Upon hearing the commotion, Pochi, the dog at Hanabi’s feet, lifted its head warily. Seeing Neji approach, it relaxed and continued resting.
Neji looked at the girl and the dog, a peculiar thought crossing his mind.
Could his newly awakened synthesis ability also merge different living beings? What would the result be?
“Big brother…” Hanabi rubbed her eyes, waking up from the table.
“Why didn’t you go to your room to sleep?” Neji asked casually.
“I wanted to wait for you to eat together…”
The strict rules of the main family were still evident in Hanabi, who was not even three years old yet, carrying over the habits from their life at the Hyuga clan’s main house in Konoha.
“You don’t need to wait for me to eat next time.”
“Okay.”
After responding, Hanabi suddenly turned and looked at Neji seriously.
She praised him: “Brother, your eyes have become so beautiful.”
Neji’s Byakugan had reached its final stage and transformed from a misty state to a crystalline structure, adding a cool elegance to his demeanor.
“Will I be able to become like you in the future?” Hanabi asked eagerly, admiring Neji’s eyes.
“Maybe.” Neji patted her head.
He could absorb Byakugan’s essence.
Ordinary Hyuga members might also be able to do so, though the method of absorption might need exploration.
Regardless, through comparative experiments, this could verify whether Neji’s Byakugan was inherently different from the ordinary Byakugan.
After breakfast, as Neji prepared to leave, Hanabi hesitated but couldn’t resist asking: “Neji brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Does strength really determine everything?” The argument with Inari had shaken her belief in this truth.
Neji smiled lightly, forming a wooden mask in his hand and putting it on.
He extended his hand to Hanabi: “Do you want to see for yourself?”
A rainy night.
Kado’s manor.
A grand celebration.
“From now on, the Land of Waves is mine, Kado’s territory. Hahaha!”
Kado was surrounded by his subordinates, laughing arrogantly like a villain.
After eliminating Kaiza, the backbone of the Land of Waves seemed shattered. The people couldn’t muster any significant resistance, obediently paying Kado, which had led to a leap in his wealth over the past few days.
“Fools.” Zabuza, hidden in a corner, watched the revelers with cold eyes and a sneer.
A pack of wolves celebrating their victory over a rabbit.
“Is Zabuza-san talking about this mission?” Haku asked softly beside him.
“The mission and the people.”
Both were foolish.
“At least we can leave tomorrow and get the money… The Land of Waves is too close to the Land of Water, and the Mist Hunter-nin will soon come.” Since the failed assassination of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, Zabuza had been constantly hunted by the Mist’s Hunter-nin, which was quite troublesome.
This mission had been easy—no need to lift a finger, just wait for the agreed date to get the money. But the wasted time irked Zabuza.
That’s why he was dissatisfied.
He thought he only needed to kill the assassin who targeted Kado to complete the mission.
But the assassin never showed up!
“That’s good,” Haku said.
It was all good, whether I was able to leave, get paid, or avoid a fight.
At that moment, a commotion erupted downstairs, accompanied by the sound of shattering glass.
Ordinary people might not hear these faint noises, but Zabuza’s eyes snapped open. He glanced at Haku, who nodded slightly, then melted into the darkness.
A rogue ninja always operates best, with one in the light and one in the dark.
As the revelers remained unaware, a subordinate rushed in, shouting to Kado: “Boss, it’s bad! A ninja has broken in!”
“He says he must find you!”
Find me?
Kado froze, then panicked. He looked at Zabuza in terror: “Quick, quick… The mission isn’t over yet. That person must be here to kill me—”
“Shut up!”
The executioner’s blade was at his throat. Seeing Zabuza’s fierce eyes, Kado swallowed hard, outwardly fearful but inwardly thrilled.
The assassin showed up on the last day of the mission, infuriating Zabuza and bringing retribution for Kado’s previous humiliations while saving him an additional fee.
How could he not be pleased?
“Good… good. I trust you completely, Zabuza-san!” Kado called after Zabuza’s retreating figure.
The manor downstairs was in chaos, with twisted wood and vines everywhere. Many people were held high by the growing plants, screaming in terror.
Kado had ninja subordinates, but the only ones still standing were a man wearing a wooden mask and a child beside him.
Wood Release?!
Zabuza’s brow furrowed.
Though he had only read about this unique Kekkei Genkai, he recognized it immediately.
Wood Release was famed among all Kekkei Genkai, not because it was inherently stronger, but because the Shinobi God who founded Konoha used it.
Zabuza scanned the room. Most people were either trapped in wooden cages or entangled in vines, pleading for mercy. Despite their dire situation, none were dead.
His heightened alertness eased slightly.
—No matter what, this person seemed to have a moral code.
“You’re here for Kado?” Zabuza thought it might be a misunderstanding. Kado was just a commoner, unworthy of such a formidable adversary.
But the masked man’s words made Zabuza’s heart sink.
“Yes,” the masked man nodded, speaking gently, “Step aside. I don’t want to kill you.”
“Arrogant!” Zabuza sneered.
With opposing stances, there was no need for words—actions would speak.
Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!
Fog surged around them.
Zabuza’s form vanished.
Known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza’s Silent Killing Technique had claimed many lives.
This time, even if the enemy wielded Wood Release, he wouldn’t be an exception.
Seeing the masked man standing motionless in the mist, Zabuza sneered and moved in swiftly.
The executioner’s blade swung down from behind.
Zabuza’s smile widened.
It’s over!
—Boom!
A giant wooden hand burst from the ground, gripping him tightly!
“I win,” the masked man smiled.
…When did he see me?
Zabuza couldn’t understand.
Secret Water Technique: Thousand Needles of Death!
At that moment, countless water needles shredded the wooden hand.
Zabuza flipped back to Haku’s side, frowning deeply.
Why, even though he had the chance… did he let me escape?
“Who… are you?” Zabuza asked in confusion.
“Me?” The masked man tilted his head and laughed heartily.
“Hashirama.”
“My name is Hashirama Senju.”
“The Fourth Great Ninja War is about to break out. I’m here to plant the tree of peace across the world.”
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