38: If I Don't Kill You, I'll Save You

["If Zabuza's corpse were sold on the black market, it would fetch around 20 million ryo, and the Beheading Sword is worth about 15 million ryo."]

["As for this Ice Release ninja, he'd be valued at around 15 million ryo, and if alive, even higher."]

[Kakashi touched his chin, estimating.]

[Kakashi had completed many missions and was familiar with underground black market bounties on infamous rogue ninjas.]

["So, that totals about 50 million ryo? Sounds fair. I'm not greedy—just give me that much."]

[Sasuke smiled, looking quite generous.]

[Zabuza rolled his eyes and said, "You should just kill me. I don't have that kind of money!"]

["Oh really?"]

[Sasuke's Sharingan spun, staring at Zabuza to interrogate him.]

[He confirmed that Zabuza had only accumulated about 35 million ryo over the years.]

[So he wasn't lying.]

[Sigh, being a rogue ninja must be tough.]

["Just take Zabuza-sama and leave me. Don't worry about me."]

[Haku spoke softly.]

["Shut up!"]

[Zabuza growled, his voice cold.]

[Either they both get out of this alive, or they both die. He wasn't about to let Haku sacrifice himself.]

[Sasuke looked between Zabuza and Haku, glancing back and forth.]

[His eyes narrowed suspiciously.]

[These two… must have something going on!]

---

Terumi Mei: "Wow!"

Suigetsu Hozuki: "Zabuza-senpai, you're exposed!"

Zabuza Momochi: "...Shut up!"

It's not like that!

The bond he shared with Haku wasn't what these fools were thinking!

---

["Alright, fine. We'll start with 35 million ryo. You can owe me the remaining 15 million."]

[Sasuke waved his hand dismissively.]

["Then let us go so we can gather the ransom."]

[Zabuza said in a cold tone.]

[Sasuke frowned.]

["No, if I let you go, what if you don't come back? It would be a hassle. Maybe I should just torture you until you tell me where the money is hidden and then kill you."]

["..."]

[A cold sweat broke out on Zabuza's forehead.]

["Our money is stored in the underground black market. Only Zabuza-sama can access it!"]

[Haku quickly interjected.]

[Even if someone had the account and password, they wouldn't be able to withdraw the money unless they appeared in person.]

[Zabuza was relieved. Good thing he hadn't stashed the money somewhere else.]

[Otherwise, this brat might actually torture him, kill him, and steal his money!]

["You can store money in the underground black market?"]

[Sasuke looked intrigued. His Sharingan flashed again, confirming it was true.]

["My Beheading Sword is still with you, so I'm definitely coming back."]

[Zabuza's tone was notably less aggressive.]

[Now that there was a chance of surviving, Zabuza didn't want to provoke this kid and end up dead in a fit of rage.]

["Alright, remember: 35 million ryo, not a single ryo less. And don't forget, you still owe me 15 million."]

[Sasuke said firmly.]

["...Understood."]

[Zabuza felt as if his heart was bleeding.]

[After defecting from Mist for years and saving up all this money, now he'd not only lose it all, but also be in debt by 15 million!]

[What a disaster!]

["We understand. Can you untie us now? Zabuza-sama needs treatment immediately."]

[Haku added quickly, concerned.]

[Zabuza was severely injured and needed medical attention as soon as possible.]

["No rush."]

[Sasuke approached Zabuza, a kind smile on his face. He patted Zabuza's head.]

["I beat you like this and forced you to pay a ransom. Do you hate me?"]

[What kind of question is that?!]

[Zabuza felt his chest tighten. This brat was just trying to humiliate him further!]

[Despite his fury, his broken ribs sent waves of pain through him, forcing him to sweat and bite his lip.]

["...No, I don't hate you."]

[Zabuza's voice was hollow.]

[Smack!]

[Sasuke slapped Zabuza on the head.]

["You don't hate me? Are you lying or just shameless?"]

What the hell!

[Zabuza cursed internally.]

["I… I hate you?"]

[He hesitated before answering.]

[Smack!]

["You still dare to hate me?! I could have killed you all, but I didn't. I even gave you the chance to redeem yourself. By all accounts, I saved your life. And you still hate me?"]

["Not only should you not hate me, you should be thanking me!"]

[Sasuke said with all seriousness.]

[Are you kidding me?!]

[Zabuza cursed internally again.]

[Thank you? Thank you for what?!]

---

Terumi Mei: "This is just too much. If it were me, I'd rather die than be humiliated like this!"

Nara Shikamaru: "Sasuke's logic is twisted. He thinks sparing Zabuza makes him a hero?"

Suigetsu Hozuki: "If I were Zabuza, I'd be boiling with rage by now."

Iruka: "Why is Sasuke tormenting Zabuza like this? He used to be such a good kid in our world."

Senju Tobirama: "Ah, typical Uchiha. Always acting like little tyrants."

Uchiha Madara: "Nonsense. Zabuza asked for it by pushing Sasuke's buttons with his big mouth!"

Orochimaru: "Hehe, this is classic Sasuke. He takes grudges to a whole new level."

At that moment, the entire group realized why Sasuke was acting this way.

It was when Zabuza made those comments about the Uchiha clan and selling Sasuke's Sharingan on the black market.

He hit Sasuke's nerve.

Genocide. Itachi. The sole survivor of the Uchiha clan.

Then talking about selling his eyes? No wonder Sasuke was bent on revenge!

This was why Sasuke beat him so badly, and why the humiliation continued!

Uzumaki Naruto: "Sasuke in that world holds one hell of a grudge…"

Uchiha Sasuke: "Serves him right for running his mouth."

Orochimaru: "Hehe, I'm curious to see what happens next. If Sasuke gets this angry over a few words, what will happen to those responsible for the Uchiha massacre?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru, enough!"

But Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but worry.

This Sasuke was dangerous.

If he ever learned the truth about the Uchiha massacre, the consequences would be catastrophic.