38 Chapter 38

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Chapter 38: If I Don't Kill You, I'll Save Your Life

"If he isn't beheaded, the price of the corpse on the black market is about 20 million taels, and the beheading sword is worth 15 million taels."

"As for this ice escape ninja, he's also worth about 15 million taels alive — the value is even higher."

Kakashi touches his chin, contemplating the potential rewards for capturing these notorious traitors. He has a fair understanding of the black market's prices due to his extensive experience with missions.

"So, that's a total of about 50 million taels? I'm not greedy; just give me that much," says Sasuke, looking quite magnanimous.

Zabuza rolls his eyes and retorts, "You might as well kill me; I don't have that kind of money!"

"Oh?" Sasuke responds with suspicion. His Sharingan locks onto Zabuza, trying to verify the truth.

It turns out, Zabuza has only managed to accumulate 35 million taels over the years — he was telling the truth.

"Tsk, has rebellion become so miserable?" Sasuke muses.

"Just pay the ransom and spare the adult's life. Don't worry about me," Haku interjects.

"Shut up!" Zabuza snaps, his voice icy. He's faced with a tough choice: die here or pay for both of their freedoms. How could he only think of himself and abandon Haku here?

Sasuke's eyes flick from Zabuza to Haku, observing the two closely.

"These two... they're having an affair!" he deduces.

Terumi Mei gasps, "Wow!"

Mangetsu Hozuki exclaims, "If you don't behead the senior, you'll be exposed!"

Zabuza, frustrated, commands, "...shut up!"

He's shared a bond with Haku for many years; to call it "adultery" is ridiculous!

"Forget it, we'll start with 35 million taels. The rest will be a debt to be settled later. Prepare the money to buy your freedom," Sasuke decides, waving his hand.

"Then let us go so we can gather the ransom," Zabuza suggests coldly.

Sasuke frowns, "No. What if you don't come back? It's too bothersome. It would be easier just to find out where you've hidden your money, take it, and then kill you."

Zabuza breaks into a cold sweat at the thought.

"Our money is in the underground black market; only the Lord himself can retrieve it!" Haku quickly states, hoping to avoid any violent outcomes.

"You must be present in person to withdraw it, even if you have the account and password," Haku adds.

Zabuza feels fortunate at this moment; thankfully, he kept his money secured in the black market.

Sasuke is intrigued, "Money can exist in the underground black market?" He scrutinizes them with his Sharingan again and discovers they are telling the truth.

Zabuza, now less bold and more timid, says, "My beheading sword is still with you; I couldn't possibly leave it behind."

"Good. Remember, 35 million taels, not a penny less, and you still owe me 15 million!" Sasuke emphasizes.

Zabuza feels his heart sink at the acknowledgment. All the money he saved since defecting from the Mist Shinobi, and now he still owes a massive debt. It's a crushing loss.

"We understand. Can you untie me now? If you're not going to kill me, I need to treat this injury as soon as possible."

Haku quickly agreed at the side. Zabuza was now seriously injured and needed immediate treatment.

"No rush," said Sasuke with a kind smile on his face as he walked up to Zabuza and patted his head. "I beat you and now I'm asking you to pay to redeem yourself. Do you hate me?"

What a ridiculous question! Zabuza felt so angry, he thought he might explode, but the sheer nerve of this brat was just too insulting.

However, when anger surged, Zabuza's chest heaved, aggravating his broken ribs, and he broke out into a cold sweat from the pain.

"...don't hate!" Zabuza replied dully.

Sasuke smacked the top of his head and said, "You don't hate me that much? Are you lying or just being cheap?"

Inside, Zabuza was cursing, but he said nothing.

"I... I hate you?" Zabuza replied tentatively, fighting to keep his emotions in check.

Another slap followed.

"You dare to hate me? I could have killed all of you, but I didn't. Instead, I gave you the chance to pay for your freedom. By doing that, I saved your life, and you still hate me? You should be thanking me!" Sasuke exclaimed seriously.

Inwardly, Zabuza fumed, holding back curses.

Terumi Mei remarked, "It's too cruel. If I were tortured like that, I'd rather die on the spot!"

Nara Shikamaru pondered, "Saving your life by not killing you—what kind of logic does Sasuke have?"

Ghost Lantern Shuiyue laughed, "If he doesn't behead the senior, he'll die of anger!"

Iruka questioned, "Why is Sasuke playing with him and not beheading him? It's like we have a Sasuke from another world, who is typically kindhearted?"

Senju Tobirama mused, "Oh! That's typical of the mischievous Uchiha clan!"

Uchiha Madara protested, "Nonsense! They attacked Uchiha Sasuke first, okay?!"

Orochimaru added, "Hehe, what Sasuke is doing now is exactly what he promised to do for revenge."

Then the group understood. The remarks aimed at Sasuke's Sharingan had indeed hit a nerve!

Wipe out the Uchiha clan!

Sell Sasuke's Sharingan on the black market!

Realizing this, it was no wonder Sasuke didn't just stop at physical retaliation but continued to mentally torture Zabuza.

Uzumaki Naruto commented, "The Sasuke of that world is too vengeful..."

Uchiha Sasuke justified, "It's what you deserve for speaking without thinking!"

Orochimaru said with curiosity, "I'm so curious about the future of that world. If a few words provoke such retaliation, I wonder what will happen to others like Sarutobi?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen retorted, "Keep quiet, Orochimaru!"

Still, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to frown and consider the situation. The Uchiha Sasuke of that world seemed too vengeful. The consequences could be dire if he ever uncovered the complete truth about the genocide incident.