As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere froze.
"Na… nani?"
Tazuna's face turned pale, his body trembling.
"That… that monster… isn't dead?"
Fear filled his voice. Sakura panicked and grabbed Sasuke's shirt. Sasuke stiffened but didn't push her away. His mind went blank. Zabuza was strong enough to make him realize the true gap between them.
And now Kakashi was saying he might still be alive. The shock was overwhelming.
Naruto was surprised, but calm.
This was expected. Hunter-nin normally destroy bodies immediately.
But that masked boy took the body away.
And those senbon were not meant to kill.
They were used to paralyze. Everything pointed to one conclusion.
"Let's leave first."
Kakashi glanced at Tazuna.
"We'll escort him home first, then decide what to do next."
They moved through the forest and arrived at a small town in the Land of Waves.
The sight was bleak. The streets were empty. Most shops were closed. Even the open ones looked lifeless. The entire place felt heavy and poor.
"This way…"
Tazuna led them to a wooden house.
"I'm home."
A woman in an apron came out.
"Father! You're back!"
Relief appeared on her face. Then she noticed the others.
"Thank you for protecting him. Please come in."
Her name was Tsunami. Inside, a young boy sat at the table. He glanced at them coldly.
His eyes were empty.
They sat and ate a simple meal.
During the conversation, they learned the truth about the Land of Waves.
Since Gato arrived, everything changed.
Anyone who resisted him was killed.
Publicly.
Brutally.
Inari's father was one of them. A man he once called a hero. Executed for standing up. After that, Inari stopped believing. No heroes. No hope. Silence filled the room. Kakashi put down his chopsticks.
"Before Zabuza returns, we need to get stronger."
He looked at his students.
"Starting tomorrow, I will train you."
The next morning
In the forest, a tall tree stood before them.
"Today's training is simple,"
Kakashi said.
"Climb this tree."
"Huh?"
Sakura blinked.
Sasuke frowned.
Naruto stayed quiet.
"Not with your hands,"
Kakashi added.
"Only your feet."
He stepped onto the tree and walked upward. Like it was flat ground.
He reached a high branch and walked back down. Upside down. Effortless.
"This is chakra control,"
Kakashi said.
"Focus chakra at your feet."
"Too little and you fall."
"Too much and you get pushed away."
"Try it."
They each chose a tree. Naruto stepped forward and took a breath. He gathered chakra to his feet.
Then ran.
One step.
Two steps.
A sudden surge burst from his abdomen.
Violent.
Chaotic.
"Ugh!"
His chakra collapsed. He slipped and fell. Thud. He landed safely. Only a small scratch marked the tree. Nearby, Sasuke was already climbing. Higher and higher. Seven meters. Eight.
Then he was thrown off. He landed and marked his height with a kunai. Then glanced at Naruto's shallow mark. A small smirk appeared.
"There we go, Sakura!"
They looked up. sakura stood high above, balanced easily.
"I did it!"
Kakashi nodded.
"You have the best control."
Sakura smiled. Sasuke's expression darkened.He rushed forward again.
Naruto didn't move. He sat down. Thinking. That energy again. Violent. Malicious. Just like Sukuna. Naruto narrowed his eyes. If he couldn't control it, he would avoid it. He gathered chakra again.
Carefully guiding it around that presence.
Then stood. He stepped forward.
Slowly.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Faster.
Smoother.
From walking to running. Sasuke turned. Frozen. Sakura's smile disappeared. Even Kakashi looked surprised. Naruto rushed upward.
Fast. Effortless. He passed Sakura. Passed Sasuke's mark. All the way to the top. He stood there. Calm. Looking down. Evening Naruto sat outside, watching the sunset. Footsteps approached.
"Hey…"
It was Sasuke. He hesitated. His face slightly red.
"That tree climbing…"
He looked away.
"Do you have any tips?"