Chapter 48
The Sunny Pillar Returns
On the border of the Land of Fire, on the river leading to the Land of Waves.
Thick fog enveloped the area, and a dilapidated little boat glided silently across the water.
The rower was an old friend of Dazner's.
He turned off the engine and only dared to paddle gently, afraid of disturbing anything.
The atmosphere on the ship was oppressive.
Sasuke stood at the bow of the ship, arms crossed, seemingly still savoring the thrill of instantly defeating the Demon Brothers.
His eyes gleamed with eager excitement.
Sakura, sitting at the stern, was completely different.
She lowered her head, looking at her slightly trembling hands, the scene from just now replaying in her mind:
Naruto ruthlessly pierced the enemy's hands and feet, then turned them to ashes with flames.
That indifferent gaze towards life made her feel alienated, even fearful.
"If it were me...could I do it?"
"No, I can't... I was so scared I couldn't even move..."
Sakura bit her lip and forced herself to grip the kunai tightly.
"I have to get used to it... Next time, next time I have to kill someone too... otherwise I'll hold everyone back..."
Just then, a hand gently patted her shoulder.
Sakura shuddered and looked up, meeting Naruto's eyes.
This time, she didn't feel any chilling indifference; instead, she saw a hint of gentleness in his eyes.
"Your hands are shaking, Sakura."
Naruto handed her a bottle of water.
"Naruto... I'm sorry... Am I really useless?"
Sakura lowered her head in shame.
"Despite undergoing special training, he doesn't even dare to kill anyone..."
"I also want to be as decisive as you and Sasuke, but..."
"There's no need to force yourself."
Naruto interrupted her confession, his tone surprisingly gentle:
"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Your job isn't to fight, so there's no need to push yourself so hard."
"Protect your kindness. Sasuke and I both have reasons to kill, and what you need to do is protect yourself."
"As long as you can protect our backs in critical moments, that's enough."
"Naruto-kun..."
Sakura stared blankly at Naruto.
The fear and self-loathing I had felt miraculously vanished after hearing these words.
So... he didn't dislike my weakness, but wanted to protect my kindness?
A warm feeling welled up in Sakura's heart, she clenched her fists, and her eyes regained their firmness:
"Yes! I'll protect everyone's rear!"
Naruto smiled slightly and turned to look at Sasuke.
"Sasuke is getting cocky again, he needs to be put on hold..."
Naruto felt like he was a babysitter, having to help them improve their strength and solve their psychological problems.
Kakashi, standing to the side, remained silent, engrossed in watching "Icha Icha Paradise."
……
"We're almost there."
The old man rowing the boat said in a low voice.
As the thick fog ahead gradually dissipated, the outline of a massive, unfinished cross-sea bridge appeared and disappeared in the mist.
This bridge is the hope of the Land of Waves, and it's something Tazuna desperately wants to protect.
The boat docked.
The group set foot on the land of the Land of Waves.
This place is more humid than the Land of Fire, and the air is filled with a fishy smell.
"Keep going, you'll be safe once you get me home."
Tazna finally returned to familiar surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief.
They hadn't gone far when they started walking.
"etc!"
Naruto suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"What's wrong, Naruto?"
Kakashi went on high alert.
Naruto remained silent, his senses spreading outwards like radar.
With the aid of Yin Release chakra, the biological fluctuations within a few hundred meters were visualized in his mind.
To the left, two hares... To the right, a forest, a flock of birds... and...
Naruto's brows furrowed suddenly.
He sensed two streams of chakra lurking in the mist ahead.
One of them was filled with murderous intent, while the other was more concealed.
"They're here."
Naruto opened his eyes, his tone turning cold:
"Everyone, prepare for battle."
"There are two spies waiting for us."
"two?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow and drew his kunai. "I hope this will make me get serious."
Just as Sasuke finished speaking...
Whoosh-!
A sudden, piercing sound filled the air!
A terrifying, suffocating aura of killing intent erupted from the mist.
"Get down!"
Kakashi suddenly pressed Tazuna's head down and roared.
A massive guillotine spun, whistling through the air, as it grazed the scalps of the group.
boom!
With a loud crash, a huge tree, as thick as a person's embrace, was cleaved in two by the broadsword.
Amidst the rising dust.
A burly figure, shirtless and carrying a decapitation sword, landed steadily on the tree trunk.
He turned his back to the crowd, his face turned to the side, revealing a murderous look in his eyes.
Kirigakure Kijin—Momochi Zabuza!
"Oh dear... I was planning to finish it off with one strike..."
It seems there's a kid in Konoha with very keen senses.
Zabuza's voice carried a strong sense of bloodshed.
His gaze passed over Kakashi and settled on Naruto in the middle of the group.
"So you're the ones who killed the Demon Brothers, right? You two are such useless trash, I had to personally take action."
"That is..."
Kakashi's expression instantly turned serious. "The rogue ninja from Kirigakure, Zabuza Momochi."
Tazuna was so frightened by Zabuza's murderous aura that he fell to the ground with a thud. "Is he... the real assassin?"
However, unlike the fearful Tazna.
Sasuke looked at the man in the tree, and instead of being afraid, he felt his blood boiling.
Having just swiftly defeated two Chunin, his confidence was now extremely inflated.
"Is this what they call a demon? It doesn't look like much."
"In front of those eyes, even a Jonin... Kakashi-sensei, you don't need to lift a finger."
Sasuke's lips curled into a wildly arrogant smile.
He drew his kunai with both hands and charged straight at Zabuza.
"This guy's head is mine!"
"Sasuke! Don't be impulsive!"
Kakashi tried to stop him, but it was too late.
"Ha, you ignorant brat."
A hint of disdain flashed in Zabuza's eyes; he had already seen countless ignorant and arrogant good-for-nothings.
The moment Sasuke leaped up, Zabuza vanished instantly.
The next second, it appeared directly in front of Sasuke.
Even though Sasuke activated his Sharingan and caught the opponent's movements, his body simply couldn't keep up!
clang!
The kunai clashed with the guillotine.
The immense difference in power made Sasuke feel as if he had crashed into a mountain.
"What?!"
Sasuke's pupils suddenly contracted.
This power... is completely incomparable to that of the Demon Brothers!
"It's over, kid."
Zabuza swung his sword with one hand, the massive blade sweeping across with wind pressure.
Sasuke tried to dodge, but found himself locked onto by the opponent's killing intent, his body stiffening for a moment.
"Am I... going to die?"