Gato was a businessman, the president of a shipping company, but he was no ordinary merchant. Dissatisfied with his current wealth, he set his sights on the Land of Waves, a small isnd nation floating in the sea.

  For an isnd nation surrounded by water and far from the mainnd, maritime routes were the only means of connecting with the outside world.

  Thus, using his wealth and violence, Gato seized control of all maritime transportation in the Land of Waves. For a small isnd nation like this, controlling the lifeline of sea routes meant controlling the country's wealth, politics, and its people.

  Gato's actions naturally led to resistance from the people of the Land of Waves. Just a year ago, a fisherman who called himself the ‘Hero of the Land of Waves’ had foolishly tried to use public pressure to negotiate with Gato, demanding that he open the shipping routes. It was ughable.

  In the end, Gato had the man's arms cut off and whipped him to death in front of the entire isnd's popution, shattering the spine of the Land of Waves. From then on, no one dared to defy him. Even the Daimyo was nothing more than a pet in his cage.

  But not long after, a strange outsider arrived in the Land of Waves.

  This woman did nothing at first, but as soon as she arrived, she hired a group of people to build a vilge by the coast. This move had initially armed Gato.

  A wealthy outsider coming to this poor, struggling country and building a vilge rge enough to house hundreds of people? Her intentions were obvious.

  How could Gato allow anyone else to covet what he considered his territory?

  Over the past two months, he had sent numerous Rogue Ninjas and Samurai to assassinate her, but each time, they disappeared without a trace, with no news ever returning.

  This made Gato realize that she was a tough opponent, so he decided it was time to get serious.

  Night fell at Gato's estate.

  A grand celebration was underway.

  "Hahaha! Today, let us welcome Zabuza and Haku to our ranks."

  Surrounded by his subordinates, Gato ughed arrogantly, raising his gss in a toast to Zabuza and Haku, who were seated nearby.

  Zabuza had no eyebrows, with short bck hair and his lower face and neck wrapped in bandages. Even as a Missing-nin, he still wore the Kirigakure forehead protector.

  Beside him, Haku looked far more unusual. Despite being male, his appearance leaned toward the feminine, with long, glossy bck hair and clothing that made him resemble a woman.

  Seeing Gato raise his gss, Zabuza didn't return the gesture. Instead, he leaned back on the couch, his massive Kubikiribocho resting beside him, and said with clear dissatisfaction, "Gato, I've only accepted your commission. Once the job is done, we'll leave!"

  Since Zabuza didn't give Gato any face, Haku naturally didn't either. He sat quietly, sipping on a gss of juice.

  ‘Just a couple of Missing-nin...'

  Gato's hand tightened around his gss, but he quickly composed himself.

  "Is that so? Then let us toast to Zabuza's successful completion of the mission."

  This time, Gato didn't raise his gss to Zabuza but instead turned to his subordinates.

  "To Zabuza's successful mission!"

  This time, there was no dull moment, and many subordinates cheered, which made Gato feel much better.

  "Huh! What a foolish spectacle."

  Zabuza couldn't help but sneer. He had initially pnned to leave, but seeing Haku happily enjoying his drink, he decided to stay a little longer.

  Consider it a reward for his tool.

  However, amidst all the cheers, no one noticed a group of people observing them from a distant hill.

  "Natsu, aside from the four at the entrance, are there any other guards?"

  Izumi, holding a long sword, asked the green-haired girl beside her, who was using her Byakugan to observe.

  After observing carefully, Natsu shook her head and said, "Just those four. It seems they're holding a banquet, so they've gathered everyone inside."

  "How careless."

  Izumi suddenly felt a sense of disappointment. This was the first mission Naruto had given to the Uchiha, and she had expected it to be challenging. But it seemed like they were dealing with a bunch of amateurs.

  "Huh?"

  Just as Izumi was lost in thought, Natsu let out a soft excmation.

  "What's wrong?" Izumi asked.

  Natsu frownedand said, "There are two retively strong Chakra signatures inside the estate. One of them seems quite powerful, possibly not inferior to Inabi."

  "Oh? I thought it would just be a bunch of small fry."

  "Is there anything else suspicious?"

  Izumi was eager to test her newfound power.

  Natsu shook her head and said, "No, aside from the guards at the entrance, everyone else is inside the estate. The surrounding area is clear."

  "Good. In that case, let's move!"

  Izumi gripped her sword, tied up her long hair, and said, "Leave Gato alive. We'll control him with the Sharingan. Naruto-sama still needs him."

  "As for the rest... leave no one alive!"

  After saying that, Izumi leaped down from the hill, charging toward Gato's estate as if the steep terrain were ft ground. Behind her, ten figures followed closely.

  Eleven pairs of crimson eyes glowed with a bloody light in the darkness.