Chapter 48

The so-called rogue ninjas are different from powerful missing-nin who can survive against pursuit squads from hidden villages. They are merely ordinary people who happened to learn the art of chakra refinement. 

Many of them have never learned ninjutsu and only use chakra to enhance their physical abilities, fighting with conventional weapons. 

As for their strength, most are inferior to even the most basic genin. The best among them might barely match the strength of an average chunin. 

On the other hand, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, although Sakura is just an ordinary genin from Konoha, she was top of her class in school and has a natural talent for chakra control. 

In smaller villages outside the Five Great Nations, she would be considered a genius-level genin. 

Naruto and Sasuke are even more exceptional. Naruto, without considering the Nine-Tails chakra, already possesses over a hundred times the chakra of Kakashi, an elite jonin, and is proficient in the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu with decent taijutsu skills. 

Sasuke has a single tomoe Sharingan, is skilled in Fire Style ninjutsu, and excels in shuriken techniques, making him the top genius of their class. 

Both of them, just after leaving the village, already have the strength of a chunin from a small village. With the recent chakra control training, their abilities have further improved.

Facing over a hundred rogue ninjas, it won't be easy, but their chances of victory are definitely high.

"It seems being a teacher isn't easy, Kakashi-sensei!" Leo said with a smile, turning to Kakashi or rather, Kakashi's shadow clone, after seeing Sakura and the others engage in battle with the rogue ninjas.

When Sasuke charged forward earlier, Kakashi had secretly followed, leaving a shadow clone behind.

"Can't be helped. My three students are too adorable. I can't let anything happen to them," Kakashi said with a slight smile, lifting his headband a bit, impressed by Leo's sharp perception.

Kakashi wasn't particularly worried about the rogue ninjas; his real concern was Zabuza and the boy who had rescued him, lurking in the shadows.

With Gato bringing his men, Zabuza and the boy he hired must be nearby.

Leo understood Kakashi's concern. Zabuza and Haku were indeed hiding in the thick mist beneath the bridge, but they weren't there to fight them—they were there to kill Gato.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"..."

Five minutes later, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke stood panting, with numerous fallen rogue ninjas and a trembling Gato at their feet.

Gato couldn't believe that the men he had paid so much for couldn't defeat three kids. If he had known, he would have hired more missing-nin like Zabuza.

"You won't get away with this! I'll make you pay!" Gato shouted in a fit of rage, then turned to flee.

Naruto and the others looked to Kakashi for instructions, but he simply shook his head. Clearly, Kakashi did not want to kill Gato here.

Their mission was to protect Tazuna. They could drive away or kill Gato's men if they attacked, but as long as Gato himself didn't attack, they couldn't justify killing him. Doing so could damage Konoha's reputation, leading wealthy clients to avoid commissioning missions from them, which would significantly reduce Konoha's income.

Assassination missions, especially against wealthy or influential targets, were typically handled through underground channels, not directly by major ninja villages. 

So, in this world, rich men like Gato were generally safe unless they encountered rogue ninjas.

"Swish!"

As Gato's figure began to fade into the distance, a chilling sound suddenly pierced the air.

They saw Gato's head fly off, drawing an arc before falling into the sea below, his body collapsing to the ground.

"Hmph, just a mere ordinary person," Zabuza said, emerging from the mist with his decapitating sword in hand, kicking Gato's headless body into the ocean. Haku, wearing his mask, stood beside him.

"Zabuza!" Kakashi, Naruto, and the others were shocked to see Zabuza appear and kill Gato with a single strike.

"Alright, Kakashi, stop hiding. I know you're around. I didn't come to fight you this time," Zabuza said, glancing towards a large rock where Kakashi was hidden.

Kakashi's shadow clone beside Leo dispersed instantly, and the real Kakashi revealed himself, shielding Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

"Why did you kill Gato?" Kakashi asked.

"This guy tried to kill me instead of paying me after I was injured. So, I took what was due," Zabuza replied with a cold laugh, then looked at Kakashi with a serious expression. "Relax, I don't plan to fight you now. I need to conserve my strength as the real pursuit squads will be coming soon."

"That's good to hear," Kakashi said, relieved.

He was confident he could defeat Zabuza but wasn't sure about protecting Leo and the three genin from Haku.

"I'll duel you again another day," Zabuza said, leaving with Haku.

"With Gato dead and Zabuza not causing trouble, it looks like the people of the Land of Waves can finally find happiness. Good deeds are rewarded, and evil is punished. It's just a matter of time," Leo said, smiling as he approached Kakashi and the others.

Zabuza and Haku's appearance was part of Leo's plan to ensure that no one linked Gato's death and subsequent asset takeover to his own caravans.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed Zabuza to kill Gato; he could have done it himself in secret.

Now the situation was clear: rogue ninja Zabuza had a conflict with his employer Gato, killed him, and fled with the money. Leo's friend Matsukawa, a kind-hearted merchant, helped build the bridge and purchased Gato's leftover assets, leading the Land of Waves to a bright future.

Kakashi, the three genin, and Tazuna could all testify to this story.