Three years have passed.
The Land of Waves lies southeast of the Land of Fire, separated by a nearly two-thousand-meter sea passage. Though called a country, it's less than one percent the size of the Land of Fire, even smaller than the Rain Country nestled between the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind.
The Land of Waves is an isolated island nation. Initially, while not particularly prosperous, it was self-sustaining. But about a year ago, the wealthy and ruthless Gato set his sights on it, forcing the country into poverty. Gato, a world-class billionaire, hired numerous henchmen and ninjas, using both wealth and intimidation to monopolize maritime transport. He quickly took control of all sea routes, imposing exorbitant shipping fees on the people and raising prices throughout the country, making a substantial profit. The once modestly stable country has since fallen into hardship.
To resist Gato's oppression, the people of the Land of Waves, led by Tazuna, started building a bridge to the mainland. This bridge would later be known as the "Naruto Bridge."
At dawn, thick fog covered the coastline as a small boat drifted toward the Land of Waves, moving steadily beneath the incomplete bridge. Just like in the original story, Tazuna—pursued by Gato's men for his bridge-building efforts—had hired Konoha shinobi to protect him. This mission was led by Kakashi Hatake, who had since left the Anbu. His students, the newly graduated members of Team 7, included Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura.
"Kakashi-sensei, there's someone up ahead." Sakura's voice caught the attention of everyone in the boat. They all looked ahead, where two figures walked calmly on the water, obscured by the thick fog.
Kakashi narrowed his visible right eye and focused through the mist, spotting the two approaching figures. As they drew closer, he could see more details: both wore black cloaks with red clouds, wide-brimmed hats, and their bodies entirely concealed. He couldn't tell their gender, but the fact they walked on water marked them as shinobi. Years of experience told Kakashi these were no ordinary ninjas and likely dangerous.
"Kakashi-sensei, are they…?" Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stared in trepidation, still new to the world of real shinobi battles despite their recent graduation.
Seeing the two figures striding across the water had clearly unsettled them, and they looked at each other in fear.
"Stay calm. They're likely not enemies. I don't sense any killing intent from them—if they meant harm, they would've attacked us in the fog. Boatman, maintain a safe distance; don't approach them," Kakashi instructed.
The boatman nodded and adjusted the pace, slowing down as Kakashi kept a cautious eye on the mysterious figures.
Sakura whispered, "Kakashi-sensei, are they stronger than you?"
Naruto and Sasuke leaned closer, curious.
"The ninja world is vast, and I'm not invincible. Some people out there are even stronger than me, some younger than you, especially those who go out of their way to conceal their identities like this. They could be rogue ninjas. Don't attempt to see their faces—one wrong move could cost you your life."
Kakashi explained, his serious gaze still fixed on the red-clouded figures.
"No way. Stronger than you and younger than us, Kakashi-sensei? How could that be?" Sakura was incredulous. Glancing at Sasuke, her face flushed as she added, "I can't believe anyone our age could be stronger than Sasuke."
For Sakura, Sasuke was undoubtedly the most powerful among their generation.
But before she could finish, Sasuke interrupted, "Actually, it's true that there are people our age stronger than Kakashi." He thought of his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Naruto, too, appeared uncharacteristically serious. He nodded in agreement, a sense of loneliness momentarily shadowing his eyes. His mind drifted to the first person who had ever treated him kindly, recognized him, and invited him for ramen. Naruto could never believe this person would betray Konoha—there had to be more to the story.
Sakura looked between Naruto and Sasuke in disbelief. "Really? Even more powerful than Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi, who understood whom they were thinking of, broke in, "Enough. We don't know yet whether they're friend or foe, so keep your guard up and don't let down your defenses."
"Yes, sensei," the three replied in unison, each growing more vigilant.
While Team 7 observed the two strangers from a distance, the figures had already noticed them.
"That looks like Konoha's Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. Lord Kirito, what shall we do? If they recognize us, it could be trouble. Should we eliminate them?" one of the figures asked, her voice soft yet clear. She was Pakura who had joined the Akatsuki three years earlier. The other figure beside her was none other than Kirito himself, now fully grown and changed by his years of experience.
Over the last three years, Kirito had traversed the ninja world, balancing training and time with his family. His wanderings took him to the Land of Lightning, where he enjoyed the hot springs, and to the Land of Earth, where he took Deidara along to "admire" the Leg Shadow of Black Earth.
In the Land of Water, he once "accidentally" stumbled into Mei Terumi's private bath, which resulted in her chasing him for three days with a squad of Mist Ninjas. Eventually, he managed to appease her by slipping her a pure gold ring and ten Senzu Beans. Only then did she let him go.
However, Kirito had yet to explore the Land of Wind, as its barren landscapes held little appeal. And the Land of Fire was still off-limits to him due to an agreement between Pain, Obito, and Itachi, restricting Kirito to territories distant from Konoha.
Despite his adventures, Kirito never managed to find Tsunade. A year after their last encounter on Tanzaku Street, he returned to discover she had left, with no one knowing where she had gone.
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