Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 6 Naruto Bridge

Upon hearing Gato's words, Zabuza's face showed an expression of disbelief, his eyes widening as if he couldn't believe his ears.

What did you just say?

Zabuza's voice revealed a hint of anger.

Kado continued in a sly tone, "Considering that going to those ninja villages to hire those well-trained and renowned regular ninjas would undoubtedly be a huge expense."

"Therefore, I chose a fugitive ninja like you because I know that your reward requirements are relatively low, and you also possess excellent combat skills and the ability to carry out missions."

Kado paused for a moment, then added, "In other words, from the very beginning, I never intended to pay you the agreed-upon reward. What I desired was to create conflict among you ninjas, and to achieve my goals through your fighting."

"Honestly, he even called himself a demon from Kirigakure. It's laughable. I'll turn you into a wandering ghost in a minute."

The followers behind Kado were laughing so hard they were almost falling over. Their laughter echoed in the air, sounding rather jarring.

Zabuza's gaze, sharp as a sword, was fixed on Gato. Without turning his head, he said to Kakashi, "I'm sorry, Kakashi, our battle has lost its meaning. Since I no longer have the motivation to kill Tazuna, there is no need for me to continue this battle with you."

With a surge of anger, Kado took a few steps forward, then suddenly raised his foot and kicked Bai hard in the face, who was lying on the ground.

This kick was clearly revenge for the old grudge that Bai had broken his hand before, and a look of vengeful pleasure appeared on Cardo's face.

Seeing that Bai didn't react, Kado poked Bai's head with his cane. He snorted impatiently and said disdainfully, "Hmph! Is this guy really dead?"

Seeing Zabuza's indifference to Gato's actions, Naruto felt a surge of anger. He couldn't help but shout at Zabuza, "Can you really just stand by and do nothing? You possess such immense power, can you really become so cold-blooded and heartless...?"

After Naruto's angry outburst, Zabuza seemed to be touched, and tears welled up in his eyes, a scene that surprised Naruto.

“I know better than anyone that he was determined to fight not only for me, but also for you. He was just too gentle. Perhaps I, like him, cannot be a tool without feelings. I lost.”

Zabuza suddenly bit through the bandage on his mouth, the sound of the bandage breaking was exceptionally clear in the air, and he revealed his shark-like sharp teeth.

Then, he borrowed a kunai from Naruto, bit the handle of the kunai with his teeth, and held it in his mouth. Without hesitation, he rushed towards Gato.

Kado was terrified by the sudden attack and scrambled to avoid Zabuza's assault.

When Zabuza broke through the encirclement and finally reached Gato, his stamina was nearing its limit, and his body was covered with wounds from the battle.

He slashed the kunai in his mouth at Kado, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound from which blood gushed out, staining the surrounding ground red.

Just as Gato's men were preparing to launch a sneak attack while Zabuza was exhausted, a lithe figure suddenly appeared, wielding a huge guillotine.

He wielded his incredibly sharp weapon, defeating all the enemies who attempted to ambush Zabuza with clean and swift movements.

During a lull in the battle, Zabuza noticed the commotion behind him. He turned around and scanned the battlefield with his eyes.

Upon seeing that familiar figure, he exclaimed in surprise, "Bai!? It's you? I didn't expect you to still be alive."

Haku looked at Zabuza and replied, "Zabuza-san, I want to protect you again."

Bai noticed Kado's attempt to escape in the chaos. Without hesitation, he drew his kunai and attacked Kado.

The kunai struck Kado's legs accurately, severing part of the muscles in his thighs, rendering him unable to escape. He could only lie on the ground in agony, unable to move.

Kado's screams echoed in the air, a wail of despair and pain.

He looked at Zabuza and Haku, his eyes filled with fear and pleading, and said in a trembling voice, "Please, spare me! I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. Money! I have so much money, I can give you half of my assets, just please spare my life."

Seeing that Zabuza and Haku were unmoved by his first offer, Gato felt he had to offer something more tempting.

He spoke again urgently, his voice filled with despair and madness: "No, all of it! All of it! I'm willing to give more! I'm willing to give you all my assets, enough for you to enjoy a life of luxury for several lifetimes. Please, I beg you, let me go!"

Zabuza remained unmoved by Gato's pleas and the lure of money. He interrupted Gato's pleas and said coldly, "We don't need these. Go to hell!" With that, Zabuza ended Gato's life with a single stroke.

After dealing with Gato, Zabuza's gaze swept over Gato's subordinates like a blade.

His eyes were filled with murderous intent, instantly putting immense pressure on his previously restless subordinates.

They were stunned by Zabuza's merciless gaze and involuntarily took a step back.

In the tense atmosphere, Inari led many island residents to the scene in time to join the fight.

At the same time, Boruto, Naruto, and Kakashi also acted quickly, each creating shadow clones. The massive clones quickly appeared on the scene, providing them with powerful support.

The henchmen, who had already lost all will to fight, were terrified by the sight before them. Without further hesitation, they scrambled to escape the bridge, hoping to get away from this dangerous place as quickly as possible.

The island's inhabitants cheered as they watched Kado's henchmen flee in terror, their voices echoing through the air.

Sasuke finally woke up from his coma.

When Naruto saw Sasuke wake up, an indescribable surge of emotion welled up inside him, and tears welled up in his eyes. It's so good that he's alright...

Once Zabuza confirmed that the situation had stabilized, his tense nerves finally relaxed.

Due to the previous battles and mental stress, his physical and mental strength had reached their limit, and he collapsed into Bai's arms.

Naruto stepped forward with concern, his gaze falling on Zabuza in Haku's arms. He looked at Haku with a questioning look and asked worriedly, "Is Zabuza alright? Does he need any help?"

Haku gently shook his head and replied to Naruto, "Zabuza-san is indeed seriously injured. His physical condition is very bad. It will probably take a long time for him to fully recover. Without several months of rest and treatment, it will be difficult for him to recover."

Kakashi turned his gaze to Zabuza and Haku, pointed at Zabuza, and asked, "What are your plans next? Are you going to continue searching for wealthy patrons like Gato and living that life on the edge?"

"Wherever Zabuza goes, I will go; whatever he does, I will follow him." Haku glanced at Zabuza and replied.

Bai Wei nodded slightly in acknowledgment and said softly, "Then, we'll take our leave." He then carried the unconscious Zabuza on his back and prepared to depart.

In a sudden hurricane, Bai's figure became blurred and disappeared from everyone's sight.

As Haku and Zabuza's figures disappeared, his voice also faded away with the howling wind, leaving only a final word of gratitude: "And thank you, Naruto."

With the bridge finally completed, Naruto and his group held a brief farewell ceremony with Inari and the island's residents.

After saying goodbye, Naruto and his group embarked on their journey home.

When the bridge was completed, Tazuna decided to give it a special name – Naruto Bridge.

......

On his way back to Konoha, Kakashi suddenly stopped.

Naruto was chatting happily with Sakura, completely unaware that Kakashi had suddenly stopped.

As a result, he was caught off guard and bumped directly into Kakashi's back, making a slight thud.

Naruto rubbed his forehead, which was red from the impact, and complained, "Ouch, that hurts so much! Kakashi-sensei, why did you suddenly stop?"

Kakashi slowly turned his head and stared at Boruto with a very serious expression.

Boruto felt a little flustered as Kakashi stared at him with that kind of gaze. He calmed himself down and asked, "W-what's wrong? Kakashi-senpai, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

Kakashi's gaze lingered on Boruto for a moment, then he said in a slow, heavy tone, "Boruto, you can't come back to Konoha with us."

"Huh?! Why? Kakashi-sensei? Didn't we agree on this before? Why did you suddenly change your mind?" Before Boruto could answer, Naruto immediately protested.

Sakura and Sasuke nodded in agreement when they heard Naruto's question. Having gone through a fierce battle with Zabuza, they already considered Boruto a comrade-in-arms.

They couldn't understand what had gotten into Kakashi, why he had suddenly changed his mind, and they were all waiting for Kakashi to give a reasonable explanation.

Kakashi, seeing Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto's confusion, did not respond immediately, but instead reached out and grabbed Boruto's head.