The mist slowly began to thin.
Water dripped from broken branches and gouged earth where the battle had torn through the forest. The air still smelled faintly of iron and river water.
Naruto stretched his arms and groaned.
"Man… that guy was insane."
Sakura nodded slowly, still staring at the empty space where the masked hunter-nin had disappeared with Zabuza's body.
"Yeah…"
Sasuke crossed his arms.
"Something about that was strange."
Kakashi stood quietly for a moment before lowering his forehead protector back over his eye.
"Hunter-nin from Kirigakure specialize in disposing of rogue shinobi."
He glanced toward the trees.
"If Zabuza truly was a missing-nin, then retrieving the body would be standard procedure."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"Yeah but…"
He frowned.
"...that guy felt weird."
The Shinobi Codex chimed softly beside him.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Ooooh, Free gambling..." Somewhat used to their teammates weird antics, Sakura and Sasuke ignored him.
He stepped slightly away from the group and whispered.
"Okay Codex, lottery spin, times three!"
The floating interface pulsed.
Lottery Roll Initiated…
Lights spun rapidly through different icons.
Weapons.
Scrolls.
Stat boosts.
Then—
*DING DING DING*
Rewards Obtained:
Travelers Rations
Rarity: Common
Description: A wide spread of various food that will satisfy any travellers hunger
Smoke Pellet (3x)
Rarity: CommonDescription: Small pellets that release a quick smoke cloud when thrown.
Gravity Sealing Tag – Prototype x 7
Rarity: Rare
Description: A chakra tag capable of temporarily increasing objects weight moderately (10Kg)
Naruto blinked.
"…Whoa."
A small paper tag appeared in his hand.
Black ink symbols spiraled across the paper in intricate patterns.
The Shinobi Codex chimed again.
Compatibility Detected
Uzumaki Synergy + 10% to seals affect
Legendary Quest Update:
Partial Bloodline knowledge granted! As an Uzumaki, seals affects and statuses naturally work more efficiently in response to your chakra.
Naruto scratched his head.
He flipped the tag over curiously.
The ink glowed faintly.
Naruto grinned slowly. If this was what he received with only partial knowledge, he could only imagine what full knowledge would entail.
"Now for this."
The Codex flashed again.
Skill Experience Pack Used:
Shadow Shuriken Jutsu
Skill Level Up!
Shadow Shuriken Jutsu LVL 3 (2/30)
New Effect Unlocked:
Improved trajectory concealment.
Naruto pumped his fist quietly.
"Nice."
Behind him, Sasuke was still staring down the road.
"I don't think he's dead."
Naruto looked up.
"What?"
Sasuke continued calmly.
"Zabuza was known as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
He glanced toward Kakashi.
"Someone like that wouldn't lose so easily."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head.
"...You're both right to question it."
Sakura blinked.
"So he's alive?"
Kakashi shrugged.
"I wouldn't bet against it."
Naruto grinned.
"Awesome."
Sakura groaned.
"Why would you say that like it's a good thing?!"
Tazuna cleared his throat nervously.
"If the conversation about terrifying assassins is over…"
He gestured down the road.
"My house is just ahead."
The village of the Land of Waves appeared slowly through the mist.
Wooden houses sat crookedly along narrow walkways above the water.
Fishing nets hung from rooftops.
Boats creaked quietly against docks.
But something felt wrong.
The village was silent.
People watched them from windows.
Tired eyes.
Hungry faces.
Naruto's grin faded slightly.
"...This place is rough."
Tazuna led them to a modest wooden house near the shoreline.
The door slid open.
A young woman stepped out.
She looked relieved immediately.
"Father!"
She rushed forward.
Tazuna laughed.
"I'm home, Tsunami!"
She hugged him tightly before noticing the ninja behind him.
"Oh!"
She bowed quickly.
"Thank you for protecting my father."
Behind her—
A small boy peeked from behind the doorway.
He looked about seven.
Arms crossed stubbornly.
The boy glared at Naruto.
"You're ninja?"
Naruto blinked.
"...Yeah?"
The boy scoffed.
"You're too weak."
Sakura sputtered.
"Excuse me?!"
The boy turned and stormed back into the house.
Tsunami sighed.
"That's my son."
"Inari."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"...Kid's got attitude."
Later that afternoon
Naruto wandered through the village streets alone.
Fishing stalls sat empty.
Several homes looked half abandoned.
A few villagers quietly mended nets near the docks.
Naruto's stomach growled.
"...Man."
He reached into his bag and pulled out his new Travelers Rations.
Instant noodles.
Rice balls.
A few dried fish strips.
He looked at the villagers again.
Then walked over.
A tired fisherman blinked as Naruto handed him a rice ball.
"Huh?"
Naruto grinned.
"You look hungry."
Another old woman received a noodle cup.
A group of children got dried fish.
Slowly the villagers accepted the food.
Confused.
Grateful.
But nervous.
The Shinobi Codex chimed.
Hidden Social Interaction Detected
Reputation Change:
Naruto → Villagers
Neutral → Grateful
Naruto scratched his head.
"Eh, it's just food."
But the moment didn't last.
Boots stomped onto the wooden pier.
Three rough-looking men appeared.
Bandits.
Each carried crude weapons.
Their eyes narrowed at the villagers holding Naruto's food.
One spat into the water.
"Looks like someone thinks they're generous."
Another thug pantomimed a young boy with outstretched hands, "P P P P-lease sir, may I have some more?"
Naruto tilted his head.
"…What?"
The bandits sneered.
"Gato doesn't like charity."
The villagers immediately stepped away from Naruto.
Fear spreading across their faces.
A whisper spread through the street.
"You shouldn't have done that..."
"They'll punish us..."
Naruto frowned.
"...Wait what?"
The bandits laughed.
One cracked his knuckles.
"Hope you like beat downs."
Maybe it was due to his increase in intelligence, or slightly increased social skills due to his charisma but Naruto, usually one to pick a fight, backed down.
"I'm not looking for any trouble, I was just leaving."
The street remained silent.
The villagers avoided Naruto's eyes.
Slowly dispersing back into their homes.
Doors shut quietly.
Naruto quickly disengaged from the thugs heading back towards Tazuna's house.
*Ping*
+2 to Charisma
Charitable aura buff earned: +3 to charisma when talking to those less fortunate! 96 hours remaining
'Those guys deserve a serious ass kicking' thought our blonde protagonist, his fingers forming a cross seal. A group of Shadow Clones POOFED into existence and transformed into a slightly different group of thugs. Silently tailing the group he had just come into contact with, Naruto vowed his revenge.
Far away, across many bodies of water—
In the shadows of an unnamed forest—
A masked boy stood beside a recovering swordsman's bed.
Haku quietly adjusted the senbon needles.
While Zabuza slowly opened his eyes.
The battle for the Land of Waves had only just begun.