After the mysterious departure of Momochi Zabuza and Haku, Team 7's mission in the Land of Waves went unusually smoothly.
With the Court's intervention, Kado's schemes were exposed. Aside from the Demon of the Mist and the kekkei genkai user Haku, there really wasn't anyone left who could put up a fight.
Naruto and Sasuke were a little disappointed. They felt the pressure of facing top-tier enemies—and the life-and-death trial that comes with it—was the fastest way to grow.
Now it felt more like mopping up. But Kakashi, who knew how hard-won peace was, put a stop to their eagerness. The ordeal had been ordeal enough; there was no need to hunt trouble. Ordinary people still had to live their lives.
Thankfully, the two listened to Kakashi. They focused on finishing the mission.
Without Kado's hired muscle, the thugs who came to make trouble scattered like birds the moment they saw the Leaf headbands on Team 7's foreheads.
With no more interference, Tazuna's bridge advanced by leaps and bounds.
Half a month later, a majestic sea-spanning bridge finally joined the Land of Waves to the Fire Country mainland.
At the dedication ceremony, the entire nation flooded onto the bridgehead to celebrate this hard-won day. Tazuna stood on the platform, tears in his eyes.
"This bridge is the road from Waves to hope and tomorrow! In thanks to the shinobi of Konoha—to the heroes who brought us hope!"
He raised his arm high and, without chakra to amplify his voice, still shouted with everything he had.
"I hereby name this—Konoha Heroes Bridge!"
Thunderous cheers rose from below.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood among the crowd. Pride welled in their chests—a real change, wrought by their own strength.
They looked on in silence. This country had changed because of the mission they carried out. For all three, it was the first time they had seen, with their own eyes, the tangible fruits of a mission.
The mission ended in an unexpected way. Team 7 started back toward Konoha.
The air in the group was nothing like when they had arrived. Naruto and Sasuke no longer traded only jabs and scowls. Having fought side by side, the quiet between them was no longer a wall—it was a bond.
Brothers-in-arms: when one was in trouble, the other moved—mouths sharp, hands sincere.
Sakura watched the two walking ahead. Her gaze no longer chased only Sasuke. She had seen Naruto's courage and Sasuke's resolve; she had also seen the gulf between herself and them.
A thought took root: she had to grow stronger—strong enough to fight at their side.
Kakashi brought up the rear, observing the changes in his three students. He knew Shisui had ultimately resolved the crisis, but the growth born of the process was something no drill could give.
They weren't fresh academy graduates anymore—they were real shinobi who had weathered battle.
Back in the village, Kakashi went straight to the Namikaze estate to report to Shinju.
In the study, Kakashi laid out the entire affair in the Land of Waves—from the Demon Brothers, to the battles with Zabuza and Haku, and Shisui's final appearance. Shinju listened quietly.
Only when Kakashi finished did Shinju ask his first question.
"How did Naruto and Sasuke perform inside the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals?"
"Excellent," Kakashi answered without hesitation. "Their coordination was tight. Sasuke used the Sharingan to find openings; Naruto executed the strikes. The gap in power was big, but the way they worked already has the shape of an elite cell. Give them time and they'll grow into something frightening—and, well, the stronger they are, the happier I am."
Shinju nodded and asked the second question.
"What about you, Kakashi? What did you gain this time?"
Kakashi paused—he hadn't expected the question to turn on himself. After a moment of silence, he spoke with rare earnestness.
"I saw a different future.
"I used to think shinobi lived as tools in the dark—carry out a mission, then die. A dear friend once died to save me. A teammate from my year died because of me. After that I lived like a corpse. In the Anbu I carried out jobs that couldn't see daylight and saw too much of the world's darkness. But you—and Shisui-senpai—showed me another possibility.
"You tamed a man like Zabuza without a fight, and offered him a different choice. Shisui-senpai has overwhelming power, yet he chooses to guard the village quietly—never flaunting himself, never bullying the weak, always thinking how to help more people."
"I understand now." Kakashi met Shinju's eyes, trust like he had never shown before. "Following you—the 'uncrowned shadow'—maybe we really can see a shinobi world without tragedies and sacrifices."
Having witnessed Shinju's stratagems—and the way he gathered strong allies—Kakashi's loyalty settled even deeper.
Shinju nodded.
"Go rest, Kakashi. Bigger tasks await Team 7."
"Yes!"
Kakashi bowed and took his leave.
News of Team 7's deeds in the Land of Waves spread quickly among Konoha's new generation once they returned.
"Hey, did you hear? Team 7 ran into the 'Demon of the Mist' Momochi Zabuza!"
"For real? Then how'd they come back alive?"
"I heard Naruto and Sasuke teamed up, beat Zabuza's partner, and rescued Kakashi-sensei!"
The tale grew in the telling, but one point everyone agreed on: Naruto and Sasuke—both of Team 7—had outstripped their peers by a lot.
"The Twin Stars."
The title took root among Konoha's new blood. They became the goal every genin chased—and the focus of more than a few girls' attention.
At the Academy training grounds, Shikamaru yawned as he watched Ino and Choji spar.
"What a drag… those two idiots, Naruto and Sasuke, are leaving us in the dust."
At the Hyuga training grounds, Hinata looked at Naruto sparring with Neji, her eyes full of admiration.
"Naruto-kun… you've grown stronger again."
A current of competition surged through the new generation.
Everyone, roused by the story of Naruto and Sasuke, threw themselves into training with fresh zeal, afraid to fall further behind.
And because of that, Konoha's spirit burned brighter than before.
(End of Chapter)
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