It was a youth.
He wore a grey robe, the collar slightly open to reveal a pale neck. His jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, reaching his waist, with a few stray strands clinging messily to his pale face.
His features were incredibly delicate—gentle eyes, long eyelashes, a graceful bridge of the nose, and very pale lips.
Those amber eyes were half-closed, his eyelashes trembling slightly, revealing a hint of faint pain.
Slender fingers pressed against the ground, the tips painted with light purple nail polish, looking exceptionally striking against the grey bridge surface.
Haku.
He collapsed on the ground, his body trembling slightly, yet he still struggled to lift his head and look at Zabuza, who was enveloped in the Lightning Net.
"Zabuza... Lord..."
His voice was very soft, as light as a sigh in the wind.
In those amber eyes, there was no resentment, no fear.
Only concern.
Yang Jiu lowered his head, looking at this youth collapsed in the puddles.
Rainwater soaked his long hair, and a few stray strands clung to his pale face, making that delicate countenance appear even more fragile.
Long eyelashes trembled slightly, amber eyes half-closed; the whole person was like a white lotus soaked by the rain.
"So this is Haku..."
Yang Jiu murmured, a hint of emotion flashing in his golden eyes.
"He really does look like a girl."
If this were the modern era, if he just wore some female clothes and started a livestream, how many people would be kneeling in front of the screen calling him 'waifu'?
No, calling him 'mommy'.
He shook his head, tossing this bizarre thought out of his mind.
Then, he raised his front paw and lightly tapped the ground.
Boom—!!!
A powerful shockwave of Qi erupted from him as the center!
All the standing water on the bridge, along with the lingering mist, was instantly swept away completely!
The lightning surrounding Zabuza and Haku dissipated, but before they could even catch their breath—
Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!
Two golden Lightning Chains shot out from Yang Jiu's paws, instantly wrapping around the bodies of Zabuza and Haku!
The chains tightened, hoisting the two high up and suspending them before Yang Jiu.
Yang Jiu looked down at the two suspended in the air by the Lightning Chains.
Zabuza gritted his teeth, his whole body still twitching slightly—the aftereffects of the lightning.
But his eyes remained fierce, like a wolf driven into a corner—no, like a Demon driven into a corner.
Haku's head hung weakly, his long hair scattered, yet he still struggled to open his eyes and look toward Zabuza.
"Zabuza... Lord..."
His voice was very light, yet it carried a nearly instinctive concern.
Zabuza didn't look at him.
He just stared fixedly at Yang Jiu, his eyes a tangle of anger, unwillingness, and humiliation.
"Kill me if you're going to."
His voice was hoarse, but hard as stone.
"Zabuza Momochi doesn't need anyone's pity."
Yang Jiu looked at him, his golden eyes devoid of anger, showing only a faint amusement.
"Kill you?"
He chuckled.
"If I wanted to kill you, you would have already died three times over just now."
Zabuza's pupils constricted slightly.
Yang Jiu continued:
"Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Hidden Mist, Jonin, former Anbu, proficient in assassination and Water Release."
He paused.
"It would be a waste to kill someone like you."
"I'll take you back to serve as an enforcer for my Village."
Zabuza was stunned.
An enforcer?
This giant wolf... wanted to recruit him?
The corners of his mouth slowly curled into a cold arc.
"Are you insulting me?"
"Insulting you?" Yang Jiu tilted his head. "You're overthinking it."
"I'm simply giving you a choice."
"Follow me, live, and continue to grow stronger."
"Refuse me—"
He paused, golden arcs of electricity dancing in his eyes.
"Die, or continue to be hunted, fleeing for the rest of your life like a stray dog."
Zabuza fell silent.
He thought of his situation—hunted by the Hidden Mist, hiding everywhere with Haku, without even a place to stay.
Taking a small mission like the Land of Waves this time, wasn't it because no one dared to hire him for major missions?
Following this giant wolf...
At least, he wouldn't have to run anymore.
But when had he, Zabuza Momochi, ever bowed his head to anyone?
"I don't need—"
Before he could finish.
Haku's voice rang out.
"Lord Zabuza."
Zabuza turned his head.
Haku looked up, those amber eyes watching him, calm and clear.
"You don't need to worry about me."
"Choose however you wish to choose."
Zabuza's brow furrowed.
He looked at Haku, looking at this child who had followed him since childhood, the only person willing to accompany him to the ends of the earth as a fugitive.
After a long silence.
He turned his head back to Yang Jiu.
"This fellow comes with me too!"
Yang Jiu smiled: "Of course."
With a thought, he retracted the Lightning Chains.
Thump! Thump!
The two fell heavily to the ground.
Haku forced himself up, his body still trembling slightly, but he staggered toward Zabuza, reaching out to support him.
"Get away."
Zabuza dodged his hand, propping himself up from the ground, and patted the dust off his clothes.
"I haven't reached the point where I need you to prop me up!"
Haku wasn't angry; he just withdrew his hand and stood quietly to the side.
Zabuza looked at Yang Jiu, his gaze still wary, but also carrying a hint of... resignation.
"What do you need me to do?"
Yang Jiu smiled: "I don't need you to do anything specific."
"Just head directly to Wolf Ninja Village and help with the Village's development."
"Wolf Ninja Village?"
Zabuza frowned, searching his memory.
This was the first time he had heard this name.
"Is this a Village you established?"
"Mhm."
Yang Jiu nodded, his tone as casual as if he were saying the weather was nice today.
"It's within the borders of the Land of Fire. You can find out about it with a little inquiry."
He paused.
"I believe it won't be hard to find."
After all, after such a long period of development, Wolf Ninja Village was already somewhat famous in that area of the Land of Fire.
A hidden Village that could legitimately trade with Konoha, and one located within the Land of Fire's borders—
How could it not be famous?
A look of surprise appeared on Zabuza's face.
A wolf had established a Village within Konoha's territory?
And a hidden ninja Village at that?
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem right.
But when he looked up and saw Yang Jiu's eyes burning with golden flames, and felt that terrifying pressure still enveloping him—
He accepted it.
With this kind of strength, let alone building a Village, even if he wanted to be the Hokage, probably no one could stop him.
"Fine."
He nodded.
Then, forcing himself to stand, he turned and left.
His steps were staggered, yet he stubbornly refused anyone's help.
Haku quickly followed, walking quietly behind him, maintaining just the right distance.
The two figures soon disappeared into the dense fog.
—
Swoosh swoosh swoosh—
A series of rapid footsteps approached from a distance.
Naruto was the first to rush over, followed by a helpless Sasuke and a panting Sakura. Kakashi walked last, his pace unhurried, but his exposed eye remained fixed on Yang Jiu.
"Hey, you big Wolf Uncle!"
Naruto ran up to Yang Jiu, looking up with his hands on his hips in a questioning stance.
"Why did you let that guy go?"
"That guy was trying to kill us just now!"
Yang Jiu slowly turned around, lowering his head to look down at this audacious brat from above.
A hint of amusement flashed in his golden eyes.
This look, this tone, this completely fearless attitude—
He really was a newborn calf that didn't fear the tiger.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at the slowly approaching Kakashi.
"Kakashi."
His voice was deep like rolling thunder.
"As his team leader, aren't you going to teach him some manners?"
"A reckless brat talking like this outside—"
He paused.
"Will get himself killed."
As soon as he finished speaking—
A brilliant flash of golden lightning descended from the sky, instantly enveloping Naruto entirely!
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