Author's note: Sorry for not posting as much. Been a bit busy, and quite lazy frankly.
There is lot of time before the Sasuke arc comes, since we have to go through the full Chunin Exams, Invasion, and Tsunade retrieval. Keep in mind that the second option will have Hiruzen dying like the canon, although I will see if I can twist the story a bit. Any other ideas for any of the arc, please comment it and I will consider it. I won't be writing any of the fillers, like the snow mission, or Gaara being kidnapped, this is the sequel I am following right now.
1. Chunin Exams
2. Orochimaru Invasion
3. Tsunade Retrieval
4. Sasuke retrieval
5. 3 year training trip
If I have missed anything important, let me know, and I will consider it. Here are the current votes for Sasuke's character development, this was discussed in Chapter 30 for whoever skipped it, like I said there is lot of time for the arc to arrive, so plenty of time to cast votes.
First Idea for Sasuke (ANBU commander): 2 votes
Second Idea for Sasuke (Double Agent with Orochimaru): 4 votes
The wind howled across the battered stone of the bridge, the scent of scorched chakra, lightning, and blood still lingering in the air. Mist still clung to the sides of the structure, but it no longer concealed enemies—it only served as a reminder of the long and brutal battle that had taken place.
Gato's slow, mocking clap echoed across the bridge as he stepped forward from the crowd of armed men that had gathered behind him. At least three hundred thugs stood behind the crooked businessman, all armed with blades, clubs, spears—some barely dressed for combat, but each with the ugly hunger for violence in their eyes.
The battered shinobi watched him, warily.
Zabuza, still kneeling from the effects of Kakashi's hounds, raised his head slightly, the old fire beginning to burn again behind his tired, cold eyes. He locked eyes with the man who had hired him. "What are you doing here, Gato?" he asked, voice gruff.
Gato's twisted grin widened, enjoying the stunned looks still lingering on the ninja's faces. "What, me? Oh, I just came to check on my investment... and clean up loose ends." He chuckled lowly, then turned his head slightly toward his amassed forces.
"You see, Zabuza," he said, stepping forward boldly now, "I never planned to pay you. You're a missing-nin. People like you are expensive, hard to control. If you got killed, I'd let these boys finish off the Leaf team. If you won? Same plan. You'd be too worn out to stop them. Either way—cheaper than paying a demon."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
"And as for your little tool…" Gato's sneering gaze shifted to Haku, who was still lying on the ground nearby, struggling to lift herself, her body twitching from the earlier electric assault.
Gato chuckled coldly. "She broke my arm. I'm gonna enjoy repaying that debt. I'll break her spirit first—then hand her over to my men. They'll love her."
The disgust was immediate and sharp. Kakashi's eye narrowed, pure contempt rising behind the Sharingan. Sasuke visibly bristled, fists clenched at his sides. Naruto's head slowly lowered, his hair shadowing his face.
Even Zabuza froze.
Kakashi turned slightly toward his summoned hounds, his voice quiet. "Release him."
The dogs vanished in puffs of smoke, fading from around Zabuza's bloodied limbs. He took a slow breath, growling as he stood shakily to his feet. The wounds on his arms were still fresh, bleeding through the makeshift wrappings. Every muscle protested, but he stepped forward anyway.
He limped across the bridge to where his massive blade, Kubikiribōchō, lay embedded in the stone. He grabbed the hilt and yanked it free with effort. It wasn't graceful—but it was enough.
He looked at Kakashi, voice lower now. "We're not enemies anymore."
Kakashi gave a single nod in return.
Naruto stepped forward beside them, his orange chakra cloak long gone, but the fire in his eyes was still burning. "I'm fighting too."
Sasuke walked up beside him, his dual-bladed spear in hand, the gleam of lightning chakra still flickering softly along its length. "You're not getting all the credit, dobe."
Kakashi looked at both of them, the instinct to stop them rising for just a moment—but then he saw it. That same determined look, the same refusal to back down, the same will to fight for what was right. It was in both their eyes. There was no stopping them now.
"...Very well," Kakashi muttered. "But this time we move together."
He turned toward Hinata, who stood close to Haku, her body still trembling from exhaustion and the aftermath of her brutal fight. She looked like she wanted to protest.
"You've done more than enough," Kakashi said softly. "Watch over her. Keep her safe."
Hinata gave a slow nod, swallowing the disappointment and focusing on Haku, whose breathing was ragged. There was pain in her eyes… but also something else. Regret.
Zabuza dragged his sword over his shoulder and looked up, the edge of his lips curling into something not quite a smile, not quite a sneer. His voice was a low growl. "Hey, Gato."
The little man flinched.
"You wanted to see a demon?" Zabuza began walking forward now, his massive form straightening despite the pain. "I'll show you one."
"Kill them!" Gato screamed, stepping back in panic. "Kill all of them, what are you waiting for!?"
The bandits hesitated for a heartbeat.
Then they charged.
Three hundred men surged forward with a roar. Their footsteps pounded the bridge like a war drum. Blades were raised. Screams echoed. Metal glinted in the gray morning light.
But on the other side of the bridge stood four shinobi—wounded, tired, and bloodied—but unbroken.
Zabuza, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke took their stances. The wind roared around them, blowing back cloaks and lifting loose debris across the shattered surface of the bridge. For a single moment, there was only stillness. Breath held. Weapons raised.
Then they moved.
Zabuza charged first, swinging his great blade in a wild arc, tearing through the first line like paper. Kakashi followed, his Sharingan tracking every movement, disabling men with precise strikes.
Naruto and Sasuke dashed forward, back to back as they fought through the chaos. Naruto created a barrage of clones, weaving through the ranks, using Crimson Tide to cut through weapons and disarm attackers. Sasuke struck with Hakutora, channeling lightning through its dual heads, shocking and stunning anyone foolish enough to get close.
The four of them tore into the army, not as four individuals—but as a single, unified force.
The battle raged with unrelenting fury. Screams of pain, the clash of metal, and the crunch of bodies hitting the stone bridge filled the air. But amidst the chaos, a few stood like titans.
Zabuza was a whirlwind of destruction. Despite the wounds from Kakashi's hounds, he fought like a man possessed. Each swing of Kubikiribōchō cleaved through multiple opponents, his years of merciless experience showing in every calculated cut. He was all brutality and momentum, carving his way through the bandits like a blade through mist.
Kakashi, meanwhile, had pulled down his forehead protector to cover his Sharingan, conserving chakra for when it truly mattered. But even without his famed eye, he was a blur on the battlefield. His movements were fluid and precise, blending taijutsu and swift kunai strikes as he slipped through gaps in the enemy formation. Bandits barely had time to scream before falling unconscious—or worse.
In the middle of it all, Naruto and Sasuke locked eyes.
They didn't need to speak.
The two leapt in opposite directions, both aiming for the densest clusters of enemies. They soared above the battlefield like shooting stars, then crashed down into the ranks of bandits with devastating force.
Sasuke landed first. He spun Hakutora, channeling lightning chakra into both ends of the spear. Sparks snapped and danced across the steel as he began twirling the weapon faster and faster. Then, he took one firm step and swung it in a wide, sweeping arc.
"Storm Serpent Arc!"
A crackling ring of lightning burst out from him in all directions. The shockwave traveled in a perfect eight-meter radius, frying the weapons of the incoming bandits and electrocuting dozens where they stood. The air shimmered with the static discharge as enemies fell convulsing or collapsed unconscious, twitching.
Not to be outdone, Naruto landed with a skid and immediately hurled Crimson Tide ten meters forward, the blade whistling through the air like a blood-red comet.
"Uzumaki Kenjutsu: Crimson Dance!" he shouted.
The moment the sword touched the ground, Naruto disappeared in a blur of speed, his body enveloped in a high-velocity shunshin. He appeared behind the blade, grabbing the hilt in a spinning motion before launching himself again—ten meters ahead, another shunshin. Then again. And again.
Each time, his blade danced through the ranks of bandits in a circular arc, striking at necks, legs, torsos—any opening he saw. Within moments, a perfect crimson circle had formed around him, painted with the blood of fallen foes.
Bandits within that area dropped like flies, many unable to even comprehend what had hit them.
Naruto finally skidded to a halt in the center of his handiwork, breathing hard, his blade stained but gleaming.
Around him, silence briefly took hold in that radius. Then, more shouts came as more bandits filled the space, but now… many were beginning to hesitate.
Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other across the battlefield, their breaths ragged, bodies bruised and bloodied. The bandits were still coming, albeit slower now, their numbers significantly thinned. Fear had begun to settle in their eyes, but they still pressed forward under Gato's frantic orders.
It was time to end this.
Naruto quickly formed a single shadow clone, who darted across the field, positioning himself opposite Sasuke with the original Naruto in between. They stood roughly thirty meters apart, creating a wide triangle formation.
The clone didn't waste a second. He sped through hand seals, voice firm despite the exhaustion.
"Earth Style: Mud Vines!"
From the cracked stone beneath them, dozens—then hundreds—of thick, writhing vines erupted. Naruto had poured more chakra than usual into the technique, overloading it with raw energy. The vines surged forward like a tidal wave of earth, twisting and coiling, slamming into the disoriented bandits and binding their limbs with crushing force.
Sasuke stood at the ready, fingers already forming his own set of seals. As the vines reached the heart of the enemy formation, he inhaled deeply.
"Fire Style: Flamethrower!"
A concentrated stream of fire burst from his mouth, roaring across the battlefield. The flames ignited the vines almost instantly. The mud vines, soaked with chakra and dense with earth, didn't crumble—they burned red-hot and continued moving, turning into burning, serpentine whips that slammed into the bandits. Some were pierced through, others crushed under the sheer weight of the attack, now enveloped in searing flame.
Screams echoed across the bridge. The smell of scorched stone and ash mixed with blood and fear.
But it wasn't over.
Naruto stepped forward, face set, weaving a new set of hand seals. His body screamed in protest, but he pushed through.
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
From his mouth surged a crashing torrent of water, sweeping across the already burning battlefield. The force wasn't enough to sweep enemies away, but it created the perfect conductor.
Sasuke, eyes focused, raised his hand, lightning dancing at his fingertips. He channeled his chakra carefully, compressing it until it hummed violently.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!"
He released it, and the lightning raced through the water in a blinding flash. The bandits who hadn't already fallen screamed as the electricity tore through them. The combined elemental onslaught left the remaining few dead, as concentrated electricity destroyed their nervous systems, the last embers of resistance extinguished.
The moment the attack faded, Naruto and Sasuke both collapsed onto the bridge, falling onto their backs with heavy thuds.
Naruto let out a breathless chuckle, resting his head against the cool stone. "That… was awesome."
Sasuke didn't respond right away. He lay there staring at the sky, breathing hard. "Yeah," he finally muttered. "It was."
Though Naruto had far more chakra than Sasuke, the strain of using the Kyuubi's chakra—and the toll of the battle—was heavy. His body ached, each breath a reminder of how much he had pushed past his limits.
But they had done it. The battlefield had gone quiet.
And Gato's army was no more.
Gato, now pale as a ghost and trembling like a leaf, took a shaky step back. The battlefield that had once been filled with the sounds of clashing metal and screaming men was now deathly silent, save for the slow crunch of approaching footsteps.
He turned, thinking to retreat and regroup—maybe even flee the Land of Waves entirely—but the moment he spun around, his breath caught in his throat.
Standing before him was another group—an entire crowd of villagers from the Land of Waves. At the front stood Tsunami, calm but defiant, and right next to her, Inari holding a small axe in trembling hands. Behind them, dozens of villagers stood shoulder to shoulder, holding whatever they could find: rakes, shovels, broken wooden poles, even kitchen knives. Their expressions weren't those of warriors—but of people who had been pushed too far and had finally decided to rise.
Gato's throat went dry. He turned back slowly, praying for an escape—only to freeze as the sharp tip of Kubikiribōchō met the edge of his vision.
Zabuza stood tall, his face bruised and bloodied, body trembling, but his grip on his blade was firm. His mouth curled into a devilish smirk, the kind that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who had heard the stories of the Demon of the Hidden Mist.
"End of the road, Gato," Zabuza said, voice low and guttural.
Gato backed up so quickly he nearly tripped, his eyes darting wildly between the two sides. For a brief moment, as he looked up at Zabuza, he could have sworn he saw not a man—but a demon. The mist curling behind him gave the illusion of fangs, and his blood-smeared face looked carved from vengeance itself.
"Wait! No, no, please!" Gato dropped to his knees, hands up, groveling in the filth of the bridge. "I can pay you! Double—triple what I offered before! You want power? You want women? I can get you anything—anything!"
Zabuza's expression didn't change.
He closed his eyes slowly.
Then, without a word, he raised his sword and brought it down.
Kubikiribōchō sliced cleanly through Gato's neck. His body crumpled forward as his head rolled across the stone, the last sound he ever made drowned out by the sharp, collective gasp of those watching.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then the silence was broken—by a single cheer.
And then another.
And then a thunderous wave of applause, cheers, and cries of joy exploded across the bridge as the people of the Wave lifted their voices in celebration.
Gato—the man who had drained their country, stolen their dignity, and ruled them through fear—was dead.
Zabuza turned, locking eyes with Kakashi, and managed the smallest smirk of satisfaction.
Then, his legs gave out beneath him.
With a heavy thud, the Demon of the Hidden Mist collapsed.
Two Weeks Later:
The Land of Waves had begun to flourish like never before. The mist that once loomed like a constant shadow had lifted, both literally and symbolically. The people no longer walked with fear in their hearts. Laughter had returned to the streets, stalls opened with fresh produce, and families rebuilt their broken homes with renewed hope.
The bridge—now finally completed—stood tall and proud, stretching over the ocean like a testament to their struggle and victory. It had been completed thanks in no small part to the returning workers and an army of Naruto's shadow clones, who made up for lost time with overwhelming efficiency.
Two days after the battle, Team 7 had launched a raid on Gato's remaining bases and warehouses. With Naruto's clones swarming each location, it became more like a thorough sweep than a risky operation. Every ledger, vault, and safe was emptied with systematic precision. They uncovered nearly 100 million ryo in Gato's hidden assets, a hoard he had likely stolen from countless lives and families.
Out of that, only 2 million ryo was taken as payment for the mission—now officially reclassified as S-rank due to the presence and death of Raiga Kurosuki in addition to Zabuza, Haku, and the Demon Brothers. The remaining 98 million ryo was turned over to the people of the Wave as reparations. It would go toward infrastructure, education, rebuilding destroyed homes, and helping the people create lives not built on fear.
In the process of raiding Gato's bases, Naruto's clones also found a wealth of shinobi-related supplies—scrolls filled with techniques, sealed weaponry, armor, and medical stockpiles. All of it was carefully packed and sealed into a scroll, which Naruto kept safely tucked away for later examination.
Meanwhile, on a quiet cliff overlooking the sea, Zabuza and Haku had buried Raiga. Though the man had been a bloodthirsty lunatic, he was still a shinobi who had fought with everything he had. Zabuza offered no prayer, but he did mutter something about warriors deserving rest. Haku stood silently beside him, her expression unreadable. Zabuza kept the Kiba Blades with himself, hoping to find someone worthy to use them in the future.
Ranmaru, upon hearing of Raiga's death, had broken down. He didn't speak to anyone for days, retreating into himself. The only one he seemed willing to talk to was Haku—someone who understood what it meant to dedicate your life to someone else and then lose them. The two spent hours in quiet company, rarely speaking, but the bond between them slowly strengthened.
Haku, though reserved at first, began warming up to the rest of the team. She started sharing quiet conversations with Hinata, who admired her control and grace in battle. Sasuke acknowledged her strength, especially her Ice Release, and even Naruto, in his loud and direct way, managed to make her smile once or twice with his sincerity and boundless energy.
Zabuza, never one for words or crowds, found his own way to contribute. He and Haku often returned from early morning trips carrying huge catches of fish, enough to feed half the village for days. It was a small act, but for Zabuza, it was more than he'd ever offered anyone before.
Sasuke and Hinata took it upon themselves to train the villagers. The adults who wished to defend their families and the children who dreamed of becoming strong enough to protect their homes all gathered in a small training ground set up near Tazuna's house. Basic taijutsu, self-defense, and how to wield simple weapons—Sasuke handled the more direct lessons with the adults, while Hinata guided the younger ones with patience and care.
Flashback — Two Days Earlier
Naruto stirred as the fuinjutsu-ninjutsu hybrid clone he had sent to Uzushiogakure finally returned. The moment the clone dispelled, the influx of memories hit him like a crashing wave. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed where he stood, the sheer weight of information and sensory overload knocking him unconscious for nearly an entire day.
When he finally awoke, drenched in sweat and panting, the memories slowly began to unravel in his mind—vivid, layered, and more detailed than he expected.
Uzushiogakure… or what remained of it.
The ruined city had been mostly collapsed, buried beneath rubble and overgrown vegetation. The clone had scouted the perimeter, moving carefully through what was left of the outer buildings. Most were crumbled and empty—silent, broken remnants of a once-mighty village.
But then, it found something.
In the center of the ruins stood a tower, still partially intact—weather-worn, but standing. The clone assumed it was the Uzukage's tower, the former heart of the village. Inside, the air had been stale, the structure silent as the grave.
On the stone floor of the main chamber, carved into the ground, was a large spiral, the unmistakable symbol of the Uzumaki Clan. Acting on instinct and memory, the clone smeared some of Naruto's blood across the spiral.
The symbol glowed faintly, and then a rumble filled the room as a hidden staircase unsealed and opened downward.
What lay beneath was nothing short of breathtaking.
A massive underground library, untouched by time. Dust clung to the shelves, but the hundreds of scrolls and books lining them were perfectly preserved. The clone had stood there in silent awe, taking in the vast amount of knowledge stored in the hidden sanctuary of the Uzumaki legacy.
Most of the books were on sealing techniques—some so complex, even the clone couldn't comprehend them without proper study. There were entire volumes dedicated to chakra theory, chakra networks, and sealing internal and external chakra sources, as well as advanced techniques for barrier creation, jinchūriki management, and even dimensional sealing.
But the library didn't stop there. There were sections dedicated to ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and the theoretical basis of many forbidden techniques. The collection wasn't just a treasure trove—it was a lost inheritance.
The clone wasted no time.
He unsealed the hundreds of blank scrolls Naruto had sent with him and began sealing away everything he could find. Shelf by shelf, row by row, the entire library was copied and stored within the scrolls. He was methodical, careful, and fast—knowing the real Naruto would want every single piece of their clan's legacy preserved.
In the center of the room stood a giant scroll, positioned on a pedestal, surrounded by candlelight that still seemed to flicker with chakra. Though the clone couldn't fully unseal it without further preparation, he recognized it for what it likely was—a summoning scroll, most likely tied to the Uzumaki clan itself. Without hesitation, he sealed it along with the rest.
And with that, the clone had left, ensuring not a scrap of knowledge was left behind.
Flashback Over
The sun hung high above the village as the docks filled with people. Team 7, Zabuza, Haku, and Ranmaru stood together as what looked like the entire population of the Wave gathered to see them off. There were smiles, cheers, a few tears, and an air of deep gratitude hanging over the crowd.
Away from the younger group, Kakashi and Zabuza stood slightly apart, exchanging quiet words.
"So… what's next for you?" Kakashi asked, casually leaning against a post, arms crossed.
Zabuza glanced sideways at Ranmaru, who was standing with Haku and the others. "I'm taking the kid with me. He's got nowhere else to go," he said gruffly, but there was a softness in his tone Kakashi hadn't heard before. "And I just got word—there's a rebellion forming against Yagura. Full of bloodline users. They're planning to put an end to the Bloody Mist."
Kakashi raised a brow. "You thinking of joining them?"
Zabuza smirked slightly. "It's being led by Mei Terumi."
Kakashi caught the faintest blush rise on Zabuza's scarred cheeks. He didn't comment on it, only chuckled knowingly. "She your type?"
Zabuza grunted and turned away. "Tch, none of your business."
Kakashi didn't push further, the smile still in his eyes. "Well… you've changed."
Zabuza looked back at him, and for a brief second, his expression was serious, contemplative. "You're lucky, Hatake. Those two brats of yours… they're something else. I can tell from the fight on the bridge. Give them a few years, and they'll be monsters on the battlefield. Powerful ones."
Kakashi's gaze softened. "I know."
Nearby, Naruto was deep in conversation with Haku, who stood with her arms behind her back, smiling gently.
"I mean it," she said. "You didn't just save the Wave… you saved us. Me. Ranmaru. Even Zabuza. You gave us a second chance."
Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't really do much. Just hit people and yelled a lot."
"You did a lot more than that," she said warmly.
He looked at her, caught off guard by how sincere she sounded. Before he could say anything, she suddenly leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Naruto blinked, wide-eyed, completely stunned.
"W-what was that for?"
Haku, cheeks faintly pink, gave a playful smile. "For everything."
A chuckle came from behind them. Sasuke had opened one eye just in time to witness the scene. "Well, that explains the sudden temperature spike."
Naruto didn't even have time to respond before a shadow loomed over him. He barely ducked as Kubikiribōchō whooshed past, missing his head by inches.
"YOU KISSED MY DAUGHTER?!"
Zabuza stormed toward them, eyes burning with rage, his sword gripped tightly. Naruto, already sprinting away, yelled over his shoulder, "I THOUGHT SHE WAS YOUR APPRENTICE, NOT YOUR DAUGHTER! AND SHE KISSED ME!"
"IT'S THE SAME THING!"
Hinata and Haku were laughing uncontrollably, clutching their sides as Naruto ran laps around the docks with Zabuza right behind him. Kakashi eventually had to step in, grabbing Zabuza by the back of his collar.
"Easy, easy," Kakashi said calmly. "He's still a kid."
"She's not," Zabuza muttered, glaring daggers.
Naruto, breathing hard, glared at him from behind Kakashi. "You're insane, you know that?"
Eventually, things calmed, and the group faced the villagers who had gathered to say goodbye. Tazuna stepped forward, looking proud and content.
"All of you… thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. You'll always have a home here in the Land of Waves. And if you ever return, we'll welcome you as family."
Naruto looked down to find Inari standing quietly nearby, trying his best to hold in his emotions. The boy's eyes were wet, his lips trembling.
Naruto smiled, ruffling his hair. "You gonna cry, Inari?"
Inari looked up. "No… 'cause then you'll make fun of me."
Naruto crouched to his level. "It's okay to cry when you're happy."
Inari blinked at him, then noticed something. Naruto's eyes—there were tears in them too.
That was all it took. Inari lunged forward and hugged him tightly, burying his face in Naruto's chest. Naruto hugged him back, gently patting his head.
"Be strong, Inari," he whispered. "You've got what it takes."
A while later, the group finally turned to leave. As they walked away from the crowd, one of the villagers called out to Tazuna.
"Hey! What're we naming the bridge?!"
Tazuna puffed out his chest proudly. "Well, how about… The Super Tazuna Bridge?"
Everyone around him sweatdropped.
Inari rolled his eyes and stepped forward. "How about… the Great Naruto Bridge?"
Tazuna blinked, then smiled softly. He looked out over the structure, then nodded.
"I like it. He didn't just save our village—he gave us hope."
He turned to face everyone.
"From this day forward, this bridge shall be called… the Great Naruto Bridge!"