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"Naruto, what is going on with you?"
Yasei looked at Naruto's bruised and swollen face, feeling like his head was about to explode.
Because he had already spotted Kazuki, sitting on a tree branch, watching the show with a broad smile.
It's over, it's over, it's over. This kid Naruto has caused trouble again right after arriving at the camp.
"Sasuke, what happened?"
Compared to the frantic Captain Yasei, Kaze remained very calm.
His thinking was similar to Kazuki's: it was just kids fighting, no need to make a big fuss.
As long as it didn't escalate, it was fine.
Besides, what's wrong with someone from the Uchiha clan having a bit of personality? Isn't that expected?
While Sasuke's personality had its little issues, Kaze understood clearly that this child wasn't the type to actively cause trouble.
The blame for the fight probably lay with Naruto.
"Ask him."
Sasuke huffed, crossing his arms and turning his head away, not even wanting to look at Naruto again.
"You explain it to the Lord Advisor yourself."
With that, Kaze had nothing more to say. If the responsibility wasn't Sasuke's, then it was Naruto's problem.
What came next had little to do with him.
"It's all Naruto's fault! He attacked Sasuke for no reason."
Before Captain Yasei could get a response from Naruto, Karin couldn't hold back and spoke up first.
Her little heart was practically leaping out of her throat, terrified that Sasuke might have been hurt.
Fortunately, during the earlier scuffle, Sasuke hadn't suffered, while Naruto ended up a bit worse for wear...
"Lord Advisor."
It was about time. Kazuki couldn't continue watching the show, so he jumped down from the tree.
With Shisui and Itachi appearing alongside him, the expressions on Naruto's defiant and Sasuke's stubborn, silent faces shifted to confusion.
They had been fighting right under Kazuki's nose?
Now, not just Naruto, who was primarily at fault, but even Sasuke felt a little uneasy.
"Relax. It's just kids fighting. Not a big deal. Take the kids and finish the tasks first. We can discuss the rest later."
Kazuki patted Yasei's shoulder, indicating he didn't need to be nervous.
Honestly, this guy was quite unlucky. He was perfectly fine staying at the camp, but ended up being voluntold by Jiraiya.
The western camp couldn't spare Jiraiya, so he had to pick a reliable person to bring the team.
Unfortunately, Naruto's troublemaking abilities were top-notch. With him and Sakura together, the team had no hope of peace and quiet.
"YES, SIR!!"
Now wasn't the time to discuss punishment. Yasei also breathed a sigh of relief, unable to resist giving Naruto a light smack on the head as he yelled:
"What are you standing around for? Get to work!!"
Weren't you acting all tough just now, kid?
Why so timid now that the Lord Advisor has shown up?
The group scattered to begin their work. It was only then that Naruto realized just how stupid his earlier tree-chopping method had been.
'Sss— That hurts! Damn, Sasuke hit way too hard.'
Accidentally touching his face, Naruto winced in pain.
It had to be said, Gamabunta had gone all out. With all the squads and many camp ninja working together, it took considerable effort to cut all the trees into appropriately sized logs and transport everything back to camp.
They had to build several wood storage sheds to house it all.
After the unfortunate kids rested for a day, their new mission arrived.
Under their squad leaders' guidance, they were to help complete the construction of the new village, ensure the village's safety, and maintain order.
Amidst the groans and complaints, the group of brats also began to grasp the harsh reality of war.
These people were all war refugees who had fled from the Land of Waterfalls. Looking into their helpless, hopeless eyes left the kids feeling a heavy weight in their hearts.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, cloaking the entire world in a white veil.
In the command headquarters, Kazuki looked over the collected intelligence. A brazier nearby kept the entire room warm and cozy.
"Is standing at the doorway in the cold wind very comfortable?"
Kazuki asked without looking up.
The person standing silently at the doorway, not daring to make a sound, then awkwardly shuffled into the command center.
Kazuki looked up. 'Well, well. Did you all plan this together?'
The first to enter was Naruto, followed by Sakura and Mizunami. Then members from the other squads arrived, quickly filling the command center to capacity.
"Lord Advisor."
A horde of brats squeezed into the headquarters, packing it full.
Kazuki's eyelid twitched a few times. He signaled to Izumi to boil some water. These kids must be freezing.
The taste of carrying out missions in the dead of winter wasn't pleasant.
Unlike him, sitting in the command center by the fire, comfortable and cozy, even feeling a bit drowsy and utterly relaxed.
"Alright, out with it. Why have you all crowded in here?"
"Because..."
Naruto, standing at the front, scratched his head sheepishly, finding it difficult to speak. Several days had passed, and the injuries on his face had mostly healed.
"Hmm?"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Hinata told us to come."
Seeing Kazuki's raised eyebrow and questioning sound, Naruto panicked and directly sold out Hinata.
In the crowd, Hinata immediately facepalmed.
'Naruto... I give you advice, and you turn around and betray me?'
"Alright, if you have something to say, say it. If you have something to get off your chest, get it out." Kazuki was both exasperated and amused.
'You really are something else...'
"Heh heh."
Seeing Kazuki wasn't angry, Naruto relaxed. But before he could speak, Sasuke cut in first.
"Sir, has the war in the Land of Waterfalls reached a point where civilians can no longer survive there?"
Putting down the scroll in his hand, Kazuki's gaze swept over the group of youngsters. His expression grew serious.
"Yes. Because it's not just that the Land of Waterfalls has become a battlefield. The issue is that Iwagakure is plundering everything from the Land of Waterfalls. These civilians are also victims of the war, with no choice but to flee to the Land of Fire. Fortunately, our Land of Fire's Daimyō is willing to take them in. Otherwise, these people wouldn't even be able to enter the Land of Fire."
"Why though?"
Naruto's reaction remained as naive as ever.
Kazuki wasn't angry and answered his question.
"Because these war refugees, if the village and the capital don't accept them and make arrangements, will, out of desperation, turn from refugees into people who harm the Land of Fire. Perhaps they are pitiful, but this situation wasn't created by us. The ones truly responsible are Iwagakure. You all should be grateful. Be grateful you were born and raised in a powerful village. Otherwise, you could very well become one of these refugees at any time, perhaps in an even worse state than them."
He decided against giving darker examples. These children would experience such things firsthand as they grew up.
Some matters were better learned through personal experience than through repeated explanations.
And that time wasn't far off.
They would grow up soon enough.
"I think these people are so pitiful. Their eyes look numb, like they have no hope in life."
The girls felt sympathy for these war refugees.