The group left the mountain peak and followed a winding trail for a little over ten minutes before finally reaching the shore.
A middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat waited aboard a small wooden boat, his wary eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Hurry up, Tazuna. I'm taking a huge risk coming to pick you up."
The middle-aged man urged Tazuna on as soon as he saw him.
Yet he showed no surprise or extra wariness at the sight of Kakashi and the others. He probably already knew Tazuna would return with ninja escorts.
"Thanks for the effort. How have things been while I was away? Gato hasn't made any new moves, has he?"
Tazuna led everyone over and motioned for Team 7 to board as he asked.
"Ah, he hasn't really done anything, but we still can't start work on the Great Bridge."
Once everyone was aboard, the boatman hurriedly picked up his pole and pushed hard. "The Gato Group has only gotten worse, though. Plenty of ordinary people can barely afford their daily food now. Ah..."
Sitting at the bow, Tazuna sighed at those words. "If we can finish the Great Bridge, all these problems will be solved."
Tazuna's helpless words were probably meant for Kakashi and the others.
Naruto merely gazed into the distance. This place would definitely become one of his footholds after he defected.
"Hmph, old man Tazuna, I wonder if you've ever heard this saying."
Everyone turned to Naruto when he spoke.
"What saying?" Tazuna asked.
"The poor can't fight the rich, and the rich can't fight those in power. You're being a little too idealistic. Without enough strength to stand up to the Gato Group, even if you build the Great Bridge, he can send people to blow it up."
Naruto's words struck at the