"Since you have admitted it, you should know that the difficulty of a mission involving enemy ninja is completely different from what was stated. These two were ninja from the Hidden Mist. In terms of mission ranking, this should be at least a B-rank mission. Considering the potential risks that may follow, setting it as an A-rank mission wouldn't be an exaggeration. Yet, the payment you offered the village was only for a C-rank mission. You understand the gap here, don't you, Tazuna-san? We have the right to abandon this mission immediately!"
Kakashi looked at Tazuna with a blatantly serious expression.
He stopped just short of explicitly saying Tazuna was scamming the Hidden Leaf by falsifying the mission details—an unforgivable error in the ninja world!
Because this exposed the assigned ninja to unforeseen dangers. At best, it meant mission failure; in most cases, it could lead to the total annihilation of the squad!
Therefore, Kakashi's harsh words were entirely justified.
Tazuna understood this well.
"I understand that perfectly. But, Mr. Ninja, I truly had no other choice. You are an experienced ninja; you should know that the Land of Waves is a small country, the poorest among the small countries. Especially after being taken over by the tycoon Gatō, the entire economic lifeline of the Land of Waves has fallen under his control. The payment for this mission was scraped together by the villagers. We really don't have any more money. The fee for a B-rank mission is already far beyond our imagination, let alone an A-rank one. So... I had to resort to this method!"
Tazuna spoke with a tragic expression.
"It is only natural if you want to abandon the mission. But I am holding onto this last shred of hope. I just want to build a bridge of courage that belongs to all the people of the Land of Waves. Mr. Ninja, I do not fear death, but I worry about my country... and my young daughter... and my very young grandson..."
His voice trembled slightly toward the end.
Leaving others aside...
Sakura and Naruto were instantly touched.
When it came down to it, the new generation of ninja raised by the Hidden Leaf in recent years couldn't really be considered qualified ninja, because too many of them possessed unnecessary sympathy.
For a ninja, this was a great taboo!
In many cases, it wouldn't just harm oneself, but potentially one's comrades as well.
Menma detested this kind of behavior. Just because you are pitiful, must others risk everything to pay for your lies?
Perhaps Tazuna's actions were indeed for the sake of the entire Land of Waves. Perhaps he was a man of benevolence, courage, and righteousness.
But at least in the original story—and in this life—the lie he told Team 7 was a solid fact. To put it bluntly, Tazuna's actions amounted to gambling with Team 7's lives for his dream and the future of the Land of Waves!
And since he couldn't pay the matching reward, he intended to kidnap them morally with a sob story!
Therefore, Menma didn't hesitate in the slightest. He spoke up directly: "Since Tazuna-san has admitted it, then Kakashi-sensei, let's abandon the mission. According to the village's mission regulations, under these circumstances, we bear no responsibility for quitting!"
Even though Menma knew clearly that the enemies ahead were Zabuza and Haku...
And that with him added to Team 7, as long as Kakashi didn't get careless, they had a high probability of defeating the Zabuza-Haku combo even more easily than in the original story.
Menma wouldn't have minded continuing the mission if the terms were fair.
But why should they do that?!
Menma couldn't find any reason to support doing so.
This wouldn't be his only chance to leave the village!
Menma had no intention of playing the saint. Even if he helped people within his capabilities, he absolutely wouldn't help someone who tried to morally blackmail and deceive him.
"Yes, indeed. Abandoning the mission is the most appropriate judgment!"
Kakashi nodded gently in agreement.
The squad he led wasn't composed of ordinary people.
It contained Sasuke Uchiha, the lone survivor of the prestigious Uchiha Clan; Naruto Namikaze, the son of the late Fourth Hokage; and Menma Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Each one was a vital asset that could not be allowed to suffer any accidents!
Now that the mission had exceeded expectations, decisive abandonment was necessary.
Sasuke stood silently to the side, but his expression clearly showed agreement. He saw no necessity in continuing such a mission.
Hearing Menma and Kakashi's words, visible panic flashed in Tazuna's eyes.
Even though he hadn't held much hope...
If he truly lost the protection of Kakashi's Team 7...
He would definitely lose his life!
To be fair, Tazuna wasn't afraid of dying. If his death could ensure the bridge was built and free the people of Wave from Gatō's control, he would accept it. But dying now would be meaningless!
Thinking of his young daughter and grandson at home...
Tazuna's heart clenched tightly.
"Ah? We're just giving up like that? I don't think that's right, Big Brother Kakashi. This old man is so pitiful... I think we should help him, right?"
Naruto, predictably, displayed his "saintly attribute" steadily!
In the original story, Naruto could even forgive Nagato and Obito!
Sympathizing with Tazuna and wanting to help him was a natural progression.
Hearing Naruto's words, Menma frowned subconsciously.
Logically, Menma had hoped that Naruto in this life would be somewhat different. But looking at it now, his "cheap brother" was set to be exactly the same as in the original story?
This thought made Menma very uncomfortable.
"That's right, Kakashi-sensei! I think that Gatō guy is too despicable. Let's help Tazuna-san! We just have to protect him until the bridge is finished, right? I think we can totally do it!"
Sakura, completely unaware of her own limitations and letting her sympathy overflow like a river, chimed in. She looked up at Kakashi with hopeful eyes.
The words of the two...
Sounded like the music of heaven to Tazuna.
It reignited the hope in his sinking heart, and his gaze fixed tightly on Kakashi.
He knew clearly...
Whether to continue the mission or not...
The power of decision lay solely with Kakashi!