š HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! šāØ
š„ Let's welcome our newest adventurerā¦ āļø Baumi_350z! āļø šā”ļø Our journey just leveled UP with his arrival!
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The bridge was silent. The only sounds were the waves crashing below and the soft, distant murmurs of the approaching villagers.
Zabuza stood still, his bloodied blade resting against his shoulder as he gazed down at GatƓ's lifeless body. The once-arrogant businessman now lay motionless in a pool of his own blood, his beady eyes still frozen in shock.
"Hmph. We'll meet again in hell, you bastard." Zabuza muttered, his voice cold, devoid of emotion.
With a flick of his wrist, he shook the blood off KubikiribÅchÅ, letting the crimson droplets splatter onto the bridge.
Haku, meanwhile, had finished off the last of GatƓ's mercenaries. Their bodies littered the ground, groaning in pain or unmoving altogether. He stepped over them without hesitation, his usual serene face calm but his eyes sharp with awareness.
As he reached Zabuza's side, he finally spoke. "What do we do now, Zabuza-sama?"
Zabuza glanced at GatƓ's corpse one last time, then turned his gaze toward Kakashi. The Copy Ninja was still on guard, his single visible eye narrowed, muscles coiled like a spring ready to strike at any moment.
A scoff escaped Zabuza's lips. "Tch. Since our employer is deadā¦ there's no reason to stay."
His gaze darkened slightly. "We're leaving."
Kakashi didn't move, his Sharingan was still fixed on Zabuza, studying him for any tricks.
"ā¦ If fate allows it, we'll meet again somewhere."
Then, Zabuza's gaze shifted to Naruto.
That bratā¦
The one who punched him so hard his jaw still ached.
His eyes locked onto the blonde, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.
"Kid."
Naruto raised a brow, crossing his arms. "Yeah?"
Zabuza exhaled through his nose, gripping his sword tighter. "That fist of yoursā¦ I'll remember it. And next time, I'll pay you back twice over."
Naruto grinned, his eyes burning with confidence. "You won't get the chance."
Zabuza's smirk widened slightly. "ā¦Oh?"
Naruto's tone was cocky but firm. "Because from here on outā¦ I'm only getting stronger."
For a second, there was silence.
ThenāZabuza chuckled.
A deep, amused, dangerous chuckle.
"ā¦Heh. We'll see."
With that, he turned away, his massive blade resting against his back as he began walking. Haku followed without hesitation, his footsteps were soft against the bloodstained bridge.
The two of them vanished into the mist, their figures swallowed by the shadows of the forest.
Only after Zabuza and Haku were completely gone did Kakashi finally relax.
He let out a slow breath, reaching up to cover his Sharingan eye once more.
"ā¦That was a bit difficult this time." He muttered under his breath.
Tazuna, who had been holding his breath the entire time, finally exhaled loudly. "No kidding!"
Sakura, meanwhile, wasn't even paying attention to the conversation.
Her gaze was fixed on Naruto.
Her Naruto-sama.
She watched him stand there, grinning confidently, his golden hair glistening under the rising sun.
Such a cunning masterā¦ He orchestrated everything perfectly.
She bit her lip, her fingers subtly curling against her dress. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she stole a glance at his hands, remembering the way they had firmly grabbed her wrist before.
----
The battle had ended, yet the air still buzzed with the remnants of tension and adrenaline. Blood stained the bridge, the bodies of GatÅ's men lay scattered, and the mist that once shrouded everything had now completely lifted, revealing the victorious battlefield.
Zabuza and Haku had disappeared into the distance, leaving nothing but their fading presence behind.
And just as the dust seemed ready to settle, a series of footsteps echoed through the bridge.
Naruto's ears twitched. His sharp senses, already heightened from battle, immediately picked up the rapid approach.
His gaze snapped toward the village's direction.
A wave of people surged forwardāa sea of villagersĀ armed not with shinobi weapons, but with pitchforks, rusty knives, wooden clubs, and farming scythes. Their movements were firm and unrelenting, their steps heavy with determination and unity.
At the very front of the crowd, leading them all, was none other than Inari.
The small boy, who once sobbed in despair, now ran with unwavering resolve. His hands gripped a crossbow tightly, his knuckles white from how fiercely he held onto it. His face, once filled with doubt and hopelessness, was now set with unshakable determination.
Naruto's lips curled into a grin. "Inari!"
Inari skidded to a stop, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. But exhaustion did not show in his expressionāonly pride, resolve, and fire.
With a bold smirk, he straightened himself and declared.
"Heroes always arrive on the scene late!"
His voice rang loud and clear, echoing across the bridge like a battle cry.
Naruto felt a warmth spread in his chest. His eyes softened slightly as he took in the sight before him.
This kidā¦
Just days ago, this was the same boy who had broken down in tears, believing that fighting back was impossible, that hope was a fragile, fleeting thing meant only for fools.
But now,Ā he stood at the forefront of a revolution.
Behind him, the villagers roared in unity, their voices shaking the air with newfound bravery and defiance.
"For our home!"
"For our freedom!"
"We'll never be afraid again!"
Tazuna's body visibly trembled. His old, calloused hands clenched at his sides as his wide, tear-filled eyes took in the impossible sight.
His grandsonāthe same boy who had once cried in his arms, mourning the loss of his father, convinced that hope had no place in this cruel worldāwas now leading the very people who had once given up.
Tazuna let out a choked breath, his heart swelling with both sorrow and pride.
"ā¦Inariā¦ You guysā¦"
His voice cracked, and the tears finally fell.
These were the people of his villageāhis home.
They had been broken. Beaten down by fear. Forced to accept their suffering.
And yet, here they stood, unbowed, unyielding, and ready to fight.
Sakura, who had initially been startled by the sudden arrival, now stood frozen in sheer awe.
They really cameā¦
Her gaze drifted to Naruto, her fingers clenching into fists.
Naruto-samaā¦
Everything he touches changes.
This wasn't just an accident. This wasn't just fate. Naruto had done this.
She bit her lower lip, her cheeks heating as admiration swelled inside her.
He was too incredible.
Kakashi, standing quietly beside Naruto, finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His single visible eye took in the scene before himāthe people's uprising, their rekindled spirit, the sheer impact of Naruto's presence.
And then, with a small smile tugging at his lips, he murmured.
"ā¦This is what true strength looks like."
Naruto's grin widened, his golden hair ruffling in the cool ocean breeze. He tilted his head and smirked down at Inari.
"Not bad, huh?" His voice was filled with undeniable pride.
Inari beamed, his crossbow shaking slightly from how tightly he held it.
"We're ready to fight, Naruto!"
Naruto let out a chuckle, reaching over to ruffle the boy's hair.
"You already won, kid."
--- ā¦ ā¦ ā¦ ---
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