The bridge in the Land of Waves was finally completed on the morning of the third day.
When the last plank was nailed down, the sea breeze swept across the bridge.
Some of the mist was blown away.
Sunlight fell upon the bridge.
Tazuna stood at the bridgehead, gripping a hammer, silent for a long while.
His hands were trembling.
Not from fear.
From excitement.
The villagers around him were quiet as well.
No one cheered.
They had gone too long without truly believing in hope.
Only when the bridge stretched out from the mist bit by bit, only when the final plank was truly laid down, did they finally realize—
The road was open.
The Land of Waves was no longer an isolated island with Gato's hand around its throat.
Inari stood at the very front of the crowd.
He looked at the bridge, then at the distant sea.
His eyes were red.
Naruto crouched beside him, his face full of pride.
"How was it?"
"Weren't the planks I carried important?"
Inari glanced at him.
"You carried them backward three times."
Naruto's expression froze.
"But didn't I fix them afterward?!"
Sasuke walked past them and coldly added:
"After being reminded seven times."
Naruto snapped:
"Show-off Sasuke, no one would think you were mute if you kept your mouth shut!"
Sasuke snorted.
But Inari suddenly smiled.
It was faint.
But he truly smiled.
Naruto paused, then began laughing too.
Shin-getsu stood by the bridge, watching the scene without speaking.
Haku walked over to his side.
"Aren't you going over there?"
Shin-getsu said:
"Watching is enough."
Haku was slightly taken aback.
Shin-getsu looked toward the bridgehead.
Tazuna was surrounded by a group of villagers.
Tsunami held Inari in her arms, tears in her eyes.
Several children had dragged Naruto away to