Kakashi walked calmly through the dense forest, Naruto draped over his back. The boy's exhaustion had finally caught up to him after the intense battle with Zabuza. Naruto had given his all to free Kakashi from the water prison and overwhelm their opponent, but now he was completely drained.
Naruto, eyes half-closed, shifted slightly on Kakashi's back and murmured with a tired grin, "Well, now you'll be carrying me."
Kakashi chuckled softly beneath his mask. "Seems fair, after all that effort," he replied, his voice carrying a rare warmth as he continued to carry his student through the dense mist.
Sakura and Sasuke followed behind, walking in silence. Sasuke's eyes flickered between Naruto and Kakashi, a conflicted expression on his face. His pride was wounded, but there was also an undeniable respect growing for Naruto's unexpected strength. Sakura, on the other hand, was still trying to process the battle—NNaruto's chains, his fierce determination, and the raw power he had displayed were unlike anything she had seen before.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, the weight of what they had just faced lingering in the air.
Time Skip:
Naruto stirred awake, blinking groggily as sunlight filtered through a small window. The unfamiliar scent of wood and cooked food filled his senses, and he quickly realized he was no longer outside. He pushed himself up slowly, his body still aching, and found himself lying on a modest futon in an unfamiliar room.
"Where am I?" he mumbled to himself, rubbing his eyes. Memories of the fight against Zabuza rushed back, and he instinctively checked his body for injuries, relieved to find nothing too serious.
Sliding out of the futon, Naruto moved towards the door and quietly stepped into the hallway. He heard the faint murmur of voices coming from another room and the sound of plates clinking against one another. Following the noise, he soon found himself entering a small, cozy kitchen.
Kakashi sat at the table, his arm heavily bandaged but otherwise looking much like his usual self. Across from him stood Sasuke and Sakura, both eating quietly. As Naruto walked in, all eyes turned toward him.
"You're awake," Kakashi said with his typical laid-back tone, though there was an underlying note of concern. "How are you feeling?"
Naruto shrugged, his expression neutral. "Tired, but alive. You?"
"Alive," Kakashi echoed with a smile that was half hidden beneath his mask. "Good enough for me."
Naruto's gaze briefly met Sasuke's before both turned away in silent acknowledgment of each other's strength. Sakura offered a small, somewhat awkward smile in his direction.
As Naruto sat down, Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, entered the room carrying another plate of food. She set it down in front of Naruto, giving him a kind smile. "You must be Naruto. I heard what you did for my father. Thank you."
Naruto glanced up at her, surprised by the gratitude, and gave a small nod. "It was just part of the mission."
The group ate in relative silence, the air filled with the quiet sounds of chewing and the clinking of bowls. Despite the peace, there was an unspoken tension hanging over them, the memory of the battle still fresh in their minds.
After a while, Kakashi cleared his throat, his single visible eye focusing intently on the team. "So... there's something we need to talk about."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura paused, looking up at their sensei as he took a long, deliberate breath. "I'm not sure how to say this, but... Zabuza might still be alive."
The room went still, the only sound being the faint scrape of a chair as Naruto shifted in his seat. He locked eyes with Kakashi, his expression unreadable.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What? I thought that Hunter-nin killed him."Kakashi nodded, his tone somber. "That's what we all thought. But something felt... off about that hunter-nin. They didn't check Zabuza's pulse, and their actions seemed too hurried, too convenient. Usually, a hunter-nin would take the body or destroy it on the spot to prevent any secrets from being revealed. But they left too quickly."
Sakura's brow furrowed. "So, you're saying... Zabuza could be recovering somewhere. Waiting for another chance to attack?"
"Exactly," Kakashi said, his voice grave. "There's a high chance that Zabuza is still alive. If that's true, we need to be prepared. He'll come back for Tazuna, and this time he won't be holding back."
Naruto's grip tightened around his chopsticks. His mind flashed back to the battle — how close they had come, the tension, the danger. He wasn't afraid, but there was a cold calculation in his eyes now, a weight behind them that hadn't been there before. "So, when do we move?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Kakashi observed him for a moment, noting the guarded look in Naruto's eyes. "We'll wait for Zabuza to make his move. We're here to protect Tazuna until the bridge is finished. Until then, we rest and prepare."
Sasuke's fists clenched slightly, the prospect of facing Zabuza again lighting a fire in his eyes. Sakura, though nervous, seemed more determined this time, nodding in agreement. Naruto, however, remained silent, his thoughts guarded. The prospect of facing Zabuza again didn't scare him. But something deeper churned inside him, a restlessness he couldn't quite shake. He glanced at Kakashi, wondering if his sensei could see through the mask he wore—tthe one that hid the betrayal he still felt from the village.
After the conversation ended, the team sat in a pensive silence, knowing that the real battle was far from over.
Kakashi leaned back in his chair, surveying his team as they finished their meal. He then glanced at Naruto. "I'm sure Naruto can easily go toe to toe with Zabuza. He doesn't need my supervision," he said, his tone carrying confidence in Naruto's abilities. "As for you two," he continued, turning to Sasuke and Sakura, "we need to get you both up to speed. We'll start chakra training during the day and strategy planning at night. Now, get up and get your asses moving."
Sasuke clenched his fists, his pride bruised but fueling his determination. He couldn't stand the thought of being outdone by Naruto. Sakura, though nervous, was equally resolved to prove herself. They both nodded and followed Kakashi out to the training grounds.
The Forest Training:
The team moved to a secluded part of the forest. Kakashi began guiding Sasuke and Sakura through rigorous chakra control exercises. Sasuke's frustration was evident, his desire to surpass Naruto driving him to push his limits. Sakura struggled; her chakra control was decent, but her stamina quickly drained under Kakashi's demanding regimen.
Meanwhile, Naruto distanced himself, focusing on his own training. His goal was to improve his control over the chakra chains, a technique both powerful and exhausting. He could only summon three chains at a time, and they drained his chakra significantly. Still, he was determined to master them, knowing that they could be the key to defeating any formidable opponent they encountered.
As the sun set, Naruto watched his teammates from a distance. Sasuke was dirty and tired, his eyes filled with silent fury. Sakura, unable to move, lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Naruto's expression was unreadable, his thoughts guarded as he observed that evening, after dinner, the team gathered for strategy planning. They discussed potential scenarios, with Naruto occasionally offering silent nods. As night fell, the group retired, knowing the days ahead would test them all.-
Training Second Day:
The second day of training was equally grueling. By the time they returned to Tazuna's home, everyone was exhausted. As they sat down for dinner, the atmosphere was tense, weighed down by the fatigue and the looming threat of Zabuza's possible return.
Inari, who had been silently observing the shinobi, finally spoke up, his voice thick with bitterness. "Heroes don't exist," he muttered, his eyes fixed on his plate. "No one's coming to save us. My dad tried to be a hero, and he was killed for it."
The room fell silent, Inari's words echoing through the small space. Naruto, who had been quietly eating, looked up, his eyes sharp. He set his chopsticks down and fixed Inari with a hard stare.
"Kid, grow up," Naruto said, his voice firm. "Life ain't easy. No one's going to come save you if you don't stand up for yourself. Heroes don't just appear out of nowhere — they're made through the choices they make every single day."
Inari's eyes widened, tears welling up as Naruto's words hit home. The bluntness of Naruto's tone was harsh, but the truth behind it was undeniable."You want things to change?" Naruto continued, his gaze never leaving Inari's. "Then you have to fight for it. Sitting around and waiting for a hero won't change a damn thing. You need to become your own hero."
The boy stared at Naruto, absorbing his words. Tazuna placed a hand on Inari's shoulder, offering silent support. The tension in the room eased slightly, but the weight of Naruto's message lingered.
The Fifth Day:
Confrontation: On the fifth day of their stay, Naruto sat in meditation, focusing on doubling the number of chakra chains he could control. The early morning air was crisp, and the forest around him was silent, save for the occasional rustling of leaves.
Suddenly, his senses picked up movement outside the house. Goons. His eyes snapped open, and a grim smile crossed his face. "Looks like training's over," he said. In a flash, Naruto was on his feet, moving swiftly to intercept the intruders. He subdued the two goons with precise, deadly efficiency, saving Tsunami and Inari from harm."Stay inside," Naruto said firmly. "I'll take care of the rest."
Without waiting for a response, he rushed towards the bridge, where the real battle awaited. As he arrived, his heart sank at the sight before him — Sasuke, battered and half-dead, surrounded by scattered shuriken and kunai.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he saw the figure standing over Sasuke—the hunter ninja from before now revealed to be a member of the Yuki Clan, known for their mastery of Ice Release techniques.
Naruto vs. Haku:
The air around the bridge grew colder as Haku, the fake hunter ninja, unleashed his Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, surrounding Naruto with a dome of reflective ice mirrors. Haku's figure flickered from mirror to mirror, a blur of motion that was nearly impossible to see.'s eyes darted around, struggling to follow Haku's movements. The first wave of Senbon needles flew toward him, and he barely managed to dodge, the needles slicing through his clothes and grazing his skin.
Naruto formed a quick series of hand signs and created a dozen shadow clones. The clones spread out, each taking a different angle to attack the mirrors. They launched themselves at the mirrors, only to be met with swift, deadly precision as Haku moved faster than they could react, shattering each clone before they could land a blow.
"Damn it," Naruto muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure build. Haku was faster than anything he'd encountered before. But Naruto wasn't about to give.'s eyes flickered with determination. "You think you can trap me in here?" he yelled, summoning his chakra chains. The golden chains shot out, aiming to shatter the mirrors. Haku dodged the chains, but the force behind Naruto's attack caused the mirrors to crack, sending shards of ice flying through the air.
Haku narrowed his eyes from within the mirrors. "Impressive, but it won't be enough."Naruto smirked, wiping the blood from a small cut on his cheek. "We'll see about that."Haku launched another barrage of Senbon needles. Naruto deflected most with his chains, but a few found their mark, embedding themselves in his arms and legs. The pain was sharp, but Naruto pushed through it, gritting his teeth.
Summoning more chakra, Naruto sent his chains into a furious assault, wrapping them around the mirrors and pulling with all his strength. The mirrors trembled under the strain, and for a moment, it seemed they might break. Haku, sensing the imminent collapse of his technique, sped up his movements, trying to overwhelm Naruto before his defenses could give Naruto was prepared. As Haku darted between mirrors, Naruto timed his next move perfectly. With a roar, he released a burst of wind chakra, shattering the mirrors in a shower of ice. The explosion sent Haku flying, and before he could recover, Naruto was on him, chakra chains binding him tightly.
"You're done," Naruto growled, his eyes cold as he tightened the chains. Haku struggled, but the chains were one final surge of strength, Naruto delivered a crushing blow to Haku, knocking him unconscious and ending the fight.
Kakashi vs. Zabuza: On the other side of the bridge, Kakashi and Zabuza clashed in a battle of jutsu and will. The Copy Ninja's Sharingan spun rapidly, predicting Zabuza's every move. Zabuza, injured but undeterred, fought with the ferocity of a cornered animal, his massive sword cleaving through the air with deadly intent.
Kakashi countered with lightning-quick reflexes, dodging Zabuza's swings and retaliating with precision strikes. The battle was fierce, the sound of clashing steel and crackling energy echoing across the bridge.
Zabuza, bloodied and panting, knew he was outmatched. Kakashi's Sharingan was too much, his skills too refined. But Zabuza wasn't one to go down without a fight. With a final, desperate effort, he launched himself at Kakashi, his sword aimed for a killing. Anticipating the move, he sidestepped and struck with his Lightning Blade, the powerful jutsu piercing through Zabuza's chest. Zabuza staggered, his sword falling from his grasp as he collapsed to the ground, defeated.
Kakashi stood over Zabuza, breathing heavily but victorious. The battle was over.
Arrival of Gato and the Goons:
As the dust settled, the eerie silence of the bridge was broken by the sound of slow clapping. Gato, the vile businessman who had terrorized the village, stepped out from the shadows, flanked by a horde of goons. He sneered at the defeated Zabuza and Haku, then turned his gaze to Naruto and Kakashi.
"Well, well, what do we have here? The great Zabuza was brought down by a bunch of kids and their pet ninja. How pathetic," Gato mocked, his voice dripping with his blood boiling at the sight of Gato. The memories of the starving children in the village and the suffering they had endured because of this man flashed through his mind. He remembered his own childhood—the hunger, the loneliness, the pain. The anger surged within him, and his fists clenched tightly.
"You..." Naruto growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You're the one behind all this suffering. The one who's been tormenting these people."Gato laughed, oblivious to the storm brewing within Naruto. "So what if I am? What are you going to do about it, brat?"
Naruto's eyes burned with fury. Without another word, he leaped forward, his chakra chains whipping out with deadly precision. The goons barely had time to react before Naruto was upon them, his chains slicing through their ranks like a hot knife. One by one, they fell, their screams echoing across the bridge as Naruto unleashed his wrath. There was no hesitation, no mercy. Every blow was delivered with the force of his anger, his pain, and his resolve to end the suffering once and for all.
Kakashi watched his expression grim but understanding. This was a side of Naruto he hadn't seen before, a side born from the boy's own hardships and the injustice he had witnessed. Kakashi didn't intervene, knowing that this was something Naruto needed to the last of the goons fell, and Gato's confidence faltered. He stumbled back, fear overtaking him as he realized the mistake he had made. But it was too late. Naruto's eyes locked onto him, and in that moment, Gato knew he was finished.
"You're nothing but scum," Naruto hissed, his voice filled with a cold, deadly fury. "And this is what you deserve."With one final, brutal strike, Naruto's chakra chains lashed out, delivering the killing blow. Gato's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless; his reign of terror finally ended.
Aftermath:
The battle was over. The bridge, once a place of hope and despair, now stood as a testament to the strength and resolve of those who had fought to protect it. Naruto stood over Gato's body, his breathing heavy, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.
Kakashi walked over, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You did well, Naruto. It's over now."Naruto nodded, his eyes still fixed on Gato's lifeless form. "Yeah... it's over."
As Sasuke regained consciousness, he forced himself to his feet, his body aching from the battle. But as he looked at Naruto, standing victorious over Gato's body, something dark and bitter welled up inside him. Pride and jealousy clashed in his chest, and before he could stop himself, he punched the ground with all the strength he had left. The realization that Naruto had once again surpassed him was unbearable, and the gap between them seemed wider than ever.
Sakura approached slowly, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. The brutal way Naruto had dispatched Gato and his men lingered in her mind, and she couldn't shake the image of his cold, emotionless expression. For a moment, a thought crossed her mind — was Naruto truly the monster the villagers always whispered about? The fear gnawed at her, and she took an involuntary step back, unsure of what to think or feel.
Naruto, lost in his own thoughts, didn't notice the tension in his teammates. The morning sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the bridge, signaling a new day. But for Team 7, the aftermath of the battle left them with more questions than answers, each member wrestling with their own inner turmoil as they reflected on the events that had just transpired.
As they stood there, the reality of their journey as shinobi began to sink in. The battles they had fought, the challenges they had faced, and the harsh truths they had uncovered were shaping them in ways they couldn't yet fully understand. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear — they could never go back to who they were before.
Hello, I am alive.