Chapter 154 Epilogue

From time to time, the faint sound of waves crashing could be heard. Even though the bridge was not yet completed, it still appeared grand. Team 7 was escorting Tazuna here.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, stay alert." Kakashi instructed, his spirits high now that his injuries had healed. "When the enemy appears, form the defense formation."

Except for Logan, who is still recuperating, Team 7, who had regained their strength, took Dazuna out again to protect the other party's bridge construction work, but everyone was still mentally prepared for Zabuza's comeback.

"Kakashi, we meet again."

On the rain-soaked ground, where puddles had formed everywhere, a figure suddenly emerged. Zabuza, now healed from his previous injuries, appeared without warning and swung his Kubikiribocho towards Tazuna with a sinister smile.

Tazuna, positioned at the rear, could only watch helplessly as the massive blade swung towards him, after all, his combat skill is nonexistent.

"Sure enough, he showed up." Kakashi's eye sharpened, and he turned to intervene. However, before he could act, Sasuke's figure appeared behind Zabuza, and he kicked the enemy to the ground with a powerful kick. Naruto, demonstrating a completely different quality than before, also lunged forward, thrusting a kunai into Zabuza's chest.

"Did we get him?" Naruto was surprised that his strike landed, but before he could fully process it, Zabuza turned into a puddle of water.

"It was just a water clone." Sasuke remarked coolly as he glanced at it and then focused on the surroundings again.

Seeing his students swiftly neutralize an attack, Kakashi felt a surge of pride. Chakra is the foundation of all a Ninja's attacks and defenses. The enhancement of Chakra Control will improve all aspects. From this, it can be seen that the week of special training had paid off.

"However, Zabuza sure is persistent, isn't he? No traps or schemes this time, just a direct assassination attempt." Kakashi said, and pulled down his forehead protector. Without wasting time, he activated his Sharingan, scanning the area.

A towering figure wielding a large sword slowly approached. It was Zabuza, with a cold smile on his face. Beside him stood a slender young person wearing a mask from the Kirigakure's assassination unit.

"You're in league with them!" Naruto yelled while gritting teeth, pointing at Zabuza and Haku, who walked over, without hesitation.

"I'm so sorry for deceiving you." Hiding her face behind the mask, Haku looked at the sincere blond boy. The chance encounter in the woods flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but chuckled.

"Kakashi, I will definitely kill you this time." Zabuza's eyes were icy as he directed his killing intent towards Kakashi and his students.

The two groups stood facing each other, each carrying their own convictions, ready for the decisive battle on the bridge.

The heavy murderous aura shocked the three Genin of Team 7 to the point where their hearts beat faster.

"Is that so? Don't talk big!" Kakashi stepped forward and shielded his students, " Do you want to be defeated by the same technique again?"

Zabuza raised his head and ignored Kakashi. Instead, he cast his superior gaze on the students behind him, "Oh, although you seem to have gotten a bit stronger from your training these past few days, you're still trembling in fear, just like last time!"

Naruto and Sasuke gritted their teeth, trying to stop their hands and feet from shaking. Sakura's face was already pale, as the killing intent emanating from a seasoned killer was a heavy burden for any inexperienced Ninja.

"Haha." Sasuke forced a laugh and looked directly into Zabuza's eyes, "I'm trembling with excitement."

"Me too!" Naruto turned his head, determined not to be outshone.

…

A few kilometers away, at Tazuna's house, Logan looked at the two flamboyantly dressed thugs lying on the ground, grinned and clapped his hands, then grimaced a little. The fight is not even as good as a warm-up, but had still aggravated his injuries.

"Kid, stay here and protect your mother. There shouldn't be any more attackers coming." Logan said to Inari, who was cowering in the corner of the room. Next to the child is the unconscious Tsunami.

The current situation is that Gato no longer trusts Zabuza after his failures, and has sent his men to kidnap Tazuna's daughter as a hostage. Logan had encountered them and swiftly dealt with the situation.

Originally, this was something Naruto would have encountered, but driven by strong motivation, he mastered tree climbing in advance, so he didn't oversleep or arrive late this time.

Recalling Kakashi's words before setting off in the morning, Logan curled his lips, "What's that, 'Leave it to me, the team leader, you, the teaching assistant, should just take a good rest'... kind of line. He sure knows how to sound impressive."

Logan waved to the still-dazed Inari, "I'm going to help at the bridge."

After saying that, he walked out of the door.

Due to his injuries, with his strength significantly diminished, he had stayed at Tazuna's house as an injured party. Logan had been content to stay put, but with the thugs trying to kidnap Tsunami resolved, he decided to join the action.

After all, the students he cared about were in a dangerous situation. Even if the they follow the original development, nothing will happen, but the life and death situations are unpredictable. So Logan's presence could add an extra layer of security.

It wasn't until Logan walked away that the house became completely quiet. Inari, who was clutching his unconscious mother's clothes, suddenly came back to his senses. He looked at the two lifeless bodies on the ground in horror, and Logan's dismissive words before leaving echoed in his ears.

"Damn it." Inari took a deep breath to calm himself. His young mind was experiencing unprecedented stress. The once lifeless Land of Waves had been transformed by these Ninja's display of power and courage. Yes, courage.

"Naruto-nii and the others are fighting hard for everyone. Am I just going to hide in the room cowardly, holding my mother?"

His father's words, his father's face, his grandfather's persistent efforts, the bridge slowly taking shape. He then thought of Naruto's occasional shining, inspiring words and demeanor... words and actions he had envied in his heart even while he mocked them on the surface.

Inari's eyes grew resolute. After ensuring Tsunami was comfortable on the bed, he ran out determinedly.

…

In order to avoid aggravating his injuries, Logan did not walk too fast, but when he arrived at the scene, it seemed he was a bit late.

Half of the bridge was shrouded in thick, artificially created mist. Logan sensed the chaotic clashes of Chakra within the mist, and his expression grew serious.

He steadied his breathing, the journey hadn't been long, yet it had been exhausting for him.

Logan walked into the fog, and his vision was severely blocked, but fortunately, his honed senses allowed him to obtain enough information.

The battlefield was still divided into two parts. Sasuke and Naruto faced off against Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, while Kakashi were in a duel against Zabuza. And Sakura was keeping Tazuna safe, playing a supportive (useless) role.

Logan's furrowed brow relaxed slightly, 'It seemed the battles on both fronts were reaching their conclusions...'

Zabuza and Haku's story ended tragically and sadly, but Logan had no deep desire to change this. The Naruto World and Earth were different not only in structure and content, but also in principles. Inside Naruto World, inside he has seen too much, helped up beautiful things, and also witnessed bloody tragedies. Ninja, as their name suggests, must bear their own burdens and carve out their own dignified end.

He looked toward the place where the killing intent was the strongest.

'The low growls of dogs and the sound of flesh and fangs clashing... Kakashi's Ninken seemed to have subdued Zabuza.'

The situation became clear. With the unexpected aid of the Ninken, Zabuza let out a scream, and at the same time, the mist over the bridge began to thin.

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Translator Note:

I'm sorry for only giving this information now.

The Author had actually given the reason why Logan had to join the Akatsuki, but it seemed I've overlooked it before as it's from Chapter 98.

So here's the Author Note:

The protagonist didn't plan to join Akatsuki from the beginning, and it was more of a 'semi-forced' decision.

Here's a breakdown of the reasoning, based on the sequence of events:

Lack of Progress in the ANBU: The protagonist realized there was little room for growth in the ANBU, and with the events of the manga looming, it became necessary to continuously strengthen himself as a safeguard.

Conflict with the Root: There was friction with Danzo's Root, stemming from a rejected recruitment attempt and a misunderstanding involving a murder.

Approached by Akatsuki: Akatsuki didn't exactly offer a warm invitation. The first encounter in Amegakure turned into a battle before words could be exchanged. The second time, Madara (Obito) showed up at the protagonist's home. Refusing him outright wasn't an option, as declining would only get him in trouble.

Forced Sacrifice: The protagonist was pressured to hand over the Railgun Technique. Although he had lived in Konoha for over a decade, giving up such a valuable ability was something the protagonist wasn't willing to do.

Other factors also played a role:

Discovering the connection to Earth lessened his attachment and sense of belonging to the Naruto World.

Akatsuki offered many resources, including intelligence and a high degree of freedom.