The panel popped up, presenting the classic two-choice scenario.
[Option 1: Kill Momochi Zabuza. Reward: Ice Release (Incomplete)]
[Option 2: Kill Haku. Reward: All assets related to Gato (Real estate and company assets will be converted into cash at the same value and stored in the new system warehouse function).]
Seeing this, Naruto swallowed his saliva almost immediately. He didn't feel guilty about killing either. After all, whether it was Zabuza or Haku, they were enemies in a life-or-death battle.
'An individual must relinquish hesitation when engaged in a battle for honor.'
After soothing his conscience Naruto pondered on his options.
But what really annoyed Naruto was…
'Why did I have to choose between the two? Why in this world was there such a cruel thing as choosing between the two?'
'Can't I just kill them both?'
The system didn't respond at all, and Naruto didn't dare to act rashly. The previous incident made him a little afraid. After all, if he bugged the system and lost it, the loss would outweigh the gain.
Without the system, Naruto would have no way of escaping his predetermined fate. Whether he liked it or not, the Akatsuki would come for him and kill him, unless he trained desperately, which would also mean he couldn't escape the cycle of serving Konoha.
He would have to form those bonds and get involved in troublesome things like being the Child of Prophecy. He would be tortured over and over again, licking blood off the blade.
"Naruto? Why did you suddenly stop? Is… Is there something wrong?"
Noticing Naruto's sudden halt, Sakura immediately became alert and looked around nervously, fearing that another Shinobi would suddenly jump out from some corner.
Fortunately, what she feared didn't happen, and her voice also made Kakashi and the others at the front turned around to look at the stopping Naruto.
"It's okay, just a bit of a stomach ache." Naruto said.
Sasuke who had been eyeing the dobe narrowed his eyes before giving up and continuing his search for threats.
Kakashi and the others turned back and continued walking.
Naruto caught up with the group, staring at the pop-up panel in front of him with a frown, while there's a constant turmoil in his mind.
'Zabuza is a Water Release Shinobi, so I can use Kyubi's Chakra to counterattack. With the addition of Lava Release, I should be able to fight him.'
'With Kakashi around, even if I face Zabuza, I won't be under much pressure. Instead, I can take advantage of Zabuza's contempt for Genin and seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.'
'Haku's Kekkei Genkai is Ice Release, which was countered by Lava Release.'
'No matter what, if I want to kill Zabuza, I can't avoid Haku. As long as Haku is still alive, he will definitely protect Zabuza at all costs.'
'Therefore, it is not that easy to kill Zabuza in one go. Instead of doing that, it is better to just target Haku directly.'
Killing Zabuza will give Naruto the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, which is a rare help for him at this moment.
Even with the incomplete Ice Release, Naruto's strength could leap to the level of a Tokubetsu Jonin.
But Gato's entire fortune was equally appealing to Naruto.
In this world, even Akatsuki has to take on missions for money. The assumption that being strong meant never lacking money was incorrect in this world. Robbery will also bring risks such as being hunted down by Shinobi.
The amount of fortune one can steal at any given time is severely limited, as wealth often exists in the form of fixed assets and companies. Stolen money and jewels may be unusable and could pose safety risks.
The system's operation directly extracts Gato's wealth. All company fixed assets, such as jewelry and buildings, will be converted into cash and stored in the system warehouse, ensuring the money is clean.
'With this money, I will be truly free,' Naruto murmured to himself. 'As for increasing my strength, well there is always next time.'
Up ahead, Kakashi was talking to Tazuna, and their conversation inevitably reached Naruto's ears.
"Gato has accumulated a lot of wealth over the years by using Shinobi. Now, his fortune rivals nations. He has countless Rogue Samurai and Shinobi under his command, making his force very powerful."
"Well, I have heard of that. I occasionally hear such information when I am on missions." Kakashi's lazy voice responded.
"That man is a very dangerous. If you guys hadn't escorted me, I might have already been killed on the way here."
"Since Konoha took this mission, we absolutely won't abandon it halfway. Rest assured, we'll make sure you get home safely."
Their conversation became more chaotic, and Naruto decided to stop listening. His eyes gradually became determined, 'Wealth that rivaled nations?'
'Sure enough, it turned out that I have made the right choice.'
The system had solved his worries, as this wealth would be stored directly in the system's warehouse.
Even if someone discovered Gato's wealth had disappeared, they wouldn't associate it with Naruto.
Since he no longer intended to be entangled with Sandaime and avoid being brainwashed with the 'village's interests above all', he had to take control of his finances.
He remembered that in the original work, Naruto ran around doing missions for the village, solving problem after problem, yet he remained a Genin.
Although one reason was the abundance of missions leaving him no time for exams, but according to the rules, since Naruto was still a Genin, the share of the mission rewards he got was very low.
In the end, no matter how hard he worked as a Genin, he couldn't save much money. And after becoming Hokage, his life completely revolved around the village.
On the other hand, the members of the Konoha's big clans never lacked money. Even Tsunade, who had a gambling addiction, would never run out of money.
The only other way to live peacefully would be through marriage.
Mooching is indeed more comfortable. But although Naruto didn't mind living off others, as a man, he still wanted to excel in his own right.
Besides marriage candidates who could support him were limited. His options were a shy stalker who fixated on the original Naruto with a single minded determination, or a tsundere Uchiha who carries the fate of his clans revival on his back. those two were the only ones to ever show true interest towards the blond who were rich enough to qualify.
After thinking about it, Naruto still chose Gato's treasure as his first pot of gold.
'It won't be long before Team 7 is short of staff.'
Naruto had to plan ahead and avoid the vicious circle of working hard. People around him are not short of money. He can't live like the prince of Konoha and still have to work for money.
Just as he was thinking about it, a huge, spinning Kubikiribocho suddenly blocked their path ahead.
"Watch out!" Kakashi immediately tackled Tazuna to the ground.
The giant executioner's blade flew past them., embedding itself into a tree. At the same time, a figure appeared on top of the blade, staring coldly at them.
"Momochi Zabuza?" Kakashi instantly recognized the bandage-wrapped man standing on the blade.
He then quietly reminded the Genin of Team 7 behind him, "Be careful, this guy is a Missing-nin from Kirigakure, and has Elite Jonin-level strength."
"Hatake Kakashi." Zabuza jumped down to the grass, grinning wildly, with the massive Kubikiribocho slung over his shoulder. He then arrogantly said, "I'll take the life of the man behind you!"
Almost as soon as he spoke, Zabuza's figure suddenly disappeared, and with a bang, he suddenly appeared in front of Tazuna.
"This is my client. I will be in trouble if the mission fails. Why don't you pick a different target?" Kakashi's voice was lazy but firm as he blocked the giant sword with a kunai.