Chapter 40: Tazuna's Will!

"Pfft!" Naruto, who had intended to continue chasing, looked back and saw Kakashi lying limp on the ground in a state of total exhaustion.

"Teacher Kakashi, Teacher Kakashi, are you okay?"

Naruto and Sakura rushed forward anxiously, showing concern as they asked.

"Yeah... I'm fine. I just overused my chakra."

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"Teacher Kakashi, do you think a ninja who can't even control his own chakra output is still a qualified ninja?"

"Exactly! Teacher Kakashi always teaches us, but now he's in such a sorry state. It's the teacher who should reflect on himself!"

"Well, you've got what's coming to you!"

::＞_＜::

"Sorry, students. I know I was wrong. Please stop nagging me. My ears are about to explode!"

...................

"You useless bunch! Do you know how much money I spent to hire you and how much effort I put into hiding your whereabouts? This is how you repay me."

In the same room, the seriously injured Zabuza lay motionless on the bed. Haku was attentively taking care of him by his side. He listened to Gatō's outburst of anger but didn't respond.

Haku's calm and unfazed attitude made Gatō even more furious. He kicked over a nearby table, walked up to Zabuza, and angrily grabbed him by the collar.

"Hey, are you alive or dead? Answer me. Ouch—"

"If you dare to lay a hand on Mr. Zabuza again, just try it!"

Haku grabbed Gatō's hand tightly. Gatō never expected those fair - skinned fingers to have such strong explosive force. His wrist ached terribly, as if the bones were about to shatter. Even scarier, this young man, who usually looked so feminine, now had an expression like a demon from hell.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! Once I've nurtured you like well - fed dogs, you dare to disobey me! Next time, if you can't get rid of Tazuna and those ninjas from the Land of Fire, you'd better watch out for yourselves!"

Gatō left in a huff, holding his throbbing wrist. "Damn it! How dare they bare their teeth at him? He'll definitely teach these two shits a lesson!"

...................

"Teacher Kakashi, if you're not feeling well, just lie down and rest. You're such an adult and still don't know how to take care of yourself."

"Really, thank you for the trouble!"

Kakashi lay on the futon, helplessly listening to Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, scolding him. His ears were getting numb from it.

"Ah~ If it weren't for Teacher Kakashi holding us back, we would have caught those guys who are a threat to Uncle Tazuna long ago."

Naruto leaned against the wall with his hands behind his head. Whether intentionally or not, it seemed like he was taunting Kakashi. Kakashi always felt that he was making sarcastic jabs at him. And it had to be said that this kid's recovery ability was incredibly astonishing.

He had been pierced by Haku's senbon so many times before, but now he was jumping around lively. Is he really the Jinchūriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox? How terrifying.

"Yeah, sorry. It's all my fault that I held everyone back!"

"Eh!"

Unexpectedly, Teacher Kakashi, you're unexpectedly honest. Well, never mind. Anyway, we still have plenty of time during our stay in the Land of Waves. Just make sure not to make the same mistake next time."

?_?

This kid is getting cocky! If he weren't immobilized, he'd like to flip over and give Naruto a One Thousand Years of Death to let off steam.

"Naruto, don't talk like that. Teacher Kakashi must have expended a great deal of energy fighting the jonin from other countries. Moreover, he had to keep an eye on our situation during the fight."

Sakura rearranged the towel in the basin over and over again and gently placed it on Kakashi's head.

"No! Failing to control his chakra usage was indeed Kakashi's mistake. If there had been more than two opponents, our mission would have failed the moment Kakashi fell!"

Sasuke crossed his arms, walked to the side of Kakashi, sat down, and stared at him.

Here it comes! If Naruto was just joking around, then talking to Sasuke was like getting a dressing - down. He couldn't understand how, at such a young age, Sasuke always made him feel like he was talking to a seasoned elder.

"Haha, Teacher Kakashi has such a great relationship with his students. When they're together, it always feels like a big family. The picture of Teacher Kakashi with his three kids is so heartwarming."

?_?

Thanks, but actually, it's not the case.

"All talk!"

A young, cold voice came from a corner of the room.

"Inori! What are you saying to our family's saviors?"

"I'm not wrong! It's true. Anyone who resists Gatō has to die! They're just big liars!"

After saying that, he ran out without looking back. These people were all liars!

Small, powerless countries like theirs had no way to resist Gatō's rule. Since resistance would only lead to more bloodshed, why couldn't grandpa and mom understand? He didn't want to see his loved ones leaving him anymore.

"Ah, I'm sorry. That child has been like this since he lost his father. I'm really sorry."

"No, we're the ones who've caused you trouble."

....................

Kakashi needed to rest and recover. Naruto and Sasuke were exploring the situation in the Land of Waves. Sakura and Tazuna went to the market to buy things.

There were almost no goods in the shops here, only some vegetables that didn't look very fresh.

Skinny pedestrians in ragged and dirty clothes were lying casually on the ground, their eyes dull and hopeless.

"Ever since Gatō took control of the country's shipping, it's become like this. The people here have lost all hope in life. That's why we have to build the bridge. No matter how many obstacles we face, we must build the bridge leading to the main road! Only then will we have a way to make a living and won't be at the mercy of others. Even if this path is full of hardships, I'll walk it straight to the end."

"Mr. Tazuna."

Sakura looked at the weather - beaten old man. The hardships of life had etched deep marks on his face, but only his eyes were remarkably bright, with an unyielding will and a firm gaze directed towards the future.

Such a leader also had a great impact on Sakura. She always believed she was far inferior to Sasuke and Naruto. Although Teacher Kakashi had consoled her, her recent training had not been going well. She even had the idea of giving up.

.................

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