Early morning,
"Good morning... Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, Mr. Tazuna, Inari..."
Sakura walked into the living room, rubbing her sleepy eyes and greeting everyone, her expression weary.
To become the strong girl Sasuke liked as soon as possible, she had secretly trained until her chakra was depleted after the protection mission ended yesterday. Naturally, she was feeling drained now.
"Mm, let's eat..."
Kakashi looked at Sakura and nodded warmly, quite approving of her nighttime training. As an elite jonin, how could he not know about Sakura's actions?
Which teacher would refuse such a diligent student?
"By the way, did Naruto not come back last night again?
That guy seems to be working really hard these past two days..."
Tazuna looked at the empty seat next to him, sighing as he shoveled rice into his mouth.
That kid, you really can't judge a book by its cover!
"Hmph, what's the point of training hard... No matter how hard they try, they're no match for Gato, and they'll all die in the end!"
Next to him, Tazuna's grandson, Inari, scoffed with a gloomy expression.
He utterly scorned their efforts.
"Inari..."
Hearing her son's discouraging words, Tsunami quickly stepped forward to reprimand him,
to prevent further trouble.
"Kid, do you want to die?
It's one thing if you don't want to try, but you're also denying us.
If we die, what do you think will happen to your family?!
Sensei, I'll go call Naruto back for breakfast..."
Sasuke wasn't one to indulge him. He reprimanded him unceremoniously, then stood up and walked away.
Today, it seemed, was the day Naruto was destined to meet Haku!
Since they were fated to become opponents, it was better not to meet at all...
"Hmph, talking big... You guys can definitely not defeat Gato..."
Inari shouted loudly at Sasuke's retreating back, venting the panic in his heart.
Of course, he knew the consequences of failure... But he just didn't have the courage to break through that fear!
"Inari... How can you speak about Sasuke-kun like that...?"
Seeing this, Sakura couldn't tolerate it and immediately spoke up to defend Sasuke.
"What do you guys who haven't experienced pain know anyway... Gato, an existence like Gato is simply impossible to resist.
Your understanding of this country, of us, and of Gato is too naive!"
Inari roared again, making Sakura furious and about to teach this arrogant kid a lesson.
"Inari, right... I admit Sasuke's words were a bit harsh, but what he said is reality.
As for pain?
Sorry, both Sasuke and Naruto have experienced more pain than you!
But they are still bravely living strong and breaking through their respective pains..."
Kakashi interjected, beginning his 'talk no jutsu,' which made Tazuna and his daughter secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, on the other side,
"Idiot, it's time to eat..."
Sasuke sped along, finally finding Naruto asleep and giving him a sharp flick on the head.
"Ow, that hurts... Sasuke, don't hit so hard!"
Naruto instantly woke up, clutching his head and shouting, looking at Sasuke with a face full of grievance.
"Hurry up and go back to eat, we still have to go to the bridge..."
Sasuke looked around and urged him, thinking to himself that he had arrived before Haku!
Otherwise, Naruto wouldn't have been asleep.
"Hehehe... Sasuke, I've already completed the training for that Wind Release ninjutsu!
Speaking of which, I have to thank you for the trick..."
Naruto, in high spirits, put an arm around Sasuke's shoulder, grinning proudly, and walked forward with Sasuke.
"Is that so? I hope you don't mess up when the time comes... If my prediction is correct, Zabuza might attack us tomorrow or the day after."
Sasuke glanced at Naruto's arm and said with a faint smile, preparing him mentally.
"Huh? Tomorrow or the day after??"
Instantly, Naruto's triumphant expression changed dramatically, falling flat.
His 'completion' of the training wasn't a 100% success or fluent use.
There was a one-third failure rate... If the attack happened tomorrow, he would be in an awkward situation... He had originally planned to show off a bit, and then practice thoroughly these two days!
"Is there a problem?"
Hearing this, Sasuke narrowed his eyes and questioned, secretly amazed at the power of the Shadow Clone cheat device!
"No, of course not..."
How could Naruto let Sasuke see he was bragging? He immediately patted his chest and stammered,
though he was panicking internally.
"Oh? There's a pretty young lady over there..."
In his confusion, Naruto's gaze shifted, and he pointed at the person approaching from the opposite direction, diverting Sasuke's attention.
"That is..."
Sasuke snapped back to reality, his gaze narrowing, and saw a beautiful girl in a pink floral kimono walking towards them.
It was Haku, the popular character of unknown gender.
At the same time,
Haku on the other side also saw Sasuke and Naruto and recognized them.
However, Haku's ninja training was rigorous.
Naturally, he remained calm and composed, walking past the two of them with an unperturbed demeanor.
"Oh? Sasuke... Hehehe... You're exposed, you sly dog..."
Seeing Sasuke's gaze secretly peeking at Haku, Naruto showed a mischievous expression and teased him.
He secretly decided that once they returned to the village, he would take Sasuke to a certain place to experience something... It would also be a repayment for the Shadow Clone training method!
"Idiot..."
Sasuke immediately retracted his gaze and said coldly, quickening his pace to leave.
Haku was a popular character, but so what?
Their positions were different; why would he gamble his life for a sentiment?
The true ninja world was clearly more cruel and realistic than the story!
Moreover, who knew if Haku was a boy or a girl...
"Don't be shy, Sasuke!
Wait for me..."
Naruto immediately shouted and chased after him, making Sasuke quicken his steps again.
"Sasuke, Naruto.
Although I'm a bit reluctant, I cannot refuse Lord Zabuza's orders.
Tomorrow might be your day of death!
Enjoy this last bond..."
Watching the two walk away together, Haku's eyes flashed with determination as he murmured.
He also had bonds!
And he could give his life for them!
The next day,
"Didn't that kid Naruto say he completed his training?
Why did he go out to train so late again last night??"
After breakfast, Tazuna looked at the soundly sleeping Naruto and complained.
That guy still seemed very unreliable...
"Well, let him rest properly.
We'll go to the bridge first... According to my estimate, Zabuza's injuries should have recovered in these two days!
We need to be cautious..."
Kakashi said with a grave and determined expression, then turned to look at Tazuna and Sasuke beside him.
"Understood..."
Sasuke nodded in agreement, then followed Kakashi and Tazuna out of the room.
After meeting up with Sakura, the four of them headed to the Great Bridge.