I, The New Hokage of Konoha - Chapter 242

“When did this person appear?”

Startled, Haku turned around, his face solemnly assessing the unexpected arrival.

He might not have noticed if the other person hadn’t deliberately made a sound.

“Who are you, sir?”

Compared to when facing Obito Uchiha earlier, Haku’s demeanor was now more serious as he inquired.

“Me?” The man with bandages folded his arms and replied directly, “You can call me Ghost.”

“Ghost?” Haku quickly began to think. Thanks to his good memory, he soon had a clue.

“Ghost of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi?” Haku said in mild astonishment. Initially, he thought it was reinforcement from the Mist beyond intelligence, but he didn’t expect to encounter a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village.

“The former is correct, the latter is not,” the man known as Zabuza Momochi said calmly. “I’ve never considered myself a rogue ninja. I only did what a Mist ninja should.”

This was an error that Mist ninja could never conceal within the Bloody Mist. Zabuza Momochi had been labeled a rogue ninja after attempting to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage to stop the Blood Mist’s continuation and subsequently fleeing the village.

However, Zabuza never regarded himself as a rogue ninja. Like the forehead protector he carried, he had never drawn a line through the Mist Village symbol. He never gave up his ambition, and while evading pursuit from the Mist Village, he was preparing for the next coup, hoping to return as a victor.

Unfortunately, the Fourth Mizukage of the Mist had retired, and the Fifth Mizukage, who was exceptionally strong, had taken his place.

The factions that had supported him in secret had all withdrawn.

Zabuza Momochi, who had become a rogue ninja in the truest sense, was unexpectedly involved in the battle between Obito Uchiha and Haku because he had been hiding in a sensitive location, beyond the reach of Mist Ninja, within the borders of the Land of Waves, and had recently noticed that the situation was not right. He was preparing to leave when he was accidentally caught in Obito Uchiha’s ninja technique.

Zabuza Momochi wasn’t interested in watching Konoha and Mist ninja fight each other. Still, when he saw Haku’s performance, he suddenly felt an impulse and couldn’t help but ask, “Little one, are you interested in coming with me?”

“Come with you?” Haku was taken aback. He had considered many possible intentions for the man’s appearance, but he never expected him to try and recruit him. Is it normal for a rogue ninja to recruit a Konoha ninja?

Haku said with a serious expression, “I am a Konoha ninja!”

He, who was usually good-natured, was getting a little angry. He didn’t know where the courage of Zabuza Momochi came from to try to recruit him, but obviously, the man believed there was a possibility for it.

This was undoubtedly uncomfortable for Haku. In the end, Zabuza Momochi continued, “The imposter from earlier was right. You are one of the Snow from the Land of Water. Although the Mist persecuted the Snow during the era of the Blood Mist, your roots are in the water, not the fire. Konoha recruited you because they see potential in your Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.”

“Even if you excel, in the eyes of Konoha, you are not a true member of theirs, just a tool they can’t completely trust. Come with me, leave behind the restrictions of your village, and enjoy true freedom. I will also teach you all my techniques.”

If he had encountered Haku earlier, Zabuza Momochi would have undoubtedly chosen to groom him as his own tool. However, after experiencing a hopeless coup and years of wandering to escape, he no longer had the same ambition. Instead, he wanted to find a true successor for himself so that his unique skills, honed over decades of life and death, would not vanish if he died, leaving no mark on the ninja world.

Meeting Haku at this moment was like finding the precious gem he had longed for, so he didn’t hesitate to say, “Kid, are you interested in following me?”

“Following you?” Haku was stunned. He had considered many possible intentions for the man’s appearance but never expected him to try to recruit him. Is it normal for a rogue ninja to recruit a Konoha ninja?

Haku said with a serious expression, “I am a Konoha ninja! Now, and in the future!”

In addition, if Konoha treated him as a genuine tool, it would be better. He could wholeheartedly fulfill the role of a tool without thinking about anything else. However…

Thinking about the years he had spent with Master Tsunade, who treated him like family, his many friends from the Ninja Academy, and the Hokage, who had no biases, Haku’s eyes revealed a genuine smile from the depths of his heart.

As for Konoha not trusting him, he had never experienced it. Furthermore, his time in Konoha had been the happiest period of his life.

Perhaps being a trusted comrade rather than a mere tool that followed orders was a better choice. With this in mind, Haku said seriously, “I don’t care about the past of the Snow Clan. If the Ice Release flourishes in the future, it will undoubtedly be a credit to Konoha.”

“I see… That’s regrettable!” Seeing Haku’s attitude, Zabuza Momochi could only shake his head regretfully. If only Konoha had treated him as a true tool, he would wholeheartedly fulfill that role without any other thoughts.

However…

When he thought about Master Tsunade, who had treated him like family all these years, and many of his friends from the Ninja Academy, as well as the Hokage, who had no biases, Haku’s eyes revealed a genuine smile from the depths of his heart.

As for Konoha not trusting him, he had never experienced it. Furthermore, his time in Konoha had been the happiest period of his life.

Perhaps being a trusted comrade rather than a mere tool that followed orders was a better choice. With this in mind, Haku said seriously, “I don’t care about the past of the Snow Clan. If the Ice Release flourishes in the future, it will undoubtedly be a credit to Konoha.”

“I see… That’s regrettable!” Seeing Haku’s attitude, Zabuza Momochi could only shake his head regretfully.

Just as he was about to turn around with a deep sense of disappointment, a frigid light from flying needles caught his eye.

“Oh? What are you trying to do?” Zabuza Momochi looked at the countless sharp flying needles in his fingers and asked, slightly surprised.

Haku replied seriously, “I’m sorry, Mr. Zabuza Momochi. Even though you are a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, any unexpected factors are not allowed within the borders of the Land of Waves. Please come with me.”

“Come with you? Are you joking?” Zabuza Momochi chuckled. “And, kid, don’t think that killing an imposter Mist ninja like me is something to be proud of. Do you understand the difference between us? While I’m still feeling lenient, retract your ridiculous intention to kill. Otherwise, I don’t mind leaving another person under my blade.”

“Duty demands this,” Haku said as his hands, filled with flying needles, crossed in front of his chest.

“I see…” Zabuza Momochi smirked and pointed his massive sword at Haku. “Then tell me your name now. My blade doesn’t spare nameless individuals.”

“Haku.”

“Haku? A good name, I’ll remember it. Now, go die!”

With these final words, Zabuza Momochi’s eyes were once again enveloped in murderous intent, and he inserted his long sword into the ground, rapidly forming hand seals.

“Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!”

A massive water dragon quickly condensed behind Zabuza Momochi and charged fiercely at Haku.

Seeing this, Haku also formed hand seals without any hesitation.

“Ice Release: Ice Dragon Bullet Technique!”

In an instant, the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai formed a dragon entirely made of ice. With a roar, it swiftly charged towards the water dragon.

The next moment, the water dragon and the ice dragon began their fierce battle in the middle of Zabuza Momochi and Haku.

However, it wasn’t long before Zabuza Momochi couldn’t help but frown as he watched his water dragon steadily lose ground.

“Single-handed seals, matured Ice Release… It seems Konoha has trained you well.”

The ice dragon tore apart the water dragon, and as it fell like rain, Zabuza Momochi added, “Ninjutsu can’t be used against you… I can see why Master Zabuza warned me about being cautious of your ninjutsu.”

As the ice dragon descended from the sky, a massive explosion erupted.

When the ice dragon collided with Zabuza Momochi, the latter instantly transformed into scattering water.

“Water Clone!” Haku immediately went on alert.

The next moment, a loud sonic boom sounded in his ears.

Zabuza Momochi, who had used the Body Flicker Technique to move rapidly, wielded his long sword and slashed at Haku’s waist with all his strength.

The gust of wind hadn’t even arrived, but the sharp blade had already come at him.

“I can’t block it!” Haku quickly made a decision.

“So don’t block it.”

In an instant, another deafening sonic boom sounded.

The next moment, the long sword swung empty.

Seeing that there was nothing in front of him, Zabuza Momochi couldn’t help but exclaim, “Such a fast Body Flicker Technique!”

Of course!

This was taught to him personally by Master Zabuza.

As Haku thought this and was about to continue using ninjutsu after putting some distance between them, suddenly…

A voice, cold as ice, sounded behind him:

“Ninjas should not turn their backs to their enemies. Didn’t your instructors at the Konoha Ninja Academy teach you this?”

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