At dinnertime, the group returned from the bridge construction site to Old Man Tazuna's house, passing through the small town in the Land of Waves.
This town was tiny, smaller than even a quarter of Konohagakure.
Unlike the bustling, prosperous Konohagakure, it looked old and lifeless. The people on the streets wore worried expressions, and most just sat idly by the roadside, doing nothing.
The shops were so poor that even thieves couldn't find much to steal.
Children sat on simple, worn-out mats, selling themselves for next to nothing.
Along the way, they encountered two or three men with signs around their necks reading, "Willing to do any job" or "Available for anything."
Everyone here was gaunt, with vacant expressions.
They were still alive, but their faces were filled with the hopelessness of those who could no longer go on.
This was the state of the Land of Waves—its livelihood destroyed by the wealthy merchant Gatō...
"Truly destitute," the young Kakashi said bluntly.
Obito jabbed him in the side. "Stupid Kakashi! Old Man Tazuna can hear you, you know?!"
"Hahaha, it's fine, it's fine,"
Tazuna chuckled, though his laughter was tinged with bitterness. "Ever since Gatō started controlling the economy through the water transport hub, supplies can't get in, and the Land of Waves' products can't get out. People lost their jobs, they've lost hope for the future, and life keeps getting harder."
Naruto, Sakura, Rin, and Obito entered a nearby general store.
The large store was almost empty, with only some locally made handicrafts left on display, ignored by the locals. The food shelves were nearly bare.
At first glance, the few scattered vegetables looked like leftovers—the wilted, neglected produce that was once overstocked at the shops in Konoha.
The four of them used their saved-up mission pay to buy some of the abandoned decorations, allowing the shopkeeper to make a little money.
But this also caught the attention of some thieves.
Of course, these impoverished thieves were no match for ninjas. Sakura mistook one of them for a pervert and knocked him out with a single slap.
Naruto, Obito, and Rin, on the other hand, had to be careful not to get caught in Sakura's crossfire, quickly ducking to the side.
"Naruto, that girl in your class is way too violent!" Obito said, patting his chest nervously as if to calm his shocked little heart.
"Sakura?" Naruto thought about it, then nodded. Compared to Rin, she really was fierce. "Yeah, she's pretty fierce!"
"What did you two say?!!"
"N-no! Nothing! We didn't say anything!"
Under Sakura's fierce glare, both Obito and Naruto vigorously shook their heads, denying it three times in quick succession.
Meanwhile, young Kakashi and Sasuke were waiting outside, growing impatient and urging them to hurry.
Just as the four of them stepped out, a hand reached out again—this time toward Rin Nohara's ninja pouch hanging at her waist.
Obito, thinking someone was trying to pick on Rin, instantly activated his Sharingan, ready to show them just how terrifying an Uchiha with the Sharingan could be!
But…
A pair of small hands touched his face, then quickly recoiled, clearly frightened by the Sharingan. They couldn't decide whether to pull away or keep going, leaving them looking helpless and pitiful.
This startled Obito as well. Realizing that someone needed help, he quickly crouched down.
"Uh!" Obito patted the child's head apologetically. "Sorry! It's my fault!"
He quickly pulled two red bean cakes from his ninja pouch—still edible enough—and placed them in the child's hands.
The child muttered a quick "thank you" before hurrying off.
More children looked over, eager to ask for food, but none were as bold as the first.
Their hesitant expressions were both heartbreaking and helpless.
Tazuna's emotions finally snapped.
"Everyone here—adults and children alike—has become like this. They're losing their courage, growing timid and fearful."
"That's why this bridge means far more to the current Land of Waves than just transporting supplies! The conviction to build this bridge is my true purpose!"
The old man's voice, choked with anger and frustration, left the others silent.
"This bridge will become a symbol of courage! I've staked everything—the future of this country and its hope—on this bridge!!"
Looking at the clenched fist of the elderly man, both Naruto and Obito Uchiha's faces darkened!
"Gatō!"
"We will stop him!!"
Young Kakashi wanted to remind them that this wasn't their mission, but Kakashi grabbed his shoulder.
Turning around, young Kakashi met the intense gaze of adult Kakashi's single, pitch-black eye.
Young Kakashi lowered his head, a mixture of emotions flooding his chest, including the resentment he imagined his future self would have for him.
"Right now, our priority is Zabuza, correct?" Sakura asked.
"Pretty much," Minato replied. "I've located Zabuza's hideout. Tomorrow, Obito and I will head there first to complete the A-rank mission from the scroll."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were surprised. The Fourth had been with them the entire time—when had he gathered this intel?!
"I used Shadow Clones while training with you."
...