Zixu, who was far away in the Hidden Leaf Village, looked at Zabuza, who had already stood up. It seemed like the man wanted to say something to him. But before Zabuza could open his mouth, something unusual happened on Zixu's side.
"What... what? The organization's supplies have been depleted? 452 bullets?"
Zixu had learned his lesson and no longer blocked messages from the system. As a result, he was usually the first to know what was happening back in the village.
"System! You're not deducting my points for this, right?"
Once bitten, twice shy—he wasn't about to get tricked into covering the organization's expenses with his personal points again.
"No"
Zixu finally breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the system's clear response. But across from him, Zabuza was staring at him in confusion.
Just now, Zixu had lost control of his emotions for a moment, and in his frustration, he had accidentally broken the metal railing between them. Zabuza, who had been about to start cursing, suddenly shut his mouth.
"Wait a second... Aren't prisoners supposed to have their chakra drained before entering prison? How the hell do you still have the strength to break an iron bar?"
Zabuza also noticed that Zixu didn't show any signs of being beaten—his body was completely clean.
Zixu thought that maybe Zabuza wasn't planning to escape just yet. Did he have some other goal for staying here? If so, Zixu felt guilty. His outburst just now might have messed up Zabuza's plans. That was careless of him.
Thinking of this, Zixu sighed and, under Zabuza's wide-eyed gaze, casually bent the railing back into place.
"No, they didn't drain my chakra. They thought I was just a civilian. They did hit me twice, but I must be one hell of an actor because they got scared that if they hit me again, I'd actually die. So, they just threw me in here."
Zixu wasn't lying. When the Kirigakure ninja were patrolling earlier, he had followed them openly. At first, they ignored him, assuming he was just another villager. That was until he put on a mask, held a kunai, and asked them straight-up—"Would I be executed if I kidnapped the Daimyō of the Land of Water? 'Cause if I would, then I won't do it."
Naturally, they arrested him on the spot.
When he first arrived in prison, they had intended to rough him up a little. While the Mist ninja didn't particularly like the Daimyō, they couldn't afford to openly show their disdain, so they held back a bit. But Zixu's acting was too damn convincing. Before the baton even struck him, he had already spat out a mouthful of blood, twitched violently, and rolled his eyes back like he was dying. He was even more dramatic than a con artist faking an injury.
The jailer panicked.
"Wait… Did I hit him too hard? What kind of technique did I just use?! One hit and he's vomiting blood? Two more and he might actually die. Screw it, just throw him in the cell."
After confirming multiple times that the railings looked exactly the same as before, Zixu turned back to Zabuza and gave him a knowing look.
"I get it. I understand everything. I won't ruin your plan."
Zabuza had no idea what Zixu's look was supposed to mean. Why did he seem so… trusting? What plan? If they got captured, then that just meant they were unlucky—there was nothing more to it.
"Zixu, if you have a way out, then take Zabuza and leave. I won't hold you back. My sword may be gone, but my resolve to protect hasn't wavered."
It was Haku who spoke up, breaking the awkward silence. He knew his own condition well. His abdomen had multiple stab wounds, and the old injuries from his fight with Kakashi had flared up again. He doubted he had long to live. As long as Zabuza could escape safely, he had no regrets.
Zabuza's gaze softened. Haku… had always been so kind to him. The best decision he had ever made in his life was taking Haku in.
"Huh? The hell are you guys acting so dramatic for?" Zixu rolled his eyes. "No one's dying today. You're all making it sound like this is a farewell. Relax, I'm still waiting for you two to work under me."
He tossed a special ration pill toward Zabuza.
"This'll restore your chakra. Haku's wounds are serious, so we'll have Karin patch him up when we get back to the village. For now, let's get moving."
Zixu actually wanted to stay in Kirigakure for a while longer, but considering the heavy bullet expenditure in his inventory, something major must have happened back in the village. It made sense to return first.
Zabuza, after consuming the ration pill, had almost fully recovered.
Zixu hadn't wasted his time here—he had already thoroughly scouted the Hidden Mist Village, especially the prison. Having firsthand experience made his understanding even clearer.
Prying open the reinforced bars again, Zixu watched as they creaked under the strain. This time, they finally couldn't take it anymore.
Crack!
The metal snapped completely.
Zixu gestured toward Haku, signaling Zabuza to carry him while he handled the escape.
"This is the perfect time to use your Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Technique). Blend into the mist while I cause a distraction."
Zixu carried Haku on his back, preparing to move.
"Wait," Zabuza interrupted. "If you're going to draw attention, then let me carry Haku. He's safer with me."
The bandaged swordsman lowered his head slightly. He had already lost his Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade)—he couldn't lose Haku too.
Zixu considered this, then suddenly pulled out Yukigetsu (Snow Moon) from his storage space and tossed it to Zabuza.
"This sword was meant for Haku, but you can use it to protect him for now. It's not good to always rely on others for protection."
After shifting Haku onto Zabuza's back, Zixu nodded.
"Alright, I'll count to three, and then we move."
"One."
"Two."
"Wait, what's the escape route—"
"Three!"
Boom!
The thick concrete wall exploded as Zixu's foot smashed through it, sending debris flying everywhere. The ten-centimeter-thick structure had been completely obliterated by a single kick.
The surrounding jailers and prisoners were momentarily stunned, their scalps tingling at the sheer force behind the attack.
Alarms immediately blared. Red warning lights flashed throughout the prison.
"Tch. So noisy."
Annoyed, Zixu muted the entire area. Suddenly, the entire prison fell into eerie silence—guards and inmates alike flailing their mouths soundlessly, as if performing a pantomime.
"Wait… I could've muted the sound when I kicked the wall too, huh?" He scratched his head. "Eh, whatever. I'll be more careful next time."
Zixu glanced at Zabuza, who had already vanished into the mist.
"Don't just stand there enjoying the fresh air, dumbass. Hurry up and move!"
Zixu snapped out of it. Right—there was no time to waste. What the hell was he waiting for?
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