Because Kaiza was killed in public, people who were already scared of Gato became even more afraid.
If even a so-called hero could be killed, how could ordinary people like them even think about standing up?
After that, Inari lost all trust in the idea of heroes. He stayed gloomy all the time.
The room fell silent again. Kakashi tapped the metal plate on the back of his hand without any real rhythm.
At times like this, it felt like no words could really help. This was family stuff—something outsiders couldn't really step into.
"I'll prove it to him!"
"I'll prove that there are still heroes in this world!"
Naruto slammed his hand on the table and stood up, looking fierce.
Whether it was the thin, sickly-looking kids outside or the adults walking around with lifeless expressions, this place wasn't supposed to be like this.
Even though Tazuna didn't really get along with Naruto, it was still impressive for the kid to say something like that.
"Your current abilities can't prove anything. You should focus on training while you haven't encountered any enemies yet."
Only Naruto would speak so bluntly without caring about the mood.
Kakashi squinted his visible eye, stood up, and patted Naruto's shoulder from behind.
The ninjas that could be hired in the Land of Waves were mostly from Kirigakure Village. Although things seemed more open since the new Mizukage arrived, and tourism grew in the area, the truth was the information about the ninja and the Mizukage remained shrouded in mystery. Even outsiders like them didn't know what the new Mizukage looked like.
Even though they had only faced two Chunin-level ninjas from Kirigakure before, their attacks were deadly, each one aimed to kill.
Next, they'd likely face someone at the Jonin level.
Naruto and Sasuke were both very promising, with one being a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the other an Uchiha orphan.
But if they were up against a Jonin right now, they'd still be easily defeated.
Kakashi, hoping they would quickly get the hang of using chakra, took them to the forest for training right after lunch.
They started with the basic exercise of running up trees using their feet.
"Hmm, this is kind of fun, but I don't really need it."
Hatake Satoru lazily lay on a tree branch, watching Kakashi, who was standing upside down on another nearby tree like a bat, deep in thought while stroking his chin.
He didn't need to train his jutsu usage; whether it was teleporting or his unlimited techniques, he could guarantee that he would never be hit.
He looked like a level 100 pro watching a level 10 newbie grind for experience, and he seemed to enjoy it.
They trained until it was so dark that they stumbled back to Tazuna's house, covered in dirt.
Compared to Sakura, who was already skilled at using chakra, Naruto and Sasuke's progress seemed slower.
After dinner, Naruto slumped over the table, squinting his eyes, clearly looking exhausted.
Because of the urgency of the situation, Kakashi had been a lot stricter with them.
After all, they were just kids, and pushing them too hard could easily make them sleepy.
Izanari still had a cold expression while eating dinner.
Actually, that kid's face had never really looked warm. He was always acting so proud and annoying, making everyone around him feel irritated.
Izanari stared at Naruto across the table, remembering that he'd secretly watched them train in the afternoon.
But after seeing how many times they kept falling from the trees, he couldn't help but feel that these people were just unreliable.
But as he looked at Naruto's squinting face, Izanari couldn't help but think of his father.
They were both people who worked hard to prove themselves and chase their dreams, but clearly, Kakashi had already shown the consequences of that path.
In Izanari's eyes, Naruto and the others were just reenacting the same mistakes.
The more he thought about it, the sadder he became. He stood up and shouted at Naruto across the table.
"Why do you have to try so hard? Even if you train your best, you won't be able to beat Gato's men!"
"No matter how many nice words you say or how hard you try, in front of real strength, the weak will only be defeated!"
Naruto blinked in surprise at the shouting Izanari and stared at him, looking confused.
Though he could understand Izanari's sadness, it was annoying to hear him become weak and resigned, spouting defeatist words about others.
It was just frustrating.
"You're so annoying, we're not the same."
"All you do is cry and run away. Just because you think your life is hard, does that mean you can completely deny other people's efforts? Crybaby."
And besides, it was them who had been putting in the effort. If they got killed, it would be on them.
What's that kid over there yelling about? He's just being nosy for no reason.
Naruto was already in a bad mood because of training, and then he got scolded when he got back. So yeah, he spoke a little harshly.
"You didn't have to go that far, Naruto."
After all, Inari's just a normal kid.
Going through something like this, of course he'd take it hard. Naruto didn't have to be so mean.
Sakura looked around hesitantly.
Too bad Sasuke and Kakashi were just watching like it was a show. Neither of them tried to step in.
Naruto clicked his tongue and didn't say anything. He got up and went into another room, clearly annoyed.
Sasuke didn't care about stuff like "being a hero" or "hard work is pointless."
He was just a cold revenge machine—whether it was for the Uchiha clan or for his brother who was forced to become a rogue ninja.
He didn't agree with either side, so he just rested his chin on his hands and watched.
"…Sigh."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow as he looked at Inari sniffling across the table and let out a small sigh.
After all, this was his first time leading a team.
It felt totally different from the missions he was used to—where he either worked alone or with a partner and just got the job done clean and quick.
These kids didn't think before they talked or acted, so now that he was a jonin leader, he had to clean up after them too.
After teaching his own team a lesson, he also had to calm the others down. Being a teacher really wasn't easy.
Kakashi's thoughts drifted to his unreliable senior. That guy had started teaching students earlier—maybe it was time to ask him for some advice.
Late that night, Kakashi found Inari alone, sitting by the door in silence, and explained Naruto's situation to him.
...
Early the next morning.
The sky had just started to brighten, and Naruto and the others were still half-asleep, sitting on the tatami, getting dressed.
A sudden, loud knock shattered the quiet mood in the room.
Tazuna opened the door and saw a man outside, looking panicked.
"Something's wrong! Gato brought a bunch of people to the bridge this morning. They hurt all the workers and said they're going to blow the whole thing up today!"
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