A Changed Encounter, the Battle About to Begin

Early morning

"Morning...

Sasuke, Teacher Kakashi, Mr. Tazuna, Inari..."

Sakura rubbed her bleary eyes as she walked into the living room and greeted everyone, looking exhausted.

In order to become a strong girl Sasuke liked as soon as possible, she had secretly gone out to train after the protection mission ended yesterday.

She had trained until her Chakra was completely depleted, so naturally she was not in the best spirits now...

"Mm, eat..."

Kakashi glanced at Sakura and nodded warmly, quite approving of her nighttime training...

As an elite Jonin, how could he not have known about Sakura's actions!

What teacher would reject such a self-motivated student...

"By the way, Naruto didn't come back last night either?

That kid has seemed really desperate these past couple of days..."

Tazuna looked at the empty seat beside him and sighed as he shoveled down his food.

That brat really was not what he seemed!

"Hmph, what's the point of training so desperately...

No matter how hard they try, they won't be a match for Gato. In the end, they'll all die!"

Beside him, Tazuna's grandson Inari snorted darkly.

He looked down on the efforts of the three of them...

"Inari..."

Hearing her son's discouraging words, Tsunami hurried forward to scold him.

She wanted to avoid any further trouble...

"Kid, do you want to die?

It's one thing if you don't want to work hard yourself, but you're even trying to deny us.

If we die, what do you think will happen to your family!!

Teacher, I'll go get Naruto back for breakfast..."

Sasuke was not about to indulge him. He reprimanded him bluntly, rose to his feet, and left.

Today seemed to be the day Naruto met Haku!

Since they were destined to become enemies, it was better not to meet at all...

"Hmph, talking so big...

Anyway, you'll never be able to defeat Gato..."

Inari shouted at Sasuke's retreating back, venting the fear in his heart.

Of course he knew the consequences of failure...

He simply did not have the courage to break free from that fear!!

"Inari...

How could you say that about Sasuke-kun..."

How could Sakura stand for that? She immediately spoke up in Sasuke's defense.

"What could people like you, who have never experienced pain, possibly understand...

Someone like Gato is simply impossible to resist.

Your understanding of this country, of us, and of Gato is far too naive!"

Inari roared again, infuriating Sakura enough that she was about to teach this ignorant brat a lesson.

"Inari, was it...

I admit Sasuke's words were a little harsh, but what he said is reality.

As for pain?

Sorry, but Sasuke and Naruto have both experienced far more pain than you!

Yet they are still living on bravely and strongly, breaking through their own pain..."

Kakashi cut in and began his talk-no-jutsu, making Tazuna and Tsunami secretly breathe sighs of relief...

Meanwhile

"Idiot, it's time to eat..."

Sasuke raced all the way there and finally found Naruto fast asleep. He rewarded him with a hard knock on the head.

"Ow, that hurts...

Sasuke, don't hit so hard!"

Naruto jolted awake, clutching his head and looking at Sasuke with a wronged expression.

"Hurry back and eat. We still need to head to the bridge..."

Sasuke scanned the surroundings as he urged him along, secretly thinking that he had arrived before Haku!

Otherwise, Naruto would not have been asleep.

"Hehehe...

Sasuke, I've finished training in that Wind Style Ninjutsu!

I have to thank you for that trick you taught me..."

In high spirits, Naruto threw an arm around Sasuke's shoulder and grinned smugly as he ushered him forward.

"Is that so? I hope you don't let us down when the time comes...

If my guess is right, Zabuza may attack us tomorrow or the day after."

Sasuke glanced at Naruto's arm and smiled faintly, making him mentally prepare himself.

"Huh? Tomorrow or the day after??"

Naruto's smug expression instantly changed as his face fell.

When he said he had completed the training, he did not mean he could use it proficiently with perfect success.

There was still a one-in-three chance of failure...

If the attack came tomorrow, that would be awkward...

He had originally planned to show off after spending another couple of days mastering it!

"Is there a problem?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and questioned him, inwardly shocked by how powerful the Shadow Clone cheat was!!

"No, of course not..."

How could Naruto let Sasuke see that he had been boasting? He immediately patted his chest and stammered.

Inside, he was panicking like crazy...

"Hey? There's a pretty young lady over there..."

In his panic, Naruto shifted his gaze and pointed at someone approaching from the opposite direction, trying to divert Sasuke's attention.

"That is..."

Sasuke came back to his senses and focused his eyes, seeing a beautiful girl in a pink floral kimono walking toward them.

It was Haku, the popular character whose gender was unknown.

At the same time

Haku, on the other side, also saw Sasuke and Naruto and recognized them.

However, Haku's ninja training had been forged through harsh discipline.

Naturally, Haku remained unruffled and composed as they passed by the two of them...

"Hey? Sasuke...

Hehehe...

You gave yourself away, you know..."

Seeing Sasuke secretly glance at Haku, Naruto made a lewd expression and teased him.

He even secretly decided that once they returned to the village, he would take Sasuke somewhere to broaden his horizons...

It would count as repayment for the Shadow Clone training method!

"Idiot..."

Sasuke immediately withdrew his gaze and said coldly, quickening his pace as he left.

Haku was indeed a great popular character, but so what?

Their positions were different. Why would he gamble with his life for a bit of sentimentality...

The real ninja world was clearly crueler and more realistic than the story!

Besides, who knew whether Haku was male or female...

"Don't be shy, Sasuke!

Wait for me..."

Naruto immediately shouted and chased after him, making Sasuke walk even faster.

"Sasuke, Naruto.

Though it pains me a little, I cannot refuse Lord Zabuza's orders.

Tomorrow may be the day you die!

Enjoy these last Bonds of yours..."

Watching the two leave together, determination flickered in Haku's eyes as Haku murmured softly.

Haku had Bonds too!

And Haku could give Haku's life for them!!

The next day

"Didn't that brat Naruto say he'd finished his training?

Why did he go out to train again last night and come back so late??"

After breakfast, Tazuna looked at Naruto, who was sleeping soundly, and complained.

That guy still seemed pretty unreliable...

"Well, let him get some proper rest.

We'll head to the bridge first...

By my estimate, Zabuza's injuries should recover within the next day or two!

We need to be cautious and careful..."

A grave determination filled Kakashi's eyes as he turned to Tazuna and Sasuke beside him.

"Understood..."

Sasuke nodded in agreement and followed Kakashi and Tazuna out of the room.

After meeting up with Sakura, the group of four headed toward the bridge...