Future chapters (15+) at patreon.com/FFAddict.
Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish!
Chapter 37: If You Want To Live, Prepare To Redeem Yourself With Money
Inuzuka Kiba exclaimed, "Is this the end?"
A group of people had not yet recovered from the shock. They were eagerly awaiting the fierce life-and-death battle between that Sasuke and Zabuza. It turned out to be over in nearly no time. Everything seemed normal one moment, and the next moment, that Sasuke was holding his victory like it was nothing.
Uzumaki Naruto couldn't help but say, "It's too fast! How can he be faster than Mr. Kakashi?"
Nara Shikamaru added, "In their world, Zabuza was beaten so badly."
Terumi Mei commented, "It's too cruel. If you don't cut him, you'll end up beaten to death!"
Onoki remarked, "I thought no matter what, Zabuza would escape, but I never expected him to lose so easily."
The Fourth Raikage laughed, "He wanted to capture Uchiha Sasuke alive, but look at him now—captured alive instead."
Everyone felt a chill when they saw the figure on the gold-framed screen, Sasuke holding Zabuza like a dead dog. In battles, injuries are normal and even death is common, but it's rare to see someone as miserable as Zabuza.
It felt even worse than being killed outright.
Orochimaru acknowledged, "It seems we have underestimated the Sasuke of the parallel world. His strength would be considered very strong, even among the Elite Jōnin."
Uchiha Sasuke remarked, "In terms of fighting again and again, the performance of my counterpart is much better than Kakashi's."
He recalled how Kakashi passed out the first time after a prolonged struggle without making a single slash—embarrassing!
Haruno Sakura said, "Mr. Kakashi made so many seals and only managed a Water Dragon Bomb like Zabuza!" She used to admire that, but after seeing another world's Sasuke cast the Dragon Fire Technique instantly and easily win without slashing, she realized the difference was stark.
Hatake Kakashi replied sheepishly, "Please, don't compare me with that Sasuke."
Haku queried, "If you don't behead your opponent, you won't kill them, right?"
"You! Release me and don't behead me!" Haku's voice rose.
As Haku's hand quickly condensed a handful of ice, he made a gesture to attack. "Did you forget that there are enemies behind you?"
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared quietly behind Haku, pressing a kunai to his neck. Both of them were captured without further incident.
After a while, Haku found himself tied to a nearby tree by Kakashi. If Zabuza tried to resist or escape with only one right leg free to move, Sasuke felt he might actually admire him.
Kakashi looked at the unscathed Sasuke and felt a secret admiration stir within him. Sasuke's first real life-and-death battle had gone so smoothly! Kakashi knew it wouldn't have been difficult for him to win, but it would have been impossible to do so as elegantly as Sasuke had done.
"How do you plan to deal with the two of them?" Kakashi inquired.
Since Sasuke was the one who had captured them alive, the right to decide their fate should naturally be his, even if they were his students. It was clear that everyone could no longer treat Sasuke merely as a student.
"Sasuke looked at Zabuza with a smile. 'Zabuza, the ghost, now it's up to you to find a way to convince me not to kill you.'
'Just kill me,' Zabuza's voice was weak.
Being overwhelmingly defeated by a Konoha Genin and beaten so miserably, he just wanted to die now.
'No, I won't let you behead my lord again!' Haku, who was tied up on the side, became anxious. 'I can do whatever you want, but please let me go and don't behead my lord again!'
'This boy has Mist Shinobi's lost Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, which is very valuable,' Kakashi said.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. What did this have to do with him? Was he supposed to bring him back to Konoha and claim him as his own? Impossible! Was the Third Hokage just a decoration? A Bloodline ninja with Jonin strength brought to Konoha would only serve as another subordinate to the Third Hokage.
'I don't like this condition. Change it,' Sasuke ruthlessly refused.
'Haku! Don't ask him, just let him kill me!' Zabuza roared.
'No, I won't let you behead my lord again!' Haku's mind raced, and he suddenly thought of a solution. 'Money! I can use money to redeem you without beheading my lord!'
Sasuke's eyes lit up. 'Oh? How much money do you have? Tell me.'
If Zabuza didn't part with the money, he felt tight inside. That was the money he was saving to recruit a team and try to take back Kirigakure!
Terumi Mei scoffed, 'If you think you can take back Kirigakure with that bit of strength, don't make me laugh! And you want to recruit a team with that little money? How much can you have? If you were really rich, you wouldn't have taken the job to kill a mere civilian like Tazuna.'
Under Zabuza's command were only Chunin, weaklings like the Demon Brothers. That was his 'team'!
Mangetsu Hozuki commented, 'Your courage is commendable, but it's only courage.'
Shizune asked, 'Will you lose points if you don't cut off your own strength?'
Hoshigaki Kisame said, 'Mist Shinobi is getting worse. The younger generation of the Ninja Swordsmen are so disappointing!'
Yagura added, 'Even though Kisame backstabbed me back then, he's right. The swordsmen are indeed getting worse.'
In a chat room, a group of dead and living ninja swordsmen taunted Zabuza, refusing to let him get killed.
Although Zabuza was very reluctant to part with his money, he still wanted to live.
'You can always earn money again, but if you kill me, all hope of ambition is lost.'
Sasuke smiled. 'Let me help you calculate. Yourself, this Ice Release ninja, plus the beheading sword. Work out the ransom, and give me a figure that satisfies me.'