"Is that Kirigakure over there?"
Standing at the edge of the sea, Naruto squinted at the endless blue horizon, the salty wind brushing against his face. For the first time in a long while, he felt his mind truly open.
He'd traveled far—watching, listening, and learning about the lives of ordinary people. This time, he wasn't looking at the world as a ninja, but as a person.
He had read Konoha's history books countless times: the Warring States Era, the founding of the Hidden Villages, the endless shinobi wars...
Yet, every page told only the stories of ninjas. Ordinary people—farmers, craftsmen, villagers—barely existed in those histories.
To the world, they were invisible.
Naruto realized something strange: every great war in history was fought by ninjas, for ninjas.
Genin, barely out of childhood, were thrown to the frontlines.
It was absurd.
The common people, who made up the majority of the world, were ignored—left powerless, voiceless, used only when convenient.
"If the ninja world is ever going to be united," Naruto muttered to himself, "then the strength of the people has to be part of it too."
That's why, during his journey, he paid close attention to how civilians lived.
And before he knew it, he had reached the sea.
He looked across the waves toward the distant, misty horizon—Kirigakure's territory. Something deep inside tugged at him, urging him onward.
Then—
Boom!
Naruto launched himself skyward, soaring into the clouds.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A massive gust burst beneath his feet, propelling him forward like a rocket.
The wind howled around him. He flew across the sky like a golden bird, laughing wildly.
"So this is freedom! HAHAHA!"
Below, fishermen on small boats gawked in disbelief.
"Did… did you hear that? Someone's laughing up there!"
"No way. You're imagining things."
"I swear I heard it too!"
"Could it be Lord Poseidon himself, blessing the seas? Quick—kneel and pray!"
Soon, elderly fishermen knelt on their decks, murmuring prayers for calm waters and safe voyages, while the younger ones followed, half curious, half afraid.
In a matter of minutes, Naruto had crossed the sea and entered the Land of Water.
He spotted a fog-covered valley and descended quietly, landing on a rock. His chakra vanished; his presence melted into the mist.
"Kirigakure… a valley shrouded in fog," he murmured.
"Ah… so this is the place."
He frowned slightly.
"Weren't the Three Great Ninja Wars over years ago? Don't tell me… this grudge still isn't settled."
He stayed perfectly still, waiting.
His instincts had guided him here—and he trusted them completely.
Moments later—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dozens of figures leapt into position, hiding along both sides of the valley.
Naruto remained motionless, invisible to their eyes.
"So it's an ambush," he thought. "Guess I was right."
Then he sighed softly.
"Why are the higher-ups of these villages always the same kind of idiots? Guess Konoha's not the only one with brain-dead leaders."
Just then, a figure emerged through the mist in the distance.
She was striking—long hair tied back, wearing a sleeveless black outfit and a white sash around her waist. The Sunagakure forehead protector gleamed beneath her bangs.
Her name was Pakura of the Scorch Style—or as the locals called her, Lady Aoiha.
A Mist ninja appeared to greet her, smiling politely.
"Welcome, Lady Lady Aoiha of the Scorch Style. It's an honor to finally meet you. The fog here is thick—allow me to guide you."
Aoiha hesitated. The cautious look in her eyes softened slightly at his friendly tone.
"Thank you. But it's just a valley. I think I can manage."
"Of course," the Mist ninja said, bowing slightly. "Please, this way."
She nodded and took a few steps forward—
Then froze.
Her instincts screamed danger.
A sharp pain exploded in her back—a kunai had pierced straight through her vest.
"Wha—what are you doing?!" she gasped, turning her head.
The Mist ninja's gentle smile twisted into hatred.
"For the comrades who died at the hands of Sunagakure… now it's your turn to taste their pain."
He yanked the kunai free and leapt back.
Aoiha staggered forward, stunned—
Then, from both sides of the valley, a rain of steel came crashing down. Kunai and shuriken filled the air like a storm.
In an instant, her body was riddled with wounds. She fell to her knees, bleeding heavily, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Don't mistake this for revenge," the Mist ninja sneered. "Your death won't erase our hatred. But sacrificing you… will calm our anger. I'm sure your own village sees you as nothing more than cannon fodder too."
He looked down on her with cruel satisfaction, a bright smile cutting across his face.
Aoiha's vision blurred.
Then—
"Oh, what a bunch of idiots," a calm voice said.
Her fading consciousness flickered. A shadow appeared beside her, and through the haze, she caught a glimpse of deep, steady eyes.
"Here," the voice said gently. "Drink this."
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