Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Haneda said, "Regardless of whether the task is right or wrong, because our employer has an unclear relationship with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, we cannot abandon the mission."

"Moreover, giving up a mission halfway would damage Konoha's reputation."

"Besides, the employer has been straightforward with us. The payment is clearly stated."

Shaking his head in approval, Sakumo acknowledged the detailed information he had received from the employer earlier. Compared to Asuma's immaturity, Haneda's reasoning was much more thorough.

And Haneda had made a valid point. Why assume Sakamoto was a bad person? Could you really tell just by the words of a few people?

What use are eyes, then?

Sakumo said, "The mission continues. Asuma, Kurenai, Haneda is right. We are ninja, and often we must set aside unnecessary emotions."

"But..."

Asuma began to speak but was cut off by Sakumo.

"No 'buts.' At the very least, you must first see the truth of the matter before you decide."

"And what if the truth really is as it seems?" Asuma pressed.

At this, Sakumo looked at Haneda, clearly testing him.

Without hesitation, Haneda said, "Complete the mission first, then kill. Completing the mission is the professional duty of a ninja, and killing is a matter of personal conscience."

"That's the best approach. After all, we are ninja," Sakumo said, looking at Asuma.

…

Across the sea from the Land of Fire, in the Land of Water.

In an underground base, an elderly man with white, graying hair sat in a chair with his eyes closed.

After a while, a half-black, half-white humanoid creature emerged from the ground. It was none other than Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.

"Lord Madara, Uchiha Haneda has left Konoha and is currently on the border of the Land of Fire, preparing to head to the Land of Waves."

"The team leader is Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake. The teammates include the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, and his lover, Yūhi Kurenai," Black Zetsu reported.

"What mission have they taken?" Madara asked in a deep, raspy voice, his face expressionless.

In response, Black Zetsu quickly reported the details of the mission, along with the situation in the Land of Waves.

Hearing about the hidden conflicts in the Land of Waves, Madara chuckled a few times and said slowly, "Interesting."

"They've already come to Kirigakure to issue a mission…"

"If Sakumo intends to train Uchiha Haneda, send a Jonin-led team to test his strength."

"It'll also give him a chance to see the darkness of this world."

…

It took less than half a day to travel by boat from the Land of Fire's port to the Land of Waves. By early afternoon, Haneda and his team had arrived in a city named Toyohama, meaning 'bountiful harvest by the sea.'

The Daimyo's residence was located here, and Toyohama was essentially the capital of the Land of Waves.

However, this "capital" was barely comparable to a small town in the Land of Fire.

The streets were paved with yellow clay, with better sections made of stone bricks. Most of the shops along the road sold seafood, bread, fruits, and wool clothing—basic necessities.

More expensive items like jewelry could only be found in the city center. The poverty of the Land of Waves was evident.

After walking for a while, they arrived at Sakamoto's mansion. Two imposing stone lions stood guard at the entrance, and inside, the place was filled with intricate carvings, flowing water, and arched bridges. The surroundings were adorned with the "Three Friends of Winter"—pine, bamboo, and plum trees.

The corridors were laid out in a staggered pattern, and delicate carvings were everywhere. The classical and majestic architecture even made Haneda feel as if he had traveled back in time, with a sense of déjà vu reminiscent of a Jiangnan garden.

The grandeur of the mansion could make even Konoha's top clan, the Uchiha, blush.

"Gentlemen, I have a banquet tonight, so I won't be able to accompany you," Sakamoto said with a polite smile, addressing Sakumo and the others.

"You don't need any protection?" Sakumo asked.

Sakamoto thought for a moment and smiled. "The place I'm going to has good security. But if you don't mind, you can look after my good-for-nothing son. He should be in the eastern market right now."

With that, Sakamoto instructed a middle-aged man nearby, "Butler, see to these gentlemen."

The butler bowed slightly to Sakumo and the others, saying, "Please follow me, gentlemen."

After leaving the mansion, Sakumo suddenly said, "Butler, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be stepping away for a bit. You can take them first."

"Understood," the butler replied, not thinking much of it. He assumed Sakumo simply didn't want to guard the young master and had politely declined.

Once Sakumo left, Haneda naturally took charge. Asuma and Kurenai followed closely behind him, and the butler, recognizing who was in command, made small talk with Haneda along the way.

As they arrived at the eastern market, the sound of commotion could be heard from a street away.

A group of people had gathered around a dozen or so sword-wielding samurai. At the center of the samurai's protection was a young man.

In front of him was a stall that had been smashed to pieces, and next to the wreckage lay an old man who had been beaten black and blue, protecting a little girl.

"Why are you just standing there? I, the young master, am smashing up this stall because this old man hasn't paid this month's rent!"

"If you don't have the money, how dare you continue setting up your stall? What kind of rules are those?!"

The young man in the lead, completely unconcerned with the crowd, continued to speak arrogantly.

"That's nonsense! You just want the old man's granddaughter!" someone shouted from the crowd, sparking a chorus of agreement.

"Exactly! Everyone knows what kind of person Yamano Kazuo is!"

"Right! Bullying men and women, forcing people to buy and sell—what kind of rules are those?!"

...

"If you all keep causing a scene, I'll double the rent at the end of the month!!"

As soon as Yamano Kazuo said this, the crowd went silent.

The Yamano family held absolute power in Toyohama, controlling nearly all of the maritime traffic. They didn't just control the shops but could dictate people's food, clothing, and even their lives.

"It's only right to pay what's owed. If this old man can't pay, then we'll take his granddaughter to settle the debt!"

"What are you waiting for? Grab her!!"

At his command, the samurai began to move toward the old man and the girl.

The crowd watched in silence. Some gave a quick glance and then left quietly, indifferent. Their own lives were hard enough—how could they afford to care about others?

At that moment, Haneda and his team stepped in to stop the samurai.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're being unreasonable! Just give them a few more days to pay the rent. Why are you resorting to violence?" Asuma said, unable to stand the sight of someone acting more arrogant than himself.

"Konoha ninja? You're not even helping my father with his mission, and now you're meddling in my business?" Yamano Kazuo sneered.

Asuma was so angered by this entitled second-generation brat that he laughed. "What do you mean, meddling? You're about to kill someone and kidnap a girl. We're stopping an injustice, and you call that meddling?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

Yamano Kazuo, who had never been spoken to like this in his life, also sneered in return. "And what if I kill her? What if I take her?"

"These commoners are no different from the stalks of grain in the fields. Come next year, there will be a new crop."

"So, what? Do you so-called ninja hold these lowlifes in high regard?"

"Haha, you ninja are way more efficient at cutting down commoners than I am."

"One of you could wipe out an entire village in a single night. Tell me, ninja, aren't these people beneath you?"

***

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