The Land of Waves, a small island nation, is impoverished, with its only contact to the outside world being maritime transport, all controlled by a merchant named Gato through wealth and violence.
For an island nation like the Land of Waves, controlling sea traffic means controlling the nation's wealth, politics, and its people. This is why Tazuna, at any cost, returned to the Land of Waves to build the "Bridge of Hope" for its people.
Inside a luxurious manor, guarded by layers of bodyguards at the entrance, Gato, wearing a suit and small sunglasses, was eating a delicious meal at a table.
"You bunch of useless trash, so many of you, yet you let one old man escape and even run all the way to Konoha? Am I raising a bunch of gluttons?"
"Lord Gato, many villagers obstructed us, and Tazuna is familiar with the terrain of the Land of Waves, so that's why..."
Gato slammed the table heavily and shouted, "I don't need excuses, I only want results! Do you understand results? You piece of garbage, you trash!"
Facing Gato's insults, even soup splashed onto them, the bodyguards dared not move. The last person who dodged was driven to ruin by Gato.
"You bunch of gluttons..."
After venting for a while, Gato finally calmed down, tightened his tie, and took a glass of red wine to rinse his mouth.
"Fortunately, I was prepared and hired mercenaries at a great expense."
"Once that old man Tazuna is dealt with, and a few troublemakers are eliminated, those unruly villagers will obediently follow my word, Gato."
On a small path outside the manor, two figures wearing straw hats were slowly approaching. A gentle breeze blew, lifting their black cloaks, revealing a few red clouds embroidered on them.
...
"Achoo!"
"Teacher Lin Yu, here..."
Lin Yu took the handkerchief handed to him by the thoughtful little girl and smiled, "Little Hinata is still so well-behaved and sensible."
Hinata's cheeks flushed slightly, her pure and cute eyes widened a bit. She loved receiving praise from her teacher. Although she had been taken as a disciple by Lin Yu from a young age, Lin Yu always let her cultivation progress naturally.
While other children were strictly taught by their fathers, she only needed to give her teacher a massage for an afternoon to be exempted from a day of arduous training. Compared to her father at home, Hinata felt Lin Yu was a perfect teacher!
Lin Yu touched his nose and murmured, "Is someone talking about me? Or will I meet someone I know on this mission?"
Since Mei Terumi became Mizukage early, and Zabuza didn't defect from the Hidden Mist Village, Gato couldn't have hired Zabuza to hunt Tazuna. It was likely just an ordinary C-rank escort mission.
It seemed he could safely leave it to Kiba and Shino...
"I think someone is feeling guilty."
As others weren't paying attention, Kurenai Yuhi quietly approached Lin Yu, her beautiful nose sniffing slightly, her expression wronged. "I knew someone wouldn't be this kind to accompany me without reason. So you just got out of bed, tsk!"
"Uh... are you all dogs? I can't smell anything," Lin Yu said, sweating. He had already changed clothes and come out after a shower, yet she could still smell it? This was even more impressive than the Inuzuka clan!
Kurenai Yuhi's gaze was alluring, and her red lips curved slightly. "I smell someone's guilt!"
"Ahem! Kurenai, about last time, that was... an accident..."
"What! You want to wash your hands of it after taking advantage?" Kurenai's voice rose slightly, attracting the attention of the others. She could only smile and pretend everything was fine.
"How could I be that kind of person?"
Lin Yu quickly shook his head and pretended to be serious. "I just feel it's unfair to you, after all, last time it was four against one..."
A blush spread across Kurenai's already charming face. She gently chided him and whispered, "Then how do you plan to compensate me?"
Lin Yu said seriously, "Kurenai, you've got it wrong. You should be compensating me. I was one against four, I'm the victim!"
"..."
Kurenai took a few deep breaths to calm herself and whispered in Lin Yu's ear, "Then come find me tonight, and I'll show you something good~"
Hinata, standing nearby, was already blushing furiously, burying her face in her chest. Was this something she was supposed to hear?
What should I do? Will I be silenced by Kurenai-sensei and Lin Yu-sensei later!
Lin Yu's eyes lit up, but he still picked up the stiff and warm little Hinata beside him and said righteously, "As teachers, we must conduct ourselves properly. Kurenai-sensei, I need to give you a good lesson tonight!"
"Pfft! I'll be waiting for you~"
Hinata: It's over, I'm going to be silenced!
"You few in the back, keep it down. The boat is nearing the shore."
The boatman rowed his oar, observing the surroundings with a solemn expression. However, the sea here was covered in thick fog, severely limiting visibility.
"Shino, look! What a huge bridge!"
Kiba Inuzuka, sitting at the bow of the boat, pointed at the massive bridge emerging from the dense fog and couldn't help but shout to Shino Aburame beside him.
"Indeed, it's a rare sight in bridge design. However, it seems construction isn't finished yet."
"That's right."
Tazuna took a swig of sake, his eyes bright, and said, "This bridge is the hope of the Land of Waves, a free passage that can liberate this country from its shackles!"
"As long as this bridge can be completed, the Land of Waves will have a future!"
The boatman also spoke, "Mr. Tazuna is the chief designer of the bridge. Otherwise, I wouldn't have risked coming to pick you up. The consequences would be unthinkable if those people found out."
Kiba Inuzuka asked doubtfully, "Those people? Isn't this just a simple escort mission?"
Tazuna took another few gulps of sake and no longer concealed it, telling them about being chased by the business magnate Gato.
"Bodyguards? Rogue ninjas? That's it? Leave it to me, Kiba Inuzuka! I can take them all down by myself!"
Shino Aburame also nodded and said, "If they are villains who oppress the common people and commit all sorts of evil deeds, we are willing to lend Mr. Tazuna a helping hand."
"Woof woof!"
Kiba Inuzuka grinned at Akamaru and shouted to the stern, "Hinata, Kurenai-sensei, are you willing to help this uncle... help? Where are they?"
Kiba Inuzuka looked at the empty stern and was stunned for a moment. Had Kurenai-sensei and the others fallen into the sea?
"Uncle, turn back quickly! Kurenai-sensei and the others have fallen into the sea!"
"They've already landed. I really don't know how you became a ninja."
Tazuna sighed. As expected, one shouldn't trust braggarts. He had almost been swayed by Kiba's confident words just now.
On the shore, Lin Yu held Hinata's soft little hand and smiled at her, "Little Hinata, don't mention what happened just now, or Teacher will punish you."
Hinata nodded heavily, her face red. Kurenai Yuhi, on the other hand, moved closer to Lin Yu and whispered seductively in his ear:
"Senior Lin Yu~ Please punish Kurenai severely tonight~"
Gulp...
Hinata's body suddenly went limp, and smoke rose from her head.
It's over, I'm really going to be silenced this time!