"... It's morning, brother, did you wake me up?"
Faced with someone who was several years older than him, Naruto still addressed him with respect and asked in a natural tone.
Bai was obviously stunned when he heard the accurate title of "brother". Because of his overly delicate and beautiful face, almost everyone would subconsciously call him "little girl" or "sister" when they saw him for the first time. It has been a long time since anyone could accurately recognize his true gender at a glance.
Shiro's eyes lightly glanced at the forehead protector on Naruto's forehead that symbolized the Konoha ninja, and then he responded with a gentle and gentle smile as always. "Well, it's morning. Get up quickly. Sleeping in a humid place like this is not good for your body."
Seeing that Bai Mingming had recognized his identity as Konoha Ninja through Forehead Protector, but showed no hostility at all, but still maintained goodwill, Naruto also responded with a sincere smile, "Well, thank you for reminding me. By the way, brother, what are you doing here so early?"
"I'm here to pick some herbs," Bai Weiwei raised the small bamboo basket in his hand, "Pick some herbs that can cure diseases and heal wounds."
"Well, it's really hard work to go out early in the morning to collect herbs." Naruto said with emotion.
Bai just shook his head and didn't say much. These herbs are all used to treat Zabuza... For him, as long as it is to protect Mr. Zabuza who gave him the meaning of life and his destination, no matter how hard and trivial the love, he will do it willingly.
Afterwards, Naruto offered to help and went with Bai to search for the needed herbs among the woods and grass in the early morning. Bai was a little surprised at first, but seeing Naruto's enthusiastic and serious look, he accepted the offer.
After working for a while and filling the bamboo basket with the required herbs, Bai stopped and turned to Naruto, showing a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for coming to help. It's getting late, go back quickly, otherwise, I'll worry about you."
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded and said cheerfully, "Then we'll see you again."
Bai smiled and nodded, then turned around and prepared to leave.
At this moment - a few strands of long black hair in front of the white forehead and on the temples were suddenly lifted up. Bai subconsciously tilted his head slightly and looked around with some confusion...
Is it the wind?
But he couldn't see it. Just as the gust of wind passed by, a golden figure appeared in front of him.
The next moment, the golden figure quickly receded and merged into the back of Naruto who was waving goodbye to him not far away and disappeared.
"Naruto! Naruto——!"
In the woods in the early morning, an anxious figure was walking quickly, pushing aside the dense branches and leaves, his voice full of worry and urgency.
Satsuki shouted Naruto's name while looking around nervously. When she woke up this morning, she found that the floor of Naruto was empty!
Although Kakashi deduced that Naruto might have gotten up early to practice as usual, but Sasuki couldn't let go. He didn't even have the heart to eat breakfast, so he immediately ran out to look for him.
"Um... Excuse me, are you looking for someone?"
A gentle voice came from the side, calling out to Satsuki who was in a panic. Satsuki immediately jumped down from the branch and landed in front of the person who made the voice.
It was a "girl" with long straight black hair, a delicate and beautiful appearance, and wearing a simple and elegant kimono - at least on the surface. It is Bai.
"Yes!" Satsuki nodded eagerly, "Have you ever seen a boy with blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a Konoha ninja Forehead Protector, about this tall?"
"Well," Bai raised his finger to a place in the woods, "I saw him, he was in the open space not far over there. He seemed to be too tired from practicing, so he lay down on the grass and fell asleep."
"Really? Thank you so much!" After hearing the exact news, Satsuki's heart finally dropped halfway. She thanked him hurriedly, turned around immediately, and ran with all her strength towards Fang Yan pointed by Bai. Her figure quickly disappeared among the trees.
Bai stood there quietly, looking at Satsuki's unconcealed anxiety and quickly retreating back, a complicated and clear look flashed in his eyes.
It seems... this girl is the same type of person as me.
He lowered his eyes slightly, understanding in his heart. The next time we meet... we should be enemies on opposite sides.
Although a faint melancholy flashed through his heart, Bai's face still showed no change in expression. He turned around silently, carrying the basket full of herbs, and left quietly.
In the next few days, perhaps because there was no new action on the Gato side, many bridge repairers who were originally scared away came one after another, and the place became busy again.
Looking at the skeleton of the bridge - Tenten extending across the sea, this bridge, which carries the hope of driving Gato out of the country of Poland, will soon be completely completed.
Sakura's mood also relaxed a lot. In the past few days, when she went to the market with Tazuna to make purchases, she really saw the miserable situation of the civilians in this country under the oppression of Gato, which made her even less understanding of the significance of building this bridge.
Now, the terrifying Kirigakure rebel has not attacked again, and the bridge is nearing completion. It seems that everything is moving towards a successful conclusion.
Out of caution, Naruto, Satsuki and Sakura did not continue to practice in the woods in the next few days. Naruto even left a Shadow Clone at Tazuna's home in case Gato sent someone to steal the house.
Their main bodies followed Kakashi to the ground on the bridge, always alert to possible attacks from the sea or dense fog.
However, looking at the students helping to look around seriously and responsibly, this guy Kakashi "revealed his true colors". He actually took out the orange-covered "Icha Icha Paradise" in full view of everyone on his escort mission, and read it with relish, completely immersed in his own world.
Sakura's speechless look, and Satsuki secretly whispered into Naruto's ear and whispered in a tone of hatred, "Don't Kakashi-sensei learn such a lax attitude." None of them could stop Jonin from immersing himself in the ocean of "literature".
In this way, in a strange atmosphere mixed with nervousness and Kakashi-style leisure, a few days passed peacefully.
Straight [this day——
Deep in the sea fog, there was a slight sound of water. An inconspicuous little wooden boat quietly penetrated the morning fog and slowly approached the bottom of the bridge.