Disclaimer: MMMMMhmmm sorry I don't feel creative for this one.
Forest were usually places known for their silence or their natural tune, even more when night had befallen on the land. And normally it should remain in such way because any abnormality would be immediately noticed like the sole light in a dark passageway.
Reason why bonfires weren't recommend at all, even more deep in enemy territory but we were in the land of fire a more friendly territory with low chances to being ambushed by enemy shinobis however with considerable chances of being attacked by common bandits who were more an annoyance than an actual threat.
With favorables odd it was clear that the cracking sounds of burning wood would be heard that night; but it wasn't to cook our dinner or to protect us from the local fauna. It was lit out of my own whim to drink hot tea rather than the cold one that was stored.
Objections only came from Shin which was to be expected, after all I had been acting pretty bad if not not downright terrible for the last couple of days.
Even if it was within justified reasons, it was not an excuse to constantly disrespected them both directly and indirectly.
"Here is your tea Kichiro-sama."
Snatching a cup from the hands and drink without even bothering to show any appreciation was a clear sign of disrespect, deep down I knew I shouldn't be treating my most loyal companion in that way but simply I couldn't bring me myself to actually care for others at the moment.
I always put my own satisfaction before others, my goals before them. Not the tiny bit of guilt if few or many suffered from the consequences…
Perhaps I was being controversial but everybody always changes facts and rules to fit their ways and preferences.
At the end if my goal was achieved I would be overjoyed and completely forget about the rest because I achieved it and the results were what truly mattered not the path or the way I achieved it but if I met a failure, those factors actually mattered a lot.
Because it would always drag me back to think how I could have done such a stupid decision; why did I go left when I could have gone right? Those type of question where the worst.
I hold the belief to forget about the past, particular the bad memories but I simply couldn't just forget my failure. It was like my plan was destined to be a failure since the beginning and there no end of how much it would piss me off.
When I met the first failure I should have retreated and not stayed with a hopeless case clinging in the pathetic remaining hope, it only brought more losses at the end.
To summarize my case, Wave was the worst investment I could have done.
Perhaps in the long run I would be able to recover some of my losses but I only care for quick results in that particular area, though I was able to salvage the minimal and being able to put Tazuna in relative charge.
But Wave remained a poor country, even if they only suffered for a few years Gato left a damn good scar in their spirits; so the people was from little to zero help and my little stunt that I did there and there obviously spread like wildfire, of course only the questionable deeds were told.
With little to no support I only did the best that came on mind, impose a levy and be done.
More poor than before but didn't make a difference at all to their current situation, or maybe I sent a lot of people to their graves; either way I couldn't really bring myself to care. Sacrifices were needed and with that old drunk in charge Wave would slowly recover so I could recover something.
With one plan ending in utter failure, it was rational course of action to pursue the success of the second one which was set in motion the moment all the agents came back, but I didn't need all the Root agents just the crucial ones those being Fuu, Torune and the Jonin whose name didn't matter, only the rank.
Maybe just maybe I felt a bit regretful for proceeding with the plan but the money which I was supposed to get was truly tempting to let it go that easily even more when everything was being delivered to me in silver platter.
Of course there was no real need to actually think twice, and killing Zabuza had been surprisingly easy. We waited for him to finish with his task of scaring or killing the remaining mercenaries leaving him a bit tired, then Torune quickly ambushed him releasing his kikachu on his body; sadly not vital parts but as expected it spread at alarming rate. Honestly I didn't care at all of what was he screaming; maybe vulgarities, threats or pleads either way I witnessed how he gathered enough willpower to charge at us with the little time he had left but knowing that would happen was enough reason to bring the Jonin along whose only purpose was to stall for time and he did an excellent job. If Torune's attack wouldn't have been successful then we would have been forced to attack as a group since the Jonin wasn't exactly at par with Zabuza in term of skill and battle experience but he was a Jonin nevertheless, more odds to survive against Zabuza who was a veteran jounin.
It took less than a minute before he gave his last breath, and his body rested on the ground forever.
Honestly, the little regret that had been lingering around was replaced with joy at truly believing that I hit the jackpot, Zabuza bounty was categorized in millions though small compared to Kakashi's bounty, but millions were millions and I wasn't one to complain on large sum of money.
Proceeding with the protocol, Zabuza didn't have much things that were truly valuable to be sold at the black market but were very useful like his own set of kunais and an improved first aid kit ; so kept those for my own use.
However I kept his hitai ate as a trophy, it wasn't my hobby at all but I felt I should kept something more durable as a memento for such feat.
And about his unique blade, it was handed to the Jonin. I simply couldn't find a real use to it, Shin may be able to wield it with both hands but couldn't really swing it or perform correct the simplest of slash attacks, and the blade didn't fit in my style of fighting. Suigetsu came to mind at first but he was useless in my perspective, I wasn't going to deny his personal strength since he was a jonin in term of skills but he only served as a fighter nothing more, besides he didn't have any allegiance except for himself.
So giving it away was the best course of action, but who could have guessed that they would confiscate Zabuza body after that?
Of course, I didn't.
The Hyuuga came into picture and gave a clear explanation, rules, and costs for requesting the support and other services as well, which led to handing the body so the payment could be fulfilled. Danzo totally informed her everything between us and how our system worked, and the worst of all was that I could only hold my tongue behind my teeth and watch how my well deserved money left with that bitch.
Just then the most commonly well known question came to my mind, what if?
In true the option of allying myself with him had been present many times, it could have been possible that he actually had been working with Mei Terumi in gathering funds for the rebellion and I could have established good relations with them fastening my goals, after all securing relationships with political leaders always gave you a boost of power.
However that was why all those things stayed in, WHAT IF?
Besides I couldn't care less about the rebels, they were going to win anyways and Danzo clearly expressed his standing in Kiri situation, our support was of double edge. Yagura's side was to keep destroying the country from inside and giving us more opportunities to snatch more bloodlines, just like VOLT. And the rebel side was to use them to take over as discreetly as possible, of course we couldn't forget MIST standing, they actively supported the rebel side since the Mizukage actions didn't benefit the country at all.
Even if the rebels were to be annihilated, Yagura would soon die at hands of Akatsuki leaving a war torn country even in more pieces and without a solid leadership.
However those were thing that didn't had much relevance to my personal agenda, perhaps at later date when I stabilized a few things first.
One of those was repair Haku's broken state of mind.
For starters, I held nothing back or try to sugarcoat her the news, it was an straight answer and crude message telling her that Zabuza had been killed by the hunter nin division, of course I wasn't going to tell that I was the killer. Besides just by saying the words killed and Zabuza she she broke down right there like a glass, and honestly that was exactly what I wanted and needed to proceed with her.
She had been broken and badly repaired but with me in charge and Fuu as a moderator interfering only when necessary so I could successfully fix her just like I did with Kimimaro. It took more time than anticipated but at the end I got my loyal subordinate just like expected HOWEVER only then the realization hit me LIKE a cold shower, she was virtually useless.
I couldn't bring her to Konoha for obvious reasons, and having her to wander around all the nations was like sending her to her grave. The only thing she could do was to stay in Wave and temporary act as an enforcer, or local law. Where was the point in having a subordinate with potential if you can't even use her at all?
It was only a waste of resources more than anything, another expenditure to add to my list.
Another loss that was supposed to be a success.
The thought in handing her to Danzo for the right price had been constantly nagging my mind, but perhaps to the very moment I refused to follow with that plan out of mercy or kindness or just pity.
"FUCK!"
I only wanted to earn easy money and start buying things, it was an straightforward and honest ambition and it wasn't that difficult to achieve but I used difficult methods to achieve it which only backfired on me pretty bad, leaving me only to return empty handed to my home and probably deal with a very pissed Naruto.
Life truly had been unfair to me.
And also to the poor rabbit that happened to come across us when we were setting up the camp, truly a pitiable creature which had been used to vent all my anger and frustration leaving an useless piece of meat, since all the bones inside had shattered and the fragments were deeply embedded with the meat and any consumable part, it would be eating a fish as whole without any proper preparation.
The weight of a hand on my shoulder was an instant detonator to my current mood, flaring up again lashing out would have happened if it wasn't thanks that I couldn't do that to Kimimaro, even if he wouldn't mind my reaction it would still be engraved deep in his mind.
"Are you okay Kichiro-sama?"
Of course that question was beyond stupid, there was no way I could be okay no matter what.
Yet his concern clearly expressed on his eyes told me enough, of course I should get mad if I failed but I Should never drag it with me. It worked exactly as depression, it was okay to take it with you for a few days but never for too long or you would lose yourself with it.
Besides I was surprised to experience his aura of tranquility, the Kaguya were known of their warmonger ways and he was the only exception and even in the middle of battle he never once was influenced. I had a very rough idea involving the yin and yang chakra but didn't and probably would put much thought into it, and if for some reason I get curious again then the monks from the Fire temple might be of some help with the answer.
The ice in the open and directly under the powerful gaze of the sun will constantly melt until it returned to its original shape, there was no better way to describe my sudden change of emotions.
"Actually... I feel better, much better."
That was a little episode which had been closed with a long and weary sigh, I should have started to get accustomed to constants failures after all the path to success is filled with those failures. As much as I disliked to admit it but since I had knowledge beforehand I felt like I Could do thing to my pleasure and succeed, arrogance was ensued.
However I was alive and in one piece, a bright side of the situation.
"I'm glad."
And I was glad to have him to my side.
"Find Shin and tell him that I will take the first watch."
"As you wish."
With a new task assigned I was left behind with my solitude, solitude which would give me more time to think or ponder about many things that always lingered on my mind. And the silence of the forest was a great helper by giving me a very relaxing gust of wind.
First thing noticing the shattered parts of the cup all over the ground, the only thing I was glad about that cup was that it wasn't his favorite tea set. He found a liking in brewing tea so I bought him a dinnerware set which he usually used, and most of the time serving the tea there just for me.
Anyways cups cost money, not much but it was still money.
"Geez what a waste, I should apologize."
And Shin too deserved an apology, hopefully his image about me wouldn't be that affected.
But before that there was another thing I needed to do, not out of necessity...maybe.
It was out of whim, just to satisfy myself or maybe because I felt like it suited my current situation.
Two object were pulled out, the common kunai and symbol of pride for the shinobi or also the symbol of shame or ultimate betrayal.
"You were an idiot Zabuza…"
There was no hesitation in the movement of my hand as I engraved the word 'IDIOT' on the hitai-ate, just like slash on the village symbol that word would be forever there.
Actually there was no particular reason and no real necessity, when I finished.
I thought that I would look cool by doing it, honest answer.
"And died as one."
Anyways, it was time to take the first watch of the silent night.
