Ambush after ambush.
From the two ordinary Chūnin assassins to the elite jōnin-level threat of Zabuza Momochi, this C-rank mission had long since gone beyond its classification. The difficulty had escalated straight to A-rank — just as Kakashi had said earlier.
If any ordinary genin team had been sent on this assignment, they would have perished countless times over. Even a team led by Asuma Sarutobi or Kurenai Yūhi would have struggled. Asuma's combat style, though formidable, was not specialized for prolonged endurance battles like Kakashi's, and Kurenai's genjutsu-based expertise would have been far less effective in the thick mist of the battlefield.
So when Tazuna called himself "lucky," he wasn't wrong.
After surviving Zabuza and Haku's attacks, "lucky" was an understatement.
Following the intense battle, Team 7 and Tazuna resumed their journey.
The rest of the trip proved peaceful — no further ambushes, no signs of enemy pursuit.
Eventually, they reached the narrow strait separating the Land of Fire from the Land of Waves. There, Tazuna arranged a small wooden ferry to take them across the misty waters to his homeland — the tiny island nation known as the Land of Waves.
By the time they arrived, night had already fallen.
But to everyone's surprise, even the wealthiest part of the country — the town closest to the harbor — was shrouded in near-total darkness.
For Naruto, Sakura, and the others, who were used to the glowing lanterns and lively streets of Konoha, the silence and lack of light felt unsettling.
As they walked the quiet path toward Tazuna's seaside home, Naruto couldn't help blurting out,
"Why don't people here turn on their lights at night? Old man, are folks in the Land of Waves just early sleepers? Isn't this a bit too early?"
Tazuna let out a weary sigh and smiled bitterly.
"No, Naruto… it's not that we sleep early. It's because we're poor. Too poor, in fact. Many families can't even afford electricity. So they save whatever they can — food, warmth, and yes, even light."
His voice carried quiet sorrow.
A nation impoverished in every sense.
Even power was a luxury.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock.
Growing up in Konoha — especially as the son of the Hokage — he had never known what true poverty felt like. He could only try to imagine it from Tazuna's words, but the weight of it still felt foreign to him.
They continued walking until they reached a modest house at the edge of the coast.
Compared to the rest of the Land of Waves, Tazuna's home seemed better off — the warm glow of lamplight spilled faintly through its windows.
As he looked upon his house, Tazuna's eyes misted. This journey had been long and perilous. He had nearly died — several times. The thought of never seeing his family again had haunted him, and now, standing here alive, relief flooded him.
"I'm home! Tsunami! Inari!"
He pushed the door open eagerly and called out with unrestrained joy.
A woman with soft features appeared in the corridor. The moment she heard that familiar voice, her face lit up in pure relief.
"Father! You're back!"
This was Tsunami — Tazuna's only daughter.
"Yes, I'm home," Tazuna said warmly. "Tsunami, we have guests — shinobi from the Hidden Leaf Village! Prepare something nice for dinner tonight. We owe them a feast!"
Seeing his daughter's face, the hardened bridge builder softened completely.
Tsunami smiled and bowed slightly when she noticed Kakashi and the others behind her father.
"Welcome, ninja from the Hidden Leaf. Please make yourselves at home — I'll start dinner right away."
"Ah, no need to go all out," Kakashi said with his usual lazy smile. "We're used to eating whatever's available. It doesn't have to be fancy."
He wasn't being polite — it was the truth.
Shinobi were used to missions that demanded days of travel, cold nights under the stars, and meals that barely counted as food. Even genin were trained for survival. The Academy's higher-level curriculum included wilderness survival drills — mock missions in Konoha's outer forests — to prepare them for life outside the village's safety.
So, Kakashi's team really wasn't picky.
"Understood," Tsunami said with a kind smile before heading to the kitchen.
Kakashi, Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura followed Tazuna inside and settled in the main hall.
As Menma passed the hallway, he caught sight of a small figure peeking from behind the corner — a child with dark hair and curious eyes.
The moment their eyes met, the boy darted back into hiding.
That must be Tazuna's grandson, Menma thought, raising an eyebrow. Inari, right?
He didn't dwell on it. The child wasn't his concern.
For Menma, this mission had two clear objectives now: protect Tazuna until the bridge was complete — and find an opportunity to bleed Gato dry.
Money wasn't everything, but without it, you couldn't do much in this world.
And Gato — the corrupt shipping magnate who had turned the Land of Waves into a puppet state — was swimming in wealth.
That man's practically a walking treasure chest, Menma mused. And unlike the original Team 7, I won't waste that opportunity.
Dinner came soon after.
Despite her modest means, Tsunami prepared a full meal — rice, vegetables, and even fish. It was clear she had used every bit of what she had to thank them.
When the meal ended and the warmth of conversation faded, Sasuke suddenly stood.
His expression was sharp, focused.
"Kakashi-sensei, I have something I want to ask you."
It was inevitable.
Ever since their first battle against Zabuza, Sasuke had been unable to ignore the Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye — the Uchiha clan's secret dōjutsu.
He'd wanted to ask before, but the timing was never right — they were either fighting, traveling, or recovering. Now, with a moment of peace, curiosity overtook restraint.
Kakashi, seeing the look in Sasuke's eyes, nodded.
"All right. Let's talk outside."
He rose calmly and gestured for Sasuke to follow. The two stepped out into the cool night air.
Menma, who had been about to speak himself, sighed and leaned back.
He beat me to it…
He had his own questions for Kakashi — but they'd have to wait.
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