blogombal Chapter 184 Zabuza's Surprise, Returning to the Village
Chapter 184 Zabuza's Surprise, Returning to the Village
"It's good that you're back safe and sound. But Ishikawa, I left Zabuza and his men behind as leverage because I was worried about you."
"But now that you're safe and sound, they've lost their value as bargaining chips. So, I'm having a bit of a headache about what to do with them..."
On the covered bridge, Kakashi looked up at the night sky and sighed helplessly. Although killing the other party was easy, indiscriminately killing prisoners was not in his nature.
“Killing them would be too wasteful! Let them choose whether to pay for their own lives or let us send them to Kirigakure to exchange for benefits for the village,” Ishikawa said casually, showing no interest in Zabuza and Haku.
He abandoned the idea of using a story filter long ago when he became a ninja. There are plenty of tragic characters with names and identities in the Naruto world. Does he think he can sympathize with and understand every single one he meets?
Please! They came here to kill you. They're only in this state because they're not strong enough. If Kakashi were less skilled and the new Team 7 was just an ordinary squad, you can imagine what would have happened...
Before Kakashi could speak again, Ishikawa changed the subject and said in a serious tone, "Sensei, I have discovered information about the Three-Tails of Kirigakure."
"The Three-Tails!!" Upon hearing this, Kakashi's pupils contracted, and the face of the girl who had died at his hands flashed into his mind.
For a moment, Kakashi's breathing became rapid and his breathing became erratic...
"That's all for today. Go back and report to the Hokage about the Three-Tails. Go back and rest!" After a pause, Kakashi waved his hand and turned to leave, not wanting to ask any more questions.
Three-Tails → Rin → Obito, this is the pain of his life, he must go back to remember and soothe the wound in his heart!
"It seems the teacher still hasn't gotten over that trauma..." Ishikawa murmured almost inaudibly, watching Kakashi's dejected figure.
He originally wanted to take this opportunity to help Kakashi confront his inner self and get rid of his shadow, and also to obtain some other information about Rin being framed.
After all, Chojuro's memories were only one side of the story, based on Kirigakure records and rumors, and not as comprehensive as Kakashi's personal experience.
"Senior brother, I want to know the difference in strength between you and me now!" Just as Ishikawa shook his head and smiled bitterly as he went back to sleep, he was stopped by Sasuke at the door and challenged.
Ishikawa turned his head and saw a pair of scarlet Sharingan with two tomoe.
"Oh? You're so eager to prove yourself now that you've awakened the Sharingan?" Ishikawa teased casually, but his heart was stirred.
He didn't consider Sasuke before because Sasuke hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet. Now that Sasuke has awakened his Sharingan, he's the only one who can access the Uchiha clan's secret scrolls!
After all, whether it's Kakashi or Obito in the Third Shinobi World War, it's still more convenient to find Sasuke.
"You can prove yourself, but not now. Come find me when we get back to the village. I'm tired now, I'm going to sleep!" With that, Ishikawa walked right past Sasuke.
He didn't have the Uchiha scroll with him; he could only use it after returning to the village. Besides, he hadn't had a proper night's sleep in days, and sleep was the most important thing in the world.
Sasuke...
The next morning, Ishikawa slept until he naturally woke up before getting up to wash.
When he got downstairs, he found that Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and the others had already gone to the bridge to protect Tazuna.
Karin and the other two were naturally waiting for him. Kakashi, however, was looking at Zabuza with a lazy gaze.
"I'll release you if you promise not to sabotage Mr. Tazuna's bridge construction again and pay sufficient compensation. Otherwise, I'll have to send you to Kirigakure in exchange for the bounty."
After careful consideration, Kakashi finally decided to give Zabuza a chance.
After all, Zabuza was a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, not Konoha. Getting compensation and letting Zabuza continue to cause trouble for Kirigakure was still a good deal for Konoha.
"As long as you keep your word, I will give you more than enough compensation! Kakashi." Zabuza said without hesitation, his eyes filled with surprise and excitement.
He was already doomed! But things took an unexpected turn for the better.
Zabuza was naturally unwilling to accept being sent back to Kirigakure by Kakashi. After all, he was a rogue ninja who had assassinated the Fourth Mizukage, and returning to the village would surely lead to his purging.
Rather than that, it's better to pay to avoid trouble! Besides, he might not even have to pay for it.
"Very well, I hope you don't do anything foolish. Leave the Executioner's Blade and your men for now, come back tomorrow to pay the ransom. By the way, if the compensation doesn't satisfy me, then the Executioner's Blade will remain with Konoha!" Kakashi nodded with a smile; this situation was entirely within his expectations.
"The Executioner's Blade? I understand." Zabuza's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he decisively agreed, his gaze towards Kakashi filled with even greater admiration.
No wonder Kakashi was so generous and not afraid that he would run away; it turns out he used the Executioner's Blade as collateral.
After all, for a rogue ninja like him, mere money was nothing compared to the executioner's blade.
"See you on the bridge tomorrow morning." With that, Zabuza turned and headed straight for his employer, the merchant Gato.
Making him do S-level tasks for the rewards of B-level tasks is a mistake that should be the responsibility of the other party.
"Looks like you're going to strike it rich, teacher! You have to treat us when we get back to the village. I want barbecue and hot pot." Ishikawa teased as he watched Zabuza leave.
Kakashi readily agreed. He suggested they have a meal together, so that Ishikawa and the others could get to know Naruto and his friends better.
After breakfast, Ishikawa bid farewell to Kakashi and headed back to the village. There was nothing else going on here, so there was no point in him staying.
Instead of wasting time here, we should go back to the village and improve the strength of Karin and the other two before the Chunin Exams to deal with Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha.
Kakashi, of course, did not try to persuade him to stay and nodded in agreement.
"By the way, how's your ninjutsu training going?" As they walked, Ishikawa suddenly remembered something and looked at Karinjiro to ask.
“Ishikawa-kun, I have learned three ninjutsu: C-rank Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique, B-rank Water Release: Water Wall, and B-rank Water Release: Water Whip.”
"Big brother, I don't have as much chakra and recovery power as Karin, so I only learned two Water Release techniques: C-rank Water Release: Water Prison Technique and B-rank Water Release: Water Fang Blade."
Karin and Jiro replied, both looking very excited.
Karin, in particular, could have learned another water-style ninjutsu if she hadn't been worried about Ishikawa's distraction in the last few days.
"Hmm, not bad. Show me when you have time." Ishikawa nodded, praising generously, and prepared to use Red-Eye Insight to speed up his learning.
He has learned a lot of ninjutsu these past few days, but they are all mainly Earth Release. He has only learned one Water Release technique so far: Hidden Mist Technique.
As for Earth Release, he has already mastered C-rank Earth Release: Earth Substitute and Earth Fish Reflection Technique, B-rank Earth Release: Earthquake Core, and A-rank Earth Release: Rock Iron Cannon Technique.
Then, glancing at Taro, whose face was filled with envy yet also disappointment, Ishikawa couldn't help but smile and put his hand on Taro's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll get you a few Uchiha Fire Release techniques when Sasuke comes back..."
"Really? Big brother." Before Ishikawa could finish speaking, Taro excitedly interrupted him.
This left Ishikawa both amused and exasperated. He quickly nodded in confirmation, prompting Taro to shower him with gratitude and flattery once again...
This caused Karinjiro to exchange bewildered glances, his face contorted with suppressed laughter, and the atmosphere suddenly shifted abruptly.