The mist slowly began to thin.
Water dripped from broken branches and gouged earth where the battle had torn through the forest. The air still smelled faintly of iron and river water.
Naruto stretched his arms and groaned.
"Man… that guy was insane."
Sakura nodded slowly, still staring at the empty space where the masked hunter-nin had disappeared with Zabuza's body.
"Yeah…"
Sasuke crossed his arms.
"Something about that was strange."
Kakashi stood quietly for a moment before lowering his forehead protector back over his eye.
"Hunter-nin from Kirigakure specialize in disposing of rogue shinobi."
He glanced toward the trees.
"If Zabuza truly was a missing-nin, then retrieving the body would be standard procedure."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"Yeah but…"
He frowned.
"...that guy felt weird."
The Shinobi Codex chimed softly beside him.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Ooooh." Somewhat used to their teammates weird antics, Sakura and Sasuke ignored him.
He stepped slightly away from the group and whispered.
"Okay Codex, lottery spin!"
The floating interface pulsed.
Lottery Roll Initiated…
Lights spun rapidly through different icons.
Weapons.
Scrolls.
Stat boosts.
Then—
DING
Reward Obtained:
Travelers Rations
Rarity: Common
Effect: A wide spread of various food that will satisfy any travellers hunger
Naruto grinned.
"Sweet."
"Now for this."
The Codex flashed again.
Skill Experience Pack Used:
Shadow Shuriken Jutsu
Skill Level Up!
Shadow Shuriken Jutsu LVL 3 (2/30)
New Effect Unlocked:
Improved trajectory concealment.
Naruto pumped his fist quietly.
"Nice."
Behind him, Sasuke was still staring down the road.
"I don't think he's dead."
Naruto looked up.
"What?"
Sasuke continued calmly.
"Zabuza was known as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
He glanced toward Kakashi.
"Someone like that wouldn't lose so easily."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head.
"...You're both right to question it."
Sakura blinked.
"So he's alive?"
Kakashi shrugged.
"I wouldn't bet against it."
Naruto grinned.
"Awesome."
Sakura groaned.
"Why would you say that like it's a good thing?!"
Tazuna cleared his throat nervously.
"If the conversation about terrifying assassins is over…"
He gestured down the road.
"My house is just ahead."
The village of the Land of Waves appeared slowly through the mist.
Wooden houses sat crookedly along narrow walkways above the water.
Fishing nets hung from rooftops.
Boats creaked quietly against docks.
But something felt wrong.
The village was silent.
People watched them from windows.
Tired eyes.
Hungry faces.
Naruto's grin faded slightly.
"...This place is rough."
Tazuna led them to a modest wooden house near the shoreline.
The door slid open.
A young woman stepped out.
She looked relieved immediately.
"Father!"
She rushed forward.
Tazuna laughed.
"I'm home, Tsunami!"
She hugged him tightly before noticing the ninja behind him.
"Oh!"
She bowed quickly.
"Thank you for protecting my father."
Behind her—
A small boy peeked from behind the doorway.
He looked about seven.
Arms crossed stubbornly.
The boy glared at Naruto.
"You're ninja?"
Naruto blinked.
"...Yeah?"
The boy scoffed.
"You're too weak."
Sakura sputtered.
"Excuse me?!"
The boy turned and stormed back into the house.
Tsunami sighed.
"That's my son."
"Inari."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"...Kid's got attitude."
Later that afternoon
Naruto wandered through the village streets alone.
Fishing stalls sat empty.
Several homes looked half abandoned.
A few villagers quietly mended nets near the docks.
Naruto's stomach growled.
"...Man."
He reached into his bag and pulled out his new Travelers Rations.
Instant noodles.
Rice balls.
A few dried fish strips.
He looked at the villagers again.
Then walked over.
A tired fisherman blinked as Naruto handed him a rice ball.
"Huh?"
Naruto grinned.
"You look hungry."
Another old woman received a noodle cup.
A group of children got dried fish.
Slowly the villagers accepted the food.
Confused.
Grateful.
But nervous.
The Shinobi Codex chimed.
Hidden Social Interaction Detected
Reputation Change:
Naruto → Villagers
Neutral → Grateful
Naruto scratched his head.
"Eh, it's just food."
But the moment didn't last.
Boots stomped onto the wooden pier.
Three rough-looking men appeared.
Bandits.
Each carried crude weapons.
Their eyes narrowed at the villagers holding Naruto's food.
One spat into the water.
"Looks like someone thinks they're generous."
Another pointed at Naruto.
"You stirring things up around here, kid?"
Naruto tilted his head.
"…What?"
The bandit sneered.
"Gato doesn't like charity."
The villagers immediately stepped away from Naruto.
Fear spreading across their faces.
A whisper spread through the street.
"You shouldn't have done that..."
"They'll punish us..."
Naruto frowned.
"...Wait what?"
The bandits laughed.
One cracked his knuckles.
"Hope you like beat downs."
Maybe it was due to his increase in intelligence, or slightly increased social skills due to his charisma but Naruto, usually one to pick a fight, backed down.
"I'm not looking for any trouble, I was just leaving."
The street remained silent.
The villagers avoided Naruto's eyes.
Slowly dispersing back into their homes.
Doors shut quietly.
Naruto quickly disengaged from the thugs heading back towards Tazuna's house.
*Ping*
+2 to Charisma
Charitable aura buff earned: +3 to charisma when talking to those less fortunate! 96 hours remaining
Sasuke shrugged.
"Welcome to the real world."
Far away across the water—
In the shadows of an unnamed forest—
A masked boy stood beside a recovering swordsmans bed.
Haku quietly adjusted the senbon needles.
While Zabuza slowly opened his eyes.
The battle for the Land of Waves had only just begun.