The lone surviving Ghost Brother stared blankly at his fallen companion. His mind was a storm of disbelief and fear.
What kind of monster kid is this? He thought, trembling. One punch… just one punch, and he killed him.
Before he could regain his senses, a shadow loomed over him. The team had closed in.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi now surrounded him. Kakashi's visible eye lingered on the twist marks on the dead brother's neck. He sighed inwardly, acknowledging Naruto's terrifying power.
"Are you a ninja from Kirigakure?" Kakashi asked in a cold tone. "Explain. Why did you attack us?"
The Ghost Brother opened his mouth but faltered. Fear paralyzed him.
Boom!
Kakashi moved swiftly, and with a single decisive blow, the second Ghost Brother fell lifeless to the ground.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at the spectacle. "Spineless," he muttered.
Sasuke watched Naruto intently, suspicion creeping into his mind. Naruto's vigilant stance, his decisiveness in battle, and the power behind his actions…
Is this really the same Naruto who just graduated?
---
Observations Across the Ninja World
The scene sent shockwaves through those watching.
Naruto, a mere Genin, had taken a life so easily. The Naruto they knew—the clumsy, loudmouth, and immature boy—seemed a world apart from this composed and ruthless version.
Naruto in the stands shifted uncomfortably. Watching himself in another world made him feel insignificant. He couldn't help but compare. This me is on a whole other level… Could I have faced someone like Zabuza back then?
The audience murmured amongst themselves.
"Uzumaki Naruto over there… He doesn't hesitate," muttered Onoki, the Tsuchikage.
"That kid… He killed without blinking," added Terumi Mei, Mizukage.
Zabuza Momochi clenched his fists. "If I fall to that brat, the world will laugh at me. A Genin with such strength? Impossible!"
---
Confronting the Truth
As they continued their journey, Kakashi turned to Dazna with a scrutinizing gaze. "There's more to this mission than you've told us, isn't there?"
Caught in Kakashi's crosshairs, Dazna reluctantly confessed. He explained that Kado, a tyrannical magnate, sought to control the Land of Waves and had targeted him to stop the construction of a bridge that could bring freedom to his people.
Dazna finished with an emotional plea, "If you don't protect me, I'll die on my way home. But don't worry, you don't have to feel guilty. Only my eight-year-old granddaughter will cry every day, and my daughter will live a lonely, bitter life, cursing the Konoha ninjas forever."
The team froze in silence.
Kakashi scratched his head, unsure of how to respond. Sasuke and Sakura exchanged bewildered looks.
Naruto, however, broke the silence with a clap of his hands. "Oh, that's great! I thought if you died, the Land of Waves would crumble. But since only your family will cry, that's no big deal!"
Dazna's jaw dropped. "What?!"
"Yeah, it's not like your daughter can do anything to Konoha. Let her hate us all she wants," Naruto added with a shrug. His tone was as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
Kakashi and Sasuke stared at him in stunned silence. Even Sakura, often critical of Naruto, was left speechless.
Naruto crossed his arms. "Honestly, I've seen enough crocodile tears in my life. If you want our help, be honest. Stop trying to guilt-trip us."
Dazna paled. "But… you're ninjas! Aren't you supposed to help those in need?"
"Sure," Naruto said, already slinging his bag over his shoulder. "But not for free. You lied, and now you want us to risk our lives? Yeah, no thanks. Come on, Kakashi-sensei, let's head back to Konoha."
He turned to leave, and for a moment, it seemed he truly would walk away.
---
Moral Checkmate
Dazna panicked. "Wait! Please, I'm sorry! I lied because I had no choice. I don't have the money for a B-rank mission, but my people are suffering! Kado's goons have terrorized us for years, and this bridge is our only hope. I'll tell you everything, just please don't leave!"
Naruto paused, glancing over his shoulder. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Dazna's knees buckled as he breathed a sigh of relief. Kakashi gave Naruto a long, appraising look.
Sasuke, still watching Naruto, thought, He's not as cold as he pretends to be.
The team decided to continue with the mission, now fully aware of its dangers.
---
Reactions from the Audience
The audience across the ninja world was in awe of Naruto's handling of the situation.
Shikamaru Nara leaned back with a smirk. "Naruto over there knows how to deal with people."
Chōji Akimichi nodded. "He doesn't let anyone push him around."
Guy Sensei gave a thumbs-up. "It's youthful resolve! Naruto refuses to be manipulated."
Meanwhile, Zabuza watched uneasily. "If that brat had been more stubborn, he could have walked away. And if he had, Dazna would've been mine."
---
The Path Forward
As they resumed their journey, Naruto's thoughts wandered. This is the world of ninjas? Life is so fragile. One wrong move, one lie, and people die.
Sasuke watched him with growing curiosity. Naruto's strength, composure, and moral clarity were nothing like the bumbling classmate he remembered.
When they reached the outskirts of the Land of Waves, Kakashi called for a halt. "Stay alert. If Kado really has hired mercenaries, this won't be the last ambush."
Naruto clenched his fists, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Let them come. I'm not afraid."
---
A New Perspective
The Naruto watching from the stands felt a mix of envy and resolve. His counterpart had shown him a version of himself he didn't know he could be—strong, confident, and unwavering.
"I've been too soft," he muttered. "But that ends now."
Across the ninja world, the name Uzumaki Naruto was being spoken with a newfound respect. No longer just the class clown, he was proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
Even Zabuza muttered under his breath, "That brat… maybe he's worth worrying about after all."
---
Final Thoughts
Naruto's unyielding stance against Dazna's manipulation left a lasting impression. He had shown not only strength but also a keen understanding of human nature. The mission to the Land of Waves was no longer just a simple escort—it was a crucible, one that would forge him and his team into something greater.
As they ventured deeper into danger, the ninja world watched with bated breath. What other surprises did this version of Naruto have in store?
---
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