Chapter 12 – The Bridge Builder's Home
The smell of the sea grew stronger as Team 7 followed Tazuna through winding dirt paths. The sun had already begun to sink, staining the horizon orange. Naruto trudged behind the old man, still fuming inside.
He couldn't shake it—the image of the masked ninja disappearing with Zabuza. His gut told him Kakashi-sensei hadn't said everything aloud. Zabuza's not gone. I know it.
Kakashi's calm but tired voice cut through his thoughts. "We'll stop here for the night."
Ahead stood a small wooden house at the edge of the village, weathered by years of salty wind. Its windows glowed warmly, and for a brief moment, it felt… peaceful.
Tazuna opened the door. "We're home."
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Inside, the team was greeted by a middle-aged woman, her expression lighting up at the sight of Tazuna. "Father! You're safe…" She hugged him tightly before turning to the shinobi with gratitude. "Thank you for protecting him. Please, rest here."
Sakura bowed politely. "We're grateful, ma'am."
Naruto, on the other hand, was already sniffing the air, his stomach growling. "Wow, something smells amazing! Do you have ramen—?"
Sasuke groaned. "Idiot."
The woman chuckled softly. "We'll prepare food shortly. Sit, sit."
But as they settled down, Naruto noticed a boy around his age glaring at them from the corner of the room. His hair was dark, his eyes sharp but filled with something heavier—resentment.
"Inari," the woman warned gently, "mind your manners."
The boy didn't answer. He just muttered, "They're going to die anyway… what's the point?"
The words hit the room like cold water.
Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Oi! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Inari turned his head, refusing to meet his eyes. "You don't know anything about this country. About Gato. No matter what you do… no one can beat him."
Sakura shifted uncomfortably, but Naruto's fists clenched. "Tch… what's with this brat?"
Kakashi raised a hand, his voice steady. "Enough, Naruto. This isn't the time."
Naruto huffed, but sat back, glaring at Inari. Something about the boy's hopelessness burned in his chest. I'll prove him wrong. I'll show him that heroes exist.
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Later that night, as the house quieted, Naruto lay awake, staring at the ceiling. He thought about Inari's words, about the villagers' silence when they walked past earlier, about the fog still clinging to the land.
This place was suffocating under fear.
And somewhere out there, Zabuza was still alive.
Naruto's hand curled into a fist. I'm not letting this end with failure. Not for Inari, not for Tazuna, not for anyone.
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Meanwhile, deep within the misty forests beyond the village, a fire flickered faintly.
Zabuza lay on the ground, sweat covering his forehead, his breathing ragged. The senbon needles still pierced his neck, but careful hands worked to remove them one by one.
"You pushed yourself too far," a soft, melodic voice whispered. The masked hunter-nin carefully placed herbs over Zabuza's wounds, binding them with practiced ease.
Zabuza's lips curled into a faint grin despite the pain. "Haku… you saved me again."
The mask tilted, and though no expression showed, the voice carried warmth. "I will always save you, Zabuza-sama. Rest now. When you recover… we'll crush them."
The fire crackled, casting long shadows against the trees.
The storm was far from over.
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✨ End of Chapter 12 ✨