After following Haruto for a while, Naruto suddenly spoke:"Boss, Sasuke's changed a lot lately."
Haruto nodded silently. He had already noticed it too.Sasuke had clearly been pushed by Haruto's strength, refusing to waste even a single chance to train.
"It's nothing," Haruto said calmly."Sasuke has his own ideals… he's just working hard for them. "But he didn't say the rest: Even if those ideals are cruel.
As they walked through the Land of Waves, Haruto's expression gradually darkened. The situation was far worse than he'd expected.
The country barely produced any food——and used to survive by selling special products and handcrafts.
But ever since Gato monopolized trade, everything they made was sold to him at rock-bottom prices, while food became painfully expensive.
The coast was the only saving grace—people could still fish to scrape by. Yet many couldn't even do that.
On the streets, beggars lined both sides. Some sold their children. Others knelt in despair, begging anyone for work.
Even Naruto fell completely silent at the sight. Suddenly, they heard a commotion up ahead.
"You brat! You dare steal from me? Give it back!" "You little thief! I'll beat you to death!"
Two angry adults were kicking a small boy—about six or seven years old.
He held something tightly to his chest. Eventually, he dropped it—Two pieces of bread.
It wasn't hard to guess what had happened.
"That's too much!" Naruto couldn't take it anymore.
He rushed in, punching both adults to the ground. Seeing the situation turn, they scrambled away and fled.
Naruto wanted to chase——but Haruto stopped him.
Naruto turned to him, confused.
"Don't chase. "Haruto's voice was heavy. "I don't agree with what they did… but I understand it."
He looked around at the broken streets, eyes cold.
"In a place like this, food is life. If that boy stole from them… it might've meant they or their family couldn't eat today."
Naruto clenched his fists tightly. "Why… why is the world like this?"
The boy didn't cry when he was being beaten. But after hearing Haruto's words—he did.
"…But I… I just want to live… hic…"
Tears streamed down his bruised face.
Haruto and Naruto both looked down, feeling their chests tighten. Then, Haruto pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and handed it to him.
"Little brother… where's your home?"
The boy looked at them suspiciously."…Why do you want to know?"
Haruto looked at the child in front of him with pity."I just want to see if I can help you."
After a moment, the little boy—chewing happily on the candy Haruto gave him—started talking nonstop.
"My name is Wakamaru, Mom and Dad... they're both dead, I have a big sister, her name is Kyoko. My sister is super pretty!"
Eventually, they arrived at Wakamaru's home. "Sister, sister, I'm back! I brought food—and there are guests!" Wakamaru rushed into the small, rundown house.
A girl stepped out—a frail, pale beauty, no older than thirteen or fourteen. Her figure was thin, her expression tired. Yet her eyes held a deep strength.
It was hard to imagine how such a fragile girl had been supporting both herself and Wakamaru in a place like this.
Seeing the bruises on Wakamaru, Feng Kyoko's eyes filled with tears. "Didn't I tell you not to steal anymore? What if something happened to you?" "Let me handle things, okay?"
"But sis... we don't have anything to eat." Wakamaru looked up innocently.
Feng Kyoko hugged her brother tightly, sorrow written all over her face. "I found a job, Wakamaru. We won't go hungry anymore."
Then she noticed the two people standing behind him. Her face instantly turned nervous.
"Did Wakamaru steal something from you? I-I'll return it, I swear!"
"No!" Wakamaru shook his head quickly. "They're good people! They saved me just now!"
Hearing that, Kyoko immediately bowed and thanked them.
Naruto puffed up with pride. "It's nothing! Hahaha—leave it to me!"
Haruto quietly reached into his bag and pulled out all the money he had.
"I know it's not much—can't buy much with today's prices…but please don't worry. Life will get better soon."
Kyoko stared at the money in Haruto's hand, tears glimmering in her eyes. She looked up at Haruto's face… and her cheeks flushed slightly.
But then, suddenly, she seemed to remember something——and her face went pale.
"I can't accept your money for no reason..."
Naruto quickly pulled out his own money and handed it over too. Just take it! Once we help Uncle Tazuna finish the bridge, things will get better!"
Kyoko's expression changed. "You… you're helping Uncle Tazuna?"She suddenly looked anxious. "Who are you, really?"
"We're ninjas from Konoha," Naruto said proudly."We came to protect Uncle Tazuna while he builds the bridge. I'm—"
Kyoko's expression changed the moment she heard Naruto's words. She asked quickly: "Who are you?"
"We're ninjas from Konoha. We came to protect Uncle Tazuna while he builds the bridge. I'm—"
Before Naruto could finish, Kyoko resolutely returned the money. "Please leave at once," she said coldly.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked, confused.
Kyoko repeated with more urgency, this time pleading: "Please… just go. I beg you."
Haruto understood immediately. He grabbed Naruto's arm gently. "Let's go."
"But—" "I said let's go." Haruto insisted, pulling him toward the door.
"Sister! Why are you doing this?" Wakamaru looked up at his sister angrily. "They're good people!"
But Kyoko didn't reply to her brother. She only stood there quietly, staring at Haruto and Naruto.
"I know you're good people," she said softly. "But…"
Haruto smiled faintly. "You don't have to explain. I understand."
He pressed the money into her hand. "Still… take this. No one needs to know where it came from."
Then he turned and walked away. Behind them, Kyoko broke down and cried. "I'm sorry…"
Outside, Naruto looked gloomy. "Boss… why did that happen?" "We helped them, but in the end, they didn't even thank us."
Haruto looked ahead calmly. "It's fear. She's afraid of Gato's revenge. Kyoko is just trying to protect her brother and herself. She doesn't want to get involved with us."
"Is Gato really that terrifying?" Naruto asked.
Haruto looked around at the lifeless expressions of the towns people. "Gato himself isn't that scary. What's truly terrifying… is that this country has lost its courage."
"Even if we defeat Gato, unless they find the will to resist… there'll just be a second Gato. And a third."
These days, Naruto and Sasuke seemed unusually fired up. "If you eat one bowl of rice, I'll eat two!""Even if I throw up, I'll keep going!"
Haruto silently held his forehead. Are they trying to out-eat each other into becoming Hokage?
Despite the enthusiasm, the results of their training were average at best. At the same time, their training sessions were getting longer, more intense, and far more reckless. By the time they returned each day, they were covered in bruises and cuts.
Watching them train, Kakashi frowned. "Hey—training is important, but this is overdoing it. Push too far, and you'll wreck your bodies before you even see results."
Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other, eyes flaring like flint striking steel. "I'm definitely stronger than this dope." "I'm not losing to this idiot."
Kakashi let out a long, tired sigh. Unbelievable. "Also—weren't we supposed to follow the plan? Me watching from the shadows, and Haruto in the open protecting Tazuna? If you two keep going like this, how do I leave things to you?"
Naruto and Sasuke turned away from each other at the same time."Hmph, I'm fine.""Hmph, me too."
Kakashi nearly dropped his book. They're literally in sync. Are they secretly a couple?
Just then, Haruto threw in a jab with a smirk: "You two really are something. Your teamwork's so in sync, it reminds me of that moment when you kissed. How romantic."
Sasuke and Naruto both turned green.
"You bastard!""I'll kill you, Haruto!"
"Whoa whoa, I'm still recovering!" Haruto laughed, dodging behind a tree. "Someone help!"
Later, Haruto turned to Kakashi and stretched his arms.
"I'll go with Tazuna tomorrow, Sensei. My injuries are mostly healed. I can't use the Eight Gates yet, but I'm fine otherwise. I don't need the special training."
Kakashi nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Be careful."
The next day, Haruto accompanied Tazuna to the bridge site.
Tazuna looked over the framework proudly. "Not bad, right? Once this bridge is finished, the whole country will have hope again!"
Haruto stood silently for a moment, gazing at the workers and villagers moving around. "I don't think just building this bridge will change much."
"Huh?" Tazuna blinked in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Haruto's voice was calm, but firm. "This country didn't fall because of broken roads or weak trade. It fell because of fear. Even if you finish the bridge—what's stopping Gato from blowing it up? Or threatening people so no one dares use it?"
Tazuna's face turned pale. He hadn't thought about that. All this time, he had believed that the bridge itself was hope.
Haruto continued. "To truly save this country, the bridge isn't enough. The people need to reclaim their courage. Until they stop being afraid, someone like Gato will always be able to control them."