"Mr. Tazuna, are you alright?"
After taking care of the two Hidden Mist Village Ninja, Sakura Haruno walked over to Tazuna and asked.
"I...I'm fine."
"Your companions..."
Tazuna's expression was somewhat terrified.
In just an instant, those two Konoha Ninja had died.
Plus, he had concealed information earlier.
Now, let alone Gato, even the Konoha Ninja wouldn't let him off, would they?
"Don't worry, look."
Hearing Sakura's words, Tazuna looked forward.
He found that the bloodstains that were originally all over the ground had disappeared at some point, leaving only a few pieces of wood scattered on the ground.
"W-what's going on?"
Tazuna rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Immediately after, he saw Kakashi Hatake appear before him.
"Sakura, Sasuke, good job."
Kakashi Hatake's voice rang out.
Uchiha Sasuke crossed his arms, a proud expression appearing on his face.
In his first real combat, he had instantly killed his opponent.
Indeed, he was still that genius Ninja!
"Ohayo~"
Uzumaki Naruto also slowly walked over to them.
"Naruto-kun!"
Although she had suspected it, now that she saw Uzumaki Naruto was fine with her own eyes, Sakura Haruno finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sakura, good job."
Uzumaki Naruto smiled and lightly flicked Sakura's nose.
"Ouch..."
Sakura let out a soft whine, then obediently stood beside Uzumaki Naruto.
Kakashi Hatake, standing nearby, pouted.
I say, you two brats, could you at least consider other people's feelings when you're being so lovey-dovey?
Can't you see there's an excellent, older single man here?
"Naruto, you ran pretty fast, didn't you?"
Uchiha Sasuke said, somewhat displeased, seeing Naruto and Sakura's actions.
"Urgent pee, urgent pee."
Uzumaki Naruto said casually.
Hearing Uzumaki Naruto's perfunctory answer, Uchiha Sasuke became even more displeased.
"Hmph!"
"It's fine even if you admit you were scared just now, I won't laugh at you."
"You and I are different."
"Although this is my first time fighting a Ninja, I carry the honor of the Uchiha Clan, so I won't back down even if it means death."
Uchiha Sasuke said with a proud tone.
"Got it, got it."
"Sasuke, your performance this time was indeed great, keep up the good work~"
Uzumaki Naruto patiently praised Uchiha Sasuke.
No choice, with his "I did so well this time, hurry up and praise me" expression, if he didn't compliment him a few times, Sasuke would probably keep nagging for who knows how long.
"Hmph!"
"I don't need a loser like you to evaluate me."
After hearing Uzumaki Naruto's words, Uchiha Sasuke's lips couldn't help but curl upwards.
"This guy woke up!"
Just then, Tazuna exclaimed.
Subsequently, the group approached the assassin Ninja.
"Who are you?"
"Who is the target this time?"
Kakashi Hatake asked in a cold voice.
"Hmph!"
The assassin Ninja snorted coldly, then a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he instantly lost all vital signs.
Seeing this, Kakashi Hatake sighed.
"This guy committed suicide by poison."
Then, Kakashi turned his gaze to Tazuna and began to speak to himself.
"Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are all leaving the Village for the first time, and they are only Genin, so they shouldn't be the target."
"As for me... I'm somewhat well-known in the Ninja World, so if I were the target, they wouldn't send two Genin."
"Therefore, there's only one possibility..."
At this point, Kakashi's eyes turned cold.
"Mr. Tazuna, do you have anything to explain?"
Hearing Kakashi's question, Tazuna broke out in a cold sweat.
The thing he least wanted to see happen had still occurred.
"I..."
"If you don't tell us the truth, we have the right to abandon this mission."
"Furthermore, the mission fee will not be refunded."
Kakashi said calmly.
"No, I'll tell you!"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Tazuna said anxiously.
The mission fee this time was painstakingly saved up by the people in the Village; if it was just gone like that, how could he possibly face them when he returned?
Left with no choice, Tazuna could only tell the whole truth of the matter.
After listening, Kakashi Hatake nodded.
"Naruto, did you sense this earlier?"
"Something like that."
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
Kakashi Hatake asked.
"Although this old man is quite annoying, he's also quite pitiful."
"I'm willing to help him."
Uzumaki Naruto said indifferently.
Nonsense, if he had said it earlier, Kakashi would most likely abandon this mission. How else could he logically get rid of Gato?
"Naruto, you're too kind!"
Tazuna didn't know Uzumaki Naruto's true thoughts; after hearing what Naruto said, he was moved to tears.
He almost knelt down to Naruto on the spot.
"Idiot, but this matter was handled quite well..."
Uchiha Sasuke smiled slightly.
This fool, sometimes he's quite reliable.
Kakashi Hatake also had a look of relief.
Back then, the Fourth Hokage was also such a passionate and kind person.
Only Sakura rolled her eyes.
What's with that?
He spoke as if it were true.
This acting skill—no wonder even the Third Hokage was fooled.
"Hey, why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Even if you praise me, I won't be happy."
"Hahahahaha..."
Watching Uzumaki Naruto laugh with his hands on his hips, everyone was speechless.
Your expression doesn't match what you're saying at all!
"Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto has made his decision. I want to hear your thoughts."
"Do you still want to continue the mission?"
Kakashi Hatake asked Sasuke and Sakura.
"Kakashi-sensei, I'll support whatever Naruto wants to do!"
Sakura immediately said.
Kakashi: "..."
He finally understood: Sakura was completely blinded by love!
"Sasuke, what about you?"
Kakashi turned to Uchiha Sasuke.
"Hmph!"
Uchiha Sasuke snorted softly, secretly glanced at Naruto, and a blush appeared on his face.
"I also agree to continue the mission."
Kakashi: "I can understand Sakura being blinded by love, but why are you blushing like a teapot?!"
However,
since all three members of the team agreed to continue the mission, he had nothing more to say.
"In that case, I announce..."
"The mission continues!"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Tazuna was incredibly excited.
If these Konoha Ninja had really given up the mission, everything would have been over.
His death was a small matter; disappointing the villagers' hopes would be a much greater sin.
Fortunately,
although there were some minor hiccups, the outcome was good.
"Naruto Bridge..."
"That name sounds pretty good."
Tazuna murmured.