บท 71: Chapter 71:- Conclusion
"Kakashi-sensei, do you think I did anything wrong?" While sitting by the river with Kakashi, Naruto asked this question to Kakashi.
Naruto had doubts about his choice to kill Gato. After all, in his previous life, he had very rarely taken a life. Instead of killing, Naruto believed that every person deserved a chance of redemption.
But that is only if there was goodness left within them. And Naruto did not feel that Gato had any Goodness left within him. That man was simply a rich, greedy, and evil bastard. Everything that he did was in his interest.
Kakashi understood that Naruto was doubting his intentions, so he asked him this question.
In times like this, it was his duty as the teacher to guide his teacher.
"You did nothing wrong." Kakashi's words brought him relief.
Kakashi continued while staring at the river. "Among the four of you, I feel you're the most mature one. Your experience of the world beyond the Hidden Leaf village makes you mature. So I trust your judgment, Naruto." Naruto looked at Kakashi.
"You should also trust yourself." Naruto silently nodded his head.
"Now that you have taken care of Gato, I don't know if Zabuza will continue with his mission or not."
"I hope he comes to face us," Naruto said with a smirk.
Seeing his smirk, Kakashi understood that his student had a plan.
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Naruto returned to Tazuna's house.
The sun was about to set.
Naruto had a feeling that by tomorrow, they would be returning back to the village. Since the news of Gato's death was going to spread, when Zabuza heard the news, he would definitely make a decision.
As he entered the house, he saw a little boy. It was Inari.
However, this Inari was more mature. He was slightly taller. He was 12 years of age.
Unlike the kid who yelled at Naruto in the other world, this Inari was calm and quiet.
"Hey....!! You're Tazuna's grandson, aren't you?" Naruto asked with a smile. Naruto was very gentle with this boy because he knew what this boy had gone through.
Inari silently nodded his head without saying a word.
'Man, that's a depressed kid.....!!' Naruto thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Tsunami, Sakura, and Sarada silently watched the interaction between Naruto and Inari.
Suddenly, Naruto patted Inari's head.
"Don't worry, Kid. Tomorrow, everything will be over. The Sun will rise on the Land of Waves." Inari looked like he wanted to say something in response, but Naruto continued.
"We are Shinobi, Kid. Someone as pathetic as Gato can never stand before us."
"Rather than promising you what we are going to do tomorrow, you will see it with your own eyes." Inari could feel Naruto's confidence in his voice.
Naruto's words had managed to move Inari.
Even Tsunami was moved by Naruto's words and conviction.
After Inari left the living room without saying anything, Naruto joined others at the dining table.
"I apologize for Inari's bad attitude." Tsunami apologized to her son.
She felt guilty. Although she knew that her father didn't have the money to hire them, they stayed behind to protect them and resolve this matter. These people were their benefactors. Without them, their family would die.
This is why Tsunami hurriedly apologized to Naruto, seeing her son's attitude.
"Please...!!"
"There is no need for you to apologize. I heard what happened to Inari. So I understand." Naruto said with a small smile.
Tsunami nodded her head. She was very grateful to Naruto and others.
"How did your training go?" Naruto asked.
"It was exhausting," Sakura replied. She had never trained so hard before.
"What about you, Sara-chan?" Naruto made sure to involve Sarada in the conversation as well. He did not want to leave her out.
"It was okay," Sarada replied in a low tone. Her voice was indifferent as ever.
"By the way, where is Hana-chan?"
"She is taking a shower."
"She sparred against Sarada and lost."
Soon, Kakashi, Tazuna, Inari, and Hanabi joined everyone at the dining table. After having dinner, everyone went to their rooms.
Since Tazuna wasn't rich, he only had one extra bedroom.
It was decided that Sarada, Sakura, and Hanabi would stay in one room.
While Naruto and Kakashi are going to stay in Inari's room.
Scene Change______
Next morning,
Zabuza, along with Haku and a few other of his men, did appear on the half-constructed bridge to face team 7. Since Kakashi had already warned his students about this possibility, everyone was prepared.
As Zabuza made his entrance, dense fog started covering the surroundings.
"Kakashi, how long are you going to continue protecting that old man?" Zabuza asked.
"And how long are you going to continue working for someone who is dead?" Kakashi calmly asked back.
Hearing this question, Sarada, Sakura, and Hanabi all were shocked.
"Kakashi-sensei, what do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"Gato is dead. Yesterday, Naruto went to the City and killed him along with all of his underlings." Kakashi calmly explained. This explanation was also for Zabuza to hear.
Kakashi then looked at Zabuza and asked. "Now that Gato has been killed, why are you still standing against us?"
"Because I have already received my payment for this Mission. And Once I have received my payment, regardless of what happens to my client, I will complete my mission." Zabuza replied in a determined tone.
Hearing this, Naruto and Kakashi exchanged a glance. Naruto looked helpless upon hearing this.
"How about this?" Kakashi suddenly had an idea.
"Let's fight. We will fight each other while our subordinates will stand on the sidelines and watch. Whoever loses this fight will back down. If you lose, then you give up on your mission. If I lose, I will allow you to take the old man away."
Zabuza thought for a moment and then nodded his head. "Fine by me."
Even Zabuza wasn't willing to kill the old man, but being a Shinobi of Mist, Zabuza was taught to put aside his feelings and complete the mission regardless of the cost.
But by fighting Kakashi, he can give himself this excuse that he tried but he failed.
So Kakashi and Zabuza started to fight. Meanwhile, everyone stood on the bridge and watched the fight in silence.
"Naruto, I don't understand one thing," Sakura said.
"Zabuza clearly knows that he cannot win against Kakashi sensei in a 1v1 battle, yet why did he agree to fight Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked while observing the fight between Kakashi and Zabuza.
"I am not sure either. But I have a guess. Zabuza doesn't want to feel burdened. Since he has accepted the payment, he feels obligated to complete the mission. But by losing to Kakashi, he will no longer feel burdened. This might be why Kakashi-sensei proposed this battle."
In his previous world, Zabuza wasn't completely evil like Gato. There was Goodness inside him.
The result of the fight was pretty clear. Zabuza had lost. But everyone could tell that he never went all out against Kakashi. Kakashi-sensei did not even need to use his Sharingan.
Once the fight was over, Zabuza prepared to leave along with Haku and his men, but Naruto stepped forward and stopped him.
"Are you going to leave?" Naruto asked.
Zabuza and Haku turned around, hearing this question from behind. "Do you need anything, boy?" Zabuza asked in a slightly cold tone. Naruto did not mind his cold attitude.
He knew Zabuza's personality was like that.
"I have a job for you."
Hearing this, Zabuza became interested. Meanwhile, his teammates, except for Kakashi, all looked surprised. They did not understand what Naruto wanted to do.
"Interesting!! First, tell me what I will need to do, and then I will consider." From his interaction with Gato, Zabuza has learned to be cautious. He has learned not to accept any job without knowing what the job would require him to do.
"I think it would be better if he explained everything to you." As Naruto pointed to the other side of the bridge, everyone noticed a man in a black suit nervously walking out of the mist.
It was Kevin.
Zabuza obviously recognized Kevin. He had seen Kevin when he went to meet Gato in his Mansion.
"H...Hi!!" Kevin nervously greeted Zabuza.
"This is Kevin. He is my subordinate."
Seeing this, Kevin was too nervous to say anything; Naruto briefly decided to explain what Zabuza's new job was going to be.
"I have taken control of all of Gato's legal businesses and I am planning to expand them. However, I cannot remain in the Land of Waves, so I have appointed Kevin as the person in charge. As there may still be some of Gato's men who try to take control of these businesses illegally, it is your responsibility to protect Kevin and ensure that any Shinobi who attempts to threaten my business is removed."
"I want to hire you and the girl/boy standing behind you." Til now, Naruto had no idea whether Haku was a boy or a girl.
"Give me your price."
"Please keep in mind that if you agree to take this job, you will be required to reside in the Land of Waves. As one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, I know that you have enemies, and I strongly recommend that you both assume new identities. If you don't, your enemies may frequently come looking for you and pose a serious threat to your safety." Hearing this Zabuza nodded his head in agreement.
"There are some advantages of your job. Kevin will never force you to kill any innocent. You and your subordinates can stay in Gato's Mansion. And since you will be working for me, I give you my word that no shinobi of Konoha will ever harm you or touch you." Hearing the last part, even Kakashi was surprised.
Zabuza and Haku widened their eyes in shock upon hearing this.
If Naruto could make this change, then his power and status in the Hidden Leaf would be very high. Or it is possible that Naruto is just lying to make him agree.
"Boy, you better not be joking," Zabuza said in a threatening tone.
"Does it look like I am joking right now?" Naruto seriously asked.
"Even the Copy Ninja couldn't make this change, yet you, a Genin, claim you can. How can I believe you?" Zabuza questioned back.
"My full name is Naruto Uzumaki. I am the son of the 4th Hokage and My mother is Kushina Uzumaki." Just introducing himself was more than enough.
Hearing whose child Naruto was, both Haku and Zabuza once again widened their eyes.
"Now, do you believe me?" Zabuza silently nodded his head.
As a Rogue Shinobi, Zabuza and Haku are always hunted by shinobi from all five villages. If Shinobi from the Hidden Leaf stopped hunting him and Haku down then maybe it was possible for them to settle down and have some peace.
"But you never anything about my name being removed from Hidden Leaf's Bingo Book." Zabuza read the lines and found this.
"There are several reasons why I did this. First of all, doing this would let other villages know that you are an ally of Konoha. This isn't something that you want." Zabuza nodded his head in understanding.
Zabuza decided to believe in Naruto.
And like that, Naruto and Zabuza came to an agreement. With Zabuza and Haku, the Land of Waves will be protected from other threats like Gato. No one like Gato will rise again.
Gato's wealth will be used to improve the Nation's economy and bring people out of poverty.
Naruto was going to talk to Hiruzen after returning to the village about Zabuza.
But for Now, it was time to leave the Land of Waves and return home.
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Scene Change______
"We cannot thank you enough."
"Thank you for helping us even though I lied to you and deceived you." In the end, the arrogant old man Tazuna is really thankful. He bowed his head to team 7.
Tsunami and Inari also bowed to team 7.
"There is no need to bow your head," Naruto said with a smile.
Naruto then patted Inari's head and then said with a smile. "Remember kid, you can change your fate with the power of your will. If there is determination and willingness, then there will always be a solution or a path forward." Inari couldn't hold back his tears hearing these words.
And with that team 7 left the Land of Waves.
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With this, the Land Of Waves arc is complete.
Once again, thank you for reading this chapter. I really appreciate all the power stones you have given to this novel. Your comments and your power stones make a big difference.
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