In his line of sight, Sasuke was panting heavily, sweat and stream water mingling on his body. Sparks of electricity continuously discharged from his hands, and several times he was even shocked by the lightning to the point of coughing up blood.
But still, he didn't give up.
This scene inexplicably reminded Inari of his own father.
The man the townspeople called a hero.
If he hadn't tried to be so strong, he wouldn't have died.
If he had chosen to be like the other townspeople, he would definitely still be by my side now.
If...If... Inari then recalled the scene from daytime: the villagers regarded these ninja as "heroes" come to save the Land of Waves.
But how could a few ninja possibly stand against Gato?! In the end, their fate would be the same as his father's... Death.
"What hero? Like an idiot. There are no heroes in this world at all," he clenched his fists and said in a low voice.
Sasuke, who was training, stopped his movements and looked at Inari, his expression cold. "Hey, kid. Aren't you going home to drink your milk at this hour? Trying to stay up late like an adult?"
Hearing Sasuke's disdainful tone, Inari only felt incomprehension and anger brewing in his chest. He took a step forward, his young voice questioning:
"Gato is someone you can't stop! Why do you have to stay and be heroes? Why?!"
"You clearly can't do it, yet you still come here to die!"
"It's truly unreasonable, incomprehensible!"
Unconsciously, Inari's face was already covered in tears.
"Tch, brat. Don't interfere with my training." Sasuke snorted coldly, his eyes ice-cold and piercing.
"So what if they're strong? I will definitely defeat them! I swore on the honor of the Uchiha that I would not fear, would not retreat, and would definitely fight to the death until the very last second!"
"As for you, crying like a sissy, thinking you're the protagonist of a tragedy all day long."
"Let me tell you, there's plenty of strength in this world, but it's precisely because of that that effort becomes so precious! Being strong isn't terrifying; what's terrifying is not having the heart to become stronger! I will continuously grow stronger, strong enough to surpass everything! The so-called Gato is just a stepping stone for me!"
"A crybaby like you will only wallow in self-pity and tears, immersed in the pain of losing a loved one."
"In my opinion, you're just a good-for-nothing!"
After speaking, Sasuke paid no more attention to Inari and continued his training.
Sasuke saw a shadow of himself in Inari.
Back then, he too had been immersed in the pain of his clan's annihilation, living like a walking corpse all day, like a waste.
So he detested those who wouldn't work hard, those who gave up easily.
"I... I'm a good-for-nothing." Inari, having been thoroughly berated, stood there stunned, his heart deeply shaken.
Watching Sasuke, who was once again training desperately despite his injuries, a part of his heart seemed to be touched.
He wiped his tears, staring blankly at Sasuke.
"Hmph, brat." Sasuke, noticing this change in Inari, let a smirk play on his lips.
Naruto, watching quietly from a distance, smiled and turned to leave.
The current Sasuke already possessed the mindset to become strong.
These past few days, Team Seven had been training rigorously.
The construction of the Land of Waves' great bridge was also progressing.
Naruto went alone into the forest to practice Zanjutsu.
After a long period of high-intensity training, he leaned against a tree to rest.
He couldn't help but think of Zabuza and that mysterious Kekkei Genkai ninja.
Ice Release is truly a remarkable Kekkei Genkai.
I hope he has the resolve to kill me by our next meeting.
That would be more interesting.
The world outside is truly exciting, with so many Kekkei Genkai ninja.
"It's so nice to finally leave Konoha, without any surveillance. This is true freedom."
Feeling the warm sunlight, Naruto, who had been constantly on edge, felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation. Leaning against the tree, he drifted off into a deep sleep.
"You'll catch a cold if you sleep here," a soft voice said after an unknown amount of time, as a pair of small, cold hands gently nudged Naruto.
How could I be so lacking in vigilance! Naruto abruptly startled awake from his dream, annoyed at his own carelessness.
Regardless of the reason, carelessly falling asleep outside was an extremely foolish act.
Naruto quickly got up, looking warily at the person before him. Long, soft black hair, a gentle smile, and a familiar chakra fluctuation flowing slowly within their body.
A great beauty.
"It's that person!" Naruto's eyes sharpened. From the familiar chakra fluctuation, he could confirm that this was that mysterious Kirigakure missing-nin.
Facing a sleeping enemy, she didn't choose to kill, but instead woke me up. Such strange kindness, Naruto thought to himself.
However, it was precisely because this person lacked killing intent that they hadn't startled Naruto awake.
Naruto offered the person a gentle smile and said, "Thank you for waking me. The sunlight was too comfortable, so I accidentally fell asleep."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. And you are?"
"My name is Haku."
"Judging by your appearance, are you a ninja?" Haku crouched down and asked softly.
"Yes. Why did you come here?"
"I'm gathering medicinal herbs."
"Is someone in your family injured?"
"Yes, someone very important."
Hearing the answer, a glint flashed in Naruto's eyes.
That important person must be Zabuza.
"What kind of medicinal herbs do you need to find? Let me help you," Naruto's voice was magnetic.
Haku looked at Naruto. The latter's smile was sunny and warm, not at all like the bloodthirsty ninja Haku knew, but rather like a considerate older brother.
This gave Haku a rather favorable impression of Naruto.
"It's okay, I can do it myself. No need to trouble you," he politely declined with a gentle expression.
"Although he's from the opposing side, he's very gentle and kind, different from other ninja," Haku thought.
"It's no trouble! Your family member is important," Naruto said with a smile, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
"Then I'll have to trouble you." Haku's smile was like a blooming flower; in that instant, the surrounding flowers seemed to lose much of their color.
"Haku, you truly are a kind and gentle girl. Seeing your smile, my mood has lightened considerably," Naruto paused, then showed a warm smile.
"Is that so? Thank you. Naruto, you are very gentle too," Haku nodded with a sweet smile.
"By the way, I'm a boy," he then added.
Naruto's figure suddenly froze, his originally calm eyes filled with shock.
Are you kidding me?
A boy can be this beautiful?
...
While gathering herbs, Naruto and Haku chatted idly.
"Haku, why are you collecting so many herbs? Is your family member badly injured?"
"Yes, he's very badly injured." Haku's voice was a little low, his mood somewhat dejected. "Because he's doing some very dangerous things."
Dangerous? So that's how he views bounty missions.
"Then why don't you stop him?" Naruto's herb-picking movements paused for a moment as he asked.
Hearing this, Haku fell silent for a moment, his expression somewhat sad. "I can't stop him. All I can do is stay by his side and be the tool he needs."
A reminiscent look appeared in Haku's eyes as he said softly, "He was the one who took me in when I was helpless and alone. So, as long as my life still burns, I will complete the mission he gives me."
"Even if he doesn't care about your life at all?" Naruto asked in a deep voice.
"Yes." Haku showed a perfect smile. "I just want to protect him."
With Naruto's help, the herbs were quickly collected. As Haku was leaving, Naruto looked at his departing figure and suddenly asked: "Haku, if you protect him with your life, and everything between you and him is settled, would you be willing to start a new life?"
Haku's figure paused. He turned back and smiled gently. "Perhaps. But I think, by then, I'd already be dead."