"Haha, who do you mean? The shortest one who looks the dumbest?"
Hearing the newcomer say that, Naruto planted his hands on his hips and laughed confidently. Sasuke and Sakura glanced at him, then quietly moved to stand beside him.
"I'll kill you! I'm going to kill you!"
Once Naruto realized he was the one being insulted, he immediately lost his cool. Just as he was about to charge at the man they were supposed to protect, Madara Uchiha caught him in time.
"He's the person we're protecting on this mission. Naruto, do you want to fail the mission?"
At Madara Uchiha's reminder, Naruto immediately calmed down, though he had still been itching to march over and argue. If asked whose words Naruto listened to most these days, even Mikoto, who had always cared for him the most, would probably have voted for Madara Uchiha.
"My subordinates may be young, but they are all outstanding ninja. If you want us to protect you properly, please watch your mouth and give them the respect they deserve."
After reprimanding Naruto, Madara Uchiha turned to the gray-haired man. He was deeply displeased that the man had belittled his subordinates the moment they met. Under Madara Uchiha's intimidating gaze, a chill rose from deep within the man, who had been acting flippantly until then. That chill sobered him up at once.
"Hmph, aren't you impressive? I'm Tazuna, the world-famous master bridge builder. You'd better protect me properly until I return to my country and finish building my bridge. I hope you really are as outstanding as you claim."
Although he was afraid of Madara, Tazuna had his own pride. He still braced himself and introduced himself to Madara Uchiha.
"Hmph, of course we are, old man!"
Standing behind Madara, Naruto pulled an exaggerated face