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"Don't worry, everything is under control. After Bai left, the signal has been moving quickly. About 20 minutes later, it stopped. Unless he noticed the tracking device, we can basically confirm it—their base is only 20 minutes away from here," the mongoose said confidently.
The herbal medicine Ye Dou had given to Bai was just a cover. The real trick was a miniature tracker, secretly attached to Bai's sandals by the mongoose.
This wasn't standard ninja equipment, but a high-tech tool Ye Dou had exchanged from the scroll-space using ninjutsu points. It didn't help in combat, but for situations like this, it was invaluable.
"Good. Let's move," Ye Dou said.
Finding the direction, he tapped his toes lightly against the ground and disappeared into the dense forest.
Meanwhile.
After returning to the base, Bai first placed the bamboo basket down. After checking on Zabuza Momochi's injuries and confirming he was stable, Bai quietly left the room to prepare more medicine.
To Bai, Zabuza was everything.
His past was different from someone like Ye Dou. Because of Kirigakure's bloody "Bloodline Purge" policy, Bai had been treated as a monster, rejected by everyone. As a child, he scavenged with stray dogs just to survive, living a life without hope.
It wasn't until he met Zabuza that his life found meaning.
Zabuza gave him a reason to live.
In Bai's heart, he truly believed: "I am a tool for Zabuza-sama."
He never saw anything wrong with this. As he had told Ye Dou earlier, in a chaotic world where life was cheap and meaningless, people always needed a reason to live.
And for Bai, that reason was Zabuza—the man who gave him purpose.
After carefully boiling the medicine, Bai poured it into a bowl and returned to Zabuza's side. Although Zabuza scowled and grumbled that the medicine was too bitter, he still drank it down without much resistance.
Bai deeply wished that this peaceful life could continue forever.
"It would be great if it could go on like this..." he thought.
"Stop dreaming, Bai," Zabuza said, his voice rough but resolute. "Don't forget—we're ninja. Someday, I'll pick up my blade again."
Ending the reign of the Third Mizukage had always been Zabuza's goal.
And he didn't think it was impossible. After all, even after his failed coup attempt years ago, many in Kirigakure secretly sympathized with him.
Otherwise, after trying to assassinate the Mizukage, he wouldn't have been quietly exiled instead of executed—and wouldn't have attracted other defectors.
Even now, Zabuza knew of others like Terumi Mei, who opposed the oppressive regime and sought to overthrow the Third Mizukage.
While tending to Zabuza, Bai suddenly asked, "Zabuza-sama, why do you think Dazna is still alive?"
But before Zabuza could answer, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.
An old, short man in sunglasses barged in, flanked by two armed bodyguards.
It was Gato.
"I'm paying you a fortune!" Gato snapped. "Not to sit around drinking medicine and failing missions!"
In truth, Gato didn't know how strong Zabuza truly was.
He had only heard that the "Demon of the Hidden Mist" was a cold-blooded killer and hired him at a high price to eliminate Dazna.
Yet now, day after day, the bridge neared completion, and Gato's patience was at its limit.
"If you and your little brat can't do it, I'll settle things myself!" Gato spat.
Zabuza's lone visible eye narrowed dangerously. Murderous intent filled the air.
"Get lost. I won't say it again," Zabuza growled.
Before Zabuza could act, Bai stepped forward coldly. His usual gentle demeanor disappeared, replaced by a chilling hostility.
He couldn't stand Gato's arrogance any longer.
"What did you say, you little brat?" Gato snarled, used to being feared and obeyed. He motioned for his guards to attack.
But just then—BOOM!
An explosion rocked the outside of the base, followed by terrified screams.
The tense standoff inside dissolved as everyone rushed outside to see what happened.
Outside, Cardo's men had drawn their weapons and were standing in disarray, panicking as they faced a lone figure.
A man stood calmly on a tree branch, wearing a simple black yukata and a blank mask. A long sword hung across his back.
Facing dozens of armed thugs and two high-level missing-nin, he remained unmoved.
"I'm looking for Gato," the masked man said calmly.
In Gato's mind, this stranger had to be crazy.
How could one man threaten so many?
"Kill him!" Gato shouted without hesitation.
He didn't care who this lunatic was. Anyone who dared to threaten him would be cut down.
"I'll leave it to you all! Kill him and get it over with!" he barked at his men.
The thugs, seasoned criminals, sneered as they drew their swords, preparing to swarm the lone man.
They had committed countless atrocities for Gato—murder, robbery, extortion. They were no strangers to bloodshed.
But this time, they had no idea they were facing a storm they couldn't survive.
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P.S. "Sorry for the delay in posting the next chapter of the novel. Unfortunately, I experienced some technical issues that prevented me from sharing it on time. I'll get it up as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!"