Swish!
A sharp whoosh sliced through the air behind Momochi Zabuza.
But he spun forward, swinging his blade with confidence. "Your killing intent gave you away! I won't fall for it!"
Yet, his surefire strike hit nothing but air!
A cold edge pressed against his back, and Yoru Ryo's voice rang out: "Wrong, Zabuza! It's behind you!"
"Impossible!"
Zabuza whirled around, stunned, but Yoru Ryo was already gone.
Misjudging the killing intent's direction? Was this a joke?
His heart raced. "Not just sound, but even killing intent can be twisted?!"
Then Yoru Ryo's voice echoed again: "Zabuza, can you see through it next time?"
Playful, calm!
"Killing intent's unreliable? Fine, I'll switch tactics!"
Zabuza launched a flurry of kunai tied with steel wires, weaving a spiderweb around himself.
"Sound, killing intent—these intangible things can be distorted. But touch? That can't lie!" he thought.
From within the mist, Yoru Ryo couldn't help but praise: "As expected of the Hidden Mist Jutsu master—impressive!"
"But sorry, this trick won't work either!"
"Touch can't lie? Heh, it can!"
"My Hidden Mist Jutsu doesn't just affect the body—it messes with the mind!"
With that, Yoru Ryo struck again, leaving Zabuza floored.
The sensation came from the left, but the attack hit from the right.
"What the hell?!"
Zabuza's worldview was crumbling. Was this really the Hidden Mist Jutsu he knew?
This was terrifying!
Several more attacks followed, but Zabuza didn't guess Yoru Ryo's trajectory once.
He was thoroughly convinced—utterly in awe.
This mastery of Hidden Mist Jutsu was leagues beyond his own.
His understanding of the technique was completely upended. This was a revelation, like a bolt of clarity!
"Hey, Yoru Ryo, can we talk?" Zabuza said, suddenly awkward.
He bowed deeply. "Can you teach me how you do this? Please!"
"I'll pay any price—just teach me. It means everything!"
For the Demon of the Mist, Zabuza, to beg like this? It'd happen once in a lifetime.
Yoru Ryo sighed, as if he'd expected this.
"Sorry, Zabuza. I can't grant that request."
"It's not about hard work or some secret trick."
Zabuza's face fell, a mix of disappointment and anger, feeling toyed with.
But just as he was about to storm off, Yoru Ryo spoke again.
"Still, while I can't teach you, I can boost your Hidden Mist Jutsu to the next level!"
Zabuza's eyes widened with surprise. He grabbed Yoru Ryo's arm. "For real?"
"Absolutely. If you don't believe me, try it out after!"
Yoru Ryo grinned, placing a hand on Zabuza. In his mind, he commanded: Enhance Hidden Mist Jutsu!
A system voice chimed in his head
Enhancement requires 3,500 enhancement points. Proceed?
Proceed!
Five seconds later, the system announced
Hidden Mist Jutsu enhancement complete!
A display appeared before him with Zabuza's updated Hidden Mist Jutsu stats:
Ninjutsu: Hidden Mist Jutsu
Initial Enhancement Points: 3,500
Post-Enhancement Level: B (Pre-Enhancement: C)
Post-Enhancement Effects: Distorts certain sound directions, blocks some perception, faster activation (Pre-Enhancement: Only obscures vision)
Remaining Enhancements: 2
…
Yoru Ryo lifted his hand. "All done. Give it a try, Zabuza!"
Zabuza, dazed, asked skeptically, "That's it?"
He'd expected some grand process!
But seeing Yoru Ryo's serious expression, he tested it half-doubtingly.
Then—
"It actually improved!"
As a Hidden Mist Jutsu expert, Zabuza felt the difference instantly.
The effect was stronger, with faster activation and a wider range.
"Thank you, Yoru Ryo! Name your price!"
Zabuza, a man of his word, stared earnestly at Yoru Ryo.
"Heh, this isn't the place to talk. If you don't mind, how about we step inside?"
With that, Yoru Ryo turned and headed into the house.
Zabuza hesitated, then followed.
Inside!
"What's your take on Lord Mizukage, Zabuza?"
Yoru Ryo's opening question made Zabuza narrow his eyes.
"That's not something you should be asking! Is this her idea?"
Zabuza eyed Yoru Ryo, assuming this was Terumi Mei's doing. He'd only come inside mostly because of her.
Yoru Ryo didn't have that kind of pull yet, even after the help.
"Sort of!"
Yoru Ryo propped his chin, his eyes glinting with a sharpness beyond his years. "So, Zabuza, what's your view?"
"He's not right! Lord Mizukage's all wrong!"
Zabuza, believing Terumi Mei was gearing up to change Kirigakure, spilled his thoughts with little restraint.
Yoru Ryo listened intently.
Zabuza was someone worth recruiting.
He thought so, and Terumi Mei had said the same.
Zabuza had already had similar talks with her before.
"I think we can't let Lord Mizukage keep running amok."
"The Bloody Mist's rules need to change!"
"Otherwise, Kirigakure's done for!" Zabuza said gravely.
Yoru Ryo nodded. "But for now, we should bide our time and build strength."
"Changing Kirigakure's sky won't happen overnight!"
Zabuza agreed.
He stood. "When it's time to act, let me know!"
With that, he left.
Seeing Zabuza off, Yoru Ryo watched his back, murmuring, "No matter where, there's always someone fighting to save what's theirs. That's a hell of a legacy!"
Be it his past life or now, it held true.