Seeing the gloom on Tazuna's face, Haruto smiled faintly."Don't worry. You focus on building the bridge. As for helping the people here regain their courage… leave that to me."
Tazuna looked at Haruto, stunned.
Haruto straightened his cloak, the corners fluttering in the breeze, and smiled with quiet resolve. "I know this isn't part of the original mission. But ninjas don't live just for assignments. Some things… are worth doing, even without a reward."
Tazuna's eyes widened for a moment. Something about Haruto reminded him of his late son-in-law—The same fearless look… the same belief in doing what's right.
"Thank you," Tazuna said sincerely. Somehow, I believe this kid will really pull it off.
Suddenly, a hesitant voice called out from behind them."Tazuna, do you have a moment?"
Tazuna turned around sharply. "Keech? What is it?"
Keech scratched his head, avoiding Tazuna's gaze."I've been thinking about this bridge… and I don't think I can help anymore."
Tazuna's face darkened. "What? Why? Even you're quitting?"
"I mean… I want to help. But if I do, Gato might come after me, my family." "If something happens, it's over. So… I'm sorry, I can't do it."
Tazuna's voice trembled slightly. "This bridge is ours, It's the only hope this country has, Isn't that why we all came together to build it?"
Keech looked away."But if hope costs your life…"
There was a long silence before Tazuna sighed. "Alright, Keech. You don't have to come back."
Keech turned and walked away.
Haruto had been watching quietly the entire time. After a moment, he stepped forward. "Uncle, let me help too."
Tazuna blinked. "You? But you're a ninja. You don't have to—"
Haruto raised an eyebrow."Don't underestimate ninjas, uncle. "He clasped his hands together, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a puff of white smoke, four identical Harutos appeared around him. His chakra wasn't as abundant as Naruto's, so this was close to his limit. But it was enough.
All four of them moved immediately, lifting beams, hammering supports, and hauling stone with the kind of stamina no normal man could match. In minutes, the pace of construction had doubled.
"Whoa! That's incredible!""He's working like ten people at once!"
Haruto smirked and formed another hand seal."Earth Style: Earth Flow Rampart!"
With a deep rumble, chunks of elevated earth surged upward from both sides of the river, forming platforms to stabilize the workers and extend the foundation. The site instantly became safer and more efficient.
The villagers stared in awe. "Is this… really what a ninja can do?" "Amazing… we never knew they had this kind of power…"
Hope began to flicker in their eyes.
Haruto had exhausted most of his chakra. While his main body sat resting to recover, Kakashi remained hidden in the shadows, watching. There was no danger for now — even if enemies arrived, Kakashi and the reinforcements would act. As a taijutsu-focused ninja, Haruto still had physical strength left. Even without chakra, he wasn't helpless.
By lunchtime, his chakra had finally recovered.
The workers and villagers crowded around, some clapping him on the shoulder, praising him. Haruto smiled politely, but he didn't really enjoy the attention. All this fuss… it's unnecessary.
He sat down on a beam beside Tazuna to eat.
Suddenly, Tazuna spoke. "Haruto, the ninjas of Konoha are really something else, Especially you."
"Huh?" Haruto paused, caught off guard, and glanced sideways at him.
Tazuna chuckled a little, staring into the distance. "When I was younger, I traveled a lot. I've seen shinobi from every one of the Five Great Villages. They're strong, proud, and careful with their loyalty. But only Konoha's ninja ever helped me despite knowing I lied in my request."
Haruto fell quiet, listening.
"In fact, even if you'd turned around and left me to my fate, I wouldn't have blamed you. That's just how ninja are—mercenaries. But you… you stayed."
Tazuna turned to Haruto, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And you, Haruto… I've never heard of a ninja doing this kind of labor. For free, no less. Most shinobi or samurai I've met keep their distance from ordinary people. They're proud of their power, proud of shedding blood… They'd never stoop to helping with construction work. But you—"He pointed at him. "You're different. You care."
There was a beat of silence.
"I don't know how to say it, but… I think you'll become a great ninja one day."
Haruto gave a short laugh, staring at the structure ahead. "Uncle, you're exaggerating."
His voice lowered slightly as he continued: "Maybe, one day, there won't be any more wars. Maybe ninjas will earn a living doing things like this… building, protecting, helping. And when that day comes…"He turned, smirking faintly. "You old craftsmen might be out of a job."
Tazuna burst out laughing. "If that kind of peaceful world really comes, I'd gladly give up this work!"
Haruto's smile faded just a little as he looked out at the half-finished bridge.
"…Is it really impossible?"
"How pathetic. Defeated by a bunch of brats. "Gato stood by the hospital bed, staring at Zabuza with a twisted smile. "I thought the Hidden Mist produced monsters… turns out, just rubbish."
Zabuza lay motionless, bandaged and silent.
Gato sneered. "What? Cat got your tongue? Can't even speak after losing to a kid? Calling yourself 'Demon of the Mist'—what a joke."
He reached out, intending to slap Zabuza's face.
—Clang!
In a flash, the massive blade was raised. Gato's face went pale as Zabuza's sword hovered inches from his skull. Then—
Wham! Zabuza backhanded him across the room like swatting a fly.
Gato crashed against the wall, gasping for air, face contorted in terror.
Just as Zabuza stepped forward to finish him, a shadow flashed.
Bam! Haku's kick knocked Gato clear across the floor.
He lay there, trembling, sweat pouring down his forehead, a wet patch spreading across his pants. "Y-You… You can't! I'm your employer! Shinobi can't kill their clients!"
Zabuza laughed darkly. "You think missing-nin like us care about your little rules? "His voice dropped to a growl. "We have no village. No leash. You're lucky I don't feel like wasting the effort today."
He lowered the sword slowly, menace dripping from his every word. "But next time, if you test me again—"His eyes gleamed with killing intent. "—you won't see the sunrise."
Gato fell silent, paralyzed in terror.
Zabuza snorted, stepping back."Now clean up your mess, and get out of my sight."
Stuttering, Gato tore off his shirt and used it to wipe the floor clean. He scrambled up, dragging his subordinates with him, and bolted out the door in panic.
"Wait." Zabuza's voice echoed behind them.
Gato stopped dead in his tracks, shivering. "Y-You… you changed your mind?!"
Zabuza's eyes narrowed."This mission is more troublesome than expected. I'll need backup. The fee's triple now."
Gato looked like he'd swallowed a cactus, but one glare from Zabuza was enough.
"Yes, yes—triple it is!"
"Good. Now scram."
As Gato and his men fled, Zabuza watched them disappear.
Haku walked up beside him, expression calm.
"Why didn't you finish them?"
Zabuza grunted. "We'll get them when it counts."
Haku nodded, smiling faintly. "Now's not the time. If Gato dies too early, we'll be hunted again. Better to be patient."
Zabuza glanced at him. "Hmph. Always the smart one."
"Well, that's right. However, according to what he just said, he should die. After a while, the time will be right, and I'll kill him with my own hands. "Zabuza looked directly at the roof above his head and said,
"The Land of Waves… it's a very nice place. As a fortress, with Gato's money, we can manage this place well. We no longer need to hide underground. It's been hard on you all these years, Haku."
Haku smiled at Zabuza. "It's okay, I'm your tool, my lord. This is the only way I can show my value."
Zabuza turned his head away from Haku and muttered: "Tool… yes. Haku, you're my best tool."
"Disgusting! Just a stray dog, and he dares to treat me like that? "Gato, hiding in another building, scowled as he remembered the humiliation. "If I had known rebels were this unreliable, I wouldn't have hired them just to save money. If this goes on, he really might kill me one day..."
"What should I do? What if he demands even more money next time? "Fear crept up his spine at the thought.
"I have an idea," said the samurai standing beside Gato.
"Oh? You have a solution?"
"Isn't Zabuza a missing-nin from the Village Hidden in the Mist? We can leak information about him. Once the Mist sends hunter-nin, they'll eliminate him on sight if he's caught off guard."
"That's… a really good idea. But the bridge? Who'll handle those Konoha ninjas?"
"We wait until the bridge is completed. Once the Konoha ninja leave, we destroy it. That will break the people's hope—or better yet, we seize it. It'll help us control trade."
Gato's expression lit up. "Brilliant! You really are my right-hand man."
"Not at all. It's thanks to your business genius that we live so well, Lord Gato."
"Hahaha, If you won't kill me, but dare insult me again… I'll make you regret it."
"Haruto, you've worked hard these past few days. Come on, let's buy something good to eat as a reward. "Tazuna patted Haruto on the shoulder and led him toward a butcher shop in town.
Haruto's eyes lit up. "Haha, guess I'm lucky today!"
But then, something caught his eye—a row of newly built thatched huts on the roadside, with women sitting in front of them. He asked Tazuna suspiciously, "This place... it wasn't here a few days ago. What is it?"
Tazuna's expression turned complicated. "They're… women who've lost their way. They've been around for a long time, just not here. "After a pause, he added, "Considering your age, you probably wouldn't understand. Anyway, it's not something good. Let's go."
Haruto glanced at the huts again, and in the eyes of the women sitting there, he saw desperation.
As Haruto and Tazuna finished picking out ingredients and stepped back onto the street—
A commotion erupted up ahead.