When Uzumaki Sōnagi and the others learned that Minato Namikaze was married to Uzumaki Miyuki, they were all shocked.
Sōnagi had considered the possibility of a rivalry or feud between Miyuki and Minato, but never imagined they were husband and wife.
After all, back when Sōnagi was still in Konoha, he had heard Minato was the Hokage, but no one ever connected him to Miyuki.
Sōnagi questioned with confusion, "That doesn't make sense. If Naruto is the Hokage's son, why did he have such a hard life? It seems like nobody even knows who he really is."
"Actually, most people don't know. Those few who do know have kept it a secret. At the time, Minato sacrificed both Miyuki and young Naruto for the sake of Konoha. Because of that sacrifice, their lives became extremely difficult—something directly caused by Minato and Konoha.
That's why both Miyuki and Naruto resent both Konoha and Minato. I'm telling you this because I'm afraid you might not read the room and end up asking Miyuki directly. So just pay attention and get it straight, okay?"
Chinya warned the group including Sōnagi, though in reality, it was mostly meant for Sōnagi alone.
After all, only Sōnagi might lack that sensitivity.
At times, Sōnagi could be as perceptive and cautious as Chinya, but at other times, he could be as blunt and carefree as Miyuki.
In short, Sōnagi had inherited the best and worst of both Chinya and Miyuki.
Unless things were made perfectly clear to him, Chinya couldn't be sure whether Sōnagi would truly understand what was appropriate.
Sōnagi assured Chinya, saying, "Dad, I won't go asking Aunt Miyuki about it. But tell me—who exactly was Minato? Why would he sacrifice Aunt Miyuki and Naruto?"
Chinya sneered slightly with contempt, replying, "He seemed to be a paragon of righteousness and nobility, but in truth, he was nothing more than a fraud."
From the moment Minato showed favoritism toward that Genin who bullied Miyuki as a child over Miyuki herself, Chinya had never respected Minato.
Back then, he didn't respect him—and even now, he still didn't.
...
The next day.
Zabuza and Haku arrived at the bridge under construction.
Looking at the workers building the bridge, Zabuza said to Haku, "Haku, take them out first. Then we'll wait for them to show up—it's time to decide this fight."
"Yes, Lord Zabuza."
Haku moved swiftly among the workers, knocking each unconscious.
Once all the workers on the bridge were unconscious, Haku returned behind Zabuza.
Zabuza glanced into the distance, then withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes, waiting patiently.
The direction Zabuza looked toward was where Chinya and the others were.
Meanwhile, Chinya's group had already taken the best viewing spot available, preparing to watch the spectacle begin.
At Tazuna's house.
"Is everyone ready?" Kakashi asked Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
"We're ready!"
"Then let's head out. We need to protect Mr. Tazuna as he finishes building the bridge."
Leading the group, Kakashi began escorting Tazuna to the bridge construction site.
When they arrived at the scene, Tazuna looked at his fallen companions and exclaimed in shock, "What... what's going on? What exactly happened? What's going on here?"
Kakashi's eyes turned serious as he warned, "Get ready!"
Naruto Uzumaki immediately gripped the handle of his ninja sword at his waist. Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno each pulled out kunai.
Just then, thick mist descended.
Sensing chakra within the mist, Kakashi stated grimly, "[Hiding in Mist Jutsu]! He's here!"
Kakashi's team moved to protect Mr. Tazuna in the center.
Sakura asked nervously, "Kakashi-sensei, this must be that guy's [Hiding in Mist Jutsu], right?"
Kakashi replied, "Yes. Be careful everyone. He said last time we'd have a final match, and Mr. Tazuna is the key to that match. He'll stop at nothing to kill Mr. Tazuna, so you must protect him at all costs!"
After Kakashi finished speaking, Zabuza's voice echoed from all directions.
"You made me wait, Kakashi! These brats are all here too."
Suddenly, four copies of Zabuza appeared at four different locations.
Without hesitation, Sasuke Uchiha threw two kunai, which stabbed into the chests of two Zabuzas.
Naruto Uzumaki also drew his ninja sword and struck twice with swift slashes, slicing through two of Zabuza's clones.
All four Zabuzas simultaneously dissolved into puddles of water.
"Oh? You saw through my [Water Clone Jutsu], brat? Impressive progress," Zabuza mocked. "Your opponent is those brats, Haku."
Zabuza and Haku emerged not far from Kakashi's team.
Looking toward Naruto and the others, Haku responded, "Indeed."
Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno stared seriously at Haku.
Their next opponent was most likely the young man standing before them — Haku.
Fixing his gaze firmly on Haku, Sasuke Uchiha took a step forward and declared, "I'll handle him with Naruto. Sakura, you protect Mr. Tazuna."
Sakura looked adoringly at Sasuke. "So cool, Sasuke!"
Kakashi sighed. What was the big deal about that?
"Let's begin, Haku."
Haku's figure vanished into the mist.
The next moment, he reappeared behind Sasuke Uchiha.
Holding senbon needles, Haku aimed for Sasuke's vital points.
Sasuke reacted swiftly, reversing his grip on the kunai in his hand. He abruptly turned around and blocked Haku's senbon strike.
Zabuza's mocking voice came again: "Impressive—you managed to see through Haku's speed. But..."
Haku immediately raised his leg and kicked Sasuke away.
Sasuke landed but caught himself with one hand, stabilizing his stance.
Naruto charged toward Haku, swinging his ninja sword at Haku's back.
Spinning around, Haku met the blade with his senbon.
Trying again to kick Naruto back just as he had done to Sasuke, Haku found Naruto lifting his leg first to block the attack.
Then Naruto twisted his wrist, thrusting his sword toward Haku.
Ducking sideways, Haku trapped Naruto's arms with his left elbow, preventing him from pulling back his sword.
At this moment, Sasuke Uchiha rushed toward Haku again.
Haku blocked the kunai swung at him by Sasuke Uchiha with a senbon needle in his right hand.
At that moment, Haku pinned Naruto Uzumaki's arms under his left elbow and used the senbon in his right hand to stop Sasuke's kunai.
Haku spoke calmly: "Although I don't want to kill you, it seems like neither of you has any intention to retreat."
Sasuke coldly replied: "What nonsense are you spouting? Right now, both your hands are occupied dealing with me and Naruto—you can't counterattack anymore!"
"That's not necessarily true. Next time around, you won't be able to keep up with my speed. Besides, I've already gained two advantages: one is the water around you, and the second is that I'm the one controlling both of your hands—not the other way around. Which means you can only defend against my attacks!"
With his left arm still pinning Naruto's arms, Haku began forming [Hand Seals] with just one hand, leaving everyone present in shock.
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