The Guild of Gamers: The Warlord

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.

Betad by Mike God of Lore, Malcolm Tent, Marethyu, Priapus

The Guild of Gamers: The Warlord

Chapter 17: The Demon of the Mists

– Haku Yuki –

Watching from the trees, she waited patiently. She couldn't deny that she was slightly nervous as Zabuza clashed with the newest Dragon Ninja, but she had faith in him.

She had to be ready to act if things looked like they were going to go south for Zabuza-

It was only her training that saved her as a blade slashed through the branch she was standing on, having barely jumped away. Even still, it nicked her as she landed with wide eyes. Standing where she had been was another masked woman in a cat mask, staring at her.

ANBU. This was worse than she had thought, her eyes going back to the fight.

"Hold, ANBU. I'm a Hunter-Nin from the Land of Waves. I'm here for the Demon of the Mist, not-"

"Nice try," the woman said simply, and Haku felt a shiver run through her. "But we're not so easily deceived. Hei sensed you both lying in wait. If you were here for Momochi, you'd have attacked him already. So this is how the coward planned to get away if he lost?"

Haku's eyes narrowed under her mask, hearing the contempt in the woman's voice, and without thinking, she tossed a trio of senbon at the woman. Her eyes widened again, watching the woman's blade lash out and cut all three out of the air in a single swing.

She'd known ANBU were elites, but the casual ease with which the woman deflected her attack made Haku hesitate as she looked towards Zabuza, unable to see through the mist, their escape plan foiled. It was a split-second movement, but as her eyes moved back to her opponent, they opened in panic, the woman already closing the distance.

– Zabuza Momochi –

The sounds of fighting from the forest made him narrow his eyes as he swung at the slippery little shit again. His reflexes were on a different level, his Kubikiribōchō once again striking metal instead of flesh.

He was stronger than the brat, knocking him back with the force behind his blow, but this little shit was quick to recover. Even as he flew back, he spun his body to land back on his feet. How did he always know where the attacks were coming from? The mist was hiding his approach, but the bastard always blocked or dodged.

He'd tried to send a water clone after the bridge builder, but the hot redhead had beaten it to death in seconds. There wasn't one ninja he needed to worry about here; there were three. 

He'd underestimated the new Dragon Ninja, even if he had believed that the brat had slain Kushimaru, but with a growl, he could admit that the little shit was worthy of the title. He didn't have the pure aura of his predecessor, but he could respect that someone so young was able to block his silent killing technique.

He'd forever deny that he did it to check on Haku, but with a seal, he dispelled his mist. 

"What's your name, brat?" Zabuza asked, his eyes moving to where Haku was trying to fight off a fucking ANBU of all people who had already cut into Haku's robe in several places.

"Hei Nara," Hei replied, one hand holding the Dragon Sword as he glared towards Zabuza. "Why?"

"You're not bad; you're no Ryu Hayabusa, but I wanted to know who I was about to kill," Zabuza explained, gripping his blade. He didn't have time to play around now, Hei needed to die so he could get to the Cat-masked ANBU currently trying to fillet Haku.

"I'm honoured, but I don't plan to die here," Hei replied with a grim smile on his face. 

Zabuza didn't respond, leaping forward as he ran through a series of one-handed hand seals. As his blade swung for Hei's neck, a dragon of water formed behind him and followed up.

Hei's reaction times were starting to piss him off, and once again, Hei used the Dragon Blade to deflect the blow from Kubikiribōchō, one hand on the hilt and the other on the flat of the blade as he diverted the attack to his side, Kubikiribōchō stabbing into the ground.

But the little shit had another trick, and as the water dragon tried to crash into him, Hei sunk into his own shadow, using the force from Zabuza's blow to send him down faster.

A new Nara trick? He hated fighting Naras. They always had some bullshit planned. Everything seemed to be going your way, then you fell into a trap they set four hours ago.

Scanning the area for his opponent, his eyes widened in fury as he realised Hei's target. Haku was diving back for one of her ice mirrors, trying to avoid the blade of the ANBU, but the shadow beneath her grew darker as Hei reappeared.

The Dragon Sword came out first, aimed straight for Haku's back as Hei leapt from her shadow, ready to impale her. He moved faster than he had needed to in a long time, fury flooding his veins at the cowardly attempt. Haku's eyes widened as Zabuza leapt forward and slammed Kubikiribōchō into the shadow, having closed the distance before Hei could even leave the shadow.

His blade went through Hei's form, and Zabuza realised his mistake all too late. 

A genjutsu.

He bit down a scream as something sliced at his right tendon, spinning to slash at his own shadow, but it was too late to catch Hei, who sunk back into it. Was that a Chakra Scalpel?

Hei reappeared in the clearing, a satisfied smirk on his lips as Zabuza bit down a curse, glaring at his opponent. He wasn't so unaware as to miss that Cat had swapped targets, her katana hitting Kubikiribōchō, but the slippery bitch backed away before he could cut her down.

"Interesting. Your daughter?" Hei asked, making Zabuza growl as he tested his foot. The scalpel had cut clean through the back of his foot, hindering his movement considerably.

"My weapon. Since when did the Dragon Ninja use such cowardly tactics?" Zabuza mocked, favouring his other foot.

"Ryu-sensei didn't use tactics like this, but that's because he was strong enough not to need to. I'm weak, so I'll cheat with a smile," Hei admitted, making Zabuza scoff even as he gave the bastard credit for admitting it. "And I don't think so. I could taste your terror."

"I wasn't going to let you destroy a tool I've spent so long perfecting," Zabuza growled.

"I don't know what is sadder, that you expected me to believe that… or that you seem to actually believe it yourself," Hei countered. "Better hurry up and end me, then. I don't think your tool can beat Cat."

With a roar of anger, he moved despite his severed tendon. His mind went back to the last time he fought a Dragon Ninja, Hayabusa slicing open his stomach with a bored expression, and he cursed the Hayabusa for being such a pain in the ass, even in death.

He'd survived that day because Hayabusa had had more important matters to deal with and hadn't stuck around to finish the job. He wasn't worth the seconds it would have taken for Hayabusa to make sure he stayed down. 

As he swung his blade at Hei, his blood suddenly came alive, and he felt like it was boiling in his veins. Hei smirked, but it didn't last as Zabuza pushed through the pain, bringing his blade down from above to try and cleave Hei in two.

Hei was good, but he was predictable. He wasn't used to fighting with a katana, and it showed. Whenever an attack came from above, Hei did the exact same thing every time to try and block it. This time, Zabuza was ready as Hei braced himself to deflect Kubikiribōchō.

Kubikiribōchō swung wide, the attack halted as Zabuza kicked his injured foot out, catching Hei in the stomach, his eyes widening as he keeled over slightly. It was all Zabuza needed, spinning around to strike with Kubikiribōchō a second time. Bent over from the force of Zabuza's kick, the back of Hei's neck was exposed as Zabuza prepared to decapitate the annoying little shit.

It wasn't going to hit, Hei was too damn quick for it, but again… Zabuza was prepared. Hei dove forward, rolling away from the attack, and once again, Zabuza altered his attack path. Metal met flesh as Hei cried out in pain.

Dodging back before Hei could stab him (in the dick) with a chakra scalpel, Zabuza gave a satisfied smile as Hei glared at him, one arm extended and glowing with chakra.

The other on the ground next to him, still clutching the Dragon Sword.

The other brats cried out in horror, seeing their friend dismembered, but Hei just growled out in pain before he said something that made Zabuza freeze.

"Not again."

"Again?" Zabuza asked, taking the bait.

"Kushimaru tried that as well; it went about as well for him as it's going to go for you," Hei growled, his eyes turning gold as his face elongated, fur growing on his skin as his body twisted and morphed.

What the fuck was Konoha teaching their brats these days?

Now in the form of some freakish wolf man, Hei pounced forward, and Zabuza went to meet his lunge before something stopped him. Distracted as he was, he didn't notice the golden chains burst from the ground until they'd already wrapped around his legs, holding him in place.

Damnit, he'd forgotten about the redhead.

Swinging Kubikiribōchō, it struck Hei's furred side, cutting into the flesh as he tried to cut Hei in half, his blade getting stuck inside Hei's body as Hei pounced upon him and knocked him to the ground.

Claws slashed at him, and Hei bit down on his shoulder, ripping out a chunk of flesh as Zabuza refused to cry out in pain. Kubikiribōchō was ripped away and pulled out of Hei to expose the massive gash in Hei's side, organs visible, but as his blade was tossed away, he cursed himself.

Dying for a man like Gatō? What a joke.

Hei stopped his savagery and let out a howl, rising to stand over Zabuza. As he'd fallen, the chains had bound him to the ground, and his body was covered in wounds from those claws, making him cough up blood.

With several deep breaths, Hei turned back to a human form, standing above him, naked, bloody and triumphant. 

Was his final sight going to be Hei's cock swinging in the wind?

"D-don't kill Haku," Zabuza said, knowing he was probably speaking his final words. The fuck did pride matter when he was about to die? "She's- she's the last Yuki. Take her back to your village."

They'd value her, if only because of her bloodline. She'd be safe as he turned his head to look at where Cat was emotionlessly standing over the horrified Haku. 

Hei hesitated, looking down at him.

"What the hell was a man like you doing working for trash like Gatō?" Hei finally asked, and Zabuza gave a grim laugh, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Needed the money," Zabuza admitted shamelessly, each word painful to speak. "To free my village from that fucking monster. Was gonna- was gonna start a rebellion-"

"But there's already a rebellion in the Mist?" Hei asked, making Zabuza pause. 

"What?"

"What?"

– Hei Nara –

Is the Seven Swordsmen filled with utter fucking dumbasses?

Taking a deep breath, I look at the captured girl, then to my severed arm, and I just sigh.

Zabuza stares up at me in disbelief, and making the call, I kneel down and start my work. As I begin to heal the guy who just cut off my arm, he stares at me in true bafflement.

"What are you-"

"Trying to heal you, dumbass. Now, shush. Mystical Palm Technique would be easier if I had both arms," I grumble. I'm not healing him enough for him to pose a threat, just enough to stop him from bleeding out.

I think I ripped out his kidney.

Kabuto was very good at this, which is the only reason I can pull this off.

"Hei, are you sure about this?" Kushina asks, and I snort.

"As sure as I've been about anything lately," I admit. Fighting Kushimaru, feeding myself to Ibuse, and now healing Zabuza. I'm on a roll.

"What rebellion?" Zabuza asks.

"Mei Terumi has started a rebellion against the Mizukage. A rebellion that Konoha is aiding. I killed Kushimaru because he was trying to hunt the last surviving member of the Water Daimyo's family," I explain, watching him stare at me in utter befuddlement.

"But… my rebellion…"

"When was the last time you actually checked in with your home?" I ask, making Zabuza hesitate. Sure, it's not like it's common knowledge that there's a civil war going on, but seriously?

"We haven't heard any news from the Mist in months," Haku admits, on her knees with Cat standing behind her. She's soft-spoken, and her concern for Zabuza is clear as I continue to heal him.

"If I go against my every instinct and let you go, are you going to try to kill the Bridge Builder?" I ask.

"What the fuck do I care about a bridge in this tiny shithole if there's a war going on in my home," Zabuza counters. "Mei's gonna melt my balls for not being there sooner, but if they're making a play for Yagura's head, that's where I need to be."

"Why would you spare us?" Haku asks.

"The Mist rebels are our allies. Which means this entire thing, including my severed arm, was pointless and entirely because you weren't paying attention," I sigh, kicking Zabuza lightly as I rise to my feet. "Do you know how long it's going to take to regrow this?"

"Months?" Zabuza finally asks.

"At least a day. Maybe more," I counter, seeing him pause.

"What the fuck are you?" Zabuza asks, watching me pick up his sword with my remaining arm.

"The Dragon Ninja. Some fuckery is expected," I reply with a shrug. "You're lucky I value our alliance with Mei and her rebels because otherwise, I'd be taking this."

"You'd have to pry it out of my cold dead hands," Zabuza scoffs as I nod to Kushina, and the chains fade.

"That's the point. It's how I got Kushimaru's Sewing Needle," I retort. 

"Tch, one of our swords in the hands of another village?" Zabuza grumbles as he rises, poking his wound. "We're gonna want that back."

"Find me a better sword, and you can trade for it," I reply, watching him pause before he snorts.

"Deal. So, what happens now?" Zabuza asks, well aware that he's not fully healed, and Haku is captured.

"How many men does Gatō have?" I ask, making Zabuza shrug.

"Few hundred mercs, a couple dozen disgraced samurai," Zabuza answers easily.

"Want to kill them and take your payment from Gatō? I figure you can bribe Mei into not melting you for this fuck up," I offer, watching him pause as I offer him his oversized sword. Then, he grins. "We want Gatō alive."

"How alive are we talking?" 

– Yugao Uzuki (Cat) –

"Are you sure this is wise?" Yugao finally asked, making Hei sigh.

"Not as sure as I'd like to be," Hei admitted. "But we have a vested interest in the Mist Rebels winning, and sending Zabuza their way is only going to help that cause. What do you think?"

"You shouldn't have fought Zabuza; it was pointlessly risky, and you are still inadequate with a katana. Personally, I'd have just killed them both," Yugao admitted easily. "But the Hokage decided that you were in charge of this mission. It's your call."

She didn't cushion her words, but Hei just chuckled as he patted his stub. He was taking his missing limb rather well. Still, she could already see it starting to regrow.

The bridge builder seemed somewhat nervous as they travelled with the very man who came to kill him, but she couldn't deny that Zabuza would be a useful ally against the mercenaries. 

"What's the plan for when we get there?" Kushina asked, making Hei nod to Team Seven.

"Team Seven and Fox will remain with Tazuna in Wave. Cat, Zabuza, Haku, and I will go after Gatō . Zabuza, you're the distraction. Go play with the mercenaries. Cat and I will infiltrate and capture Gatō," Hei ordered, making Zabuza chuckle darkly.

"You're lucky I almost like you, kid," Zabuza warned. "But sure, I can play."

"What- we can fight!" Naruko complained, but Kushina placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Not this kind of fight, Naruko. Trust me, this isn't a matter of skill," Kushina said, understanding why Team Seven had been sent away. Zabuza was going to slaughter the mercs. 

They weren't ready to see so many people die.

– Gatō –

How hard was it to kill a single fucking bridge builder?

Listening to the sounds of violence, he cursed Zabuza as he made plans to put a bounty on his head large enough to get someone capable of actually doing their fucking job for once.

He didn't know why Zabuza had decided to turn on him, managing to backstab Gatō before Gatō could backstab him (like he was going to pay that idiot; he wasn't made of money). What he did know was that he wasn't sticking around to find out what had pissed Zabuza and his pet off so much.

You'd think several hundred men would be enough to stop a single ninja, but apparently fucking not. At the very least, they could buy him time to get the hell out of here. He'd wrung this shithole dry anyway; it was time to move on.

The samurai he sent to Wave would cover his tracks. Nobody could point fingers at him when they had no fingers left to point, but he was taking his money and getting the fuck out of here before Zabuza came after him with a sword bigger than his entire body.

– Kushina Uzumaki –

She was grateful for Hei sending Team Seven away from the slaughter, but she took offence to her being left out as well.

"K-kill the bitch!" 

Well, until a bunch of asshole drop-out samurai showed up at the village. 

The samurai rushed toward her before being jumped by seven Narukos, making her chuckle. Sasuki side-stepped a slice, jumping into the air and kicking her attacker in the side of the head.

"And that's six," Sasuki said, making Naruko growl as she rushed to the next one. Sakura just sighed at her teammate's little competition. Standing in front of Tazuna, two knocked-out samurais laid out in front of her.

Another rushed her, golden chains forming and binding his legs as she grabbed his swung sword and snapped it with a savage smile, her other fist colliding with the moron's face. Huh, he pissed himself.

What a bunch of weaklings.

– Haku –

She'd never trusted Gatō, nor did she like the way that the short, ugly man thought he was better than Zabuza just because he had money. His men had been crass, insulting and aggravating. It made her glad that Zabuza had insisted that she dress like a male and bind her breasts, as she could only imagine how the jeers would have changed had they known what lay beneath her kimono.

With a dozen of them trapped in her mirrors, she smiled, dashing from mirror to mirror, a thug dying with each movement as she slit their throats mercilessly. Maybe it was wrong to be in such high spirits during a slaughter, but…

Zabuza's 'final' words had been to try to protect her. 

Her eyes flickered to the mist that covered a large portion of the battlefield, screams coming from it as Zabuza demonstrated how he got his name. Hei's words rang through her mind.

"I don't know what is sadder, that you expected me to believe that… or that you seem to actually believe it yourself."

As she impaled a thug with a dozen icicles, she giggled, which only further demoralised her opponents. Ah, they thought she was taking pleasure in their deaths? No, they weren't even worthy of her thoughts, nor were they what had her in such a good mood.

– Gatō –

Stuffing a suitcase with as much money as he could, he frowned. Why had everything gone so wrong?

His bodyguards helped, probably stuffing his money into their pockets as well for good measure, but as he heard a thud, he blinked and turned. He expected to see that one of the idiots had knocked over something. Instead, his eyes widened, and he stumbled back as he watched a woman in a cat mask calmly wipe some blood off her sword, the severed head of his bodyguard at her feet.

"S-stop her-" Gatō started, turning and freezing as he saw his other bodyguard clutching at his throat as two hands made of shadow gripped them.

"I didn't know you knew your father's Shadow Strangulation Jutsu," the woman said, her tone calm.

"He thought it was time for me to learn it, given everything that's happened," a male voice responded as he appeared from the choking bodyguard's shadow. With a gesture, the hands snapped, and his bodyguard's neck snapped with them.

"W-wait! You don't want to do this! I'm worth more to you alive. I'm one of the richest men in the world," Gatō pleaded, making them pause before the man laughed.

"You're right. You are worth more to us alive. If you were half as smart as you thought you are, you'd know why that's a bad thing," the man laughed, and before he could say a single word, something struck the back of his head, and he knew no more.

– Hei Nara – 

I'm really glad I cheated, and Kushina helped me against Zabuza.

Looking across the killing field, I look at where he's sitting on a pile of bodies, cleaning his blade with someone's torn top.

"Got the midget?" Zabuza asks, and I nod over to Cat, where she's carrying Gatō over her shoulder. "Good, wake him up. I want my money."

Cat tosses our captive down, and Zabuza just kicks him.

"Y- you traitorous bastard-"

Gatō's complaints are silenced by a backhand. Gatō whimpers, clearly not used to pain as Zabuza looks at him.

"I- I'll pay you double, kill these fucking-"

Another backhand.

"You'll pay me double for not cutting off your arms. They want you alive, but they don't need all of you," Zabuza grins, and maybe it's the gore-filled battlefield, but oddly enough, Gatō doesn't seem too opposed to paying the large, blood-coated man.

I don't mind letting Zabuza take the money purely because of what he plans for it. It's going to fund a war against our enemies. Maybe the Hokage will have a problem with my ideas, but this is my mission, and it's my call to make.

"Oi, dragon brat," Zabuza barks as we prepare Gatō for transport.

"Hei," I correct, but he just snorts.

"Whatever. I want a favour," Zabuza says, making me blink.

"Was not ripping out your heart not enough of one?" I ask blandly.

"Look, I'm not taking Haku back to the Mist," Zabuza says, Haku's eyes widening as she goes to speak, cut off by his raised hand. "She's the last of her family, and it's going to be bloody. She's not coming with me. Take her back to Konoha with you until the war is over. If we win, she can come join me then. If we lose, she stays with you."

"Zabuza-"

"No. I've made my mind up. You ain't coming with me. You couldn't fight a single ANBU. You'd just die if I took you back," Zabuza cuts in, making Haku stare at him in shock and betrayal.

"Seriously, are emotions banned in the Mist? You can just say you're worried about her-" I taunt, unable to resist. 

"Boy shut the fuck up, or we're going for round two."

I just smirk.

"But fine, we can look after your daughter for you," I continue, seeing the annoyance in his eyes. 

"I'm simply a tool. My place is by Lord Zabuza's side," Haku says, staring at Zabuza with a challenging look.

Cat just sighs as we make our way to the village, Haku joining me in poking fun at Zabuza's refusal to just admit he's worried. If she's a tool, she should go with him. 

"Hei, you're alright!" Naruko cheers, seeing us approach.

"Mission complete. Gatō and his thugs are no longer a threat to the Land of Waves. Admittedly, this ended up being far more serious than intended, but we handled it all the same," I say, ruffling her hair. 

Looking around the village and the pile of beaten and bloodied samurai, I give Kushina a nod. She just grins back.

Since reinforcements are on the way, we stick around for the celebration. It's nice to be the town hero, and the village certainly doesn't mind my idea of robbing Gatō's place for all his food and stockpiled goods for the celebration.

Of course, the village and surrounding area is probably going to be dragged into the Land of Fire soon, given the Fire Daimyo's expansionist ways, but honestly, that's better for them. This will never happen again with them under the protection of the Ozai and Konoha.

The bridge-builder's daughter offers me a drink as I watch the party, making me smile. I guess I can afford to cut loose, just a little. 

– Naruko Uzumaki –

Real missions were honestly kinda scary.

She wasn't naive. She knew that Zabuza, Haku, Cat and Hei had slaughtered all the thugs, but as she watched the party, she couldn't bring herself to feel bad for them. When an entire village celebrates your death, you probably had it coming.

…it occurred to her that a lot of people would celebrate her death, seeing her as the Fox, but she shook those thoughts away as she looked around. Her mum was back now. Surely, that had to make things better, right?

Still, where was Hei?

Looking around the party, she frowned. She could see her mom, Sasuki and Sakura, but not Hei. Cat was watching over Gatō, which kinda sucked since she missed the party, but that was just life as an ANBU, she guessed.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up Hei's… unique scent and followed after it, curious to know where he'd gone off to. His scent was so nice that she could easily follow it, but as her sensitive ears picked up a quiet sound, she froze.

The scent led to the old man's house, but she felt her heart pound as she heard another sound.

A quiet moan and a consistent clapping sound.

Looking back at the party, she made sure nobody was watching her as she slipped into the house. As she said, she wasn't naive. She knew what that sound was, but her curiosity pushed her forward.

As she got closer, the sound became clearer, and she picked up the creaking of a bedframe and snuck to the door. They hadn't closed the door, giving her a clear view of Hei's back.

Tsunami was on her back, legs spread wide as Hei thrust into her from above. Her eyes lingered on where Hei was connected to that whiny brat's mother. Her body felt hot, nipples hardening as she breathed in the scent of their copulation, watching as Hei pounded into the civilian.

She'd seen his manhood earlier, when he'd turned back from being a wolf, and she'd not believed that it would fit inside a girl, but Tsunami didn't seem to be having any trouble taking the entire thing.

"H-harder, my hero, fuck me harder," Tsunami moaned, and Hei chuckled as he paused, pulling out of her and flipping Tsunami onto her front. She immediately lifted herself onto her knees, wiggling her backside at Hei.

"I will, once I deal with our voyeur," Hei said, and as he turned to face her, she made a run for it.

But Hei was bullshit, and as she turned the corner, she ran into him as he stepped out of a shadow.

"See something you like, Naruko?" Hei asked, making her face turn bright red. His cock was right there, glistening with Tsunami's arousal. "Spying? Really?"

"S-sorry, I was just- I mean-" Naruko stuttered, making him chuckle.

"Get back to the party. If I catch you spying again, I'm going to take it as an invitation," Hei purred, making her stiffen as he headed back to the bedroom. Immediately, she heard Tsunami squeal in delight as the sounds started again.

I-invitation? Invitation to what?!

Fleeing, she returned to the party with a bright red face, lingering at the entrance of the house as she heard the sounds intensify.

– Hiruzen Sarutobi – 

"Hei, I mean this with all due respect. Did you develop a power that acts as a beacon to every dangerous ninja in the vicinity?" Hiruzen asked tiredly, looking at Hei's severed arm, which was mostly regrown at this point. 

"I don't think so, but it would explain some things," Hei agreed, rubbing his chin.

"I don't suppose you even considered returning to Konoha when you heard that there was another of the Seven Swordsmen?" Hiruzen asked, making Hei chuckle sheepishly. "I thought not."

"Despite the unexpected developments, this went better than expected," Danzo said simply. "Zabuza returning to the Mist will give the rebels a much-needed boost. This Haku also represents an opportunity. You should seduce her and attempt to impregnate her so we can tie her to the village."

"Understood. Is the plan still for me to go to the Mist and give them my boon?" Hei asked, making Hiruzen sigh.

"Indeed. As much as I fear the idea of letting you outside the walls, given your truly baffling luck. Our intel team believes that the rebels will win, but not in time for the Chunin Exams. We need them here and indebted to us for the exams. I've altered the date of the final exam slightly, so it will be a full moon to better take advantage of your new power as the attack is likely to happen during the finals," Hiruzen explained.

"What makes you so sure?" Hei asked, and Hiruzen just laughed grimly.

"Because Orochimaru is planning it, and he's always been a drama queen," Hiruzen said simply. "There are other factors, but never underestimate the need some ninjas have to be dramatic with their schemes. As it stands, I intend to have as many kunoichi with the boon as possible before the exams."

"There is… one other matter that requires your attention," Danzo said, making Hiruzen sigh. "There was a minor development during your mission."

"Oh?" Hei asked.

"Lady Azula has decided that the Fire Daimyo's court requires a set of eyes within the village itself, having her father create a position where one of his trusted courtiers will be living within Konoha to better facilitate diplomacy and cooperation between the village and the court," Hiruzen explained with a dry chuckle. "She then filled that position herself, showed up at the village and… moved into your bedroom. She was most displeased to hear that you were away. I don't need to tell you that this requires a diplomatic touch."

His door opened, making him pause as Zhu Li poked her head in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Lord Hokage, but Princess Azula is… requesting an audience," Zhu Li said quietly. "And threatening to incinerate the ANBU who tried to stop her from barging in."

"Hei, consider this an order from your Hokage. Please get that pyromaniac princess away from here and under control," Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Anything else can wait." 

"Understood, Lord Hokage," Hei said, going to salute before he paused and looked at the missing hand he'd just tried to salute with and sighed. "I'll get right on that."

— Bonus Scene — Mei Terumi – Later

"It's not that funny."

Mei disagreed, her laughter filling the room as Zabuza stood before her. She hadn't known what to think of Zabuza turning to mercenary work, but never in a million years would she have guessed his reasoning.

She was going to have to send Hei flowers at this rate. Killing Kushimaru had been a gift, but sending Zabuza back was an even better one. After a few minutes, she got her amusement back under control. Leading a rebellion didn't really give you much time for laughter, so it was a nice break.

"Wait, why do you have two swords?" Mei finally asked, making Zabuza tap the sword he had at his hilt.

"That Dragon brat has Kushimaru's little pinprick. Didn't like the bastard, but I'm not leaving Nuibari in Konoha's hands, and he said I could trade him for it if I got another sword," Zabuza explained. "Anyway, I knew where some guy called Aoi was hiding with the Second Hokage's sword and went and got it on my way back. Aoi didn't even know how to use it, so he lost his head."

"You knew where another legendary sword was… but you didn't know about an entire civil war?" Mei finally asked with a chuckle, making Zabuza grunt.

"I said it ain't that funny. I just pay attention to rumours about swords. Was watching out for any of the other Mist swords," Zabuza grumbled. "You're worse than Haku."

"Haku?" Mei asked, making Zabuza pause.

"Oh yeah. Found the last surviving Yuki, didn't want to bring her back to war, so I asked Konoha to look after her until we settle this war," Zabuza explained, and Mei froze, her smile gaining an icy tone.

"I'm sorry, Zabuza, but did you just say that you sent the last member of a bloodline to another village?" Mei asked, making him pause before he nodded.

"Yeah, why?" Zabuza asked. "Hei will look after her. He's good for a brat. Didn't even mind me cutting his arm off." 

Taking several deep breaths, she made a note to get in contact with Konoha and fast. If she were Konoha, she'd be trying to have someone seduce Haku so they could get their hands on the Ice Release bloodline.

Despite everything, Mei smiled (once she'd finished throwing lava at Zabuza). Another Swordsman was back and on their side. A bloodline they'd thought extinct had survived, even if they were in Konoha, and Zabuza had an idea of how to get Nuibari back.

If she ever ended up in Konoha after this mess was cleared up, she was going to ride this 'Hei' until he broke. Truly, he was a master of seduction, winning her over despite the fact that she didn't know a thing about him or even what he looked like.