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The main reason this bridge had been stalled for some time was primarily Gato's obstruction. Once this malignant tumor was removed, everyone worked day and night building the bridge.
"Waiting any longer, no matter how many people we have, won't be enough." Gato knew well that once the bridge was built, his monopoly would collapse in an instant. Even stationing personnel on the bridge wouldn't prevent people from secretly crossing. The armed forces under him seemed loyal... but were actually just guys who only cared about money, not people.
"Gather all available manpower! Recruit as many as possible! Explosives too, prepare as much as possible!"
"Head to that bridge immediately!"
Within an hour, a large crowd gathered near Gato's residence. Gato adjusted his sunglasses, jumped off the sofa, and walked towards the door.
Swish! Clang!
Just as Gato stepped outside, a large sword longer than himself instantly flew past overhead, embedding itself directly into the large gate beside him. The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly. The bodies of several people in front of Gato were instantly split in two. Gato, thanks to his short stature, narrowly escaped, only having the hair on top of his head shaved clean.
A dark figure flashed rapidly, then landed steadily on the large sword stuck in the wall. A low, mocking laugh sounded abruptly.
"Gato, where are you going with so many people?"
"Whether those people should live or not... you two, having been undercover here for so long, should know better than me."
Shortly after Haku woke up, Hatake Kuroshi had told them this. Although the ultimate goal was to kill Gato and transfer the assets, leaving these small fries alive would only cause harm.
Senbon needles and the Executioner's Blade danced wildly among the crowd. Blood instantly washed over the entire building.
"Ah!"
"Sorry, sorry! Don't kill me!"
"We're just doing this for money!"
Pleas for mercy and screams rose and fell in the dimness. The two, like vengeful ghosts from Kirigakure, dealt with everyone here. Although Haku was soft-hearted and gentle, unwilling to take lives... having stayed in this place for so long, he deeply understood that none of these people deserved to die with regrets. They wailed and begged for mercy when facing the strong, yet ruthlessly slaughtered the weak. Countless people had died like this at their hands.
Gato watched wide-eyed as these two slaughtered everyone as easily as chopping vegetables. He scrambled, wanting to crawl onto a small boat on the sea to escape secretly. Zabuza kicked the small boat, flipping it over.
"Where do you think you're running?"
Gato immediately sat down on the wooden plank, looking terrified at Zabuza.
"You two! Didn't you two escape!?"
"I'll give you money! However much you want, I'll give you! Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"
"Let me go! I'll get out! Money, women, power, I have everything! I'll give you anything!" Gato tremblingly pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, throwing it in front of Haku and Zabuza.
"Pfft ha!" Zabuza couldn't help scoffing. Although he didn't know what was going on with that ANBU... after Haku recovered, the two had visited the warehouse several times. Almost all assets under Gato's name had been transferred cleanly. That ANBU was much more ruthless than them: forging documents, imitating signatures, stealing seals. While Gato was busy gathering manpower, that person and Haku had secretly used every means possible.
"Forget it. Your current money can't buy your life~!" Zabuza raised his sword and brought it down. Immediately, a large spray of blood erupted on the boat.
Those who jumped into the sea jumped; those killed were killed. All armed forces disrupting the Land of Waves, along with the world-class tycoon Gato, were killed together.
After Zabuza left, Hatake Kuroshi even went back to take a look. Compared to assassination, it looked more like a massacre. Whether the methods or the ferocity, it resembled the style of long-held grudges. Those two probably held quite a bit of resentment towards this group.
After Zabuza departed, the bloody mist lingering near Gato's residence didn't dissipate for a long time. With Gato and his armed forces all dead, trade between the Land of Waves and the Land of Water returned to normal. Gato's businesses and ongoing transactions were directly taken over entirely by Kirigakure. Regarding the transport and sale of contraband, Mangetsu Hozuki had already dispatched personnel for destruction and handling.
Gato's past evil deeds gradually spread; most people detested him deeply. The Land of Water, as a previous partner, also sent a large number of personnel to assist with bridge construction. After all, establishing relations between the Land of Waves and the Land of Fire would actually benefit them as well. The Land of Water's main income came from tourism; if the Land of Fire could easily reach the Land of Waves, traveling to their place would also save time. It was a win-win situation no matter how you looked at it.
After the bridge was completed, Team 7's mission was also successfully finished.
"Thanks to you all, the bridge could be completed so quickly."
"I'll be super lonely after you leave. Take care." The bridge-building life had forged a deep friendship between the people of the Land of Waves and Team 7.
"We were under your care." Kakashi kept one hand in his pocket, his visible eye curving into a crescent moon as he smiled. Actually, they hadn't helped much. Just Naruto's Shadow Clones assisted considerably during construction.
Zabuza had been taken away by the Hunter-nin unit. Later, Gato's group, who knows whose enemies they provoked, were completely wiped out. Actually, they could have left when Gato's men were all dead. But seeing the kids having fun here, Kakashi specifically stayed a few extra days.
"Alright, Uncle Tazuna! Now it's just a bridge away! I'll come visit often!" Naruto squinted his eyes, speaking cheerfully.
After bidding farewell to Inari, the four walked across the bridge back towards the Land of Fire, seen off by the crowd. The Naruto Bridge was officially completed.
Hatake Kuroshi sat on the building structure at the entrance of the Land of Waves bridge, looking down condescendingly at Team 7 walking away from him towards the Land of Fire. The three kids chattered and argued around Kakashi.
Hatake Kuroshi untied the thin cord behind his head, taking off the Kirigakure mask he had been wearing. Previously, to reduce his recognizability, he not only let his hair down while wearing the mask but also removed the blindfold.
Short, silvery-white hair gently brushed against his lowered eyelashes in the breeze. With his bold and flippant expression restrained, he looked like a youth with a hint of mischievousness. Long, pale eyelashes trembled slightly. Immediately, ice-blue eyes, like ice crystals under the clear sky, flashed brightly.
Hatake Kuroshi slightly curled his thin lips, revealing a smile of appreciation.
".~The result of this test isn't bad. But right now, they probably just barely possess the ability to participate in the Chunin Exams."
"Really looking forward to it—what kind of different future will you show?"
...
Land of Fire, Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Tower.
Two letters lay on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk. The biannual Chunin Exams were fast approaching. The major nations were all somewhat restless; after all, this was a rare opportunity to observe each other's national strength.
Sunagakure (Village Hidden by Sand), as an allied nation, naturally sent a letter. Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't too surprised by this news. However, besides that, another village had also sent a letter.
"Hoo..." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, picking up the other letter on the desk.
Kirigakure, which had maintained a 'live and let live' relationship since the Third Shinobi World War... That village, from past to present, had never overly socialized with other villages. Tourism was fine, but asking about their internal affairs was practically unthinkable; intelligence security was airtight. Their understanding of Kirigakure was minimal, and Kirigakure also produced various secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai.
If they could truly hold joint Chunin Exams, it would undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity to understand Kirigakure. And Kirigakure's purpose was clearly stated in the letter.
"Wanting to use this opportunity to establish diplomatic relations... really doesn't seem like their style."
Although Team 7 left earlier than Hatake Kuroshi, it couldn't beat Hatake Kuroshi being a teleporter. So when Kakashi opened the door, Hatake Kuroshi was already sitting at the table, having eaten two puddings.
"Hm?" Hatake Kuroshi tilted his head, biting his spoon, looking at Kakashi holding a small box at the door.
"Amazing! Is this Kakashi-sensei's house!? Is Kuroshi-nii here too?"
"Clearly have such a big house, why live in that dorm before!" Before Kakashi could respond, Naruto, holding another stack of things behind him, also poked his head out.
"Stop peeking around! This is sensei's house." Sakura pulled Naruto back behind Kakashi, but her gaze also swept curiously over Hatake Kuroshi. Hatake Kuroshi held a spoon in his mouth, still wearing that strange blindfold. So he really is the older brother, actually living here.
"Isn't this basically unchanged? Wasn't it like this before?" Sasuke, blocked at the back, squeezed forward somewhat forcefully. This place looked almost exactly as Sasuke remembered from when he came here looking for Itachi and Shisui; the positions of everything hadn't changed.
After the Uchiha massacre occurred, Sasuke was moved out. His current residence wasn't in the former Uchiha compound. His memories with his brother, with his family, were all sealed away behind tape. Now, seeing Hatake Kuroshi still sitting in the original spot, his mind instantly flashed back to Shisui and Itachi also sitting there, the three chatting happily.
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