I was not surprised when a senbon needle aimed at my throat. I parried it effortlessly with a kunai, metal ringing against metal in a sharp note that cut through the aftermath of the explosion.
Haku pressed forward, trying to drive the needle past my guard, but I stopped his advance without breaking a sweat. Our weapons locked, I leaned in close enough our faces were inches apart, allowing me the full view of that perfect porcelain face twisted with quiet fury.
"Easy there, sweetheart," I said with my most charming smile. "I know I'm devastatingly attractive, but stabbing me in the throat seems like an overreaction. Unless that's just how you show affection?"
That earned me the slightest, most controlled twitch of an eyebrow. So subtle. So adorable.
….. Ah, I need to get laid, man.
Haku disengaged with a willowy leap backward. No wasted movement. He landed lightly and darted toward where Zabuza had crashed, moving with that fluid grace that really wasn't helping my focus.
While Haku knelt to check on his mentor and help the larger man to his feet, I got back to business. The used paper tag on my arm had blackened around the edges, the complex jutsu-shiki partially charred. I peeled it off with a mild hiss and tucked it away. Then withdrew another, running my thumb over the intricate seal work before applying it to my forearm. Ready but not yet activated.
Zabuza stood with Haku's assistance, blood painting his lips crimson and his shirt hanging in charred tatters. Second-degree burns covered his chest in an angry red pattern, but the bastard was still breathing. Still standing. Still grinning.
I hadn't had time to properly charge the technique, so the explosion had been maybe a third of what a standard explosion tag could manage. Enough to hurt, not enough to finish the job.
Still, most men would be out of the fight. Zabuza just looked pissed.
And...intrigued?
"Well, shit," He wheezed, wiping blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "Gotta admit, Red Claw, that was prettier than I expected. You actually live up to the hype."
Most of my reputation is just clever marketing and strategic exaggeration. The reality is far more mundane.
I ran a hand through my hair, affecting a casual stance despite keeping my senses razor-sharp. "I do try to exceed expectations," I replied with mock modesty. "Though I'm flattered, a man of your... violent expertise... appreciates the craftsmanship."
It had been a surprise that allowed me that hit, plain and simple. Zabuza had never seen my jutsu before, and, while that was true for most shinobi encounters—tradition dictated you killed anyone who witnessed your special techniques—the Fire Hand was particularly unconventional.
Most offensive jutsu were transient and ephemeral. Active and Immediate. Lasting at best seconds, maybe a minute for the truly advanced. Even sustained techniques like the Great Fireball had limits; you could theoretically keep spewing flames nonstop, but eventually, your chakra would tap out. All active jutsu constantly drained the user.
The Fire Hand, on the other hand — pun absolutely intended — contradicted conventional wisdom entirely. It was a marvel of mathematical precision, chakra optimization, and resource management. The construct only consumed chakra when initially conjured or when used for explosive purposes. The movement and maintenance required minimal chakra, roughly equivalent to what a puppeteer needed for chakra strings.
It was efficient, sustainable, and quite effective at catching legendary swordsmen off guard.
But of course, that level of optimization made it nearly impossible to improve or build upon, but I was rather proud of it.
"So," I said, adopting the tone of casual conversation. Time to fish for information. "What was it among the merchant's wares that so caught your eyes? Must be something pretty valuable to warrant this level of... enthusiasm."
Zabuza's grin turned predatory despite his injuries. "His life," he said.
Someone put an assassination contract on him?
"Oh, the Demon of the Mist is in for the blood." I tilted my head. "Predictable, isn't it?"
"Not quite," he shook his head as if the injury in his chest or side had any effect on him. "He's more valuable alive."
Kidnapping then. Something doesn't feel right.
ThoughI had to admire the man's commitment to the game. Even half-roasted, he was still playing coy.
That was when Sai and Naruto finally decided to rejoin the party, flanking me with their usual contrasting energy levels.
"Whoa, that was so cool!" Naruto burst out, practically vibrating with excitement. "I've seen your fire hand thing before, but I didn't know it could explode like that! When did you learn to do the boom part?"
"Trade secret," I replied with a smirk. "Can't have you copying all my best moves."
Sai, ever the font of useful information, added in his typical monotone, "Target intends to kidnap the client for monetary gain through ransom demands."
Good to confirm my hypothesis but damn, man. There are probably rocks that sound more human than you.
Naruto's head whipped around so fast I was surprised he didn't give himself whiplash. "The merchant guy is like... the cousin of the cousin of the daimyo or something! That's super illegal, right?"
I frowned.
"yes…. yes, it is…."
That particular detail definitely hadn't been in my mission scroll, and family connections to nobility—even distant ones—were exactly the kind of information that should have been included in the briefing. Curious.
"Well, well," Zabuza wheezed, still managing to sound amused despite his condition. "Looks like your village didn't give you the full picture, Red Claw. Sloppy intelligence work, if you ask me."
His mind was no less sharp than his teeth. But did he seem comfortable with a casual standoff? He didn't look like he was about to make or prepare any move. Could it be…..
Oh, fuck.
I fixed what looked like Zabuza with my most politely interested expression. "Speaking of intelligence work, mind sharing who's paying your bills for this little venture? Professional curiosity and all that."
I used Devil's Whisper on all my words. Didn't know if it would work; never tried it on a clone.
Zabuza's laughter turned into a coughing fit that flecked more blood on his lips. "You really think I'm gonna spill my guts just because you asked nicely?"
That was impressive work, I must admit. And here I had taken him for a little more than a brute, familiar only with the language of violence.
I shrugged, letting my smile turn deliberately condescending. "Well, you strike me as a man of refined tastes and professional pride. Figured you might appreciate having your employer's reputation properly acknowledged before things get messy."
Did he run away or waiting to strike? What would the Demon of the Mist do? My eyes landed briefly on Haku. That's not a clone. Would he abandon him?
The fake Zabuza studied me for a long moment, something almost like amusement flickering in his eyes. "Real smooth talker. Shame it's wasted effort." He straightened as much as his injuries allowed without making it evident. "I work for no one but myself, kid."
"He's lying," Sai murmured quietly, barely audible.
Naruto, who had never met a subtlety he couldn't bulldoze through, immediately pointed an accusatory finger at Zabuza. "Hey! You're totally lying! I can tell!"
Zabuza viewed Haku as nothing more than a tool. Yes, he would definitely leave him behind. Still, I didn't drop my guard even if the chances of his retreat were higher.
"I knew I wasn't mistaken," I let my smile turn appreciative. "A gentleman of cultivated tastes and unwavering pride in his work."
If I had to wager, I would put my money on him being truthful. Though I couldn't tell whether the Whisper worked on him.
Naruto whipped around to stare at me like I'd just declared my intention to become a tax collector. "Are you kidding me right now?! This guy almost hurt Inari! How can you just—"
Sai remained silent, but I caught his eyes scanning my face with that calculating intensity before returning to study 'Zabuza.' Root training at work.
I reached over and ruffled Naruto's spiky hair, earning myself a frustrated swat. "Must be some kind of misunderstanding. I'm sure we can work this out like civilized people."
"You just want to flirt with the pretty lady!" Naruto protested, batting at my hand. "You're such a super pervert!"
I shrugged, letting my gaze drift meaningfully toward Haku. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind getting better acquainted. What do you say, uh, Haku, right?" I ignored the way his hand moved behind his back. "We can find out what type of… shinobi you are, over a cup of sake if you don't like tea that much."
It seems that he didn't like Sake all that much either, as he pulled out smoke bombs in one fluid motion before hurling them around.
Naruto and Sai immediately moved to intercept, but I caught them both by the shoulders, holding them back.
"Why are we not pursuing?" Sai asked in his typical flat tone, though there was a questioning edge to it.
"Yeah!" Naruto struggled against my grip. "We can't just let them get away!"
I replaced my charming smile with my wisdom smile. "Sometimes the strategic choice is to let sleeping dogs lie, boys."
Sai studied my face for a long moment before speaking. "Momochi Zabuza is listed in the Bingo Book with a bounty of three million ryo, classified as an A-rank threat."
Good to know, but wow. So devious. Does he think he can entice me with that….. well, can't say it doesn't have any effect. Three fucking million.
"Three million?!" Naruto's eyes went wide before narrowing suspiciously. "Wait, you're just letting them go because of the pretty girl, aren't you?"
You wound me. Close, but yes, the only greed I felt was for girls.
I gave him a playful chop to the head, just firm enough to get his attention.
"Ow! Hey!" He rubbed his skull, glaring at me with wounded dignity.
"Listen carefully," I said, tone becoming more serious. "Zabuza used the earlier explosion's smoke and mist as cover to retreat. He left the clone and Haku to buy time. That was a water clone we were talking to. He most likely set an ambush if we pursue." I turned to Sai. "And shall I remind you our mission parameters are to protect the client, not hunt missing-nin, no matter how tempting the bounty." I raised an eyebrow. "Or how pretty their apprentices."
Sai held my gaze for several seconds, then nodded slowly. "Understood, Captain. Mission parameters take precedence."
Naruto opened his mouth to complain but seemed to think better of it, settling for a frustrated huff instead.
"Good." I let my smile return. "Now then, let's get those injuries looked at, shall we?"
Naruto grumbled something about "stupid missing-nin" and "pervert-sensei," but thankfully didn't press further. Despite his knucklehead tendencies, he knew when to trust my judgment.
I also need to have a chat with the client.