Sasuke's craving for strength drove him to compare.
But reality was harsh.
Even with jōnin-level power, he couldn't beat Kakashi. Now, a random enemy had bought cans too!
And plenty, it seemed!
Damn it, why were these people so rich?
Sasuke gripped his broken sword, scanning the mist for the attacker.
"Haku, hurry up," Zabuza said, brow raised, urging with slight impatience.
Dragging it out, the other kid would find them by sound. Then, even Haku might struggle against numbers.
"Yes!" A voice came from the mist again.
Sasuke snapped alert, shielding Rin and Sakura. His wounds had fully healed.
No time to marvel at the can potion's magic.
—Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Endless ice arrows pierced the mist like ghosts.
No dodging!
Sasuke glared, trying to track the arrows' paths, but could only catch faint traces.
Thud, thud, thud—
Like a replay, arrows riddled Sasuke's body again.
Excruciating pain—he could barely guard vital spots.
Sasuke clenched his teeth, stifling a scream this time.
Rin quickly fed him medicine, healing him.
In moments, his wounds closed visibly.
"So miraculous," the mist's voice remarked, as if seeing it. "But no matter how many potions you have, you'll die like this."
The voice echoed from all directions, impossible to pinpoint.
"Damn it, what can series did you buy?!"
Sasuke panted, eyes locked open.
He felt real life-or-death danger.
One slip, and he'd be killed instantly.
"Next time, it's not Dazuna," the voice drifted. "It's the pink-haired girl behind you."
"You!" Sasuke's face twisted.
He could barely protect himself. Sakura, in her state, was a dead woman.
"Sorry, I don't want to kill if I don't have to."
Haku heard Naruto's nearing steps, said no more, and raised a longbow, ice arrows forming slowly.
He didn't want to kill.
But for Lord Zabuza, he could become colder.
The arrows shot silently, near invisible.
As promised…
Aiming for Sakura.
"Damn it, damn it!"
Sasuke's muscles tensed to the limit, eyes wide, blood rushing to them.
At the critical moment…
Like breaking a barrier…
He saw.
The phantom-like ice arrows.
His broken sword flashed, deflecting most of the arrows aimed at Sakura.
But some still pierced her.
Rin dove in, healing and soothing.
"I can see," Sasuke said, lips curling into a smile. "Next time, your arrows won't hit!"
He felt it.
His eyes.
The Sharingan!
The Uchiha clan's Bloodline Limit awakened at last!
Just budding, but with these eyes, Sasuke felt he could do this!
"So, a Bloodline Limit…" The enemy in the mist sighed. "Impressive, but you know how miraculous that man's cans are. My advice—abandon the mission."
Sasuke's gut sank.
Then…
The mist churned.
Wind?
Sasuke watched as spinning gusts rapidly cleared the fog, revealing the hidden figure.
A beautiful girl, maybe fourteen or fifteen, in ornate dark green armor, a short skirt showing pale thighs above boots.
The tangible wind…
Came from her armor, glowing faint green.
"She used that power?" Zabuza seemed to notice. "Tougher than expected, but with that move, you're done."
He brimmed with confidence.
"That's from a can too?" Kakashi's voice was bitter.
What was going on?
When opening cans, special gear was scarce. Yet these two had full sets!
This was getting bad.
Kakashi seriously considered abandoning the mission. They'd bought too many cans. He had to protect his students first.
"Found you!" Buffed-up Naruto burst from Haku's side, swinging a fierce punch, wind howling. "Hurt Sasuke? I won't forgive you!"
The punch carried full force and speed!
But—
Haku lightly tiptoed, dodging with eerie grace.
"Useless," Haku said softly. "With this ability active, my speed surpasses you all. Even the Hokage might not hit me now."
As if proving it, no matter how Naruto attacked, Haku dodged effortlessly.
Even… Sasuke's awakened Sharingan couldn't track her!
"That's your can power?"
Sasuke gripped his broken sword, fist clenched.
Even with the Sharingan, it wasn't enough!
"Sigh…"
Dazuna, silent till now, let out a long breath.
"This is the Land of Waves' fate."
He didn't grasp talk of cans or "that man."
But he saw the situation.
Their strongest, Kakashi, was injured, and Naruto couldn't touch the enemy's hem.
He stepped out of Rin and Sasuke's protection, standing forward.
"Forget it, Naruto. This started because of me. You've done enough."
His face was blank, but his tone hid unshakable regret.
He'd fought so long.
Yet this was the outcome.
"No way!" Naruto's fists tightened, eyes burning with defiance. He stepped back, shouting at Dazuna. "Change fate—that's what the can guy always says! Dazuna, the whole country, everyone's hopes rest on you! How can you give up?"
"…" Silence fell.
That was most people's reality.
Naruto got no reply. Suddenly, he did something unthinkable.
He yanked out the membership badge around his neck.
"That… could it be…" Zabuza's heart jolted. What was this kid up to?
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