Kakashi Hatake was not at all surprised that Chiba could bring himself to kill.
But the calm composure he displayed was more than Kakashi Hatake had expected.
"I can do it!"
Naruto Uzumaki shouted at Chiba.
Yet the hand gripping his kunai was still trembling.
The fear that flickered in his eyes from time to time made his state of mind all too clear.
This demand was still a little too much for him.
As for why Kakashi Hatake had made Chiba and Naruto Uzumaki do it,
it was because Sasuke Uchiha was far stronger than either of them in this regard.
After all, not everyone could live through the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
"Naruto, this is something every ninja has to go through."
Chiba's calm voice once again sounded in Naruto Uzumaki's ears.
"I hope you can do it!"
The moment those words fell,
the kunai flew from Naruto Uzumaki's hand, heading straight for the spot between the last Kirigakure ninja's brows!
Blood slowly trickled down his face.
Life had already drained from his body.
Yet Naruto Uzumaki's body still would not stop trembling.
This was the first time he had killed someone.
"Kakashi-sensei, Big Brother Chiba, Sasuke."
Naruto Uzumaki's voice trembled, as though steeped in fear.
"Does every ninja have to stain his hands with blood?"
Kakashi Hatake fell silent. Sasuke Uchiha fell silent.
Neither had a definite answer to that question.
But one thing was certain: every ninja's hands were stained with blood.
There were no exceptions.
That was the nature of this world.
Chiba came up to Naruto Uzumaki and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The fault isn't yours, or the ninjas'. It's this sick world."
"Only those who stand at the very top can change this world!"
As Naruto Uzumaki listened to Chiba, light gradually returned to his eyes.
"Do you remember what I wrote beneath the First Hokage's statue?"
Naruto Uzumaki thought for a moment, then said:
"First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, God of Shinobi!"
"Lifetime achievements: ended the wars, subdued the tailed beasts, founded Konoha..."
That incident had laid the foundation for his friendship with Big Brother Chiba.
So Naruto Uzumaki remembered it very clearly.
"Naruto, the reason the First could accomplish all that
"wasn't because he was kindhearted.
"It was because he had strength!"
Confusion flickered in Naruto Uzumaki's eyes.
"Strength?!"
Chiba clenched his fist and spoke loudly, like a seasoned pyramid scheme recruiter:
"Strength is the foundation of everything!"
"You won't agree to end the war? Then I'll beat you until you do!"
"It was precisely because he had that strength that the wars back then came to an end."
As they listened to Chiba, not only Naruto Uzumaki but even Sasuke Uchiha looked thoughtful.
Kakashi Hatake, however, looked utterly exasperated.
Hey, kid, don't lead them down the wrong path!
We're just carrying out a B-rank mission!
Is this really a question of strength...?
Kakashi Hatake gave it some serious thought. It did seem to have something to do with strength after all.
A Wooden Human Clad in Susanoo; two men subdued four nations.
That was an undisputed fact throughout the Shinobi World.
Although Kakashi Hatake had never witnessed those battles,
he had heard a little about them through the Anbu's records.
"So, if you want to change the way things are!"
Chiba's voice rose and fell with passion, stirring the blood.
"Strength is the only way!"
As he spoke, he placed his hand on Naruto Uzumaki's head.
"Luckily, your big brother here has always been working toward that goal."
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes shone as he looked at Chiba with deep admiration.
"So you have such a great ambition too, Big Brother!"
Seeing Naruto Uzumaki's expression, Chiba nodded in satisfaction.
At least all that talking wasn't wasted.
This strengthened Naruto's bond with me yet again.
All gain, no loss.
To Kakashi Hatake's surprise, after Chiba's words of guidance,
the thick-skinned Naruto seemed to have already adjusted.
"All right, we've lost enough time."
Kakashi Hatake interrupted:
"Since Chiba and Naruto have passed the test, let's get moving."
Tazuna thanked them profusely for their decision.
As an impoverished bridge builder, he could never afford the fee for a B-rank mission.
After a day's trek, the group arrived at the docks.
After hiring a small boat, they reached the unfinished bridge without incident.
Mist rose over the sea, carrying an ominous sense of danger.
Once they passed beneath the bridge, the scene before them changed completely, becoming bright again.
They were now within the Land of Waves.
After bidding the boatman farewell, the group headed toward Tazuna's home.
Yet the moment they entered the forest, Chiba's body abruptly tensed.
All around them, seemingly endless malice spread through the air!
Before you continue