Battle of the Great Bridge

Naruto lay in bed, thinking about Inari's situation. He realized that even if they helped this country overcome its current crisis, it wouldn't change the fundamental state of the nation, because the people here lacked the resolve to stand on their own. This troubled Naruto deeply.

At this moment, Dark Naruto spoke up: "Since the people of this country are beyond saving, why are you worrying about it? Just finish the mission and go back to the village. It's their own fault for having no confidence in changing their future."

Good Naruto retorted: "You can't say it like that. If you don't try to change them, how do you know they can't be changed?"

Dark Naruto replied: "I don't think much of people like this anyway. Don't forget, I am the embodiment of the dark side of human nature; I know better than anyone how hard it is to change such people."

Good Naruto laughed: "Heh, it's difficult, but not entirely hopeless. It's better to try, Naruto. We can't just give up on them."

Dark Naruto was about to say more, but Naruto interrupted: "Enough, you two, be quiet. I'm annoyed enough as it is. Let me have some peace."

Naruto walked out of the room, feeling restless and wanting to clear his head. He had just reached the riverside when he heard Kakashi's voice. Curious, Naruto walked over and heard Kakashi talking to Inari about his own past.

Kakashi was saying: "Naruto has had no parents since he was a child. He might not even know who they were, and he didn't have any friends. But he never wallowed in pain or sorrow; instead, he worked desperately hard to gain recognition from others.

Perhaps he is the one who understands you best? To Naruto, crying and suffering are things he has likely told himself many times are useless, which is why he knows better than anyone what true strength is."

Upon hearing Kakashi's words, Inari was stunned. He hadn't expected that the guy who was always laughing and joking had such a tragic life. Compared to him, he was much more fortunate.

Hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto said coldly: "Kakashi-sensei, you really are a busybody."

Seeing Naruto, Kakashi smiled: "Oh, it's Naruto. Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Naruto said indifferently: "Couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk, only to hear someone being a busybody." Kakashi awkwardly scratched the back of his head, about to explain.

Just then, Inari suddenly asked: "Can it really be changed?"

Naruto asked, puzzled: "What?"

Inari gathered his courage and said: "Can this country be changed just by working hard?"

Naruto replied calmly: "This country won't change just because we give you hope. You must have the courage to change your own current situation. If you don't even have that courage, then even if this bridge is built, it will be for nothing."

After Naruto finished speaking, he prepared to go back to sleep, but Inari said: "I will work hard. I won't let you look down on me."

The corners of Naruto's mouth curled up involuntarily as he replied: "Do whatever you want; it's none of my business. I just need to finish the mission."

Kakashi smiled: "What an insincere guy."

At this, a happy glow appeared on Inari's face as he said: "I know what I have to do now. Thank you, Mr. Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled: "Heh, you're welcome. I'm just glad you've pulled yourself together."

Naruto lay in bed, feeling quite happy. Good Naruto said: "See? As long as you don't give up, there is still hope for them."

Naruto laughed: "Heh, maybe you're right."

Dark Naruto retorted: "It was just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, but these people are indeed salvageable this time; they weren't crushed by fear."

Naruto laughed: "Heh, that gives me motivation, too." With that, he fell into a peaceful sleep.

After Naruto fell asleep, Dark Naruto asked Good Naruto: "Why did you do that?"

Good Naruto laughed: "Heh, what's wrong with it? Whether he succeeds or not, it's not a bad thing for him, is it?"

Dark Naruto thought for a moment and said: "You're right, but I just don't like your hypocritical act."

Good Naruto said angrily: "How am I being hypocritical? I've always been like this. You owe me an apology; that's slander."

Dark Naruto ignored him and returned to the Mental Space. Good Naruto could only sigh in helpless silence.

Over the next few days, Naruto constantly adapted to his current power, whether it was ninjutsu, taijutsu, the speed of his chakra condensation, or the activation of his bloodline limit. Every day, Naruto was so tired he didn't want to move, truly suffering while enjoying it.

Naruto woke up late that day. When he went downstairs, he saw only Inari and Tsunami; the others were gone. Naruto asked: "Where are the others?"

Tsunami replied: "Mr. Kakashi and the others have all gone to the bridge. Today is the day the bridge is completed."

Naruto wanted to rush to the bridge immediately, but just as he was about to leave, he suddenly sensed someone approaching.

Naruto said: "I'll go check on the bridge first." With that, Naruto went out.

However, Naruto used a Body Flicker technique to return to Tazuna's house, hiding on the roof. He wanted to see how Inari would act when faced with adversity.

Meanwhile, the battle had already begun on the bridge. Kakashi was fighting Momochi Zabuza, while Sasuke was trapped in the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals by Haku's secret technique, unable to get out. After Zabuza and Kakashi exchanged a blow, they both retreated.

Zabuza laughed: "Kakashi, are you worried about that Uchiha brat?"

Kakashi smiled: "Heh, you should be the one worrying. I don't think that Yuki Clan member can beat Sasuke."

Zabuza laughed: "Is that so? Then let's continue. I've already thought of a way to deal with your Sharingan." After saying this, Zabuza formed hand seals and said: "Water Release: Kirigakure Jutsu."

Kakashi was suddenly unable to see where Zabuza was and could only rely on his senses to fight him. Sasuke was in even more trouble. Like Kakashi, he was shrouded in Haku's mist.

But the difference was that Haku's mist was infused with the Yuki Clan's Ice Release chakra. The speed Sasuke had gained from his Lightning Release Earth Walk was forcibly slowed down by this ice-infused mist.

Furthermore, because of the mist, the Sharingan could only see Haku's shadow. Sasuke dodged one of Haku's senbon in a sorry state and cursed: "Damn it, I didn't think the Sharingan had such a flaw."

At this moment, Haku's voice came through: "As long as you don't try to step out of my ice mirrors, I won't attack you."

Sasuke felt insulted and said angrily: "What, do you think I'm not worthy of being your opponent? Don't look down on me." Sasuke quickly formed hand seals: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

Sasuke condensed half of his chakra into this technique. Suddenly, the surrounding temperature rose sharply, and the mist was broken by Sasuke's Great Fireball.

Seeing that Sasuke had broken his mist in such a way, Haku praised: "I didn't expect you to break my mist like that. I have to admit, you really are a genius. But you are still inside my Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, so you'll have to stay here."

At this moment, Naruto finally waited for Gato's men. Seeing Inari finally gather the courage to resist, Naruto felt relieved as he cleared the way for Inari, then used the Flying Thunder God technique to arrive at Sasuke's side.

However, the moment Naruto reached Sasuke's side, he sensed danger and immediately grabbed Sasuke's hand, flashing to the side. Naruto's sudden appearance caused both sides of the battle to come to a halt.

Naruto looked at the panting Sasuke and the countless Haku figures hiding within the Ice Mirror, then laughed, "Sasuke, it seems you've gotten yourself into a tough fight. How about it? Do you need a hand?"

Seeing Naruto's carefree attitude, Sasuke said angrily, "What? Do you think I need the help of an idiot like you?"

Seeing Sasuke get angry, Naruto immediately put on a cheeky grin and said, "Why are you getting mad again? You really need to change that temper of yours. If you keep acting so hot-headed, you'll never find a woman in the future."

Sasuke knew Naruto's personality; the more you argued with him, the more shameless he became, so it was best to ignore him. Thus, Sasuke said coldly, "Be careful. This guy's technique is very powerful."

Naruto felt a bit disappointed that Sasuke didn't take the bait, but he still knew when to be serious. Naruto replied, "I can see that. If I were on the outside, I could break this technique from the exterior, but being inside isn't so simple."

Sasuke asked skeptically, "Can't you use your Flying Thunder God to get out?"

Naruto said regretfully, "I could certainly use Flying Thunder God, but I don't have a Flying Thunder God mark outside this bridge, and I don't think he'll let me throw a Kunai out there."

Sasuke said, "Then we have no choice but to defeat him."

Naruto laughed, "Don't be so impatient. I only said it's hard to break from the inside, not that it's impossible. Watch me."

Seeing Naruto's confident appearance, Sasuke knew that Naruto was capable of breaking this secret technique. Naruto looked at the countless Haku figures before him and laughed, "Brother Haku, are you going to dispel this technique yourself, or do you want me to break it?"

Seeing that Naruto had recognized him, Haku took off his mask and said, "Naruto, I hope you won't make things difficult for me, okay?"

Naruto laughed, "Hehe, Brother Haku, I know you're a good person, but I also hope you can understand me. Besides, all Zabuza wants is Gato's money, and that's something I can help him solve. How about it? Does that work?"

Haku said regretfully, "I'm sorry, I cannot go against Mr. Zabuza's wishes."

Sasuke said to Naruto, "It seems your persuasion has failed."

Naruto said helplessly, "Yeah, in that case, I have no choice but to break these Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals."

Naruto said to the Nine-Tails, "Kurama, time to work."

The Nine-Tails laughed, "I've been ready for a while." Suddenly, a powerful surge of chakra erupted from Naruto's body.

Golden chakra enveloped Naruto and Sasuke, forming the shape of a five-tailed fox, and Naruto's appearance underwent a massive change. (Hmm, a weakened version of Nine-Tails Mode.)

Sasuke looked at Naruto in surprise and said, "How did you become like this?"

Naruto laughed triumphantly, "Pretty impressive, right? This is the progress I've made over the last few days, synchronizing with Kurama's chakra. I can perfectly unleash Kurama's power."

Naruto activated his White Eye to spot Haku's true body, then used the five tails to sweep toward the surroundings, bypassing Haku. Instantly, the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals were shattered by Naruto. Naruto looked at Haku and laughed, "Brother Haku, shall we continue?"