The others removed their hats in salute. The tallest among them was Kakashi, Neji stood at the foot of the mountain, and Sasuke, Sakura, and Tenten were fishing elsewhere.
After confirming Gato's whereabouts, the remaining task was to capture him without harming any innocent civilians.
The best approach was to defeat him without bloodshed.
During this process, having Gato constantly converse with various "local leaders" would keep him focused on the conversation itself, making him less likely to notice details that could expose him. That's why Naruto and his team had carefully designed the "script," adding twists and unexpected elements.
Gato's face remained cold as he looked at them, suddenly filled with thoughts of sacrificing others due to his own carelessness.
He quietly moved his hand to his waist.
"You've seen everything," Sakura said calmly, "don't try any tricks, or you'll pay the price."
Naruto added, "After all this commotion, is this the level of our beloved king?"
Kakashi stepped forward. "In any case… surrender."
Gato looked around, resentment bubbling like a fountain. "I've just started out, and you want to throw me in prison?"
Damn it! You really think I'm some chaebol? Even chaebols don't get treated like this!
Gato glared fiercely at everyone and roared: "Damn you all! Go to hell!"
Then he drew a dagger from his waist and charged… only to be instantly subdued by Naruto.
For a moment, confusion crossed many faces.
Tenten whispered, "What is he saying…?"
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Neji also looked puzzled.
Expressionless, Naruto produced a towel and tightly covered Gato's mouth. "This is a secret signal among their relatives," he explained.
"Huh?" Everyone turned to Naruto.
"I learned a few phrases while wandering through gathering places—things like 'xiba' (salute) and 'ke ei si ei ge yi' (loyalty)."
"I get it," Tenten's eyes sparkled. "Naruto is amazing—he can blend in at the gathering places."
"Do you even know what a gathering place is?" Neji asked from the side.
"No."
"…."
Sakura shot Naruto a glance, trying to ease the tension. "Anyway, this guy is really good at deceiving people. I suggest we don't let him speak before we bring him back to Konoha."
For safety, Gato couldn't be allowed to reveal too much.
"Agreed," Kakashi nodded.
…
[Naruto's Diary]
The 64th year since the founding of Konoha. The first Land of Waves War has concluded. Haku, Zabuza, and Gato were brought back to Konoha to await judgment. I took this chance to organize my thoughts, review my actions in my diary, and prepare for potential suspicion from the higher-ups of Konoha.
Of course, this diary is written in Chinese. After reading it a few times, I will destroy it.
Some of my actions were indeed unusual. Some parts are overly humorous, not quite in the "Naruto style."
I plan to blame any misdeeds on the Nine-Tails, saying it was the evil tailed beast's idea. What does this have to do with me, Uzumaki Naruto?
Also, Gato's Korean reminded me that when I came to this world, I naturally learned Japanese and could communicate effortlessly with companions. Yet, sometimes when speaking with Sakura, I unconsciously switch back to Chinese.
In the future, it's best to use Chinese for important private conversations.
I'll note that here. Come play along every day, hehe.
June 6th. As the bridge neared completion, Gato cut the ropes with a stone while trying to escape, but I caught him.
He shouted, proclaiming, "I'm the protagonist! You bugs don't deserve to breathe the same air as me!" I fed him some dragon fruit, and he said he felt clearer.
Then I began teasing him. He started complaining about society and his fate. But when he began cursing his mother, I punched out one of his front teeth. What bad luck! How can someone be so useless?
At the same time, I started thinking: what if Gato returned to Konoha and was interrogated by someone like Ibiki, forced to reveal his time-travel secret?
This kid can't stay!
…
June 6th. Bridge completed. Sakura and I planned to release Gato again, luring him into the forest.
I set various traps in advance, intending to let him fend for himself, but one trap caught a wild boar instead. The boar broke free, charging across the path and striking Gato in the abdomen!
He collapsed quickly. By the time Kakashi and the others arrived, he had lost too much blood to be saved.
That night, Sakura came to me with red eyes, asking if what we were doing counted as murder.
Sakura and I are alike. Although we've experienced countless battles, we've never truly killed anyone. Moreover, for a modern-born girl, watching someone die slowly in hiding is unbearably cruel.
I explained to her what Gato said and told her that, in my hometown dialect, this isn't a crime—it's an accumulation of merit.
She finally stopped crying and asked if she could sleep beside me for the night. I agreed.
Gulp—Sakura's waist kept leaning toward me. I was really struggling!
Are you testing policemen with this?!
…
June 6th. I returned to Konoha, feeling as if I had come home.
Unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally visited me, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables, and said he had ordered the removal of all expired food from my fridge.
Haha, you might as well just say, "I have a spare key to your house!"
On the way back, I gave a pre-prepared speech, vividly describing the Nine-Tails' influence on me, emphasizing its intelligence, and hinting that many of my ideas during the Land of Waves mission were thanks to the Nine-Tails' help.
Hiruzen expressed concern, asking if I had any adverse reactions. I said no.
He was silent for a while, chatted a bit, and then left. Before leaving, he warned me not to let Konohamaru get into any strange situations.
Hehe, old man, you don't want Konohamaru to be spoiled by me, right?
In short, I want to develop a closer relationship with Konohamaru. Being alone is fine, but a relationship is obviously more stable.
…
June 6th. Sakura took time to visit Haku, inquiring about sharing Ice Release techniques. Given the sensitive situation, I thought it unlikely to succeed. Konoha probably needed time to handle relations with Kirigakure and wouldn't allow visitors.
But Sakura reminded me, so I started making time to continue practicing control over the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Surprisingly, I could already walk on water without any training!
This meant controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra during this period gave me huge benefits.
Other training was possible as well: flying, fighting, running, calligraphy, painting, building blocks, threading needles…
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "A Witty Life in the Naruto World" is 30 chapters ahead there