This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

The Land of Waves, early morning.

The unfinished bridge stands on the sea, and the sea breeze carries a salty, damp smell.

Dazner is leading the workers in the final stages of the work.

The scene on the bridge was completely different from what it had been a few days earlier.

The rusty, fragile ropes that used to break at any moment have been replaced with brand-new steel cables.

The workers were wearing uniform, thick work clothes and carrying brand-new tools that had just been delivered.

More importantly, it's people's complexion.

Those construction workers who were originally pale and thin now stood up straight.

With fragrant pork floss rice balls in his pocket, his eyes sparkled with a long-lost hope for life.

All of this stems from the "Wave Country Mutual Aid and Development Foundation," which had only been established for a few days.

Although they didn't know who the boss was, that didn't stop everyone from being grateful to him.

Suddenly, a layer of white mist rose from the sea without warning.

The fog thickened at an alarming rate, rapidly engulfing the surrounding visibility.

"This feeling..."

"Everyone, stand back!"

Kakashi instantly pulled off his headband, his blood-red Sharingan staring intently into the depths of the thick fog, his muscles taut.

Sasuke and Sakura immediately drew their kunai and stood on either side of Tazuna to protect him.

"Kill them—!"

Suddenly, a noisy shouting sound came from afar.

Dazner's grandson, Irene, led a group of dark-skinned farmers armed with axes and harpoons onto the bridge.

Although their legs were trembling, their eyes revealed the madness of being driven to the brink of despair.

"We must fight them to the death! We cannot let them destroy our hope!"

"I shouted loudly," her childish voice carrying a hint of sorrow.

Even after just a few days of good times where they could eat their fill and see hope, they didn't want to go back to their previous bleak lives.

The somber atmosphere reached its peak.

Naruto stood calmly in the crowd, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Step, step, step.

Heavy footsteps sounded.

Zabuza's figure, carrying a giant sword, slowly appeared.

Behind him followed Bai, along with a dozen or so men with sharp eyes and calm demeanor.

"Prepare for battle!"

Kakashi gave a low shout, and lightning began to flicker faintly in his hand.

Zabuza stopped in his tracks.

Looking at the group of villagers in the distance, carrying farm tools and with expressions of despair, and then at Kakashi, who looked as if facing a formidable enemy, he suddenly felt like laughing.

These idiots actually think I'm the biggest threat?

They had no idea that the person who would truly devour this country completely, leaving not even a trace of bones...

They were standing right behind them, watching the show with an innocent expression!

Zabuza glanced at Naruto seemingly unintentionally, forcibly suppressing the absurdity in his heart.

Then he spoke.

The voice was still slightly hoarse, but surprisingly lacked any murderous intent; instead, it had an eerie...official feel to it.

"Kakashi, put your eyes away."

"I'm not here to kill anyone today."

"My purpose is simply to convey... a notice from that lord."

Kakashi was stunned, and he almost couldn't hold back his Chidori.

Sasuke and Sakura's expressions changed from tense to confused.

They had never encountered anything like this in their short ninja careers.

"Kado is dead."

Zabuza coldly uttered four words, as if stating a trivial objective fact.

"What?! Kado is dead?"

Dazner exclaimed in surprise.

Kakashi's brow furrowed even deeper.

This villain, who has ruled the Land of Waves for years like a nightmare, is a wealthy man with a private army...

He died so quietly now?

"He died in an internal conflict sparked by a dispute over the spoils."

Zabuza recited the script lines that Naruto had taught him the night before with a blank expression.

Although he tried his best to sound natural, his tone remained stiff, as if he were reciting an instruction manual.

"The Land of Waves is no longer under his rule."

"All assets and liabilities have been fully acquired by the 'Poland Mutual Aid and Development Foundation'."

The villagers looked at each other, half believing and half doubting.

Zabuza took a deep breath and continued:

"The person behind the foundation is a philanthropist who values ​​order."

When the word "philanthropist" was mentioned, Zabuza's facial muscles twitched involuntarily.

It felt disgusting, like swallowing a fly.

"He decided to invest in the Land of Waves, and the construction of the bridge will continue."

"In addition, the foundation will set up a charitable trust with 30% of the future port's profits, so that every household in the Land of Waves can enjoy year-end dividends."

The bridge was deathly silent.

Then came a buzz of discussion.

"A 30% profit... how much money is that?"

"Really? Is there really such a good thing?"

"Is it true? These past two days, people from the mutual aid society have been distributing rice at the dock every day. It's all good quality rice! Not the old-fashioned kind they used to sell!"

Cheers began to build in the crowd.

Kakashi's doubts did not lessen; instead, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"This...how is this possible?"

This is a method that allows a country to win over the hearts and minds of its people without bloodshed, and to establish long-term, mutually beneficial ties...

This is something that ordinary businessmen could not do.

"How can there be such selfless investment in this world? Who exactly is this philanthropist?"

Zabuza glanced at Naruto, who was acting nonchalantly and even feigning surprise, and snorted coldly:

"The boss's name is not important; what is important is that he values ​​the country's potential."

"Dazner, from today onwards, you are the chief engineer of the bridge. This is the compensation you've received."

Zabuza tossed out a heavy envelope, which landed precisely in Tazuna's arms.

"He doesn't like bloodshed."

Zabuza turned around, his back to everyone, and left with his last words:

"He prefers...win-win situations."

When Zabuza mentioned a win-win situation, his eyes twitched violently.

He couldn't stay any longer, so he led his men into the thick fog.

Just as he was leaving, Bai turned around.

Those pure eyes gazed deeply at Naruto.

A hint of reluctance flickered in his eyes before his figure vanished into the mist.

…………

Another week has passed.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the construction site of the cross-sea bridge.

The bridge has been completed and officially named: Wave Country Bridge.

At this moment, drinks and joy flow across the bridge.

Tazuna held Kakashi's hand and thanked him repeatedly, while the villagers danced joyfully nearby.

Meanwhile, in the guard post not far away.

Those former ruthless rogue ninjas, now dressed in dark gray business suits and wearing armbands, maintained order with expressionless faces.

This scene is full of magical realism.

The current inhabitants of the Land of Waves have completely accepted the Foundation's rule.

His great name, so far away, has been intentionally or unintentionally ignored.

In their eyes, this foundation, which provides money, food, and dignity, is the true master of this place.

"Mission accomplished successfully, Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto stood on the shore, the sea breeze blowing through his golden hair.

He looked at the crowd seeing him off in the distance, a gratified smile on his face.

Kakashi looked at Naruto's profile, and the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.

This task is utterly absurd.

From beginning to end, an eerie atmosphere permeates the entire story.

"Naruto."

Kakashi looked at the people not far away and finally asked the question that had been bothering him:

"Don't you find all of this strange?"

"It's as if someone orchestrated the story's development behind the scenes."

"Even a murderer like Zabuza has become a defender of order?"

However, no matter how smart Kakashi was, he never expected this.

The so-called behind-the-scenes director was standing right next to him at that moment.

However, Kakashi had too many doubts in his mind, so he confided them to Naruto beside him.

Faced with Kakashi's questioning, Naruto simply pushed up his glasses.

"Everyone changes, right, Kakashi-sensei?"

Naruto's tone was gentle, showing no sign of anything amiss.

"Who would willingly risk their life to receive payment without shedding blood?"

Kakashi remained silent for a moment.

He glanced at the jubilant crowd in the distance, then at the traitorous ninja who had "reformed."

In the end, he just sighed.

"Yes... no matter what the process was, at least the result was good."

Kakashi waved to the people in the distance.

Turning around, his back view was somewhat desolate.

"Let's go back to the village."

"Mission complete."