Refusing a toast means having to drink a forfeit

Chapter 23 Refusing a toast means having to drink a forfeit

"Don't act impulsively."

Uehara Naraku casually held a card in his hand.

The thin card in his hand blocked the blade of the Executioner's Blade. Seeing this, Zabuza Momochi felt a chill in his heart. Could a mere ordinary card really block the Executioner's Blade?

Uehara flung the card at Momochi Zabuza!

Zabuza Momochi hurriedly withdrew his Executioner's Blade in defense, only to find that the card had already pierced through the blade and was stuck on its surface!

Uehara Naraku raised his head and slowly continued, "Zabuza-san, people who know too many secrets usually don't live long..."

This kind of talk can only fool ordinary people.

Throughout the ninja world, those who know more tend to live longer, like Black Zetsu; while fools like Zabuza Momochi, on the other hand, often die young.

"snort!"

Zabuza snorted coldly, his expression arrogant, "Who do you think you are? Kid, if you tell me your identity and purpose for going to the Land of Water now, you'll suffer less!"

"Are you sure you want me to confess?"

A mysterious smile played on Uehara Naraku's lips as he looked at Momochi Zabuza with a mocking expression, saying each word clearly, "My purpose in going to the Land of Water is to guide one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to assassinate their Mizukage. Is this... what you want?"

"..."

Zabuza Momochi's mind went blank for a moment, his killing intent surging as he stared intently at Naraku Uehara, his sharp gaze seeming to want to tear the boy to pieces!

Because Uehara Naraku had just hit the nail on the head.

Every ambitious ninja in Kirigakure could see how harmful the Blood Mist policy implemented by the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was to the village, and none of them wanted to change this situation.

Zabuza Momochi was one of them.

While he was at the Ninja Academy, he was already determined to change the Village of Blood and Mist. He even went so far as to kill all his classmates during the cutthroat graduation exam, forcing the Hidden Mist's higher-ups to abolish this assessment method that could have led to a decline in the number of Hidden Mist ninjas.

After Zabuza Momochi came of age, he joined the Hidden Mist Anbu and grew stronger and stronger, earning him the title of "Demon of the Hidden Mist" in the ninja world. Not long ago, he took over the returned Executioner's Blade and became the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Since obtaining the Executioner's Blade, Zabuza Momochi has harbored new ambitions. He believes he is strong enough, so he has been plotting to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, and change the entire Hidden Mist Village.

If the plan succeeds, everything will naturally go smoothly.

If the plan fails, then it's time to prepare to escape.

Zabuza Momochi's appearance in the Land of Waves was to find a way out. Once he returned, he planned to find an opportunity to assassinate the Mizukage.

The boy before him seemed to see right through him! This plan had clearly been hidden in his heart all along, and he had never mentioned it to anyone.

Zabuza Momochi was in a panic. He wanted to chop Uehara Naraku to pieces, but he also wanted to get information out of him about which of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was trying to lure into assassinating the Mizukage.

If Uehara Naraku were to reveal his name, Momochi Zabuza would risk his life to cut off his head...

If Uehara Naraku reveals another person's name, Momochi Zabuza will return to the village and test that person to see if they can work together...

Of course, regardless of whether they succeed in assassinating the Mizukage or not, they will eventually have to cut off Uehara Naraku's head. As for whether they can actually do it, they'll have to try and see.

He was a ninja who lived by the motto "to settle scores quickly and for all."

Thinking this, Zabuza Momochi stared at Uehara and said disdainfully, "Hmph, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are the seven strongest swordsmen in our village, the most loyal ninjas to the Mizukage. How could they possibly assassinate the Mizukage because of a brat like you?"

The conversation abruptly shifted, and Zabuza Momochi's eyes instantly filled with murderous intent: "Or perhaps, you brat, you've already been colluding with one of the traitors... Kid, name him, and maybe I'll spare your life!"

"I cannot tell Zabuza's name yet."

Uehara Naraku leaned back in the cabin, gently shaking his head, a mocking smile returning to his face: "Whether the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are loyal or not, didn't Zabuza-sensei already know the answer himself?"

The first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were kicked into oblivion by a Konoha genin, with Raiga Kurosuki and Juzo Biwa defecting. The only remaining member, Hozuki Suigetsu, even harbored other ambitions.

Only four members remained of the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Uryuuri died young due to serious illness, while Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi both chose to defect.

Only two of the Third Generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen remained: Hozuki Suigetsu was born a rogue ninja, while Chojuro stayed in Kirigakure.

The defection rate among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist is unusually high.

"Looks like I'll have to resort to some tactics..."

Zabuza Momochi raised his fingers.

The second batch of Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Village currently only has three members: Hozuki Mangetsu, Hoshigaki Kisame, and Momochi Zabuza. The problem is that, apart from Momochi Zabuza himself, the other two seem to be loyal to the Fourth Mizukage.

Since Kisame Hoshigaki killed Suigetsu Fuguki, he has effectively seized power in the village; Hozuki Mangetsu is a member of the Second Mizukage's clan, capable of using all the ninja swords, and is a genius on whom everyone has high hopes.

Zabuza Momochi was hesitant to take the risk; he wanted to get a name from Naraku Uehara to identify a potential partner.

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"

A fog appeared on the sea and gradually enveloped the small boat.

Zabuza Momochi took a few steps back, his tall figure disappearing into the mist. His voice echoed from all directions: "Kid, are there any parts of your body you don't want? I can cut them off for you..."

"idiot…"

Uehara Naraku cursed under his breath, slowly closing his fingers, and said softly, "Zabuza, there are some people in the ninja world you absolutely shouldn't mess with, but you just happen to like provoking those people!"

For example, that cheater of his.

For example, the future team of genin in Konoha who are overpowered.

"Thunder Release: Wan Lei Tian Lao Yin!"

A massive thundercloud storm appeared in the sea fog, and a bolt of lightning struck Zabuza Momochi with unerring accuracy. Fortunately, he managed to dodge it in time using the Fog Flicker Technique!

However, within a second, two more bolts of lightning struck!

"This brat is actually skilled in Lightning Release ninjutsu..."

Zabuza Momochi gritted his teeth, quickly clasped his hands together, and barely managed to block a bolt of lightning, forming a jutsu: "Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

The waves surged up on the sea surface, forming a hollow water sphere that enveloped Zabuza Momochi. A bolt of lightning struck down, and the lightning flowed down the water sphere and landed on the sea.

After hiding in the water prison, Zabuza Momochi breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression was extremely ugly. The little guy had only used one ninjutsu, and his location had been directly exposed.

Uehara Naraku waded through the seawater, walking step by step towards where Momochi Zabuza was. His boyish voice still sounded somewhat immature: "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences..."

(End of this chapter)