Mei Terumi.

"You two should follow us first," Kirito slowly instructed Zabuza and Haku. "After we complete this mission, we'll make plans for your future."

With that, the two figures vanished into the darkness. Kirito's gaze followed them as they disappeared, his expression calm. Then, he looked towards the Land of Waves.

Zabuza, the main threat in the country, had been dealt with. The only problem remaining was the evil businessman, Cardo. Kirito recalled the details of this man. Cardo was a notorious figure in the Land of Waves, publicly the president of a shipping company, but privately he controlled a network of mafia and ninjas, smuggling drugs and contraband, and even attempting to invade other companies and countries. He was a real villain.

In Kirito's mind, Zabuza had only sought refuge with Cardo to escape the "fire brigade" of the Hidden Mist Village, using the businessman to survive. Cardo was a demon who cared for nothing but profit, treating human lives as disposable. The situation in the Land of Waves needed to be addressed.

With that thought, Kirito disappeared.

Meanwhile, Naruto and his team returned to the Land of Waves with the renowned shipbuilder, Dazna.

"I wonder what Teacher Kirito is up to?" Sakura asked, her face showing signs of boredom.

"Yosh, Mr. Kirito must have something important to do, but he'll be back soon," Naruto replied confidently. "Before he returns, we need to complete this mission. Then, he'll see how great I am."

Dazna, who had been quietly sipping his drink, looked over at Naruto. "I really didn't expect Konoha to send kids like you to protect me. The young man with the sunglasses is quite strong, but you…"

He didn't finish his sentence, clearly underestimating the team. This irritated Naruto, who immediately responded with dissatisfaction.

"What's wrong with being a kid?" Naruto retorted, pointing to his forehead protector. "We're ninjas too. This is proof of our strength!"

Dazna ignored him, continuing to drink. Sasuke, who had been silent, seemed deep in thought.

"This mission is ranked C," Sasuke muttered. "Typically, there shouldn't be any attacks from ninja killers. Even if there were, it shouldn't have been someone like Zabuza. If Teacher Kirito hadn't been here, we might have failed."

Dazna paused mid-drink, slightly surprised by Sasuke's analysis. But he didn't comment, choosing instead to keep drinking.

Then, Sasuke stood up and blocked Dazna's path.

"Don't you think you should explain yourself?" Sasuke asked coldly.

Dazna sighed and, realizing there was no way to avoid the truth, started to speak.

"I am indeed a shipbuilder, and we didn't lie about that," he said. "But the enemy I've provoked is not some small-time gangster. It's Cardo."

Hearing the name, Sakura and Sasuke exchanged looks—they knew of him.

"The wealthy businessman, 'Cardo'?" Sakura asked.

Dazna nodded. "Yes, that's him. What you don't know is how Cardo built his wealth through shady means. He uses his money and power to control all the maritime trade routes in and out of the Land of Waves. For an island country like ours, controlling the shipping lanes means controlling the entire country—wealth, politics, and the people."

"I want to build a bridge for the Land of Waves, and once it's done, Cardo's plans will be ruined. So, he sent Zabuza to kill me."

Sasuke spoke up again, a frown on his face. "If that's the case, why didn't you explain this earlier? A mission like this should be at least B-rank. If the Hokage knew, he'd send a senior ninja to help."

Dazna hung his head. "I don't have the money for a B-rank mission. I borrowed funds for your mission from the villagers. It's my fault for putting you in danger. If you want to leave, I won't stop you."

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke exchanged looks. Before they could speak, Dazna added, "Don't worry about me, an old man. I have a little granddaughter. She's too young to understand my death. My daughter and her will cry every day. You'll regret it if you don't save me."

His voice trembled with false sadness. If Kirito had been there, he would have recognized Dazna's manipulative tactics.

Naruto and the others, moved by Dazna's pitiful act, nodded sympathetically.

"Don't worry, old man. I, Naruto, will make sure everything works out," Naruto said with confidence.

The three of them set off again, soon passing the bridge that Dazna had built. But a group of men in black suits stood ahead, blocking their path.

"Well, I didn't expect you, old man, to still be alive," one of the men said, pushing up his sunglasses. "Zabuza was a failure. I'll handle this myself."

The man was Cardo. At his command, dozens of his men charged toward the group.

"Bang! Bang!"

The gangsters fell to the ground one after another, their attempts to engage futile. Cardo's face turned pale as he trembled, backing away.

"W-wait! I have money! I can pay you! A lot of money!" he pleaded, pulling out a box filled with gold.

Sasuke responded by throwing a kunai directly into Cardo's chest, causing the businessman to fall lifeless.

With that, the conflict in the Land of Waves was resolved.

When Kirito returned to Naruto and the others, they greeted him enthusiastically.

"Teacher, you don't know what a good thing we did!" Naruto said proudly. "We killed that Cardo guy. He didn't deserve to be alive."

"We really got rid of a menace for the people!" Sakura added.

Sasuke said nothing, but his cold demeanor softened slightly upon seeing Kirito return.

Kirito smiled, gently patting their heads.

After escorting Dazna back home, just as the group prepared to leave the Land of Waves and return to Konoha, a woman with emerald green eyes and long red-brown curly hair appeared, blocking their way.

Her right eye was partially covered by her hair, and she wore a tube top dress that accentuated her curves. Her plump figure and delicate, fair skin glowed in the sunlight as she approached.

Kirito recognized her immediately. "Mei Terumi?"

The woman smiled, standing before them. "You're so unlucky to have crossed paths with me."

Kirito's eyes hardened. "Ms. Mei Terumi, what brings you here?"

Mei's eyes widened slightly at being addressed so familiarly. "Brother Kirito, it's nothing personal," she said softly. "I just want this Jinchūriki." She pointed at Naruto. "Can you bear the pain of handing him over to me?"

Kirito's expression darkened. He was certain now: Danzo was behind this.