CHAPTER 4
Days had passed since Naruto began training under the crushing pressure of the gravity seal. At first, even standing had been a struggle, but with sheer determination, he had adapted.
Though he was still not as fast or strong as Kakashi, his movements had grown sharper, his strikes more precise, and his fighting style more refined.
Kakashi had observed his progress with quiet approval, yet he made no move to increase the gravity seal's intensity.
Not yet.
Until Naruto could match Kakashi in both speed and power, there was no point in raising the difficulty. Strength wasn't just about numbers—it was about control, precision, and efficiency.
Naruto stood at the edge of the bridge construction site, wiping sweat from his brow as he took a short break. He glanced over at Tazuna, who was speaking to one of the workers.
The man, much like Tazuna, was middle-aged, with rough hands and tired eyes, the marks of someone who had spent his life working hard.
Something about the way the man stood, shoulders tense and face grim, made Naruto pause and listen in.
"Tazuna. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately… and I've decided. I want to stop working on the bridge."
Tazuna's eyes widened in shock.
"What? Why? This is so sudden. Not you too."
The man sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked away. His expression was conflicted.
"Tazuna, we've been close friends for years. I want to help you, I really do. But if we keep going, Gato will notice us. And if you end up dead… then what's the point?"
Naruto frowned, clenching his fists. Cowards.
The man wasn't finished.
"Why don't we quit building the bridge? Gato's men are everywhere. They're watching us. If we stop now, we might still have a chance to live in peace."
A tense silence followed. The other workers paused in their tasks, listening intently. Even the wind seemed to still, as if waiting for Tazuna's response.
For a moment, Naruto thought the old man might actually consider it. The weight of responsibility was clear on his face. But then, Tazuna closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, there was steel in his gaze.
"I can't do that. This bridge… It's our bridge. The one we started building together, believing that it would bring resources into our poor country. If we give up now, all the sacrifices we've made will have been for nothing."
The man's hands trembled slightly as he looked down.
"But if we lose our lives, what's the use of the bridge?"
Tazuna didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the sky, watching the sun dip lower as the afternoon stretched on.
"…It's already noon. Let's stop for today. You don't have to come tomorrow."
Naruto couldn't help but smile. Tazuna wasn't just some stubborn old drunk—he was brave. He was standing up for what he believed in, even when others lost their resolve.
"That was pretty brave of you. Aren't you scared of Gato?"
Tazuna chuckled, shaking his head.
"It's not Gato that I'm afraid of, brat."
His expression turned solemn.
"It's the fear that my children, and their children, and their children after them will have to live under the shadow of a man like him. That's the real nightmare."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected such wisdom from the gruff old builder.
Tazuna took a swig from his flask, then smirked at Naruto.
"Listen, I can't teach you any fancy jutsu or ninja tricks, but I can teach you this: When a person has something truly important to protect… that's when they become strong. That's when they become brave."
Naruto stood frozen for a moment, absorbing those words.
Something important to protect…
His mind flickered to Team 7. To Kakashi, Mito, and even Sasuke. To the villagers who struggled every day. To the dream of a world where people didn't have to live in fear of tyrants like Gato.
A small grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Heh. You're not just a drunk old man, after all."
Tazuna laughed.
"And you're not just a loud brat."
Naruto turned to the bridge stretching across the water, still incomplete yet standing defiantly. It was more than just a construction project—it was a symbol of hope.
And Naruto had just found something worth protecting.
Sometimes later…
"Why don't they just come and help on the bridge?"
Naruto's question lingered in the air as he walked alongside Tazuna, carrying a few bags of supplies for lunch. The streets of the village were lifeless, drained of any sense of joy or energy. The once-bustling town had become a husk of what it used to be.
As they made their way through the village, Naruto spotted a man standing at the corner of a building. He held a makeshift sign with shaky hands, the words scrawled in desperate lettering:
"Will do any job."
Naruto frowned. The man looked tired, defeated. His clothes were ragged, his face gaunt, and his eyes hollow.
"Why doesn't he just go work on the bridge?"
Naruto asked again, this time more insistently.
"Wouldn't it be better than standing around like that?"
Tazuna sighed, shaking his head.
"It's not that simple, kid."
Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, his eyes caught another sight—one that made his stomach twist.
A child sat on the ground, hands trembling as he held them out to passing strangers, silently begging for food. His clothes were tattered, and his face was smeared with dirt.
Without a second thought, Naruto dug into his pouch, pulling out a ration bar and a few coins. He knelt down, placing them into the boy's hands. The child's wide eyes met his, disbelief evident in his expression. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a grateful smile as he clutched the food tightly.
Naruto ruffled the boy's hair before standing up and continuing forward with Tazuna.
The more they walked, the worse it became.
Another child, younger than the first, sat by the road, clutching an empty basket. Her eyes were downcast, but her tiny fingers clung to the fabric of her dress, as if she were trying to comfort herself.
Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of candy, one he had saved from before. He crouched down and placed it gently in her hands.
The little girl looked up at him in shock. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she smiled—just a little.
Naruto swallowed hard as he stood up and took another look at the village.
This place wasn't just poor. It was broken.
He turned to Tazuna, his fists clenched tightly.
"How did things get this bad?"
Tazuna exhaled deeply.
"It's been like this since Gato came."
His voice was heavy, filled with frustration and sorrow.
"All the adults have lost hope. The people are too scared to fight back, too scared to believe that things could ever change."
Naruto listened in silence as Tazuna continued.
"That's why we need the bridge. It's not just a way to connect to the mainland—it's a symbol. A symbol of courage. A sign that we don't have to live in fear anymore. If we can complete the bridge, people will see that Gato isn't invincible. They'll remember who they used to be. They'll stand up for themselves again."
Naruto looked around the village one more time. The starving children, the hopeless adults, the eerie silence that swallowed the streets.
This wasn't just about a bridge.
This was about freedom.
His fists tightened even more.
I won't let this keep happening.
He would fight. Not just for Tazuna. Not just for the bridge.
But for them.
Sometimes later…
As Naruto looked around Tazuna's modest home, his eyes landed on something strange. A torn picture was pinned to the wall, its edges frayed and worn with time. But what caught his attention was the clear gap in the image—someone had been deliberately removed.
"Hey. Why do you have a torn picture on the wall? Inari kept staring at it earlier. Looks like someone decided to cut a person out of it."
The moment he spoke, the room fell into a tense silence. Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari all stiffened. A heavy weight hung in the air, making Naruto feel as though he had just stepped into something far deeper than he had expected.
Tazuna exhaled, rubbing his temple as if trying to gather his thoughts.
"That picture… That missing person is my son-in-law. He was known as the hero of this city."
Naruto saw Inari's small hands tighten into fists on the table. Without a word, the boy abruptly stood up, his chair scraping against the wooden floor. His face was dark, his expression unreadable as he turned and stormed off toward his room.
A moment later, the sound of a door slamming echoed through the house.
"Inari…"
Tsunami murmured, her voice filled with sorrow. Then, she stood up too, her expression pained.
"Father, I've told you not to talk about him in front of Inari."
Without another word, she walked away, retreating to her own room and shutting the door behind her.
Naruto, Mito, and Sasuke exchanged glances. They turned back to Tazuna, who now seemed far older than before, as if the weight of the past had settled upon his shoulders all over again.
Tazuna sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair. His eyes drifted to the torn picture, his mind lost in memories. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Long ago, in the Land of Waves, there was a man named Kaiza."
His voice was thick with emotion, but he pressed on.
"He wasn't born here, but he became one of us. Kaiza was strong, brave, and kind. He was the kind of man who always stood up for others, no matter the cost. When our village was suffering, when people were being robbed and killed by bandits, he stood against them. He protected us when no one else could."
Tazuna's lips curled into a faint, wistful smile, though it was tinged with pain.
"He was more than a hero—he was a symbol of hope. The villagers respected him, and my grandson, Inari, worshipped him. He looked up to Kaiza more than anyone, even before Kaiza married Tsunami. Their bond was unbreakable. Inari finally had someone he could trust, someone he could call father."
Naruto and the others listened intently, drawn into the story. But Tazuna's expression darkened. The warmth in his voice vanished, replaced by a cold, bitter anger.
"However, not all stories have happy endings."
Naruto's stomach twisted at the sudden change in Tazuna's tone.
Tazuna's voice grew quieter, but the bitterness only deepened.
"Gato. That filthy, power-hungry bastard saw Kaiza as a threat. He wanted this village to stay weak, to stay broken, so he could control us without resistance. And Kaiza... Kaiza was the one person who refused to bow down."
Mito frowned.
"So what happened?"
Tazuna exhaled sharply.
"Gato didn't just kill him."
His hands trembled slightly, and his gaze became distant.
"He made an example out of him. He had his men seize Kaiza, and dragged him out in front of the entire village. Inari was there. So was the Tsunami. We all were."
The room felt colder.
"They cut off his hands. Then they tied him to a cross in the middle of the town square. And right in front of all of us, they executed him. Publicly. No one could stop it. No one dared to."
Naruto clenched his jaw. He wasn't the only one. Sasuke's fists were tight at his sides, and Mito's hands curled into her lap.
Tazuna let out a shuddering breath.
"Since that day, Inari lost all hope. And he wasn't the only one. The whole village changed. The people gave up. They stopped resisting, stopped believing that things could ever get better. Gato had broken them."
The room fell silent.
Mito stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the wooden floor. Without a word, she walked to the door and pulled it open.
"I'm going to train for a while."
Naruto watched her go before turning back to Tazuna. His fists were shaking, but his eyes burned with something fierce.
This wasn't just about Gato controlling the village.
This was about a man who had died trying to protect the people. About a boy who had lost the person he trusted most. About a whole village drowning in fear.
It wasn't fair.
And Naruto hated things that weren't fair.
"…That bastard is gonna pay."
Sometimes later…
Tazuna sat atop Kakashi's back as the masked shinobi effortlessly balanced himself, performing one-finger push ups. His breathing was steady, his posture unwavering despite the added weight.
A few feet away, Naruto was also pushing himself up and down, though in his case, Tsunami was seated on his back. Sweat dripped from his forehead, but his determination never wavered.
Tazuna watched them both in silence for a moment before finally speaking.
"Why are you still here? I lied to you about this mission. I put you in danger, and yet... you're still here."
Kakashi didn't pause in his exercise, nor did he even look up. His voice was calm but firm when he responded.
"To abandon your duty is not courageous."
Tazuna's brow furrowed.
"What?"
Still maintaining his form, Kakashi continued.
"Below the courageous, there is nothing. These were the words of the previous Hokage. That is the way of the shinobi."
Naruto, still pushing himself up and down with Tsunami's weight on his back, grinned despite the sweat running down his face.
"Shinobi don't fight just for money alone."
Tazuna swallowed hard. He had been expecting anger, resentment, or at the very least, some sort of complaint for dragging them into a fight that wasn't theirs. Instead, he was met with unwavering conviction. These shinobi weren't here because they were obligated to be. They were here because they chose to be.
He clenched his fists, feeling a mixture of guilt and admiration.
"Even though you might die?"
Kakashi finally paused in his pushups and turned his head slightly to glance at the older man. His lone visible eye curved into a small but meaningful expression.
"A true shinobi understands the risks of every mission. We choose to fight not because it's easy, but because it's right."
Tazuna fell silent.
Naruto, panting from his pushups, looked up at him with a smirk.
"And besides… if we ran away just 'cause things got tough, what kinda shinobi would we be?"
Tsunami, who had been quiet until now, looked down at the boy on whom she was sitting. She had expected complaints, maybe even irritation at having to carry her weight while training, but Naruto's resolve remained strong.
Despite his youthful appearance, there was a maturity in his words, a sense of unwavering determination she had rarely seen in anyone besides her late husband.
Kakashi exhaled and lowered himself to the ground, allowing Tazuna to step off his back. "So don't worry, old man. We're not leaving."
Naruto, finally finishing his last set of pushups, grinned and gave Tazuna a thumbs-up.
"Yeah! That bridge of yours? We're gonna help you finish it! And Gato? He doesn't stand a chance."
Tazuna stared at them, his heart heavy yet lighter than it had been in years. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was still hope for the Land of Waves.
Sometimes later…
"Please, dig in."
Tsunami said with a gentle smile as she placed the last dish on the table.
Mito and Sasuke, exhausted from their intense training session, took their seats. Their bodies ached from hours of chakra control exercises and sparring, but the aroma of freshly cooked food was enough to make them momentarily forget their fatigue.
Naruto, already seated, was devouring his food at an alarming rate, practically inhaling everything in front of him. It was almost as if he were eating for an entire village rather than just himself.
Just as the meal was in full swing, the door creaked open, and Inari walked in. His small frame carried an air of bitterness far too heavy for a child his age. He glanced around at the shinobi eating together, his gaze lingering on Naruto, who was stuffing his face with an enthusiasm that seemed almost offensive given the state of the village.
Then, without warning, Inari scoffed. His voice cut through the warm atmosphere like a cold wind.
"Why do you guys even bother trying so hard? No matter how much you train, no matter what you do, you'll never be able to defeat Gato's men. He owns this village. He owns everything. No matter what grand speeches you make or how much effort you put in, in the end, the weak will always lose. The strong always win. That's just how the world works."
The table fell silent. Sasuke merely continued eating, unfazed, while Mito looked at Inari with narrowed eyes. Naruto, however, swallowed his food and turned to face the boy directly.
"Well, you're right about one thing. But it's not us that's weak. It's Gato."
Inari's eyes widened slightly, not expecting that answer.
"And I'm not like you. I'll never stop working hard. No matter how strong the enemy is, I won't just sit around and cry about how unfair the world is. I'll stand up and fight."
Inari clenched his fists. His small frame trembled with frustration.
"I would hate to be like you. You don't know anything about this country, about what we've been through, yet you act like you can just walk in and fix everything! What do you even know about me?!"
Naruto opened his mouth to respond, but Inari wasn't done.
"You're always clowning around, always acting like everything's fine. You don't know how hard life can be! You don't—"
"That's enough."
Mito interrupted. Her voice was sharp, cutting through Inari's words with ease.
Everyone turned to her. There was an intensity in her eyes that hadn't been there before. Something had snapped inside her, and she wasn't going to hold back.
"So it's okay for you to act like you're the main character in some tragedy and just cry all day? Then go ahead. Keep crying forever, you idiot!"
Inari flinched as if he had been slapped.
Before anyone could say anything, Mito turned on her heel and stormed out of the house, the door slamming behind her.
Naruto immediately put down his chopsticks and got up.
"I'll go talk to her."
But Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Let her be. She needs to be alone for a while."
Naruto hesitated, but seeing the seriousness in Kakashi's expression, he slowly sat back down.
The room was silent once more. Inari stood frozen, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. Tsunami, watching from the side, placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder.
"Inari."
But the boy didn't respond. Instead, he turned and ran to his room, slamming the door behind him just as Mito had done.
Tazuna sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Kids these days."
Kakashi glanced toward the door where Mito had left, his mind deep in thought.
"Sometimes people need to face their pain alone before they can move forward."
Naruto clenched his fists. He didn't like it. He hated seeing people suffer, especially his friends. But if Kakashi said Mito needed time, he would wait.
For now.
Next Day…
"Are you sure we should just leave her here, Sensei? "
Kakashi smiled
"Don't worry Naruto. She is just tired."
Sometimes later,
At the Bridge…
The scent of blood lingered in the air. The ground was littered with fallen workers, each bearing a fresh cut on their body. It was a clear sign—this was no ordinary attack.
"What happened?"
Mist began to rise around them, thick and unnatural. It swirled around their feet, reducing visibility to almost nothing. The air turned cold.
Sasuke felt it immediately—his body tensed, his breathing slowed, and despite his best efforts, his hands trembled slightly. Not from fear, but from something else.
A deep, familiar chuckle echoed through the mist.
"Long time no see, Kakashi. I see you're still dragging these brats around. Look at that one—he's shaking again. Poor kid."
From within the thick fog, four identical figures emerged—Zabuza's water clones. Each one carried the same massive executioner's blade, each one moving in sync, slowly closing in.
Sasuke's trembling stopped. A cocky grin spread across his face.
"I'm shaking from excitement."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed.
"Do it."
In the blink of an eye, Sasuke moved. His speed had increased dramatically since their last encounter. With precise movements, he destroyed every single water clone, his kunai slicing through their liquid forms as they splashed into puddles.
The mist parted slightly, revealing Zabuza standing at the other end of the bridge. Beside him stood Haku, his ever-calm expression unshaken. Behind them were the Demon Brothers, watching the battle unfold.
Zabuza smirked.
"So, he saw through the clones this time? That brat's grown."
His gaze flickered to his masked companion.
"Looks like you've got a rival, Haku."
Haku nodded slightly.
"It does seem that way."
"I'll handle him. I hate bastards like that the most—tricking us with that fake scary act."
Sasuke's eyes widened as Haku reappeared in front of him, a senbon already in motion, aimed directly at his throat.
But Sasuke reacted instantly. He dodged by twisting his body, barely avoiding the strike. He planted his left foot firmly on the ground and used his right to push off, launching himself into the air. As he spun, he brought his legs up and over his head, using his momentum to complete a perfect cartwheel.
Haku, caught off guard by Sasuke's sudden movement, had no time to react. Sasuke's foot connected solidly with his chin, sending him skidding backward.
Sasuke landed gracefully on his feet.
"Not fast enough."
Kakashi gave a nod of approval, but his attention quickly turned serious.
"Naruto, step in front of Tazuna and don't leave his side. You won't be needed for this fight."
Naruto clenched his fists. He hated standing on the sidelines, but he understood the importance of protecting their client.
Haku steadied himself, rubbing his chin.
"I see. But you won't be able to keep up with my speed the next time. And I've already gained two advantages."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"The first is the water covering the ground."
At that moment, Sasuke felt his feet slightly sink into the damp surface.
"And the second… I have occupied one of your arms."
Sasuke barely had time to register those words before Haku formed a single hand seal—with just one hand.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. Even he had never seen that before.
"Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death."
Water from the ground rose instantly, forming countless thin, sharp needles, all aimed at Sasuke.
But Sasuke did not panic. He refused to lose.
With an aerial cartwheel, he avoided the attack, flipping gracefully over the onslaught. As he landed, he used the momentum to propel himself forward, closing the distance between them.
Haku barely had time to react before Sasuke's fist connected with his jaw, launching him backward.
Haku quickly recovered, leaping back as Sasuke flung shuriken at him, forcing him to stay on the defensive.
"You're pretty slow. From now on, you'll only be able to run."
Haku was caught off guard as Sasuke suddenly appeared behind him. But he reacted quickly, spinning around to block Sasuke's kunai strike.
Sasuke didn't stop there. Twisting his body, he used a reverse crescent kick, slamming his foot into Haku's ribs.
The force of the impact sent Haku flying back, blood dripping from his nose.
Zabuza narrowed his eyes. Haku had just lost in a battle of speed. That was unexpected.
But Haku was not defeated yet. He landed on his feet, sliding back slightly but still in control. He wiped the blood from his face and exhaled.
"Looks like I have an advantage in speed."
Kakashi turned his gaze toward Zabuza.
"I can't have you underestimating my team by calling them 'brats.' Sasuke is one of the Leaf Village's top prodigies. Mito is the most unpredictable ninja in the village. And Naruto—"
Kakashi's expression turned serious.
"Even I couldn't beat Naruto if he got serious."
Zabuza narrowed his eyes.
"Is that so?"
Haku straightened himself and looked at his master.
"Haku, at this rate, we'll be driven back. We can't have that. Use it."
Haku nodded.
"Understood."
He stepped forward, forming a series of rapid hand signs.
"Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals."
The water on the ground suddenly rose into the air, swirling around Haku before solidifying into massive mirrors made of pure ice. They formed a dome around Sasuke, trapping him inside.
Kakashi's expression turned grim. "A Kekkei Genkai…"
Sasuke's eyes darted around, analyzing the mirrors. In each one, Haku's reflection stared back at him.
Then, Haku stepped into one of the mirrors—and his image appeared in every single one.
Kakashi moved to help, but Zabuza blocked his path.
"Your opponent is me. Against that jutsu, your brat is finished."
Sasuke took a deep breath, steadying himself.
He could feel the shift in the battle. Haku's presence was everywhere.
"Well then."
Haku's voice echoed from all directions.
"Shall I begin? I will show you my real speed."
In an instant, Haku blurred into motion.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he barely managed to dodge the first strike, performing a back handspring to evade the deadly senbon aimed at his heart.
But it was clear—he couldn't see Haku's true movements.
Maybe… just maybe… if he could push himself just a little further…
His Sharingan could awaken.
Kakashi, observing the battlefield, knew that this was the moment to let Naruto fight at full strength. With a sharp motion, he brought his hands together and formed a release seal.
"Release!"
A surge of ki exploded from Naruto's body the moment the Gravity Seal was lifted. The pressure in the air became suffocating, as if a massive weight had been unleashed all at once. Even Zabuza, an elite shinobi, widened his eyes in shock at the raw energy radiating from the blond boy.
Kakashi himself was momentarily surprised. So this was the true power he's been suppressing...
Zabuza tightened his grip on his massive sword, understanding immediately that this had changed the tide of battle.
"Naruto, go help Sasuke!"
Kakashi ordered, his voice steady despite the situation.
Without hesitation, Naruto took off like a blur, moving with a speed no one had expected. Before he could reach Sasuke, one of the Demon Brothers, who had been lurking nearby, leaped in front of him, kunai raised.
Naruto didn't even slow down. With a single punch, he sent the man flying across the bridge, knocking him unconscious instantly. The second Demon Brother hesitated, realizing that attacking Naruto was pointless now.
Meanwhile, inside the ice dome, Sasuke stood, waiting for Haku's next attack. He had already resigned himself to the fact that he was not fast enough to counter Haku's movements, but he would still fight to the last breath. He braced himself as he saw a blur of motion—Haku was striking again.
But the attack never landed.
Sasuke blinked in confusion. Instead of pain, he heard a sudden impact, followed by a gasp of surprise.
Looking up, he saw Naruto standing before him, completely unfazed, his arm extended as if he had just blocked something. Haku, who had been dashing between the mirrors at inhuman speeds, had stopped mid-motion, looking at Naruto in astonishment.
"Naruto, you idiot! What are you doing inside? You just trapped yourself too!"
Naruto merely grinned, his confidence unshaken.
"You're too slow to beat him, Sasuke. Leave this one to me."
Haku narrowed his eyes behind his mask.
"You are different from before… What did you do?"
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he raised a single finger, a small purple orb forming at the tip, pulsating with energy. The orb was surrounded by a thin ring, spinning at incredible speed.
"Swift Fissile."
Without warning, Naruto flicked the orb forward.
The attack was unlike anything Haku had ever seen. The orb spun rapidly, slicing through the ice mirror in its path before homing in on him. Haku barely had time to react. He attempted to dodge, but the projectile adjusted its trajectory, slamming into him before he could escape.
An explosion of force erupted from the impact.
The mirrors cracked, then shattered entirely, sending shards of ice scattering across the bridge. Haku's body was launched backward, slamming into the ground, motionless and bloody.
Outside the dome, Zabuza had been watching intently, but the moment the mirrors broke, his focus slipped.
Kakashi saw his chance.
In a flash, he formed a familiar seal, lightning crackling around his hand.
"Raikiri!"
Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi had already closed the distance. His glowing hand plunged into Zabuza's chest, the sound of crackling electricity filling the air.
Zabuza's body tensed before falling still, his massive sword slipping from his fingers as his knees buckled. The Demon of the Mist, one of the Seven Swordsmen, had been defeated.
Mito arrived just in time to see the battle come to an end. She glanced at Naruto and Sasuke, then at the defeated samurai she had fought earlier.
"Well, that's that. I took care of two of them, so I guess we're even."
Kakashi turned his attention to Zabuza's fallen body. His expression was unreadable.
"I wanted to save you. But you were too far gone."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed across the bridge.
Everyone turned to see a large group of men approaching.
At the front of the group stood a smug-looking man, dressed in an expensive suit, his glasses gleaming under the light. Gato.
He was flanked by dozens of mercenaries, all armed to the teeth.
"Oh dear, it looks like I arrived just in time. I must say, this worked out perfectly. I was planning to have Zabuza killed anyway. I never intended to pay him."
The wounded Haku weakly turned his head towards Zabuza's lifeless body, his face full of despair.
Gato chuckled.
"And now, since you've all been so kind as to finish off my troublesome assassin, I suppose I'll have my men take care of the rest of you. After all, I can't have you running around causing problems for my business."
Naruto glanced at Kakashi, silently asking for permission. Kakashi gave a small nod.
In the blink of an eye, Naruto disappeared.
Screams erupted.
One by one, Gato's mercenaries collapsed, cut down before they could even react. The villagers, who had been approaching the bridge to witness the outcome, watched in shock as Naruto systematically wiped out every single one of Gato's men with terrifying efficiency.
Gato barely had time to process what had happened before he felt an unbearable pain in his arm.
He screamed.
Looking down, he saw his hand severed, blood pouring from the stump where it used to be. He stumbled backward, eyes wide in horror as he faced Naruto, who was now standing over him.
Naruto's eyes were cold, unfeeling. He had no sympathy for someone like Gato.
"Don't worry. I won't be killing you."
Gato gasped, clutching his bleeding arm.
"W-what?"
Naruto smirked and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him effortlessly before tossing him forward. Gato crashed onto the ground, rolling until he came to a stop at the feet of the approaching villagers.
"I'll let them do it."
The villagers stood frozen for a moment. Then, realization dawned on them. This was their chance—justice for all the suffering they had endured.
One by one, their expressions darkened, anger replacing fear. The air became charged with an unspoken understanding.
Gato turned his head, seeing the pure hatred in their eyes. He scrambled backward, but there was nowhere to run.
The villagers surged forward.
Naruto turned away, letting the people of the Land of Waves deliver their own justice.
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, looks like this mission is officially over."
Mito smirked.
"Not bad for a bunch of brats, huh?"
Sasuke scoffed but didn't deny it.
Naruto stretched his arms, exhaustion finally catching up to him.
"Man, I'm starving. Let's go eat."
Tazuna, standing in the middle of it all, let out a deep breath. He looked toward the sky, a tear slipping from his eye.
Sometimes later…
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the newly completed bridge. The villagers stood together, gazing in awe at the massive structure that now connected them to a brighter future. The oppressive reign of Gato was finally over, and for the first time in a long while, the people of the Land of Waves felt free.
Tazuna wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the shinobi who had made this victory possible. His eyes softened as he looked at them.
"Thanks to you, we have completed the bridge."
Tazuna said, his voice thick with emotion.
The villagers murmured in agreement, nodding with gratitude. They knew that without these ninjas, the bridge would have remained an impossible dream. Now, it stood as a testament to their resilience and the strength they had found through their courage.
Inari, standing at the front of the crowd, looked as though he was about to cry. His small fists clenched, his lips trembled, but he held back the tears that threatened to fall. Mito, noticing his struggle, gave him a warm, encouraging smile.
"Inari, you're sad, right? It's alright to cry."
Those simple words broke the last of his resolve. Inari couldn't hold back any longer. Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed openly, not out of sadness, but out of relief. He had spent so long believing that nothing could change, that no amount of effort could stand against the powerful and the cruel. But he had been wrong.
Through Mito's words, he had found the courage to stand up, and through his courage, the people of the village had followed. He had learned that being strong didn't mean never crying—it meant facing your fears and fighting for what was right, even when it seemed impossible.
The villagers watched the scene unfold, many of them feeling their own emotions stir. They had seen the change in Inari, the way he had inspired them all to fight back, to believe in themselves again. An old man in the crowd chuckled, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"That girl changed Inari's heart. And Inari changed people's hearts. She gave us a bridge to hope, called courage."
Tazuna nodded at the words, his eyes still on the completed bridge. It was no longer just a path to another land—it was a symbol of what they had overcome. But something was missing.
"A bridge like this needs a that represents everything it stands for."
The villagers began murmuring among themselves, considering possible names. Some suggested "Freedom Bridge," others "Hope's Crossing." But none of the names seemed quite right.
Then, Inari's tear-streaked face lit up with realization. He wiped his eyes and looked up at his grandfather with determination.
"How about the Great Mito Bridge?"
Silence fell over the crowd. Tazuna raised his eyebrows, surprised by the suggestion. The other villagers looked at one another, nodding in agreement as the name settled in their hearts.
Mito blinked in shock.
"Wait, what?"
Inari turned to her, his expression serious.
"Mito, you were the one who gave me the courage to fight back. You were the first person to tell me that I could be strong, that I didn't have to just cry and give up. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have stood up. And if I hadn't stood up, the village wouldn't have either."
The villagers all voiced their agreement, smiling at Mito with gratitude.
"You are a hero to us, child. This bridge should bear your name!"
Mito flushed, waving her hands in embarrassment.
"W-Wait! That's too much! I just told him the truth, that's all!"
Naruto laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
"C'mon, Mito! Just take the win!"
Sasuke smirked.
"Yeah, it's not everyday someone names a bridge after you."
Mito groaned but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.
"Fine, fine… if that's what you guys want."
Tazuna grinned and placed a firm hand on Inari's shoulder.
"Then it's settled. From this day forward, this will be known as the Great Mito Bridge!"
The villagers cheered, clapping and celebrating as the name was made official.
Mito sighed, shaking her head at the turn of events. But deep down, she felt something warm blossom in her chest. She had come here as just another shinobi on a mission, but she was leaving knowing she had made a real difference.
And that, she realized, was worth more than any title.
NARUTO IS OP. BECAUSE HE IS THE PRINCE OF ALL SAIYAN AND AN ELITE SAIYAN. SO SOMEONE LIKE ZABUZA IS WEAK COMPARED TO HIM. AND HAKU WAS WEAKER THAN HIM TOO. IF YOU WERE SURPRISED, WATCH DRAGON BALL Z, YOU WON'T BE SURPRISED FOR LONG.