Chapter 61 — Dealing with Gato
Compared with Sakura and Sasuke's startled expressions, Naruto trembled slightly with excitement.
He had hoped, for a moment, to learn something about his parents — only to have that hope torn away.
Before Naruto could remain excited for long, Jirō's calm voice sounded again.
"Unfortunately, the Land of Whirlpools has already been destroyed."
"Destroyed? That can't be…" Naruto's face froze, the joy draining away as quickly as it had come.
"It was destroyed many years ago," Jirō said softly, his head slightly bowed.
"No wonder the academy has no records of it," Sakura murmured under her breath, as if trying to make sense of it herself.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, his eyes complicated. So, he's just like me…
Jirō gave a wry smile and rose slowly to his feet. "I've talked too much today. My wounds aren't fully healed yet — I should rest."
He walked toward the door and left quietly.
Naruto stood there, stunned, still digesting what he had just heard.
Kakashi remained silent, watching closely. Though Jirō had shown no hostility, something about him made Kakashi uneasy.
He sighed softly. The things Jirō said weren't exactly secrets, but for Naruto — who had never known his origins — it was a lot to take in.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. They would need to grow stronger, and fast. That wandering ninja was worth keeping an eye on.
Was his goal Naruto… or was that just a cover?
Tazuna, standing to the side, hadn't understood much of the earlier conversation — and clearly didn't care to.
"Well, at least it's finally over. You defeated that terrifying ninja. Maybe we can live in peace now," he said cheerfully.
Kakashi's tone darkened. "I don't want to spoil the mood, but Zabuza might not be dead."
Tazuna froze, panic spreading across his face. Even Naruto, who had been dazed a moment ago, snapped back in shock.
Kakashi calmly explained his reasoning, then decided to begin intensive training for his three students — just in case.
—
In a dimly lit room, Gato sat with a mocking grin, staring at the battered form lying on the bed.
"So this is the famous 'Demon of the Mist'? Hah. Seems Kirigakure's ninja aren't so impressive after all," he sneered.
Haku, seated beside Zabuza, stiffened, her face turning cold at Gato's words.
Then, suddenly, a chilling voice echoed through the room.
"Insult Kirigakure… and you pay for it with your life."
A spray of blood followed.
Gato screamed, clutching the stump of his severed arm.
"W-who's there?!"
The two samurai guards behind him drew their swords instantly, standing defensively before their employer.
Then — crack! — a streak of lightning flashed.
A red-haired girl appeared before them in an instant.
The samurai's eyes widened as their hands flew to their throats. Blood spurted between their fingers, and they collapsed without a sound.
"My, my… that was brutal," came a teasing voice from behind Gato. It was Suigetsu, smirking as he leaned casually against the wall.
Gato collapsed to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. "D-don't kill me! I—I have money! Lots of money!"
"Is that so?" the red-haired girl said coolly, her blade dripping crimson. "Then killing you means your money becomes ours."
Ameyuri grinned, raising the Thunder Blade high before bringing it down in one clean, merciless strike.
Blood splattered across the floor.
The wealthy Gato — a man who once held enough power and gold to control an entire nation — died instantly, without resistance or dignity.
Suigetsu instinctively stepped back, grimacing as he avoided the spray of blood.
"Who are you people?!"
Haku moved quickly, placing herself in front of Zabuza's bed, her face tense and wary.
A low cough came from the bed. "That sword… the Thunder Blade. Looks like Raiga is dead, then."
Zabuza slowly sat up, his eyes narrowing on the weapon in Ameyuri's hand, a faint, mocking smile curving his lips.
"Zabuza," came a calm voice from the corner of the room. "You have two choices — die here, or become my tool."
Zabuza's face hardened. He turned sharply toward the voice and saw a young man leaning casually against the wall.
If the man hadn't spoken, Zabuza wouldn't have noticed him at all.
"Heh… two choices, huh? Then I'll take the third."
Zabuza smirked coldly. Though his body was still recovering, he could still fight.
He leapt off the bed, grabbed the Executioner's Blade, and swung it down toward Yuto in one powerful arc.
At the same time, Haku darted forward toward Ameyuri, trying to block her and Suigetsu to create an opening for Zabuza.
Crack!
A sharp, clear sound echoed through the room.
Zabuza froze, staring blankly at his blade — now snapped cleanly in half.
"Too slow," Yuto said quietly.
He appeared behind Zabuza in an instant, pressing a single palm against his back.
With a thunderous crash, Zabuza was sent flying, smashing through the wall and leaving a massive hole in the building.
"Zabuza-sama!"
Haku gasped and tried to run after him, but Yuto gently pressed his hand down on her shoulder.
No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't move.
"You're Haku, right?"
Yuto smiled faintly, his calm voice carrying an undeniable weight.
Haku clenched her teeth. "Who are you? What do you want from us?"
"My name is Yuto," he replied softly, eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Let go of Haku!"
A furious shout rang out as a dark figure burst through the hole in the wall.
Zabuza, clutching the broken half of his blade, charged straight at Yuto and brought it down in a heavy strike.
Yuto didn't even move his feet.
He raised one finger and tapped lightly against the falling blade.
A sharp metallic crack rang out again — and the room fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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