Cardo was actually killed by Uzumaki Naruto.
What shocked everyone most was how sharp and clean the cut had been—so fast that even Cardo didn't have time to react!
Everyone watching the broadcast could clearly feel the cold finality of it.
That world's Naruto didn't hesitate.
When he said he'd take Cardo's head, he meant it. He showed no mercy at all.
But what surprised everyone even more… was how young he still was.
Yet he already knew how to collect the spoils of victory!
He immediately took Cardo's outfit.
Considering how long Cardo had been plundering the Land of Waves, his clothes alone had to be worth a fortune.
Those dozen dazzling gems sewn into the fabric—just those alone—were worth a small fortune!
---
Kakuzu: "Naruto's a good kid. He's got the right mindset to be a ninja."
Hidan: "As expected—strength is the only thing you can rely on!"
Kakuzu: "Wrong. The only thing you can trust… is money."
Deidara: "You take money way too seriously, Kakuzu."
White Zetsu: "Hey, money is important!"
Sarutobi Asuma: "Wait a second… doesn't Naruto already have a lot of money?"
Haruno Sakura: "Maybe the Naruto in that world is already saving up to buy a new house for me—to marry me in!"
Yamanaka Ino: "You're such a love-struck idiot!"
---
Although Naruto took all of Cardo's wealth, no one criticized him for it.
Everyone was surprised, but no one said anything.
After all, they'd all done this kind of thing during missions before.
The only difference?
It had never been broadcast live before!
---
Senju Hashirama: "Honestly, it seems like that Naruto—black-framed world Naruto—is doing a much better job than ours did!"
Namikaze Minato: "True. If not for him, Zabuza and Haku wouldn't have survived. Thanks to him, they were able to live and witness the transformation of the Hidden Mist Village under the new Mizukage."
Senju Tobirama: "Has anyone else noticed how even Sasuke and little Sakura from Team 7 became more powerful thanks to Naruto's influence?"
---
Everyone agreed with the Second Hokage.
Sasuke from the white-framed world, after enduring harsh beatings and extreme pressure, finally awakened his dual tomoe Sharingan.
But Sasuke from the black-framed world?
He had already activated his dual tomoe Sharingan while fighting Haku!
Even though Haku had the extremely rare Ice Release kekkei genkai, it wasn't enough.
He couldn't suppress that Sasuke.
All he could do was delay him as long as possible.
In comparison…
The Sasuke from the white-framed world was in a much worse position.
Although he eventually took a hit meant for Naruto, suffering serious injuries from Haku's attack...
If Haku hadn't held back—
That attack could've easily snapped his neck.
He might've died on the spot, following in the footsteps of Uchiha Fugaku!
---
Uchiha Fugaku: "..."
Uchiha Sasuke: "Tch... Even though I was a little stronger in that world, the gap between me and Naruto is still massive!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, full of frustration.
He had seen it clearly.
During the Wave Country mission, he was indeed stronger in the black-framed world.
But even so—
He still felt like he was the one slowing the team down.
He couldn't compare to Naruto's overwhelming presence!
---
"Why the hell is that guy so strong?!"
Sasuke just couldn't understand.
What annoyed him even more was that—
The version of himself in the black-framed world...
Though he still competed with Naruto, refusing to admit defeat,
It was obvious to everyone that he respected Naruto.
In fact, it seemed like he had already accepted Naruto as the real leader of Team 7!
Even during training sessions, like practicing tree walking and water walking,
That Sasuke actually asked Naruto for advice!
---
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Sasuke could hardly hold back.
He wanted nothing more than to charge into the black-framed world and beat up Naruto himself.
---
Naruto Uzumaki: "..."
Naruto saw Sasuke glaring at him with cold hostility and was completely baffled.
"What… what does this have to do with me?
If you're so mad, why don't you go beat that Naruto?"
---
[With Cardo's death, the rest of his men instantly panicked.]
There was no reason to continue fighting.
First, they were no match for Naruto and the others.
Second, their employer was now dead.
No one would risk their life without pay.
They tried to flee, planning to loot the nearby villages of the Land of Waves before disappearing.
But before they could get far—
They saw hundreds of people gathered at the bridgehead, blocking their escape!
---
These weren't trained soldiers or ninjas.
They were ordinary citizens of the Land of Waves, carrying their usual work tools as weapons.
And leading them was none other than Dazna's grandson—Inari!
---
Inari: "Brother Naruto, thank you! The Land of Waves has courage again, all because of you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd behind him echoed with a powerful cheer.
Cardo's thugs were nothing more than bandits.
There were very few actual ninjas among them, and those had already been eliminated by Kakashi and Sasuke.
The rest—faced with the bravery of the villagers—simply gave up.
They dropped their weapons and surrendered on the spot.
---
With that, the entire incident in the Land of Waves came to a satisfying end.
---
[One week later...]
The bridge construction was finally completed.
In honor of the hero who had protected them, Dazna officially named it the Naruto Bridge!
When it was time for Team 7 to leave, Tsunami came to personally send Naruto off.
She walked up slowly and kissed Naruto gently on the forehead.
---
Tenten: "So that's what a 'personal farewell' means? That's both literal and symbolic!"
Yamanaka Ino: "What?! She kissed Naruto?! That means I'm only going to be second?!"
Haruno Sakura: "What are you talking about, Ino? I was the second one! In that world, Naruto and I already had physical contact!"
Yamanaka Ino: "Pfft. That tiny moment counts? Wait till Naruto meets a real woman—he'll ditch you, frying pan girl!"
Haruno Sakura: "What did you say, you b***h, Ino?!"
Yamanaka Ino: "Did I hit a sore spot?"
Haruno Sakura: "Just you wait. I'll be the first to win over Naruto in that world!"
Yamanaka Ino: "Next up should be the Chūnin Exams, right? Heh… just watch. Naruto will fall in love with me!"
---
As the two girls argued fiercely in the group chat, their obsession over Naruto had become completely obvious.
Everyone else watched in stunned silence.
---
Only Orochimaru's face grew pale.
"Oh no...
At the rate that Naruto's growing, am I really going to get beaten in the Forest of Death?"
He had a very bad feeling.
It wasn't that Orochimaru minded wearing women's clothing for his infiltration—
But he knew that if he lost to Naruto now,
That old man Sarutobi Hiruzen would never let him live it down!
---
The person Orochimaru hated most in the world was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Back then, Orochimaru had clearly been the most talented.
Hiruzen even promised to make him the Fourth Hokage.
But in the end, because of his scientific experiments, they kicked him out of the village?
Why?
Did the Second Hokage—Senju Tobirama—not do similar experiments?
He'd even pioneered many of them!
Was it because Orochimaru was "just a snake" with no clan background?
He never got over that betrayal.
That's why he established the Hidden Sound Village—Otogakure.
To fulfill his ambition.
And to prove...
He was worthy of the title "Shadow."