Shin-getsu nodded.
Sasuke's gaze was complicated.
He had seen too much today.
Zabuza.
Haku.
Black Zetsu.
The Land of Waves.
Gato.
The hostage situation on the bridge.
And Shin-getsu's eye, the one that could truly wound the monster behind it all.
He had once thought that catching up to Itachi was his goal.
But now, he suddenly realized that the shinobi world was far bigger than he had imagined.
Its enemies were also hidden far deeper than he had imagined.
Shin-getsu looked at him.
"Scared?"
Sasuke's expression turned cold.
"No."
Shin-getsu said:
"Then remember today."
"The enemy will not always stand in front of you."
"Sometimes, when you cut someone down, you are only cutting down a blade someone else handed them."
Sasuke fell silent for a moment.
"Then how do I cut down the one holding the blade?"
Shin-getsu looked at the scroll.
"Follow the hilt."
Sasuke remembered those words.
In the distance, the villagers began rebuilding the bridge.
This time, they moved faster.
Not because no one was afraid.
But because they knew they had to keep building even if they were afraid.
Naruto ran over to help.
He did not know how to build a bridge. He only knew how to carry planks.
He carried them in a complete mess and nearly dropped one on his own foot.
Inari shouted beside him:
"You idiot! That one doesn't go there!"
Naruto immediately snapped back:
"You're the idiot! I'm a ninja!"
"Even a ninja can't put a plank on backward!"
"Huh? It's backward?"
Sasuke could not stand watching anymore. He walked over and turned the plank around.
"Dead last."
Naruto shouted angrily:
"Show-off Sasuke, didn't you almost get sent flying by the hunter-nin too?"
Sasuke's face darkened.
The two started arguing again.
Haku smiled softly nearby as he helped