Naruto: My Sharingan is about to burst!

Just as Uchiha Kakuzan was about to give up and take Haku back to Uzushima Island, he encountered an unexpected person.

Uchiha Kakuyama was leading Haku towards a remote area. He had given up on this gamble and was planning to find a secluded place to take Haku back to Uzushima Island.

Just then, Uchiha Kakuyama frowned slightly, stopped and looked at the road in front of him. Haku, who was following behind Kakuyama, also stopped, looking at Kakuyama with some confusion.

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from the misty path ahead. Although the sound was not loud, it could be heard clearly in the quiet morning.

At first, Bai only saw a black shadow, but as he got closer, he gradually saw the figure more clearly.

The newcomer wore a headband from Kirigakure askew, had black hair, and his mouth and jaw were wrapped in bandages. Despite the chilly morning, his upper body was bare, and a massive ninja sword was strapped to his back with a black ribbon—the infamous Kubikiribōchō (Claspless Sword) from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

The person who suddenly appeared was Zabuza Momochi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who was skilled in silent killing techniques.

Uchiha Kakuyama glanced at Zabuza, somewhat surprised.

The chances of encountering Zabuza here are slim, but it's not impossible. There's no doubt about that. However, what surprised Uchiha Kakuyama was Zabuza's current state.

Don't assume he's in good condition just because he walks steadily and without swaying. Uchiha Kakuzan, with his keen eyesight, noticed something was off after just one glance at him.

His face was pale, and although most of it was covered by bandages, it was still possible to tell from the small part that was exposed.

Moreover, there was a faint smell of blood emanating from him. This was not the kind of bloody smell left by him killing too many people, mixed with murderous intent. The sweet smell mixed with the bloody smell made it clear that it was his own.

It should be noted that Zabuza Momochi is a Jonin who is proficient in silent killing techniques. Given his professional ethics, unless he is seriously injured, he would not allow his blood to be detected.

Another thing that gave him away was his footsteps. Not only Uchiha Kakuyama, but even Haku, an ordinary child, could hear them.

Given the professionalism of a Jonin from Kirigakure, how could they possibly reveal their footsteps while walking?

Therefore, based on the smell of blood on Zabuza and the heavy footsteps, Uchiha Kakuzan could easily tell that Zabuza's current condition must be very bad, and had already declined to its lowest point.

At that moment, Zabuza also saw the two strangers in front of him.

Upon seeing the two strangers, Zabuza's body trembled slightly. He then continued walking forward without stopping, but slightly shifted his position, moving from the middle of the path to one side.

Chapter 273 Zabuza's Bitterness

Chapter 273 Zabuza's Bitterness

Upon seeing Zabuza's reaction, a smile flickered in Uchiha Kakuzan's eyes.

Zabuza is known for his arrogance. He wouldn't give way to ordinary people, and he might even challenge powerful figures like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who are renowned for their strength.

Now, he actually gave way to Uchiha Kakuyama and Bai Weiwei, who were dressed as commoners, which indicates that Zabuza's condition was indeed very poor, and that he might be hiding from someone's pursuit.

Yes, at this moment, Zabuza may have just attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage who was being controlled by Obito Uchiha, but it seems he failed and was seriously injured.

Uchiha Kakuzan didn't speak, but slightly changed direction and led Haku forward.

Seeing the other side's reaction, Zabuza remained expressionless on the surface, but he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Just as the two were walking past each other, Uchiha Kakuzan suddenly raised his hand and silently patted Zabuza's shoulder.

Zabuza only realized something was wrong after Uchiha Kakuzan patted him on the shoulder. He then shuddered and darted away like a startled bird.

After Zabuza dashed out, he stood not far from Uchiha Kagama, watching him with a look of astonishment, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his right hand resting on the hilt of the Executioner's Blade.

"Who are you?"

Uchiha Kakuyama looked leisurely at Zabuza in front of him and said:

“A passerby just recognized an acquaintance and said hello, wouldn’t you say so, Momochi Zabuza?”

Upon hearing Uchiha Kakuyama's words, Zabuza's pupils involuntarily contracted sharply. He knew that the person in front of him was coming for him, so he began to carefully guard against him, while his right hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, ready to strike at any moment.

He said, "I don't know you, sir. I'm not an acquaintance of yours."

Uchiha Kakuyama nodded and admitted, "Actually, I've never met you before. I've just heard so much about you that I couldn't help but greet you."

Zabuza had no intention of catching up with him. Instead, he dashed into the nearby woods, and the fog around the woods thickened.

The signature ninjutsu of Kirigakure—Hidden Mist Technique

Zabuza's voice came from all directions, and his emotions seemed to calm down considerably.

"Who exactly are you? I will not kill nameless nobodies."

Uchiha Kakuzan watched the surrounding mist with great interest, but his gaze was always fixed on Zabuza's movements. Even when Zabuza moved, Kakuzan's eyes remained fixed on him, as if the person in front of him was unaffected by the mist. This made Zabuza extremely wary.

While locking onto Zabuza's location, Uchiha Kakuzan said:

"Although I have never met Zabuza, I have long admired him. I have seen quite a few of his fellow villagers. Meeting Zabuza today makes up for my regret."

Unbeknownst to him, Uchiha Kakuyama had already activated his three-tomoe Sharingan and looked at Zabuza, who was hidden in the thick fog.

Upon seeing Uchiha Kakuzan's Sharingan, Zabuza's heart sank. The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, and with three tomoe, was a mark of an elite Jonin.

If he is in good condition now, he can fight him, and even if he can't beat him, he can still escape unscathed.

Now, only he himself knows how bad his condition is. Don't be fooled by his clean and efficient movements just now; they were just something he did with great effort to confuse the enemy, so that they wouldn't see through his true strength and wouldn't act rashly.

Zabuza looked at Uchiha Kakuzan, who was standing still without making a move, and said loudly, "So you are a member of the Uchiha clan? I remember that the Uchiha clan has now separated from Konoha. Do you still want to work for Konoha?"

Uchiha Kakuyama also sensed Zabuza's outward bravado but inner weakness, and smiled, saying, "Zabuza, you're overthinking it. Not to mention Konoha, in this world, no one can command me."

Zabuza was taken aback by Uchiha Kakuzan's words and said in a deep voice, "What exactly do you mean by blocking my way?"

Uchiha Kakuzan watched as Zabuza, still unwilling to give up, changed his position, and then stared at him and said, "I have a small suggestion. Since Mr. Zabuza has nowhere to go, why not follow me? Following me would at least not be an insult to Mr. Zabuza."

Zabuza knew he was no match for the man before him, but he was still amused by his words and said arrogantly.

"What right do you have to make me follow you? No matter what, I, Zabuza, am one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Anyone who can gain my loyalty must be at least a Kage-level powerhouse. Even the Third Hokage of Konoha is not qualified to make me his subordinate, let alone an unknown like you."

Zabuza tightened his grip on the Executioner's Blade, preparing for one last gamble, his final act of pride as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Seeing Zabuza's reaction, Uchiha Kakuzan knew that Zabuza wouldn't be convinced unless he showed his true abilities.

Uchiha Kakuzan's lips curled into a smile. He then took a small step forward and gradually unleashed his aura. Accompanied by his immense chakra, he rushed towards Zabuza, even dispersing the thick fog around him and revealing Zabuza hidden within it.

Originally, when Zabuza saw Uchiha Kakuyama make a move, he knew that he was about to attack and was preparing to draw the Executioner's Blade behind him. However, he did not expect that this person would exude such a suffocating aura, which made him freeze in place and lose the courage to fight. He knew very well that if the person opposite him wanted to, he would be killed in the next second.

Having experienced countless life-and-death situations, Zabuza was well aware of this aura; this person's strength far surpassed his own, even their Mizukage was far inferior to him.

Seeing Zabuza's reaction, Uchiha Kakuyama slowly withdrew his aura and said with a smile:

"I wonder if Mr. Zabuza has changed his mind now?"

After Uchiha Kakuzan withdrew his imposing aura, Zabuza also let out a long sigh of relief. He loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his face filled with bitterness, and said with difficulty:

"Who exactly are you? You are definitely not some nobody. Even if I am to die, I must die knowing why."

Chapter 274 Conquer

Chapter 274 Subjugation

Looking at Zabuza's grim expression, Uchiha Kakuzan calmly asked, "What? Not going to resist?"

At this moment, Zabuza had released his grip on the Executioner's Blade and shook his head with difficulty. How could he possibly resist anymore? Even if he were in good condition, let alone now that he was seriously injured, he probably wouldn't last long against the person in front of him.

Although Zabuza was injured, his mind was still sharp. He broke Zabuza's Hidden Mist Technique with just the impact of chakra and aura. Zabuza had never even dared to dream of such a thing, let alone encountered it.

Based on Zabuza's experience, he knew that the man in front of him was far stronger than him. Even the so-called perfect Jinchuriki, the Fourth Mizukage, whom he had just assassinated, put far more pressure on him than this man.

Seeing that Zabuza was ready to give up, Uchiha Kakuyama's lips curled up slightly. He had originally wanted to take Haku back, but he didn't expect Zabuza to deliver himself to his doorstep.

Zabuza's strength was decent, and his temperament was good, making him a qualified subordinate. Although Uchiha Kakuzan didn't lack combat power, Zabuza would still be somewhat useful for his future plans, so Uchiha Kakuzan decided to take him in.

Uchiha Kakuzan glanced at Zabuza, then activated his Sharingan, transforming it into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. This rendered Zabuza's body immobile, unable to move an inch. Following this, Uchiha Kakuzan's calm voice rang out:

"You may be familiar with my name, you should have heard of it. My name is Uchiha Okayama."

Zabuza was startled when he heard what Uchiha Kakuzan said, even though he had prepared himself mentally.

Uchiha Kakuzan's name has now spread throughout the entire ninja world. He is arguably the most famous person in the Uchiha clan. What made him famous was not because he became the head of the Uchiha clan, but because he used Susanoo to unleash a sword strike outside Konoha Village. That single strike sent more than a dozen Jonin to their deaths, yet he not only escaped unscathed but was also comforted by the Third Hokage afterward.

Which ninja village doesn't have a few old fogies? Uchiha Kakuzan's sword strike using Susanoo immediately reminded them of Madara Uchiha, another ninja demon from the Uchiha clan.

It's important to understand that when Madara Uchiha was born, aside from the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, no one in the entire ninja world could rival him. Madara Uchiha's formidable reputation was earned through sheer force of battle.

In the ninja world of that era, Madara Uchiha could be said to have suppressed the contemporary ninjas. Even the current Tsuchikage, Onoki, still harbors psychological trauma from Madara Uchiha, not to mention those who are not as good as him.

Uchiha Kakuyama, who used Susanoo to instantly kill ten ninjas, reminded them of that person once again.

In their eyes, even if Uchiha Kakuzan is not as strong as Uchiha Madara, he should be close to him. This makes these ninja villages quite wary of him. Zabuza, as a Jonin of Kirigakure, has naturally heard of his name. In fact, Zabuza remembers all the information about Uchiha Kakuzan.

If it were anyone else, even the renowned Uchiha Shisui, Zabuza wouldn't be so wary. But this person is Uchiha Kakuzan, the head of the Uchiha clan, a figure who could potentially rival Uchiha Madara.

Zabuza paused for a moment, looked at Uchiha Kakuyama, and said with a complicated expression, "So you are the head of the Uchiha clan, Lord Uchiha Kakuyama. I was presumptuous."

Uchiha Kakuzan is the head of the Uchiha clan, and the person in front of him also possesses the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan. If he were not Uchiha Kakuzan, he wouldn't dare to impersonate their clan head even if he had eighty times the courage. Moreover, judging from the aura he displayed and the vast amount of chakra he possessed, there are very few people besides Uchiha Kakuzan who could have it.

Looking at Zabuza before him, Uchiha Kakuzan said again, "Judging from your appearance, you must have failed in your assassination attempt on the Mizukage, right? Now there's nowhere for you to stay in the Land of Water. Why don't you come with me?"

Zabuza was startled by Uchiha Kakuzan's words. He hadn't expected his assassination attempt on the Mizukage to be exposed so easily. Then, Zabuza gave a self-deprecating laugh. So what if he was exposed? He was a loser anyway, and had nowhere else to go. Following this person might not be so bad.

Besides, given my current situation, I don't have the confidence to refuse him. It's either follow him or die.

Zabuza, not wanting to die, had no choice but to follow him.

Zabuza's eyes dimmed slightly. He casually drew the Executioner's Blade from his back and planted it beside him. Then, he knelt on one knee, placed one hand on his chest, and bowed his head towards Uchiha Kakuyama.

"The demon, Zabuza Momochi, is willing to follow you, sir."

Seeing Zabuza's actions, Uchiha Kakuyama calmly nodded and instructed, "Get up. Don't worry, I won't mistreat my own people."

Zabuza had also adjusted his mindset. After Uchiha Kakuyama finished speaking, he stood up again, put the Executioner's Blade back on his back, and stood there quietly, waiting for his orders.

Uchiha Kakuzan frowned slightly at this moment, because in his keen senses, several more uninvited guests appeared within his perception range. Judging from their behavior, it seemed that they were sent by Kirigakure to hunt down Zabuza.

Uchiha Kakuzan had already exceeded his objectives; he had not only found Haku but also captured Zabuza. He didn't want to waste any more time entangled with them, so he casually grabbed Haku and went to Zabuza. He activated Haku's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and used the eye technique Kotoamatsukami on the still somewhat uneasy Zabuza, making him his most loyal subordinate. After Zabuza recovered, he calmly said...

“There are some small insects coming from the direction you came from. I don’t want to waste any more time here. Relax, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Zabuza knew perfectly well what the little bug Uchiha Kakuyama was referring to. Although he didn't know where Kakuyama was taking him, he still respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."

Immediately afterwards, Uchiha Kakuzan placed his right hand on Zabuza's shoulder, and with a thought, he carried Haku and Zabuza back to the Uchiha clan's territory, Uzushio Island, using his eye technique, Takamagahara.

Chapter 275 Boiling Release, Melting Release

Chapter 275 Boiling Escape, Melting Escape

Uchiha Kakuzan did not believe that he possessed the legendary aura of a king, which allowed him to easily gather followers everywhere, and that they would all be loyal to him.

In Uchiha Kakuzan's heart, apart from his clansmen, he could only trust a few people. If the rest wanted to become his subordinates and make him feel at ease, they would have to use Kotoamatsukami. In that way, even those who were not very loyal to him would become his die-hard loyalists.

You have to understand, ninjas are meant to ambush enemies and gather intelligence; expecting them to be completely loyal to you is unrealistic. Besides, there's such a thing as "talk-no-jutsu" (a form of persuasion) in this world.

Just like Naruto Uzumaki, with his talk-no-jutsu, he could even persuade Nagato and Obito Uchiha, who had stuck to their own paths for over a decade. What is impossible in this world?