---
"Seems like there's something else we don't quite know?" Kakashi tapped the metal plate on his glove with a fingernail, looking towards Tazuna, the only one still seated in the house.
Tazuna clearly recalled some sad memories, taking off his glasses to wipe tears from the corners of his eyes. After pausing for a moment, he began narrating to the group seated at the table.
".~The person torn off was Inari's stepfather, Kaiza."
"He was a fisherman from a foreign country. Because he saved Inari from drowning, the two had a very good relationship."
"Later, he also became a member of our family."
"Kaiza was young and strong, an excellent swimmer. Not only was he an important family member, but also an indispensable person for this town."
"This place is surrounded by sea. During the rainy season, the surrounding floodwaters easily breached the dams. Kaiza crossed the raging currents several times to secure ropes onto the riverbanks."
"Everyone respected him greatly."
Naruto rested his chin on the table with a smile. Perhaps because he lived alone, he quite liked this kind of family story.
"Around that time, Gato suddenly came here, monopolized all sea transport, and later forced the young and able-bodied men to build those superficial buildings by the sea."
"Although everyone was angry, due to Gato having many armed forces around him, most people obediently went to build."
"Later, Gato's oppression intensified daily. Many people couldn't even afford food because of it. During the construction period, Kaiza discovered that trade with the Land of Water continued as usual."
"He realized Gato was manipulating things behind the scenes, so he wanted to cross the sea to inform the Land of Water on the opposite shore about the situation here."
"At that time, no one knew Gato had already placed informants nearby. Anyone trying to cross the sea would be captured."
"Because Kaiza had great influence in the town, Gato intended to make an example of him to intimidate the masses, so naturally—"
"He was publicly executed."
Due to Kaiza's public execution, the townspeople, already fearful of Gato, became even more timid. If even a hero could be killed, they, ordinary people, had even less motivation. Inari also lost faith in words like 'hero' from then on, looking gloomy all day long.
The atmosphere at the table instantly fell silent. Kakashi tapped the metal plate on the back of his hand idly. Saying anything at this time felt useless; it felt like outsiders like them couldn't really interfere in such family matters.
"I'll prove it to him!"
"I'll prove that heroes still exist in this world!" Naruto slammed the table and stood up, looking fierce. Whether the skinny children outside or the adults walking around with lifeless expressions... this place wasn't supposed to be like this.
Although Tazuna and Naruto didn't quite click, it wasn't easy for the kid to say such words.
"Your current abilities aren't enough to prove anything yet. Before encountering enemies, hurry up and train." Only Naruto could say such blunt words regardless of the atmosphere.
Kakashi's visible eye curved into a smile. He got up and patted Naruto's shoulder from behind.
Ninjas hired in the Land of Waves were basically from Kirigakure. Although that place had heavily promoted tourism in recent years after getting a new Mizukage, looking quite open... in reality, those were just external appearances. All intel regarding ninjas and the Mizukage within Kirigakure was still shrouded in mist; outsiders like them didn't even know what the new Mizukage looked like.
Although the two encountered earlier were only Kirigakure Chunin level, almost every move was lethal, all attacks aimed to kill. Next up would definitely be Jonin-level opponents.
Although Naruto and Sasuke had considerable potential – one a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the other the Uchiha survivor – facing Jonin now would surely result in defeat.
Kakashi, intending for the three to quickly master chakra control, decisively took them to the forest for training after lunch, starting with the most basic exercise: running up trees using their feet.
"Hmm, this is quite interesting. Too bad I don't need it." Hatake Kuroshi lay lazily among the tree branches, watching Kakashi stand upside down on a nearby tree like a bat, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.
He didn't need to train cursed energy usage. Whether teleportation speed or the Limitless technique, they almost guaranteed he wouldn't be hit 100% of the time. Looks like a max-level player watching level-10 newbies grind, and finding it quite amusing.
The group trained until the sky turned completely dark before returning dirty to Tazuna's house. Compared to Sakura, who had long mastered chakra control, Naruto and Sasuke's progress seemed somewhat slow.
Naruto ate dinner and then slumped onto the table, squinting his eyes, looking quite weary. Due to the urgency, Kakashi had been quite strict with the three. After all, they were just three kids; overtraining easily made them sleepy.
Inari maintained a cold expression during dinner. Rather, this brat's face hadn't brightened up at all, acting cocky all day, looking quite annoying.
Inari stared at Naruto opposite the table. When Kakashi and the others were training in the afternoon, Inari had secretly watched. But having witnessed them rolling down trees countless times that afternoon, Inari increasingly felt these people were unreliable.
But looking at Naruto's squinting face, Inari inevitably thought of his own father. They were both people striving to prove themselves and pursue their dreams, but Kaiza had clearly served as a precedent. In Inari's eyes, Naruto and the others' actions were merely a preview of repeating the same mistake.
The more Inari looked, the sadder he felt. He stood up abruptly and shouted at Naruto across the table.
"Why try so hard! Even if you train hard, you definitely can't beat Gato's men!"
"Anyway, no matter how many nice words you say, how hard you try, in front of true strength, the weak can only be defeated!"
Naruto was stunned by his yelling, looking inexplicably at the tearful Inari. Although he could understand Inari's sadness, becoming cowardly and submissive because of it, and even saying discouraging things about others... felt very annoying no matter how you thought about it.
"You're so annoying! I'm not like you."
"Besides evading and crying, do you think being miserable gives you the right to negate others' efforts? Crybaby." Besides, they were the ones working hard. Even if killed, it was their business. What right did bystanders like Inari have to shout? Meddling unnecessarily.
Naruto was already somewhat frustrated from training. Being yelled at upon returning made his words a bit harsh.
"No need to be so harsh, Naruto." No matter what, Inari was just an ordinary child. Experiencing such things, it was inevitable he'd feel down. Naruto really didn't need to be so fierce. Sakura hesitated, looking left and right.
Unfortunately, Sasuke and Kakashi beside them were just watching the drama unfold, showing no intention of mediating.
Naruto pouted, didn't reply, and stood up unhappily, heading into a nearby room.
Sasuke wasn't interested in the hero theory, nor the 'effort is useless' theory. He was just a ruthless revenge machine. Whether for the Uchiha clan or for his brother forced to become a missing-nin... Sasuke looked down on both viewpoints, naturally watching the commotion from the sidelines with his chin propped on his hands.
"Sigh..." Kakashi raised an eyebrow, looking at the sobbing Inari across the table, unable to help sighing with a bit of a headache. This was his first time leading a team, after all. It felt quite different from usual, where simply completing missions efficiently, either alone or coordinating with teammates, was enough. These were all kids, speaking and acting without much thought. Being a Jonin leader also involved this kind of clean-up work. Educating his own team, then counseling others... being a teacher really isn't easy.
Kakashi's thoughts drifted inexplicably to his unreliable older brother. That person started teaching students much earlier, right? Should I go back and ask him for some educational experience?
Late at night, Kakashi specifically found Inari brooding alone outside the door and explained Naruto's situation to him.
...
Early the next morning.
Shortly after dawn, Naruto and the others were still groggily sitting on the tatami mats, getting dressed. A series of urgent knocks instantly broke the calm atmosphere in the room.
Tazuna opened the door to see an anxious face.
"Bad news! Gato took people to the bridge this morning! They injured the workers and said they're going to blow up the bridge today!"
Gato had been reluctant to target the bridge mainly because it was too close to the Land of Fire; a large explosion could easily attract attention. Whether good or bad, the more attention drawn to the Land of Waves, the more disadvantageous it was for Gato.
However, at this point, if the bridge wasn't destroyed, the closer it got to completion, the easier it would be for people to discover things. Seizing the opportunity while Zabuza and Haku were still under his command, he might as well use this chance to eliminate them all. Not just Tazuna and that eyesore of a bridge; if Zabuza and Haku died along with those people, it would be even better.
Gato had only recently realized Zabuza and Haku were actually spies. All along, these two had been coordinating with the Land of Water from the inside out, slowly weakening his financial power considerably. Gato, having unknowingly lost too much income, finally belatedly realized something was wrong.
Upon careful investigation, the timing of Haku and Zabuza's arrival in the Land of Waves coincided shortly after Kaiza's death. Some internal documents also didn't add up, likely secretly altered by these two. It was too late now to try and recover the assets. Just taking advantage of the Konoha ninjas' arrival, let them kill each other off.
"Hmph, thinking you can keep me in the dark isn't that simple." Gato tossed the walkie-talkie onto the sofa. When these people fought until both sides were exhausted, he just needed to reap the benefits.
...
Upon receiving the news, Team 7 and Tazuna rushed towards the bridge.
Meanwhile, in the forest, two figures holding katanas were leisurely testing their blades on various objects.
After Gato released the news about blowing up the bridge, Tazuna's group would definitely head there. To prevent any further changes from that guy, Gato sent men to take advantage of this gap to kidnap either Inari or Tsunami. Their mission was to head to Tazuna's house for the kidnapping after the group left.
Clack.
A sudden, distinct sound of candy wrappers came from behind.
The two men holding katanas turned their heads simultaneously. Seeing an unarmed youth dressed in black, arrogant smiles appeared on both their faces.
"Was just thinking there was nothing alive to test my sword on? Someone delivered himself right to our door!"
"Anyway, there's no one around here. Killing him shouldn't matter, right?"
---
Check my: p@treon.com/ShixT9 for extra 60 Chapters
A review will also be greatly appreciated ^•^