A Confession on the Road
The fog thickened as Team 7 moved closer to the Land of Waves, making the air around them damp and heavy. Tazuna had been uncharacteristically quiet after the ambush, but with the recent attack on his life, it became clear to everyone that there was more to the mission than initially revealed.
Tazuna finally broke the silence, looking guilty as he walked ahead. "I guess I owe you all the truth now…" he began. His voice carried a mixture of shame and desperation. "The truth is… I'm not just building a bridge. I'm trying to free my country from the grip of a tyrant."
Naruto, who had been sulking a bit after freezing up in the fight, perked up at this. "What do you mean? Who's this tyrant?"
Tazuna sighed heavily. "His name is Gato. He controls the shipping routes to our island and has our people living in fear. He's hired rogue ninja and mercenaries to enforce his rule. The bridge I'm building… it's the last hope for the people of the Land of Waves to stand against him."
Kakashi frowned under his mask. "So that's why rogue ninja are after you. And that's why this mission should have been ranked higher."
"I couldn't afford a higher-ranked mission," Tazuna admitted, his eyes downcast. "But if the bridge isn't completed, my country will fall into ruin. My family… and everyone I know… they're counting on me. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing."
Naruto's eyes lit up with determination. "Don't worry, old man! We'll protect you, and I'll make sure that bridge gets built! Believe it!"
Hyuk, who had been listening quietly, nodded but remained focused on the path ahead. He knew that there was more danger lurking, especially with rogue ninja involved. Sasuke, still wary of Hyuk's calmness, glanced at him with a silent understanding—things were about to get a lot more complicated.
---
As the group marched on, Sakura found herself lagging slightly behind, walking next to Hyuk. She had been wondering about him ever since their recent missions, and with the downtime during travel, curiosity got the better of her.
"Hey, Hyuk," Sakura began, keeping her voice low so the others wouldn't hear. "Can I ask you something… personal?"
Hyuk raised an eyebrow but nodded slightly. "Sure. What's on your mind?"
Sakura hesitated for a moment, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "It's about Reina… I've noticed you two seem really close. I mean, she's a lot older than you, right? So… what's the deal with you two?"
Hyuk didn't immediately respond, his expression unreadable as he considered her question. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Reina and I… we've been through a lot together. She's someone I trust more than anyone. Our bond is complicated, but I don't see her just as someone older than me. She's helped me grow stronger, and I guess I've done the same for her."
Sakura blinked, a little surprised by how mature Hyuk's answer was. She expected something more straightforward or flustered, but his calm demeanor made it clear that his relationship with Reina was something deeper.
"Wow… I didn't think of it that way," Sakura admitted. "It just seems a little… I don't know, unusual, considering the age difference."
Hyuk gave a small shrug. "Maybe. But in the shinobi world, age doesn't always matter. What we've gone through together matters more."
Sakura nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a bit curious still. "I see… So, you two are really serious, then?"
Hyuk didn't answer directly, but the slight softness in his normally stoic expression gave her all the answer she needed.
---
As the group continued, the fog deepened, and the mood shifted. Kakashi's senses were on high alert, and the rest of the team couldn't help but feel a looming danger in the air.
"We're close to the Land of Waves now," Kakashi said, his voice low. "Stay sharp. There may be more waiting for us."
Naruto clenched his fists, eager to prove himself after the earlier ambush. Sasuke, while quiet, kept his eyes on the surroundings, knowing that something wasn't right. Hyuk, as always, stayed composed, though his focus sharpened as they neared their destination.
In the distance, the outline of the Land of Waves began to emerge from the fog, and with it, the unseen threat of Zabuza Momochi.