At this moment,
Zabuza's expression twisted into a complicated mix of shock and disbelief as he stared at Qianye.
This brat was clearly a member of the Uchiha clan yet he had used Mokuton, the Wood Release that belonged exclusively to the lineage of the First Hokage.
Even Kirigakure, infamous for the "Bloody Mist," had extensive classified records showing that no Uchiha had ever possessed Mokuton.
And that moment earlier where Qianye vanished instantaneously without leaving behind a replacement
body, chakra residue, or sound
That was not Shunshin.
Definitely not normal teleportation.
It was unmistakably space–time ninjutsu.
A child this young…
Capable of Wood Release, and also in control of a space–time technique far more stable than the crude versions used by Kirigakure's Hunter-nin that was beyond "genius."
It bordered on monstrous.
Zabuza compared himself to the youth before him.
And after a silent, bitter internal struggle, he found
Compared to this imp…
He was nothing.
This imp had the power to kill him casually, without any effort!
"You can reconsider what I offered earlier," Qianye said.
"Because I still think the conditions I gave you are quite generous."
But just as his words fell
Shu!!
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
An icy senbon streaked toward the vital point of Qianye's back, carrying a killing cold that revealed the wielder's mastery of Hyōton, the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai that Kirigakure suppressed with fear.
Qianye simply smiled.
He didn't turn his head.
Instead, he casually raised the Decapitation Blade and swept it behind him
CLANG!!
The ice senbon shattered instantly, split cleanly in two.
"—!?"
Haku's eyes widened in absolute shock.
While fleeing with Zabuza, he had honed assassination techniques to perfection. With Hyōton enhancing speed and impact, Haku believed the attack just now had a 100% chance of at least distracting Qianye which would have given him the opening he needed to rescue Zabuza.
But he never expected…
this man to deflect his sneak attack so effortlessly.
"Oh? You didn't escape?" Qianye mused.
"What a bold little ghost…"
He turned to face Haku.
Haku instinctively stepped back from Qianye's cold eyes
but still clenched his fists and refused to flee.
Seeing this, Zabuza's heart tightened.
This brat was clearly saying he wanted Zabuza as his subordinate or instructor but he had never mentioned sparing Haku.
And judging from Qianye's aura…
Mercy was not something Haku could count on.
"I can go with you," Haku suddenly said after a tense silence.
"But you must agree to one condition!"
Qianye raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me."
He did not accept immediately.
He wanted to hear the condition first.
"I will only stay in Konohagakure for one year!"
"Within this year, I guarantee that I will teach every technique I possess mist-style tracking, silent killing, advanced Water Release, and every assassination method I learned as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"But once the year ends… I reserve the right to leave at any time."
Zabuza's voice was low and cold.
"Agreed!"
Qianye responded without hesitation.
He knew clearly that forcing Zabuza to remain permanently in Konoha was unrealistic. A missing-nin from Kirigakure, especially one who attempted to assassinate the Yondaime Mizukage, could never remain in one place for long.
A one-year contract was already the most stable outcome.
Both sides took a step back, and both gained something.
After all, an entire year of teaching from an elite Mist swordsman that was priceless.
What would happen after a year… no one could predict.
"Then I hope our cooperation will be pleasant."
Qianye loosened the Mokuton vines wrapped around Zabuza and returned the Kubikiribōchō to him.
Zabuza grasped the massive blade and sheathed it on his back with a practiced motion.
"Zabuza-sama!"
Haku rushed over quickly.
He stood half-hidden behind Zabuza, glancing nervously at Qianye, still shaken by the earlier display of power.
"It's closest to Konohagakure if we take that road," Zabuza said, pointing ahead.
"Don't be in such a hurry."
"The next stop is the Land of Wind."
...
Land of Wind,
A sea of golden sand stretched endlessly.
Among the swirling heat and violent desert winds,
a thin cloaked figure trudged forward with visible difficulty.
The scorching gale blew sand into the sky, making each step heavy.
"…Huh?"
The man suddenly sensed something.
He looked up.
Three figures had appeared not far ahead, as if they had materialized out of the dunes.
"Gabirel."
"A missing-nin from Sunagakure."
"And a first-class puppeteer Wind Release specialist."
Qianye recited the man's identity calmly.
"You're here to catch me for the bounty?"
Gabirel asked hoarsely, eyes narrowing.
"Thirty million ryō…"
Qianye shrugged lightly.
"I have to admit your head is worth quite a bit."
"But capturing you isn't my goal.
I came to discuss cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
"Then you picked the wrong man."
"I've always worked alone. I've never had any desire to cooperate with others."
Gabirel cut him off immediately.
"Sure enough…"
Qianye sighed.
He turned toward Zabuza.
"I'm going to trouble you next."
"Tch. What a pain."
Zabuza clicked his tongue.
He felt like he was being used as muscle a very expensive muscle.
Still, he unsheathed the Kubikiribōchō, the massive blade sinking into the sand before he yanked it free and strode toward Gabirel.
"You—!"
Gabirel's expression changed drastically.
As a wanted criminal himself, he knew Zabuza very well.
Their danger ratings on the Bingo Book were nearly identical.
But what shocked him more was
He turned toward Qianye.
Who was this kid?
He could command the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Momochi Zabuza,
as casually as if summoning a personal guardian beast?
---
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