Chapter 72

"How about this, since I'm in a very good mood, I will give you three options to choose from." I put three fingers up for him already knowing he would reject my previous offers. He frowned and was about to protest when I spoke again, not giving him the chance, "One," I lifted a finger before continuing, "I will help you infiltrate Kirigakure and assassinate the Mizukage."

Zabuza's eyes widened a bit but quickly regained composure. Second finger up, "Two. I could tell you the real truth about the Mizukage and the person controlling him from the darkness. The true mastermind. Ah, just so you know, the Mizukage is pretty much dead at the point." There was not much change in his expression.

"Or finally, if you still insist, today could finally be the day I take back all the lives you owe me and just end you where you stand." I smiled at Zabuza who griped his Executioner Blade tighter. He was almost contemplating fighting me.

Truth was, they were choices, yet not. After having seen all the terrible things that had happened in his beloved Kirigakure, Zabuza had attempted to kill the Fourth Mizukage, but failed. Now he was being given a choice; He could either return and complete his failed assassination, or he could find out the truth about the mastermind behind the sudden change of the Mizukage. As for the third choice, who in their right mind would want to choose that, when they had so much unfinished business.

In other words, Zabuza had been given options, yes, but in truth, logically, he only had one option to choose from. That was what made him mad.

As if knowing what he was thinking, I shook my head and spoke to him, "Listen Zabuchi, it is true that a swordsman must have honor, but what is that honor when evil decides to exploit it do suppress or kill the innocent. In the end there is no longer honor. You may not have problems with it, but a man must have his bottom line. Even more so, a swordsman." His grip on his blade loosened slightly as I continued, "Regardless, I heard there is a resistance up and running in Kiri, led by Terumi Mei, to take down the Fourth. You may have done some shitty things in the past, but I know they would need someone like you there to help. I heard she is a little crazy but reasonable" Zabuza took in a deep breath and fixed his blade behind him.

"By true mastermind, would it involve our mutual friend?" Kakashi spoke after he realized I was done with convincing Zabuza. He was a smart man. He knew the way I had steered the conversation was me giving him an overview of what was happening in Kiri, as well as Zabuza's circumstance. He also knew I was trusting him since I was talking about overthrow and things like that in front of him. Either way, he had a true basic idea about why he was part of the conversation.

I smiled at him and nodded. He nodded as well before saying, "Since Zabuza is no longer after Tazuna, we can complete the mission with ease and return home, is what I would like to say, but I doubt this Gato fellow would leave things the way they are."

"That is true. He will not rest until things return to how they were even if the bridge builder is able to complete the bridge." The bridge could be built, but it was after everyone had left that would be the problem. It was not like one of them would stay and protect the village forever.

"Best case would be to take out Gato." Kakashi agreed

"Actually, I would like Gato alive. There is a chance he is part of an organization I am chasing down. You two need to be careful as well, if he is, then it is not just Zabuza, but he has most likely gathered a large number of missing-nim as well. Well, I am sure it is nothing you two monsters can't handle." The two of them turned slightly serious but nodded as well.

"You are not coming?" Zabuza asked.

"I just rushed here from a four-month long mission, so no. I intend to kick back and rela, I mean protect the builder while he completes the bridge."

'You just want to slack off' Both men thought. I only innocently smiled at them.

"Ok, since we are done here, Zabuchi, if you don't mind, I want to talk with Kakashi-senpai for a bit." He walked away and stood beside Haku who had his needle raised at the others the entire time without losing guard. Zabuza waved him to relax before he did, but stood vigilantly in front of Zabuza.

Zabuza was not worried. He had worked with Sakura for a while and he knew she was not one to break an arrangement once she made them, so he was not worried they might be scheming behind his back.

"Kakashi-senpai, can you keep an eye on Akari for me?" Kakashi looked at the only female in his team slightly in the corner of his eye without anyone except the veteran Zabuza noticing.

"You think there is a problem with her?" Kakashi became alert. With my earlier intel with Mizuki, even If it was just once, he was not going to risk it, especially since his younger brother was part of that team.

"The way she glares at me. She may have made it look like a love-rival thing with Sasuke, but I have seen those eyes before." It was when I was first assigned a three-month mission. After taking out most of the senior members of the clan said to be involved with 'Liberation', a child held his father's head and glared at me with such hatred and desire to rip me apart in his eyes that sent a cold shiver down my back. I actually contemplated killing him to avoid troubles, but I did not, which seemed very stupid, but still, by the time he grew up to get strong, my level of strength would be unfathomable. Maybe I was getting complacent. It was my bottom line; No matter how stupid it seemed to others; I would never take the life of a child. "The eyes of someone who seeks revenge. Well, best case scenario, I was wrong and we can leave it at that."

"And worse case?" Kakashi narrowed his eye and asked. With how serious I looked; he could tell it was definitely nothing good.

"Let's just hope it does not come to that. Anyway, I hope old man Jiraiya would be in the village by the time we return. We need to ask him a few things." Kakashi nodded but before we left to join the others, Kakashi seemed to be reminded of something before asking, "That reminds me, there is a situation back in Konoha. A few of the root members have been gathered and began to speak. According to them, there was a seal placed on them to prevent them from speaking, but since the seal is broken, it means one thing; Danzo is dead."

I nodded, "He came after me during my mission so I killed him." I spoke flatly as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Kakashi widened his eye in surprise. Not because I admitted it, he had already guessed it; After all, he and Guy were around when I killed his men the first time. Both knowing how Danzo was, they figured it would definitely not end there. He was slightly surprised Danzo himself would personally attack.

[Hey guys. So sorry have not posted in a while. Still at my old folks place and I swear it feels like the connection just keeps getting worse. So bad. Anyways. Happy Holidays (Although its passed but meh, who cares) and be safe. Unfortunately not leaving here till the 1st. I love my folks but God, I honestly can't wait to get back home. I miss league of legends]