The Arrogant Gato, No More Dilemmas!
Zabuza Momochi moved swiftly through the compound, his movements precise and unwavering. He had no interest in delays—his target was Gato, and he intended to finish this swiftly.
Reaching a dimly lit room, he walked directly to a section of the wooden floor, crouched, and lifted a loose panel.
"Squeak—creak!"
With a quiet groan, the floorboard revealed a hidden underground passage. Zabuza's sharp eyes narrowed as he assessed it. Without hesitation, he leapt down into the darkness.
The tunnel was narrow at first, but as he moved forward, it widened into a spacious underground chamber. Several doors lined the stone walls, but Zabuza wasted no time calling out.
"Gato, why don't you come out and greet me?"
His voice echoed through the chamber.
Inside one of the rooms, Gato flinched. His body tensed at the unmistakable voice of the Demon of the Hidden Mist. He had thought Zabuza dead after the battle with Kakashi and Team 7, yet here he was—alive and furious.
"Why? Why is he here?!" Gato's mind raced.
There was no escape. Resigning himself, he gritted his teeth and stepped out, attempting to maintain his arrogant facade.
"Zabuza Momochi! I paid you well, didn't I? Why are you turning on me?!"
Zabuza stood there, Kubikiribōchō resting against his shoulder, his cold gaze fixed on the cowardly businessman.
"Paid me well?" Zabuza scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. You only cared about my ability to kill. Our contract is over. The mission failed, and you didn't give a damn about what happened to me or Haku."
Gato hesitated, sweat forming on his brow. He had no rebuttal.
Zabuza took a slow step forward, his presence overwhelming.
"Enough talk. Hand over everything you've got. Maybe then I'll let you live."
Gato clenched his fists. He wasn't ready to part with his wealth, but more than that, he feared for his life. He tried to sound confident.
"And how do I know you won't kill me after I pay you?"
Zabuza smirked, his grip tightening on his blade. He placed the edge of Kubikiribōchō against Gato's trembling neck.
"Gato, do you really think you're in a position to bargain?" His voice was low and menacing.
"You're nothing more than a rat caught in a trap. And I'm the one holding the blade."
"I can't give you any guarantees—you can only choose to believe me!"
Hearing Zabuza's words, Gato's expression darkened. He took a deep breath before responding coldly,
"If you can't guarantee my safety, then I can guarantee that you'll never see a single ryo of my money!"
Seeing Gato's sudden outburst, Zabuza narrowed his eyes, pressing the blade of his Kubikiribōchō a little harder against Gato's throat, piercing the skin just enough for blood to trickle down.
Yet, Gato remained unfazed, letting the blood drip onto the floor. He was gambling—he knew Zabuza needed the money, and if he couldn't get it, then killing him would be pointless.
Sure enough, he was right. Zabuza was here for the money, not for his life. Without the money, how could he buy back Haku's freedom?
Zabuza studied Gato for a moment before lowering his blade slightly, his voice deep and firm.
"I won't kill you—yet. But you're going to hand over every last ryo you have."
Gato chuckled darkly, wiping the blood from his neck.
"And why should I trust you? What guarantee do I have that you won't just take the money and slit my throat?"
Zabuza's brow furrowed. This little rat was getting cocky.
"I might be after your money, but that doesn't mean you get to act arrogant."
"The Land of Waves isn't that big. You really think I can't find your stash? If I have to, I'll turn this whole country upside down until I do."
Gato's smug expression faltered for a brief moment. He cursed Zabuza in his mind, but outwardly, he forced a smirk.
"Go ahead and try. Who says I hid my fortune in the Land of Waves? The shinobi world is vast, Zabuza. You think you can search every corner of it?"
His grin widened mockingly.
"But… your little companion doesn't have the luxury of time, does he?"
"If I'm not mistaken, that kid who follows you around—Haku, wasn't it?—has been taken, hasn't he?"
"And you need money to get him back. Tch, tch… who would've thought that the infamous Demon of the Mist would one day be reduced to this?"
Zabuza's eyes went cold in an instant. A suffocating killing intent flooded the room, his bloodlust crashing over Gato like a tidal wave.