Chapter 16: Since We're Already Here, NarutoForcibly Triggers a Hidden PlotlineThump.Tazuna's knees went weak, and he fell directly to the ground.His psychological defenses had completely collapsed."I'm sorry! I... I really had no other choice!"Tazuna covered his face, his clouded eyes streaming with old tears."If the bridge isn't finished, the Land of Waves is doomed... Gato... that man controls everything!""Shipping, transportation, he even holds our very lives in his hands! I am a master bridge builder, the last hope of the Land of Waves, and he wants my life!""But I have no money! The Land of Waves is so poor we can't even afford to eat, I simply couldn't afford high-level Ninja!"The old man's wailing echoed through the forest, sounding utterly miserable.Sasuke's grip on his Kunai loosened slightly.Although he was arrogant by nature, faced with an old man who would go so far as to lie for the sake of his country and people, he felt somewhat moved.Sakura's eyes were even rimmed with red, her sympathy overflowing."So that's how it is... for the sake of the country..."Only Naruto showed no signs of being moved.He just tilted his head, as if he had heard a joke."Gato?"Naruto dug this name out from a corner of his memory."You mean that shorty who has nothing but money and wears stilts whenever he goes out?"Tazuna's crying stopped abruptly.He stared blankly at Naruto.That was one of the world's few great billionaires, a mafia boss, yet in this boy's mouth, how did he become a shorty?Kakashi stepped forward and sighed.Since it involved Gato, the nature of the matter had completely changed."Naruto, take your foot off."Kakashi glanced at the half-dead Demon Brothers on the ground, then looked at Tazuna."Mission terminated."Kakashi's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable decisiveness."According to the Ninja code, when the actual difficulty of a mission exceeds the commissioned rank, the team leader has the right to abandon the mission. This is no longer a scope that Genin can handle.""There may be Jonin-level enemies appearing next."Upon hearing the word "Jonin," Sakura's face instantly turned pale.Those two Chunin just now had already pushed them into a chaotic scramble; if it were a Jonin..."Right! Kakashi-sensei is right!"Sakura said eagerly, her voice somewhat sharp with fear."We should go back! This is too dangerous! We just graduated, there's no way we could beat a Jonin!"She looked at Sasuke, hoping for support.Sasuke was silent.Although he was unwilling, his reason told him that if he faced a Jonin now, he would only have a dead end.If Naruto hadn't acted just now, he might already be a corpse.His revenge was not yet complete; dying here would be meaningless.Tazuna collapsed on the ground in despair.It was over.Everything was over.Just when everyone thought they were going to head back."Heh."A light chuckle broke the stifling atmosphere.Naruto loosened his foot, kicking the two unconscious assassins to the side of the road like trash.[Ding! Key plot node detected.][Option A: Follow Kakashi's advice and return to the village for ramen. Reward: Title "Ninja Turtle" (Defense +50% after equipping, but movement speed is extremely slow).][Option B: Persist with the mission and publicly mock Gato as a fat pig. Reward: Special item "kubikiribōchō usage experience card" (30 minutes).][Option C: Say "Since we're already here" and hint at looking forward to clashing with strong opponents. Reward: Hidden character "Haku" affinity preset +1 (Unlock special side quest: This Assassin Is Not So Cold).]Naruto's gaze lingered on the virtual panel for a tenth of a second.Ninja Turtle?Even a dog wouldn't want that.kubikiribōchō?Besides being able to absorb blood and self-repair, that broken blade is clumsy as hell; it's too dull to even use for chopping vegetables.As for C...A blurry figure appeared in Naruto's mind.The boy with pure eyes in the snow... or was it a girl?Whether male or female, as long as they look good, that's fine.That is the romance of a transmigrator."Who said we were going back?"Naruto turned around, a kind of fanaticism burning in his azure eyes that made Sasuke feel blinded."Since we're already here."These four words seemed to carry some kind of magic.Naruto walked up to Kakashi, completely ignoring the other's identity as a Jonin, and reached out to pat Kakashi's shoulder."Kakashi-sensei, have you lived a comfortable life for too long, to the point where you've lost this bit of grit?"Kakashi's dead fish eyes narrowed slightly.This kid, what is he trying to do again?"That's a Jonin, Naruto." Kakashi tried to reason, "This isn't playing house.""So what if it's a Jonin?"Naruto pointed to his own chest."I am the future Hokage. If I'm even afraid of a few rogue Ninja selling their lives for money, how am I supposed to make it in the Ninja World later?"He turned his head to look at Sasuke, his mouth curling into an extremely provocative arc."Er Zhu Zi, if you're scared, you can go back now.""Go back and find your mom... oh wait, you don't have a mom anymore. Then just go back and find a corner to hide in, and keep playing your shuriken throwing game.""Anyway, the glory of the Uchiha Clan is only worth the price of a return ticket."Boom!It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Sasuke's brain.That cold, stern face instantly flushed red, the veins on his forehead bulging, almost jumping out from under his skin."What did you say?!"Sasuke took a step forward, staring fixedly at Naruto, gnashing his teeth."Who said I was scared?!""Since you're not scared, then shut up and follow."Naruto didn't give Sasuke a chance to retort, looking directly at Sakura."And you, Broad Forehead.""You want to be a Ninja, but you're afraid of dying. You want to chase after Sasuke, but you don't dare to accompany him on an adventure. With your half-baked resolve, you'd better go back to the academy and study for another two years."Sakura was rendered speechless by the retort, tears swirling in her eyes, but she forced them back.She didn't want to be looked down upon by Naruto.And she didn't want to leave Sasuke at this time.Finally, Naruto looked at Kakashi."Sensei, if you're really worried, just lend me your icha icha paradise. I'll clear the path in front, and you can read slowly in the back.""Anyway, you have the Sharingan; running away should be your number one skill. If we really run into danger, you can just take them two and run; I'll cover the rear."Kakashi was so angry he laughed.This kid had blocked off all his excuses.If he insisted on going back now, not only would it damage Sasuke's self-confidence, but it would also cause him, the teacher, to lose all prestige in front of his students."Sigh..."Kakashi scratched his head helplessly and straightened his forehead protector."Since you've all said so. Then let's continue."He looked at Tazuna, his eyes becoming sharp."However, Mr. Tazuna. After this mission is over, you will need to pay for the B-rank mission reward again. If there is no money, use the specialties of the Land of Waves to pay off the debt."Tazuna was overjoyed and nodded desperately."No problem! As long as the bridge can be built, anything is fine!"[Ding! Sharp comment successful!][Reward distributed: Haku's affinity preset +1.][Detected that the host not only didn't retreat, but was actually as excited as a pervert. System judgment: Very spirited!]
