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"Root?"

The unfamiliar name left everyone on the bridge stunned.

Kakashi's expression instantly turned incredibly grim, even more solemn than when he had faced Zabuza. His exposed eye was filled with unprecedented vigilance and... deep apprehension.

"Root? What's that?" Naruto looked utterly confused as he assumed a fighting stance. "I don't care who you are, get lost!"

Sasuke immediately activated his Sharingan and stared fixedly at the two people atop the bridge tower. He could sense that these two felt completely different from Zabuza and Haku—more sinister, more... lifeless.

Ling Yue's heart sank as well.

Root? Danzo Shimura's Root? Why would they be here?! The plot had completely gone off the rails!

Kado was also bewildered by the sudden appearance of the two, but emboldened by his numbers, he cursed, "Hey! Who the hell are you? You dare meddle in my, Kado's, business? Get them! Take those two down too!"

The thugs behind him shouted as they charged forward.

The two people atop the bridge tower did not even lower their heads to look at them.

One of them merely raised a hand casually.

Several black shadows silently emerged from the bridge's shadows, from the water, and even from among the thugs!

All of them wore animal masks. Their movements were perfectly uniform, and they were astonishingly fast!

The faint sounds of blades slicing through throats rang out one after another!

The thugs at the front could not even scream before collapsing one after another, their blood instantly staining a patch of the bridge red.

Clean and efficient, without a single unnecessary movement.

The remaining thugs and Kado were terrified out of their wits. They stood frozen in place, not daring to move.

"Ah... ah..." Kado's legs trembled, and his pants instantly darkened as he collapsed onto the ground.

The Root ninjas did not even glance at them. Like dolls that had completed their task, they silently melted back into the shadows and vanished.

Only then did the Root member who had spoken slowly lower his head. His gaze seemed to pierce through his mask and settle on Kakashi.

"Copy Ninja Kakashi. What happens here no longer concerns the Hidden Leaf Village." His voice was completely flat, as if he were merely stating a fact. "Take your people and leave."

Kakashi shielded Ling Yue behind him and said in a low voice, "We are Hidden Leaf Village ninjas commissioned by the Land of Waves to carry out a mission. The mission is not yet complete. We cannot leave."

"The commission is canceled," the Root member said coldly. "Or do you wish to make enemies of Root?"

The air instantly tightened, killing intent spreading everywhere.

Naruto and Sasuke both felt a suffocating pressure.

"Damn it..." Naruto gritted his teeth and wanted to argue, but Kakashi stopped him with a stern look.

Kakashi knew that Root's appearance meant the nature of this matter had completely changed.

This was no longer a simple C-rank mission or a matter involving a corrupt merchant. It likely involved the Hidden Leaf Village's upper ranks, its darker side, and internal struggles within the village.

If they clashed head-on, their battered little team stood no chance. They might even bring trouble to the village.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger and frustration in his heart. "...We need to confirm the client's wishes."

His gaze turned toward Tazuna at the other end.

Tazuna had long been scared senseless by the string of sudden developments. Looking at the thugs who had been instantly killed, then at the two terrifying figures atop the bridge tower, his lips trembled, but no words came out.

The Root member seemed to have little patience. He looked directly at Tazuna, his voice carrying an unquestionable pressure. "Construction of the Land of Waves' bridge will be taken over by us from this point onward. We will ensure its completion and accessibility, in accordance with... certain people's interests. Do you have any objections?"

Tazuna shuddered. Looking at that emotionless mask, how could he dare object? He hurriedly shook his head. "N-No objections! As long as the bridge gets built!"

To him, as long as the bridge was completed and Kado was driven away, it did not matter who took over.

"Good." The Root member nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Kakashi again. "Then your mission is over. You may leave."

It was an ultimatum.

Kakashi clenched his fists, then helplessly loosened them.

He looked at the terrified Tazuna, then at the students beside him, covered in wounds and drained of chakra. In the end, he forced out three difficult words.

"...We're leaving."

"Sensei Kakashi!" Naruto shouted unwillingly.

"We're leaving, Naruto." Kakashi's voice carried exhaustion unlike anything they had ever heard before.

Sasuke gritted his teeth as well. His Sharingan swept unwillingly over the two people atop the bridge tower before he finally helped the weakened Ling Yue up.

Amid oppressive silence, the group slowly walked down from the bridge.

Kado and his remaining thugs lay where they were like discarded trash, ignored by everyone.

What awaited them would certainly not be anything good.

They had gone far from the bridge, until its silhouette could no longer be seen, before Naruto finally erupted. "Why?! Sensei Kakashi! We clearly won! Why did we have to hand the mission over to those shady bastards? Who do they think they are?!"

"Shut up, Naruto," Kakashi snapped, his tone harsher than ever before.

Naruto was startled and closed his mouth resentfully.

Sakura asked softly, "Sensei, what exactly is Root?"

Kakashi fell silent for a moment before slowly answering, "...A special department of the Hidden Leaf Village. It answers directly to the upper ranks and handles certain... things that cannot see the light of day. Don't ask any more questions, and don't mention what happened today to anyone."

His explanation was vague, but the apprehension in his voice was obvious.

Ling Yue understood. They really were Danzo's people.

Why had they set their sights on the Land of Waves' bridge? For the convenience of future transport? Or was there some unspeakable secret involved?

Sasuke suddenly spoke, his Sharingan fixed on Kakashi. "That masked one... the way he looked at you, he knows you. And he's strong."

Kakashi did not answer. He merely quickened his pace. "Leave the Land of Waves as soon as possible."

The atmosphere grew even heavier.

The mission had ended in a frustrating manner. The joy of victory had been completely washed away by the sudden turn of events and the shadow of Root.

After returning to Tazuna's house and packing up simply, they prepared to set off for the Hidden Leaf Village immediately.

Tazuna was deeply grateful. He brought out the little money and food his family had, hoping to reward them, but Kakashi politely declined.

"As long as the bridge gets built," Kakashi said only that.

The atmosphere remained oppressive aboard the small boat leaving the Land of Waves.

The sea breeze blew, but it could not disperse the gloom in everyone's hearts.

Ling Yue leaned against the side of the boat, watching the Land of Waves gradually recede into the distance, her mind a mess.

During this mission, she had nearly died several times. Although she had earned quite a few system points and skills, she had also exposed a lot, and in the end, Root had stolen the fruits of their victory...

She felt someone watching her. Turning her head, she found Sasuke looking at her with a complicated expression.

"What is it?" Ling Yue asked.

"...Thank you." Sasuke turned his head away. His voice was low, but clear enough. "Back then... for standing in front of me."

Ling Yue was stunned for a moment before realizing he meant when she had blocked the blade for him. She smiled. "It was nothing. I just did it without thinking..."

"Why?" Sasuke interrupted her. Turning back, his Sharingan locked tightly onto hers. "You were clearly already at your limit. Why did you still rush over? We... were only temporary teammates."

His question was blunt, carrying the stubbornness and inquisitiveness unique to the Uchiha.

Naruto and Sakura quietly perked up their ears too.

Though Kakashi did not turn around, he seemed to slow his rowing as well.

Ling Yue looked into Sasuke's serious eyes, thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Why does there have to be a reason? I saw you were about to get cut down. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch? Besides..."

She paused, looking out at the sea. Her tone was casual, yet carried a hint of seriousness. "Dead teammates can't grow stronger and go on missions together later. I'm still counting on riding your coattails someday."

The answer was somewhat unexpected.

Sasuke froze, seemingly not expecting that reason.

He looked at Ling Yue's pale profile, recalling her strange but effective skills and how desperately she had fought. His eyes flickered a few times before he finally said nothing more and silently turned away.

Naruto, however, started shouting excitedly. "That's right, that's right! We're Team 7! We're going to become amazing ninjas together! No one can be missing!"

Sakura nodded firmly too. "Mm!"

Kakashi's back seemed to relax slightly.

The mood aboard the boat eased a little.

Ling Yue secretly let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to muddle through it.

She closed her eyes and sank her consciousness into the system.

This Land of Waves mission might have ended frustratingly, but the system points and rewards were real enough.

It was time to take proper stock and consider how to improve her strength. Root's appearance had given her a powerful sense of crisis.

Just as she was about to check the system.

[Ding! A special energy marker has been detected attached to the host's clothing. Source analysis: suspected Root tracking secret technique. Consume 50 points to block or remove it?]

Ling Yue's breathing nearly stopped, and her eyes flew open!

She had been marked?! When had it happened? Was it that Root member atop the bridge tower? They truly had not intended to let them go so easily!