Mission accomplished

Although he had already learned the Eight Gates Released Formation.

Chiba had no confidence that he could actually use it.

To be precise, learning the Eight Gates was not particularly difficult.

The difficult part was improving his physical conditioning.

Opening the Eight Gates Released Formation would inflict unimaginable damage on his body.

Without physical conditioning as formidable as Guy's.

Forcing open the Eight Gates Released Formation would inevitably leave him regretting it.

Chiba shook his head and put this ninjutsu aside for the time being.

For now, the Eight Gates Released Formation could only serve as a last resort.

Until his taijutsu reached a certain level.

He would absolutely never use this forbidden technique.

Chiba looked at Kakashi Hatake and said:

"Kakashi-sensei, let's bury them."

Beside him, Naruto Uzumaki had long since dissolved into tears, looking utterly miserable.

Kakashi Hatake also looked somewhat dejected.

Sasuke Uchiha, on the other hand, seemed rather detached, perhaps because he was accustomed to death.

Still, this incident had also left a profound impression on Chiba.

He chose a suitable spot in the woods surrounding the Land of Waves.

Chiba buried the two of them there.

That was his promise.

Although they had been enemies, Chiba still admired Haku a great deal.

He would always follow through on what he promised.

That was his bottom line as a person, as well as his creed as a ninja.

Chiba had gradually found his own path as a ninja.

To always keep his word.

As fate would have it, Naruto Uzumaki's ninja way seemed to be the same.

Although Chiba had harbored other intentions when he first approached Naruto.

As they spent more time together, he had come to genuinely accept this little brother of his.

Whether one had influenced the other, or they had influenced each other.

Chiba was quite happy to accept how things had developed.

"Ninja worthy of respect."

Kakashi Hatake gazed at the unmarked gravestone, deeply moved.

"Kakashi-sensei, are ninja destined to become tools?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked the question he most wanted answered.

"A ninja cannot pursue the meaning of his own existence."

"It is crucial to regard yourself as nothing more than a tool."

Kakashi Hatake stood with both hands in his pockets, his gaze deep.

"The same goes for Konoha ninja."

The setting sun slowly sinking in the distance reflected everyone's mood.

"Then what about trying to forge your own ninja way?"

Chiba leaned against a large tree and looked at the unmarked gravestone.

"That path may be difficult, but it's worth a try."

"What do you think, Naruto?"

His inspiring gaze met Naruto Uzumaki's eyes.

As though that spirit had rubbed off on him, Naruto Uzumaki's eyes gradually grew clear and bright.

"All right! I've decided!"

"I'm going to forge my own ninja way, just like Big Brother Chiba!"

"A path I'll never regret!"

Construction of the Great Bridge continued.

Although Zabuza Momochi had attacked the bridge workers.

He had not taken their lives.

So after a short recovery, they returned to work.

With Chiba and his companions protecting them.

Everyone worked with exceptional enthusiasm.

Even so, it took another three days before construction was officially completed.

Looking at the magnificent Great Bridge, everyone understood.

The fate of the Land of Waves had truly changed.

Tazuna, however, understood that they had merely played supporting roles.

The one who had truly changed this country was the boy named Chiba.

Although several days had already passed.

To Tazuna, it still felt as though it had happened yesterday.

Chiba's ruthless decisiveness, and Gato being killed in an instant.

Gato's death had caused his entire company to collapse.

Only with the threat of the samurai and hired killers gone could the Land of Waves prosper.

Most importantly, Tazuna had also learned from his grandson.

Chiba had made contingency arrangements that saved the boy and his mother.

That kindness alone was enough for him to remember forever.

"Uncle Tazuna, does this bridge have a name?"

Chiba gazed at the Great Bridge and suddenly asked.

Hearing the question, Tazuna paused.

"Well..."

"I haven't thought about that yet."

"But now that you've asked, a good idea just came to me."

Chiba felt a surge of joy, but did not let it show on his face.

"What idea?"

Tazuna looked toward the other end of the Great Bridge and said:

"Thanks to you, the Land of Waves has truly emerged from the shadows."

"So let's call it the Chiba Great Bridge!"

The moment Tazuna finished speaking, the system notification sounded right on cue.

[Hidden mission completed. Distributing reward...]

[Reward successfully distributed. Congratulations, host. The power of your C-rank ninjutsu has been enhanced (doubled).]

Only when he heard the notification in his mind did Chiba finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Despite all the twists and turns, he had at least completed the mission.

Even in the middle and later stages, C-rank ninjutsu would still provide considerable combat power.

They were quick to cast, consumed little energy, and packed a respectable punch.

Honestly, Chiba felt that this mission's reward was remarkably generous.

Having the power of all his C-rank ninjutsu doubled inevitably set his imagination running.

In future battles against other ninja.

His opponent might unleash a Great Fireball Technique as tall as a person.

Meanwhile, Chiba's own Great Fireball Technique would swallow the opposing fireball whole.

That was certainly a sight to look forward to!

"All right, it's time for us to leave."

Kakashi Hatake waved to the people of the Land of Waves, bringing this mission to an end.

They officially set off on the journey home.

On the way back, something suddenly occurred to Chiba.

The Chunin Ninja Exams weren't far off now, were they?