If a ring of reefs were created using Earth Release jutsu around the coastal waters of the Land of Waves, there'd be absolutely no way for ships to come and go freely—it would be a true maritime blockade.
In that case, Tazuna's Naruto Bridge would become the only channel connecting the Land of Waves with the outside world. Control the bridge, and you control the country. Compared to Kado's strategy, this was ten times smarter.
"Exactly. Also, if possible, have someone good with marine summoning help out. I want sharks and piranhas or something patrolling those reef waters. Ideally, anything that tries to sneak through ends up as fish food."
Hinata raised her sleeve and coughed softly. Her command was met with a quick nod from Kakuzu, who showed no trace of arrogance despite his strength. The tall rogue-nin responded obediently: "Kisame's good with shark summoning. I'll let him know to stock the waters."
"Mm-hmm~ And that Gato guy—you said he hired Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, right? Should we go collect their heads tonight?"
Hidan was clearly interested, eagerly volunteering. He had his own motives—if they could take full control of the Land of Waves, he'd love to use it to preach to Jashin-sama. Now was a good time to make an impression.
"No... it's still technically my mission. I'll handle things here. You two go handle the maritime blockade. I want everything locked down by the time the bridge is finished in one week. As for Gato—leave his life and his money alone for now. Once my main body leaves, then you can act."
Turning away, Hinata's voice carried an unmistakable tone of ambition and certainty.
"This land is perfect for our factory. I have no doubt about it."
---
Now that they had agreed to help Tazuna, it was only natural that Hinata and her team temporarily moved into the old man's house. For now, the bridge builder's household could still scrape together enough food to feed guests—but it was just simple rice and greens. The home was as described in the original story: a black-haired young widow and a bratty kid named Inari.
"Well~ our C-rank escort mission technically ended already. From here on out, we're doing a B-rank scouting mission. That level includes potential enemy ninja attacks, so~ we're just borrowing your place, got it?"
Kakashi folded his arms with a shrug. Strictly speaking, ninja weren't supposed to bend the rules for sentiment. But he wasn't heartless. After seeing the dire state of the Land of Waves, of course he was moved.
It just so happened Hinata's team needed to stay in the area for a week to film location shots. The mission rank matched. Tazuna's house would serve as a free base of operations. If enemies showed up, they'd be taken out along the way.
"Ah~ I understand. Thank you so much. Ahem—please take care of us, dear ninja-sama."
Tazuna was overjoyed. After seeing these three "kids" knock out Zabuza with a combined technique, he realized he'd hit the jackpot. This wasn't a typical genin team—it was a deluxe version.
"Hahahaha~! Don't worry! I could knock that masked guy flying even if a hundred of him showed up!"
Naruto was completely carried away again, floating in his own bravado. Kakashi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, holding back his urge to roast the kid. Still, given what the three had accomplished, a little pride was understandable.
Sure, Zabuza had underestimated them and walked into it. But still—they did beat one of the famed Seven Swordsmen right after graduating. That feat spoke for itself.
"You're the only one without a mastered special move, and you've got the nerve to boast?"
Sasuke, sitting across from Naruto, unleashed a perfectly timed sarcastic jab. Naruto's cocky grin froze midair and crumbled into a pained, purplish grimace. Sasuke had hit a sore spot.
After Sasuke had begun unlocking his Amatsu-no-Habakiri technique and Hinata had learned her Orochi Pheasant in just a week, Naruto remained the only one who hadn't finished his Shinsaaran training.
At that moment, Hinata opened her eyes. Earlier, using the excuse of gathering food, she had successfully met with Kakuzu and Hidan, informed them of her plan to seize the Land of Waves, and received their full cooperation. No further concern needed.
Ninja, by nature, were committed to efficiency and results. Especially top-level ones like Kakuzu and Hidan—if they said they'd blockade the coast within a week, it would happen.
So, with off-script events handled, all that remained was the canon story arc.
"Enough, Naruto. Starting tomorrow, you wear a dress. Until you've mastered Shinsaaran, you're not allowed to take it off."
Chin in hand, Hinata delivered the command with total calm. Naruto flinched. His confident face collapsed instantly. But after all he'd been through, he knew better than to disobey her—it'd only end worse.
Sniffling, the blond just nodded meekly.
"Y-Yeah… got it…"
Kakashi sighed quietly. He knew why Naruto's progress had slowed recently.
It wasn't just pressure from Hinata and Sasuke. The incident where he lost control and began transforming into the Nine-Tails had left a deep trauma.
Nobody had brought it up since, out of mutual unspoken agreement. But Naruto clearly hadn't forgotten.
Being enveloped by the Nine-Tails' chakra, losing memory and self-awareness…
It was terrifying. Since then, Naruto had held back—afraid that unleashing his power might bring the beast out again.
And that fear had crippled his training.
How could he master Shinsaaran when he was only using half his effort?
Such was the curse of a jinchūriki. Especially one hosting the most malevolent of all tailed beasts. The Nine-Tails' chakra was pure hatred and negative emotion. Even a drop could send a person spiraling into darkness.
Had it been any other tailed beast, he might've had better odds. Shukaku or Gyūki didn't have the same malice. Their chakra was difficult—but not dangerous in the same way.
So, though Kakashi felt sympathy, he was helpless. He wasn't strong enough to help Naruto manage the Nine-Tails.
Worse still, the seal weakened with time and use. The more Naruto tapped into the chakra, the closer he came to breaking the seal completely—a situation Kakashi dreaded.
"Anyway, tomorrow Sasuke and I will be working together. We're shooting a beach-themed solo photobook for Sasuko. The day after, it'll be Naruto's turn. Everyone else, free time until then."
Hinata issued her orders like clockwork. Of course she hadn't come to the Land of Waves for no reason. Her real objective was to film a new line of photobooks—for figurines and collectible goods. The main story might be on hiatus, but the side content and merchandise couldn't stop. That's where the long-term money was.
"Also, even though Zabuza was badly burned, he's not dead. And that partner of his is no joke either. Stay alert."
Kakashi added dutifully. A jonin's life force was nothing to scoff at.
Especially someone like Zabuza, forged in blood.
Unless they took his head, he couldn't be counted out. And that ice mirror technique from his partner? That wasn't normal. Worst case—it was a kekkei genkai.
Yes. In the ninja world, most of the most dangerous techniques—those that couldn't be copied by the Sharingan—were kekkei genkai: bloodline-specific abilities inherited through genetics.
Hinata's Byakugan was undeniably powerful, but not offensive. It excelled in vision—x-ray sight, long-range perception—and in chakra emission. Most ninja, even Kage-level, could only channel chakra from hands and feet. But those with the Byakugan could release chakra from all their tenketsu, enabling techniques like Rotation.
Still, the Byakugan was more a support kekkei genkai. It couldn't compare to the terrifying abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
And now that Hinata was hitting a plateau with her Byakugan, she naturally began considering the possibility of gaining another kekkei genkai.
Nothing was absolute. Even something as genetically bound as bloodline limits might have a workaround. So now the question wasn't how—but from whom.
And of those nearby, the only confirmed kekkei genkai users aside from herself and Sasuke… was one more.
Having settled on a target, Hinata's lips curled into a small, malicious smirk. Her sigh was filled with anticipation.
"Heh…"
---
Burns—among all types of injury—were easily some of the most horrific. They didn't just scar horribly; they were slow to heal and caused unbearable pain.
On Zabuza's lower left back, roughly the size of a straw hat, the skin had been completely charred black. That massive burn was the clear mark left by Orochi Pheasant.
A slender figure carefully treated the wound. But since the outer skin had been completely seared, the process was nothing short of agony.
"Zabuza-san, if you want me to stop, just say the word."
The figure lifted a small brush and gently applied a layer of badger oil from a jar. Despite his delicate movements, the pain was unavoidable.
"Shut up, Haku. Don't say stupid crap like that."
Lying face-down, Zabuza clenched his fists. He had no excuses this time. The three kids he'd written off as weaklings had taken him down hard. Even if he hadn't been caught off guard by Sasuke's sneak attack, with Kakashi added in, they would've beaten him anyway.
"Should we abandon the mission then? No offense, but I doubt we can handle the power of those three."
Haku's voice was gentle. When the light caught his face, it revealed an expression of near angelic beauty—so flawless it was the embodiment of words like "grace" and "serenity."
---
Author Notes:
(PS1: Mhm~ o(￣▽￣)o~ Every resource, every bit of strength should be used to its fullest! Blowing up the bridge would be such a waste—better to make it our own~)