a different routine? Your basic skills are really lacking!"

"hateful....."

"Jingle bells...!"

"Huh! Are the graduation requirements at Kirigakure's schools really this low? How can you graduate if you can't even master the basics?"

"Go to hell..."

"Jingle bells..."

"Give me some energy, I'm almost asleep..."

"mix..."

"Jingle bells!"

"........"

"Has he always been like this? Is that alright?"

The kids stared blankly as a man wielding a giant machete began hacking at a shiny black old man. If there were only the visuals and no sound, it would look like a scene of a strong, angry old man and a burly man. But once the sound was heard, the scene was completely different.

The pink-haired girl, without distinguishing friend from foe, asked Karin, who was standing to the side.

According to their Kakashi-sensei, those were the incredibly powerful Seven Swords of the Mist Ninja. This Golden Lion was slashed for so long and was completely unharmed, and the sword broke countless times. This guy is fucking tough...

"Of course! My great-uncle is the toughest man in the ninja world!"

Karin said with her head held high in a haughty manner.

Actually, she was worried to death just now. Although she often heard her great-uncle brag, this was the first time she had seen him fight with someone. It would be a lie to say she wasn't worried. But seeing how talkative her great-uncle was, she knew that he really wasn't bragging. He was indeed tough.

"That ugly girl is so pitiful..."

The Savior looked at Zabuza, who was already enraged, and for some reason, he felt sorry for him, even though Zabuza was clearly the villain and had just been fighting them to the death.

"Uh-huh...."

Even the second male lead in the pants nodded in agreement.

That golden lion's mouth is just too nasty...it's so hurtful.

"Kakashi-sensei, is this guy the strongest ninja in the world? How does he compare to that man?"

Seeing the old man who was being relentlessly attacked but was actually taunting the other party, the second male lead asked Kakashi.

He was born into the Uchiha clan, and his father was still alive when he was young. Although he didn't quite understand what the concept of the strongest ninja in the world meant, he had seen how powerful the person carrying the big cleaver was. If it weren't for Kakashi-sensei protecting them, the three of them would have been instantly killed when the other person appeared.

But the fact that such a formidable figure was toyed with like a monkey in front of this old guy already demonstrates the old guy's strength. Originally, in his heart, that man was the strongest, and he had been fighting for that man for many years. Now, this old guy has completely refreshed his understanding of power. Just in terms of hardness alone, he is absolutely unique in the ninja world.

"...Although this old guy is crazy, he is as strong as a monster. As far as I know, there is no power in the ninja world that can break through his defenses and kill him. My father said that this old guy has never been injured in decades since he debuted. It is not wrong to say that he is the number one in the ninja world."

As Kakashi spoke, he couldn't help but recall the scene of this old guy taking on the Nine-Tails of Konoha one-on-one. Even the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball couldn't kill him. He didn't know what power could kill him. He guessed that even their First Hokage's Wood Release wouldn't work.

"........"

The second male lead clenched his fists tightly. Although Kakashi didn't say it explicitly, the meaning was clear: this old guy was a monster. Although that man was powerful, he was still a human being. How could a human be compared to a monster?

But he can't even compare to that human man. How can he possibly revitalize the Uchiha clan in the future?

"However, this old guy's skill is a special talent that others simply cannot learn. You are younger than that man, so you still have a chance in the future..."

Seeing the second male lead's reaction, Kakashi knew exactly what he was thinking and offered words of comfort.

"Wow! That's amazing, he hasn't been injured in decades!"

However, the other three kids, including Mizuki Haku, were completely shocked by Kakashi's words.

Especially the savior and the pink-haired girl, although they were new to the profession, they knew that behind the seemingly glamorous profession of ninja were countless dangers. Just like when they were brutally beaten by this masked man before, they were covered in wounds. But this old guy had never been injured in decades of his career, which was too exaggerated.

"What? You're already done? Get up, grab your weapon, unleash your fury, and give it your all. I haven't even warmed up yet!"

Half a day later, Shinto looked at Zabuza lying on the ground like a dead dog and said angrily about his lack of ambition.

"Huff huff huff... Damn it..."

Zabuza lay sprawled on the ground, panting heavily and too weak to speak. At this moment, for the first time, he felt a deep loathing for the guillotine in his hand; he felt like he was about to vomit!

He had never been so serious about cutting anything before, especially after he got the decapitation sword. What enemy couldn't he kill with a single strike?

But this foul-mouthed old guy is just too damn hard!

Every time he attacked with all his might, it had no effect. Not only did he suffer from the constant provocation of the old man, but the blow was so great that he began to doubt himself.

The difference is just too damn huge.

"This... is amazing! They actually exhausted the other person! Σ(☉▽☉a)"

When they saw Zabuza sprawled on the ground, panting heavily, the kids around him were dumbfounded. It was the first time they had ever seen such a scene—the one who had been slashed hadn't even arrived, but the one who had slashed was already exhausted and collapsed. It was incredibly exciting.

"Lord Zabuza! Are you alright?"

Seeing that the game was over, Zabuza was exhausted, like a dead dog. Mizuki Haku quickly came to Zabuza's side, helped him up, and asked him with concern.

"...Don't worry, little guy. This ugly thing is just exhausted. He'll recover after taking a power pill. Let's ignore him. You still haven't answered whether you want to follow me or not. It's a waste to be around this rude ugly thing. You won't even know when you'll get killed."

Shinto looked at Mizuki Haku, who had been touted as the number one ninja in the world, and grew to like him more and more. He was handsome, had a pleasant voice, and most importantly, a decent personality. Unlike the second male lead, who was such an overpowered character, Shinto regretted not finding and bringing this kid home when he went to the Land of Water to have some fun.

948. Saying the wrong thing can really kill you.

"I'm sorry, Lord Golden Lion. Lord Zabuza raised me from childhood and taught me the meaning of life. I will never leave Lord Zabuza."

When asked by Shinto, Mizuki Haku became extremely nervous. His worries were justified; Shiki was too fierce, and Zabuza-sama was indeed unable to handle him. He was already exhausted before Shiki even made a move.

"What are you saying? Is your purpose in life just to be Zabuza's tool? Look at you, you don't even like killing. You had a hundred and one ways to kill those two brats, but you didn't do it. That just proves you're not suited for this line of work."

“Zabuza, you’ve been around for a while, you should know that in the ninja world, you can’t stand firm without being ruthless. After all, you raised this kid yourself, and I can tell you’re not a heartless person, otherwise you wouldn’t have tried to assassinate that good-for-nothing Fourth Mizukage back then. You know this kid’s personality, he could easily get you and him killed in the future. Rather than that, you might as well let him come with me.”

Shinto knew that nothing he said would work on someone who had already been brainwashed; his verbal skills weren't up to par. So, he decided to shift his focus to Zabuza, who was still panting heavily.

Although Zabuza was a rogue ninja, he was also a pitiful person overall. If it weren't for Madara's actions back then, he would still be a promising young man who loves the village. After all, he assassinated the Mizukage for the sake of the village.

Moreover, even a pig raised for more than ten years will develop feelings, let alone a human. Zabuza simply didn't express this fatherly affection, otherwise he wouldn't have been so distraught after Haku's death in the original story.

However, just in case this guy is the toughest, Masato still gave him a look and let him figure it out himself.

Be careful what you say, or you could really get yourself killed...

"Hmph... Haku, you should go with them. He's right, you're really not suited to be a ninja. The ninja world is too dangerous; your soft heart will get us killed..."

After receiving the old bastard's look, Zabuza gritted his teeth and wanted to continue being stubborn, but after immediately sensing the murderous intent hidden in the old man's eyes, he swallowed back the words he was about to say, and then took a deep breath and looked at the boy he had raised for more than ten years.

To say he had no feelings for this boy would be nonsense. Recalling the boy's life from childhood to adulthood, a rare hint of tenderness appeared in Zabuza's eyes. Haku was kind-hearted from a young age and not suited to be a ninja. However, living with a rogue ninja abandoned by the village, he had to become stronger. Facing the pursuit of the village's ANBU and fellow rogue ninjas, and knowing that Haku was a child who had awakened the Ice Release bloodline limit, he knew how precious bloodline limits were. Even if it was just to help him protect himself, he had to force Haku to become stronger.

Because sometimes he can't even protect them.

Perhaps leaving with Shiki is the best outcome. With Shiki's current strength, which can exhaust him, he can protect Haku without having to take risks by his side.

"Zabuza-sama..."

"Stop talking, just go with them. Staying with me will only be a burden."

Upon hearing Zabuza's words, Mizuki Haku felt a surge of anxiety. Just as he was about to say something, Zabuza regained some strength and struggled to his feet. After speaking, he, like a true man who never looks back, shouldered his super machete and resolutely walked away with faltering steps.

.......

"Waaaaah... This is so damn touching! Nephew, don't comfort me, let me have a good cry. I haven't seen such a touching scene in decades since your grandfather and your father were separated by death."

The scene of fatherly love and filial piety just now, and Zabuza's cold mountain silhouette now, moved Masato to tears. In this day and age, there is deceit and treachery everywhere, and there are not many people with such genuine feelings as Zabuza anymore.

"......"

A giant crow flew over everyone's heads. The scene just now was indeed touching, and even the second male lead was deeply moved by Zabuza. However, upon hearing the old man's words, the somewhat sad atmosphere that had been painstakingly created was instantly shattered.

Kakashi, in particular, would have loved to kill someone if he weren't outmatched by the old man.

You can be all sentimental, but why are you bringing up my dad and grandfather...?

"Hmph! Zabuza, that good-for-nothing, took so much money from me and still can't do anything right."

Just then, an arrogant voice came from the bridge not far away.