Chapter 74: The Arrival of the Wave Wind

Lately, Kakashi and his team had been staying at Mr. Tazuna's house in the Land of Waves. While protecting him, they trained and got to know his grandson, Inari. But it soon became clear—Inari had lost all belief in heroes. He was stubborn, withdrawn, and didn't get along with children.

Inari once lived in a peaceful family and deeply admired his adoptive father, Kaiza. But that changed when a ruthless tyrant named Gato arrived. Kaiza was executed publicly for standing up to him—slain before Inari and the terrified villagers. Since that day, no one in the Land of Waves dared to resist Gato's oppression.

"There's just a little more to go before the bridge is complete. It's all thanks to you," Mr. Tazuna said sincerely. He was truly grateful—not just for being safely escorted home, but also for the team's ongoing protection.

He had one question he could no longer hold back:

"I've been meaning to ask... Even after I lied about the mission, why did you all still choose to stay?"

Kakashi answered, "Righteousness defines a warrior. A strong general has no weak soldiers. That's something my teacher used to say. He was the Fourth Hokage."

"Dad…" Naruto muttered softly under his breath.

Sasuke glanced at him and gently patted Naruto's back, sensing the emotion. He had just remembered that Naruto's father was the Fourth Hokage. Compared to Naruto, Sasuke felt fortunate—he still had a father, a mother, a brother, and even his sister, Quan.

Suddenly, Naruto stood up and declared, "Mr. Kakashi, I've decided—I'm going to kill Gato and free this land!" Ever since he had followed Mr. Tazuna into the towns and seen the struggling villagers, the thought had burned inside him.

"Naruto, don't cause trouble," Kakashi said firmly.

"No, Kakashi-sensei. I'm not being reckless! As long as Gato remains in power, tragedy will continue. We have the ability now—why shouldn't we use it? Didn't you just say that a strong general doesn't have weak soldiers?"

Before Kakashi could reply, Naruto was suddenly blasted into the wall!

Even though Kakashi sensed the incoming presence, it was too fast to intercept. He immediately shifted into a defensive stance, but once he got a clear look at the intruder, his eyes widened in recognition—it was Menma Uzumaki!

"Naruto! Dammit!" Sasuke drew a kunai and charged at the intruder, but the moment he saw who it was, he froze in shock.

Sakura gasped and covered her mouth. She too recognized the red-haired arrival.

Naruto, now slumped against the wall, groaned angrily and stood up. "Who the hell dares to steal my brother?!" he yelled.

The red-haired visitor didn't speak. He simply formed hand seals and said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Two clones appeared and immediately rushed Naruto, beating him senseless. Naruto cried out in pain.

Mr. Tazuna looked at Kakashi in utter confusion. "What… what's going on?"

Kakashi just shook his head. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura stood silently. They didn't even attempt to stop it—after all, Naruto's brother had quite the "reputation" back at the academy.

"Brother, I'm sorry! I was wrong!" Naruto pleaded as he covered his head.

The two clones finally dispersed.

Naruto's brother, now standing over him, said coldly, "What's wrong with you?"

Naruto looked up, but stayed silent.

"Get up and take a seat." After giving the order, he found a seat for himself, turned to Mr. Tazuna's family, and said politely, "Sorry for the intrusion. I'm Naruto's brother. My name is Menma Uzumaki."

"Ah, welcome," Mr. Tazuna replied. He still didn't understand what this young man's purpose was, but if even Kakashi didn't dare confront him, it was best to wait and see.

Menma reached into his clothes and pulled out a scroll, handing it to Kakashi. "Lady Tsunade asked me to assist you," he said. But that wasn't quite the truth. In reality, Menma had decided on his own to come here.

Grandma's sake… who accepts a mission on their own, gives it to themselves, and then charges themselves the payment? Menma thought to himself. Only my idiot little brother could dig such a deep hole, and now big brother has to fill it back in. A beating was the least he deserved!

He had arrived just in time to hear Naruto's grand declaration—and it had ignited his fury.

Eliminate Gato? You think you're that strong? You can't even take on Zabuza and Haku properly, and you think you're ready for a crime lord like Gato?

That was why Menma had stormed in and beat him up.

"My brother's here to help? Awesome! With him, Gato's as good as dead!" Naruto said excitedly.

SMACK!

"┗|｀O'|┛ Arghhh!" Naruto yelped, clutching his head again.

"Shut up. You didn't even think about what you did wrong. Don't talk yet," Menma said sternly. Then he turned to Kakashi. "Mr. Kakashi, how could you mislead my brother? This was clearly a C-rank mission—it's already become a B-rank, and now I have to front the payment!"

So that's what this is—he came to collect the bill! Kakashi thought as he prepared to respond.

"Brother, I understand now! I shouldn't have made you cover the payment. But... can you deduct it from my pocket money instead?" Naruto asked eagerly, hoping to redeem himself.

Pocket money? Naruto, where do you think that pocket money came from? It's my money!

Menma: (へ╬)

"Let's drop it. I already paid. But here's the bigger issue—you're overestimating yourself. Do you really think you're qualified to take down Gato?" he said, glaring.

Naruto hung his head. His brother was right. He couldn't even beat Zabuza... and he had nearly died trying.

Menma Uzumaki gently ruffled his brother's hair. "It's good to want to help others—but know your limits. As for Gato... leave him to me." He licked his lips slightly, eyes sharp. "Gato... I'm coming."

"Really, Brother? You're going to do it?" Naruto asked, eyes shining.

"Let's take a long-term approach here," Kakashi cautioned. "Gato's wealthy. He's bound to have powerful men under him."

"No need. I'll handle it alone. Also, I plan to rescue the one known as Haku—the companion of Zabuza. He's a descendant of the Yuki Clan and has inherited the Ice Release kekkei genkai from his mother."

Kakashi was stunned. In such a short time, Menma gathered that much intel? Where did he get it? Seeing the look in Menma's eyes, Kakashi said nothing more. It was clear he had come prepared—and his strength was no joke.

Tazuna's entire family was shocked. Was Menma really going to kill Gato?

Tsunami stared at him, and for a moment, saw Kaiza in his place. Could he truly defeat Gato—the man her husband couldn't? Without thinking, Inari suddenly bolted out of the house.

"Inari?" Tsunami called, but the boy was already gone.

(End Of Chapter)

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