Chapter 71

The Ambush

"Are you kidding me?! Kakashi-sensei was killed just like that?!" Sasuke's eyes widened in shock, but his expression quickly shifted to one of exasperation. "Such a slow attack… Thanks, Kakashi, for leaving the enemy to us."

"Maybe he's been reading too many of those little yellow books," Naruto quipped, his smile never wavering. In one fluid motion, he drew Kyoka Suigetsu, the blade gleaming in the sunlight.

"Sasuke, let's take one each. Sakura, can you back us up?" Naruto asked, his tone calm and reassuring.

Sasuke scoffed, his Sharingan already active. "Hmph, whatever. These guys are nothing in front of my eyes."

The two rogue ninjas, clearly underestimating their opponents, grinned arrogantly. Naruto's harmless smile didn't help dispel their confidence. They lunged at him, chains whipping through the air.

But Naruto was faster. With a flicker of movement, he vanished from their sight, reappearing behind one of the attackers. The rogue ninja barely had time to register the danger before Naruto's blade flashed, cleanly severing his head from his body.

Sakura watched in awe as Naruto stood calmly beside the lifeless corpse, blood pooling at his feet. The beheading technique, a move designed for swift and efficient kills, had been executed perfectly. The rogue ninja's strength was no match for Naruto's precision and speed.

On the other side, Sasuke engaged the second rogue ninja in a fierce battle. With Sakura's support, he managed to outmaneuver his opponent, driving a kunai across the ninja's throat. The rogue ninja collapsed, his life extinguished.

As the battle ended, Kakashi emerged from the shadows, leaning casually against a tree. "Not bad," he said, his tone lazy but approving. "You've all made significant progress. Especially you, Naruto. Even without relying on your Bloodline Limit, you've proven you can handle chunin-level opponents. My previous assessment of you was clearly too low."

Kakashi's gaze then shifted to Tazuna, his expression sharp and accusing. "Mr. Tazuna, care to explain why a chunin-level ninja appeared on what was supposed to be a simple escort mission? Deceiving Konoha is a serious offense. I won't mention what happened to the last client who tried to pull something like this."

Tazuna's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I had no choice! Gato won't let me build the bridge. He's sent ninjas to stop me. My country is poor—this mission fee and travel expenses were all we could scrape together. I couldn't return empty-handed."

He pleaded, his voice trembling. "Please, for the future of the Land of Waves, for the sake of our children, help me."

Sakura, moved by his words, wiped away tears. But Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto remained unmoved, their expressions cold and calculating.

Tazuna, desperate, continued. "Even if you abandon the mission, I'll understand. But if I die, my ten-year-old grandson will be left crying. My daughter will spend the rest of her life hating ninjas. It's not your fault, but…"

His words hung in the air, heavy with guilt and manipulation.

Kakashi sighed, turning to his team. "What do you think? This mission is now your call."

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't care. If we continue, I might get a decent fight."

Sakura hesitated. "He seems pitiful, but this mission is dangerous. Maybe we should…"

All eyes turned to Naruto, whose decision would determine their next move. Tazuna's hope rested on the boy's gentle demeanor.

Naruto smiled, his tone calm but firm. "Your dedication to your country is admirable. However, your selfishness in deceiving us and putting us in danger is unacceptable. If you were honest from the start, Konoha might have offered assistance despite your lack of funds. But you chose to lie, endangering our lives."

Tazuna's face fell, despair creeping into his eyes. "I'm sorry… Please, I beg you…"

Naruto's expression softened slightly. "But," he continued, "this mission isn't just about you. It's about the future of the Land of Waves. The fact that Gato sent chunin-level ninjas means there's more at stake here. I'm not continuing this mission for you—I'm doing it for the challenge and the opportunity to face stronger opponents."

He turned to Kakashi. "Sensei, I vote to continue the mission."

Tazuna's tears turned to ones of relief as he kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Kakashi nodded, his visible eye crinkling with a faint smile. "Alright then. Let's move forward. But remember, Tazuna, no more lies. If we're going to protect you, we need to know everything."