The original story had its oddities. Sunagakure brought their "human weapon" to Konoha, with the control mechanism in someone else's hands. Didn't they send anyone to monitor the situation?
Time passed quickly, and before long, the bridge construction in the Land of Waves neared completion.
During this period, Uzumaki Naruto and his companions performed their mission admirably. Though they encountered several crises due to inexperience, they always found ways to overcome them.
By the end, Team 7 had completely defeated the thugs and low-level shinobi. With no more obstacles hindering the bridge construction, the mission proceeded smoothly.
Throughout this process, the three genin developed noticeably.
The low-level ninja and gangsters, though not individually powerful, employed all manner of underhanded tactics. Initially, the three young shinobi suffered minor setbacks, but after learning from these experiences, they never fell for the same tricks again.
Watching his students solve problems, Hatake Kakashi gradually "recovered" and began guiding their training with the help of crutches.
Water-walking training!
Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke had already completed the tree-climbing exercise, so they moved directly to practicing water-walking on the choppy sea.
Haruno Sakura quickly caught up. With her natural talent for chakra control, she completed the tree-climbing training rapidly and joined Naruto and Sasuke in their water-walking practice.
Because they practiced on the rough sea—which presented a much greater challenge than calm water—the three genin didn't master the technique immediately.
...
"What is Kirigakure thinking?" Hatake Kakashi occasionally glanced at his three students practicing water-walking, only to be repeatedly knocked down by waves. "This bridge will connect the Land of Waves to the Land of Fire, yet no one from the Land of Water has appeared to prevent its construction? I thought this bridge would never be completed!"
Shihouin Naraku stood nearby, gazing at the sea. "Who knows? Perhaps they simply don't care."
Others might not understand the strategic significance of this bridge, but these two shinobi certainly did.
The completion of this bridge meant smooth travel between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves, and it also represented the expansion of Konohagakure's sphere of influence.
Indeed, from the moment this bridge was built, the Land of Waves effectively entered Konoha's domain.
Why else would it eventually be named the "Great Naruto Bridge"?
If Kirigakure weren't embroiled in civil conflict at this moment, another Shinobi World War might have already erupted!
The struggle over this bridge would continue until significant casualties were inflicted on both Konoha and Kirigakure!
It was even possible that the Land of Waves might be completely destroyed as a result!
If war broke out between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire, the Land of Waves would become the inevitable battlefield!
The fierce confrontation between these two powers would devastate this place!
Regardless of which side prevailed, few civilians would remain in the Land of Waves!
However, since no one from the Land of Water or Kirigakure intervened this time, the Land of Waves had won its gamble. From now on, the Land of Fire would exercise greater control over this region—ultimately beneficial for the Wave Country's people.
After all, compared to the turbulent Land of Water and the ruthless Kirigakure, the Land of Fire and Konohagakure were relatively peaceful and prosperous.
"The Third Hokage doubted the bridge could be completed. His instructions were clear—if Kirigakure attacked, we were to take Naruto and retreat to Konoha immediately."
Shihouin Naraku finished speaking and waved his hand. An ANBU operative instantly departed to relay the message to Konohagakure.
"From now on, this bridge will be permanently guarded by Konoha shinobi."
Once this information reached Konoha, the Third Hokage would dispatch personnel to garrison the bridge and negotiate specific arrangements with the Land of Waves. The Land of Fire would also send representatives later.
It was crucial to finalize these matters while the Land of Water and Kirigakure remained unresponsive.
Soon, the bridge was completed as scheduled.
During their time in the Land of Waves, Uzumaki Naruto had inspired many locals with his words and actions. As a result, the bridge was officially named "The Great Naruto Bridge."
As Hatake Kakashi and his team returned to the village, satisfied with their successful mission, they passed the garrison personnel sent from Konohagakure.
After returning to the village, Shihouin Naraku completed the work that had accumulated during his absence, then added new responsibilities to the ANBU and canceled their leave.
At the ANBU headquarters, Tenzō glanced at the silent Yamanaka Yue and quietly asked, "Did you reveal our secret?"
Yamanaka Yue rolled her eyes and replied, "I haven't even seen Naraku-sama recently!"
The ANBU operatives present exchanged helpless glances, silently accepting their vacation-free days ahead.
What could they do? He was their superior. They had no grounds for complaint.
...
Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he read the report before him.
"What is Sunagakure thinking, sending their Ichibi jinchūriki to participate in the Chūnin Exams?"
Such a move was unprecedented. Although the joint Chūnin Exams served as a display of military power and national strength, there was no need to deploy a jinchūriki.
After all, Sunagakure would host the next joint Chūnin Exams, making it safer to showcase their jinchūriki then. There was no logical reason to risk bringing their jinchūriki into another nation's territory.
Mitokado Homura set down the intelligence report, pondered for a moment, and said, "Could Sunagakure be attempting to provoke Konoha?"
"No, that's unlikely," Utatane Koharu immediately countered. "Given Sunagakure's current strength, they aren't in a position to challenge Konoha!"
Nara Shikaku joined the discussion. "There's another possibility. The Land of Wind has been steadily reducing financial support to Sunagakure. From our transactions with them in recent years, we can see they're facing resource shortages and struggling to maintain their operations."
"This time, Sunagakure may be making a desperate move by sending their Ichibi jinchūriki. They likely want to demonstrate their military strength during the Chūnin Exams, hoping to impress potential clients and perhaps even reclaim stronger support from the Land of Wind!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a contemplative puff from his pipe and nodded in agreement. Nara Shikaku's analysis seemed sound.
Then he looked at the silent Shihouin Naraku, who was examining the report thoughtfully without speaking.
"Naraku, what's your opinion?"
"Mine?"
Participating in Konoha's leadership discussions for the first time, Shihouin Naraku appeared comfortable and spoke directly: "Shikaku-senpai's analysis is excellent, but we shouldn't dismiss the possibility of Sunagakure taking desperate measures."
"They're clearly trying to alleviate their current difficulties. Beyond seeking stronger support from the Land of Wind, taking missions that would normally come to Konoha is another solution to their problems."
"I recommend implementing necessary surveillance on any Suna shinobi entering Konohagakure. It would be prudent to assign additional personnel to this task!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took several puffs from his pipe, considering everyone's opinions. "We can monitor them, but only the Ichibi jinchūriki at most. The others should be left alone. Sunagakure is our ally, after all, so we can't appear overly suspicious."
"Everything else will proceed according to our original plan..."
"Understood!"
Shihouin Naraku turned and left. He had numerous matters to address.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched as the others departed one by one. Standing up, he turned to gaze out the window at Konohagakure, feeling a vague uneasiness in his heart.
Yet he couldn't quite identify the source of this discomfort...
Perhaps it was simply his advanced age?
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