There was no longer any fog.
Over the Land of Waves, the previously cloudy skies were now warm and sunny. Birds chirped. Children giggled. As they hammered in the final nails into the Great Naruto Bridge, Tazuna's workers celebrated.
But the joy was not entirely sweet for Team 7.
They were ready to begin the journey back to Konoha as they stood at the entrance of the bridge.
Naruto turned to glance once more at the completed structure. Under the arch, the inscription "The Great Naruto Bridge" glowed brightly in bold kanji.
He breathed in awe, "Wow, they really did name it after me."
Sakura pushed him. "Don't let it go to your head."
Naruto grinned. "Too late!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Tch. Idiot."
Kakashi chuckled and shut his book. "Alright, everyone. Let's go."
Farewell, the Land of Waves
To bid them farewell, Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari met. Inari ran up to him and wrapped his leg with a tight hug.
"Big bro, thanks!" His eyes were filled with tears as he spoke. "You saved us! Everything changed because of you!"
Ruffling his hair, Naruto sat down. "No. Inari, you were the real hero. You protected your mother by standing up. That takes courage."
Inari smiled with pride.
Tsunami lowered his head. "You brought hope to our village. Thank you."
Surprisingly bashful, Naruto rubbed the nape of his neck. "Just doing my job."
Saying their last goodbyes, Team 7 turned and began to walk home with a last wave.
Steps in Silence
The team walked for hours through the woods, the leaves rustling with the wind.
Naruto was quiet for once.
Kakashi noticed the silence. "Naruto, you're quiet."
With his pockets in his hands, Naruto kept walking. "I've been thinking."
Sakura blinked. "A first."
The jab was not heeded by Naruto. "Haku and Zabuza were strong. More than anything else, however, they were human. They were more than tools. They had feelings and aspirations."
Sasuke's eyes tightened but he said nothing.
Nodded Kakashi. "They defended their beliefs. They were like us in their own right."
Naruto balled his hands. "And Haku was just like me. As if he didn't live. But he kept on defending the one person who saw his worth. even if it meant dying."
Sakura's expression softened. "You were really worried about him."
"Yes," Naruto answered. "Because I saw myself in him. Maybe I'd be the same if things had turned out differently."
The Heart of a Shinobi
They camped near a clearing later that evening.
Naruto sat on a rock and stared up at the night sky as Sakura and Sasuke gathered firewood. On the dark blue background, the stars twinkled like diamonds.
Kakashi sat down beside him.
Kakashi spoke quietly, "You're weighing what it's like to be a shinobi."
Naruto nodded. "We're supposed to be the village's tools, aren't we? But. I learned from Haku that tools have hearts too."
Kakashi also looked up at the sky. "Being a shinobi is more than merely executing orders and missions. It's protecting the people you care about. choosing your own path."
Naruto shot him a fast glance. "Even if that path is difficult?"
Kakashi closed his eye. "Especially during that period."
There followed a silence of long duration.
Naruto then smiled slightly. "That's what I would like to be as a ninja. Somebody who never loses track of who he is or what he believes in."
Behind his mask, Kakashi smiled. "That's a good ideal."
Aspirations and Competitions
They returned to their journey the next day. Even though Naruto continued to look dazed, the tension had reduced somewhat.
He jogged up alongside Sasuke once.
"Hey, Sasuke."
"What?"
Naruto grinned. "I will become stronger. more powerful than you."
Sasuke smiled. "You could try."
With shining eyes, Naruto announced, "I'm serious. No more playing games. I'm going to work harder, train, and demonstrate that I'm not some stupid kid."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "You took too long."
Naruto snorted. "Haku taught me that power isn't the only side of strength. It's about having your bonds intact. I will thus protect mine. and beat you at the same time!"
Sasuke smiled more widely. "All right. Don't disappoint me."
For once, they regarded each other with comprehension instead of anger.
A new rivalry had begun.
A Village in Sight
Finally the gates of Konoha came into view. The Hokage Monument on the horizon, crowded streets, and recognizable rooftops.
Sakura sighed in relief. "We've come home."
As Naruto looked at the village, his heart expanded. Now it felt bigger, more important.
He was no longer just appearing at Konoha as the class clown.
He was arriving as another person.
As a person who had grown up.
Kakashi turned. "Let's report to the Hokage. Then you all have some well-deserved rest."
As he walked past the gates, Naruto smiled. "Sleep? No. I have to do some training."