*Chapter 15: Zabuza Begins to Question His Life*

"Whoosh!"

A sharp sound cut through the air behind Zabuza at blinding speed.

Yet, instead of defending, he swung his sword forward with absolute confidence. "Your killing intent gave you away. You won’t fool me!"

But—his strike met empty air.

A cold blade pressed against his back as Yoru’s voice teased, "Wrong answer, Zabuza. It was behind you."

"Impossible!"**

Zabuza whirled around, but Yoru had already vanished.

Had he really misread the direction of the killing intent? No way!

"So it’s not just sound… You can distort killing intent too?!" Zabuza’s mind raced.

Just then, Yoru’s voice echoed again, calm and mocking: "Think you can see through it this time, Zabuza?"

"If sensing killing intent is unreliable, then I’ll try something else!"

Zabuza hurled a spread of kunai connected by steel wires, weaving a spiderweb-like trap around himself.

"If you can manipulate sound and killing intent, then physical touch won’t lie!" he thought.

Watching from the mist, Yoru smirked. "Impressive. As expected from the master of the Hiding in Mist Technique."

"But… it won’t work."

"You think touch can’t deceive you? Oh, it can."

"My mist doesn’t just affect the body—it messes with the mind too."

With that, Yoru struck again, leaving Zabuza stunned.

The sensation had come from the left—yet the attack landed from the right.

"How?!"

Zabuza’s entire understanding of the Hiding in Mist Technique was crumbling. Was this even the same jutsu?

The effect was terrifying.

Attack after attack followed, and each time, Zabuza failed to predict Yoru’s movements.

Finally, Zabuza conceded—genuinely impressed.

Yoru’s mastery of the technique was on a level he couldn’t even comprehend.

His worldview had been shattered. So this is how the Hiding in Mist Technique could truly be used.

It was like a revelation.

"Yoru… Can I ask you something?" Zabuza’s voice was uncharacteristically hesitant.

Then, he bowed deeply. "Teach me how to do this. Please. I’ll pay any price. This… means everything to me."

For the "Demon of the Hidden Mist" to humble himself like this—it would likely never happen again.

Yoru sighed, as if he’d expected this. "Sorry, Zabuza. I can’t teach you."

"This isn’t something you can learn through training or secrets."

Zabuza’s face darkened with disappointment—even anger. Was he being toyed with?

As he turned to leave coldly, Yoru spoke again.

"But… while I can’t teach you, I can enhance your Hiding in Mist Technique."

Zabuza’s eyes widened. He grabbed Yoru’s arm. "Really?!"

"Of course. You can test it right away."

Yoru placed a hand on Zabuza’s shoulder and silently commanded:

*"Strengthen: Hiding in Mist Technique."*

*[System: Cost: 3,500 Strengthening Points. Proceed?]*

"Proceed."

Five seconds later—

*[System: Strengthening complete.]*

A status screen appeared before Yoru:

*Technique:* Hiding in Mist Technique

*Initial Cost:* 3,500

*Rank After Strengthening:* B (Previously: C)

*Enhanced Effects:*

- Distorts sound direction

- Dampens sensory perception

- Faster activation

(Previously only obscured vision)

*Remaining Strengthenings:* 2

Yoru withdrew his hand. "Done. Give it a try."

Zabuza blinked. "That’s it?" He’d expected some grand ritual—not a five-second touch.

Still, seeing Yoru’s confidence, he tested it.

And—

"It really improved!"

As an expert, Zabuza immediately felt the difference. The range, speed, and effects were all enhanced.

"Thank you, Yoru. Name your price."

Zabuza never went back on his word. His gaze was deadly serious.

Yoru chuckled. "This isn’t the place to talk. Come inside?"

He turned toward the house.

After a brief hesitation, Zabuza followed.

---

*Inside the House*

The moment they sat down, Yoru cut straight to the point:

"What do you think of the Mizukage, Zabuza?"

Zabuza’s eyes narrowed. "That’s not a question you should be asking. Is this Lady Mei’s doing?"

He’d only agreed to talk because of Mei Terumī’s influence. Yoru alone didn’t have that authority—not even after helping him.

"You could say that."

Yoru rested his chin on his hands, his gaze sharper than any child’s should be. "Well? Your thoughts?"

"Something’s wrong. The Mizukage isn’t acting right."

Assuming this was Mei’s move to reform Kirigakure, Zabuza spoke openly.

Yoru listened carefully.

Zabuza was a potential ally—Mei had said so too. They’d even discussed it before.

"The Bloody Mist policies have to change. If this continues, the village will be destroyed in all but name." Zabuza’s voice was grave.

Yoru nodded. "But we need to gather strength first. Overthrowing the system won’t happen overnight."

Zabuza agreed.

Standing, he said, "When it’s time to move, call me."

Then he left without another word.

Watching him go, Yoru murmured:

"No matter the world, there are always those who fight to save it… That kind of spirit is truly remarkable."

Whether in his past life or this one—that truth never changed.

---