Zabuza frowned as he watched the group of boats coming toward Wave's shore, the markings on them were easy to identify as belonging to pirates.
"Just as I thought, It's a classic Kiri tactic." He said to Hikari, who was standing next to him. "Send in small groups of Pirate ships to steal resources, harass shipping lanes, and pillage ports, with 'rogue' Shinobi on board to make sure they succeed even with heavy resistance."
"Does this mean Kirigakure is going to start fighting us openly?" Hikari asked with slight concern.
"No, but it means they are going to keep being pests." Zabuza responded firmly. "They probably heard about our economic resurgence and decided to take advantage of it."
"If we kill them all, they will most likely stop, right?" She asked curiously. "After all, I don't think many would be willing to risk their lives by coming here after that."
What came to Zabuza's face could only be described as a mix of disdain and amusement.
"You would think so, wouldn't you?" He grunted while gesturing at Haku. "Go intercept them."
Haku nodded silently before vanishing into a swirl of ice. A moment later, he reappeared in the ocean, standing on top of the water. He reached into his clothes and took out several scrolls.
He threw them high into the air, where they unfurled and opened, releasing four massive ice dragons. With another motion, he threw a marble towards each dragon, which sunk inside them.
Zabuza watched as the Ice Dragons swam through the water with ease, making their way towards the pirate ships. In a few moments, they were at the boats, ripping them apart and dragging them underwater with little difficulty.
"Ah, this might have been my fault, Hikari." He admitted after observing for a bit. "I see Hunter-Nin."
Hikari blinked in surprise before looking more closely at the scene unfolding before them. After a moment of searching, she saw what he was talking about.
A group of pirates were swimming underneath the dragons, they had donned breathing apparatuses and were now approaching Haku from beneath him.
Zabuza let out a sharp whistle, causing Haku to immediately retreat, vanishing in another swirl of ice. Moments later, he reappeared next to Zabuza once again.
Zabuza grunted approvingly before turning back towards the Hunter-Nin below them. He reached over his shoulder and grasped Kubikiribōchō tightly with one hand.
He waited until the Hunter-Nin surfaced, watching as they arranged themselves into formation around them.
"Zabuza Momochi." One of them spoke up coldly. "We are surprised to see you here."
The Demon of The Hidden Mist simply raised his giant blade threateningly in response.
"Kill them." He commanded Haku, who nodded silently again before disappearing once more, reappearing above the group of Kiri-Nin.
Zabuza didn't waste any time either, rushing forward and swinging his sword down with tremendous force, cutting through the first Hunter-Nin easily enough. Really? Did they run out of competent Hunter-Nin? This guy barely reacted.
Another man tried to stab him from behind with a kunai, but he simply manifested his scales on his back, causing the blade to slide off harmlessly.
He spun around swiftly, kicking out at his attacker's knee, shattering it completely. As the man crumpled to the ground screaming in pain, Zabuza brought Kubikiribōchō crashing down upon him.
As he pulled his sword free from the corpse, he glanced over towards where Haku was fighting three Kiri-Nin, all of them trapped in a dome made out of ice mirrors.
Suddenly, a water dragon appeared, smashing into him and slamming him against the ground.
Zabuza grunted in annoyance as he felt several of his ribs break from the impact. He got up quickly, though, glaring angrily at the Kiri-Nin that had ambushed him.
"Look who got too confident," The man said mockingly. "I was not expecting you, of all people, to fall for a simple Genjutsu, Demon."
Zabuza didn't reply immediately, instead simply getting up and sheathing Kubikiribōchō on his back. Causing the Hunter-Nin to narrow his eyes in suspicion.
"Did you give up?" The Kiri-Nin asked arrogantly. "Giving in to despair after being struck by my technique?"
"Stop fucking around, Hikari." Zabuza snapped impatiently, causing the Hunter-Nin to stiffen suddenly, before collapsing to the ground.
Hikari emerged behind him, appearing from thin air, wearing an amused smile on her face.
"You're so mean, Zabuza," She pouted. "I was doing my best, but his spirit was stronger than expected."
The Hunter-Nin got up, movements jerky, and clearly out of his control, staring at them with empty eyes.
Zabuza turned to look at Haku, who had just finished dispatching his three opponents. He dispelled the dome and came over to join them.
"All of them still alive, I assume?" Hikari asked cheerfully. Haku nodded silently in confirmation.
"Good." She grinned brightly before turning towards Zabuza. "Chop chop, Zabuza, all these fools won't interrogate themselves."
***
"I have a report for you, Leader." Sasori said respectfully. He had recently heard some interesting news.
"Oh? Please tell me." Pain responded, his voice distorted by the technique that relayed it.
"One of my spies reported seeing the Jinchūriki of the Rokubi entering the Land Of Fire, heading towards Wave." Sasori explained carefully. "I thought you would like to know this."
The Rokubi was currently uncontrolled by any of the great villages, its Jinchūriki last seen traveling as a nomad throughout the Land Of Water. This was an opportunity, capturing the Jinchūriki would be easier if they were away from the Great Villages.
"I see." Pain replied after a moment of silence. "Hidan did express a desire to go to Wave."
Sasori knew that Pain was being generous, Hidan probably ranted for hours about how he would love to slaughter every last member of The Church Of The Watcher. He was not a subtle man.
"Thank you for informing me, Sasori." Pain said sincerely. Sasori nodded respectfully before taking his, cutting off the connection.
He might not like Deidara's foolish ideas, but he was glad the man was less infuriating than that mad beast in human skin.
***
It had been almost half a year since his arrival to this world. Life was great, everything was going swimmingly.
But the Order of The Watcher didn't exist in a vacuum, it would eventually get the attention of bigger powers. Today, I saw that happen for the first time.
Konoha had sent a request for a diplomatic meeting, I didn't mind, I trusted Tsunade more than Hiruzen.
Still, this was a sign that the future had changed even further from what I knew, originally Wave was ignored until Konoha requested help after the Pain attack on the village. I knew it was going to happen, but it still made me a bit uneasy.
Talking about the future changing, don't think I didn't notice you, Utakata.
I keep an eye on that bridge 24/7, just in case. I really hoped his seal was less unhinged than Naruto's, or I will cry.
I was planning to let him explore a little bit before I showed up. Honestly, I kinda felt bad for the man, so he can enjoy his vacation for a few days before I show up and ruin it.
The rest of my cult was doing great, Zabuza was chilling with Haku like the father-son duo they are, Haruka was an excellent High Priestess, Hikari and Kazuo were great at their jobs...
Kenji was still preaching, by the way, that crazy fucker would talk the ear off of anyone who even looked at him. The only reason he wasn't an important figure was because he simply didn't want to be, he preferred traveling around talking about me instead of staying in one place.
And of course, Yatagarasu and his siblings continued being adorable. Currently, there were 6 Star-Eaters, and I couldn't have been prouder of them.
Speaking of crow-shaped things, the Crow Clan was also doing well, initially, they were tense about this whole situation but relaxed once they got used to it.
They now were full devotees to The Watcher. Going from the Divine Realm and Wave back and forth, helping my cult in whatever they needed.
All in all, I was thinking about what moves to make next. What other places could I spread my religion too?