Chapter Twelve: The Final Battle on the Bridge, Zabuza Strikes Again

Chapter Twelve: The Duel on the Bridge—Zabuza Strikes Again

In the quiet of the woods, Naruto and the young girl sat facing each other.

“You seem really strong already. Why do you keep pushing yourself to train so hard?” the girl asked, puzzled.

“It’s not enough. I have to become even stronger,” Naruto replied, raising his fist with resolve.

“And why do you want to become stronger?” she continued.

“To become the top ninja in the village, so everyone will acknowledge my strength!” Naruto declared, standing up as he spoke.

She smiled. “And who is your strength meant to protect?”

“Eh?” Naruto blinked in confusion.

“In other words, do you have someone important to you?” she clarified.

“Well…” Naruto hesitated.

“Never mind. It’s getting late, I should head back. Oh, and by the way, I’m a boy.” The ‘girl’—no, the boy—waved a hand and walked away.

“What? He’s even cuter than Sakura and he’s a guy?!” Naruto sat stunned on the ground. “This world is full of mysteries…”

Suddenly, a loud smack landed on his head. “Ow! Sasuke? What are you doing here?” Naruto turned, annoyed, but seeing it was Sasuke, he asked in surprise.

“Idiot! You’ve got some nerve. You didn’t come back all night and skipped breakfast, too?” Sasuke snapped.

“What? Oh no! I need to eat! I have to surpass you!” Naruto leapt up, ready to dash back for breakfast.

“Wait up, Naruto! Don’t rush, I brought your food!” Justus appeared beside Naruto in a blink, grabbing him.

“Ah! Sensei! Thank you!” Naruto eagerly took the lunchbox and started eating.

“Hey, Sasuke, don’t slack off. Naruto’s nearly at the top of the tree!” Justus turned to Sasuke.

“What? Damn it—I’m training too!” Sasuke immediately started practicing tree climbing.

“Hey! Sasuke, you’re sneaking ahead!” Naruto quickly gulped down his food and ran after Sasuke.

“Young men are so full of energy! Isn’t that right, brother?” Justus leaned against a tree, speaking to Kakashi, who was hidden above.

“Indeed. But Sasuke still seems a fair bit stronger than Naruto. By the way, the things you taught Sakura were very effective. Even I found them useful—especially for my Sharingan,” Kakashi said, jumping down.

“That’s an unexpected result,” Justus replied in surprise. In this world, Kakashi had long struggled to adapt to his Sharingan, and progress was slow, but it seemed this training even benefitted his eye.

“Tomorrow, I’ll start training Sasuke. As for Sakura, you can send her to help at the bridge,” Kakashi said, a bit weary.

“Alright! I’ll help at the bridge too. But the day after tomorrow, you should bring Sasuke along. I’ll leave a clone to train Naruto.” With that, Justus split off a clone and disappeared in a flash.

------------------- Divider Before Dinner -------------------

“We’re back!” Sasuke and Naruto returned, supporting each other as they walked.

“What happened to you two, coming back like this on the third day?” Sakura asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.

“Heh, we finally made it to the top of the tree!” Sasuke and Naruto grinned.

“That was quick! Congratulations. Come eat!” Sakura’s annoyance faded, happy to see their progress.

“So you’ve made it up, I see! Tomorrow, Naruto, you’ll train with my clone, and Sasuke will work with my brother,” Justus announced.

“Great!” Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances, sensing something in the air.

“First, eat and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, more training.” Justus grabbed one in each hand and hauled the exhausted boys inside.

The next morning, everyone gathered at the bridge.

“Alright, Naruto, your mission today is to make shadow clones to help Uncle Tazuna build the bridge. Can you do it?” Justus’s clone asked.

“But, Sensei, what does that have to do with training?” Naruto asked, confused.

“This will help you control your shadow clones. If you can keep ten going for a minute, next time try eleven, then twelve. It’s all about distributing your chakra evenly and improving your control,” Justus explained, handing Naruto a training method he’d adapted from the great AB.

“I’ll be watching you here. My real body will teach Sakura,” the clone said, sitting cross-legged.

“Alright! Here I go—Shadow Clone Jutsu!” In an instant, sixty Narutos appeared and began helping Tazuna build the bridge.

“Wow, this will boost our efficiency! Everyone, let’s not fall behind!” Tazuna watched the boy he’d once doubted, now someone he could trust with his back.

“Alright, time for me to work harder too! Sensei, what’s my next training?” Sakura asked Justus, glancing at Naruto and Sasuke.

“Let’s start with your reaction speed. Get ready for my ‘devil training’!” Justus said, a terrifying grin on his face.

“Uh, Sensei, do you have to be so scary…?” Sakura gulped and forced a laugh.

“From now on, you’ll practice dodging my sword for two hours, then rest for one. During your break, I’ll randomly attack you from afar. Do you have the confidence to do this?” Justus asked, lowering his head with a sinister smile.

“I… I’ll do it!” Sakura wanted to shrink away, but seeing Naruto training and Sasuke learning from Kakashi, she gritted her teeth and pressed on.

“Good. Let’s begin!” Justus drew his Blood Dance Crescent Moon blade.

“I’m ready!” Sakura readied her kunai.

“If you can’t dodge this strike, you’ll die!” Justus swung at her.

“Ahhh—” Sakura was so startled by his aura that she barely blocked his sword thanks to her solid ninja foundation.

“If you can’t dodge, you’ll die!” Justus warned, stepping back before swinging again.

“I will dodge it… I will dodge it…” Sakura stared at the blade, sparks flying as she was forced open by his strength.

“I’m done for! I can’t defend—I’m dead!” In despair, Sakura squeezed her eyes shut.

“Get up! I only swing once each time. If you block, you’re fine.” Justus barked sternly at the stunned Sakura.

“Sorry, Sensei!” Sakura snapped back to attention and quickly braced herself again.

And so, the two began their training.

------------------- Two Days Later, Morning -------------------

“Sensei, let me try dodging two strikes this time!” Sakura said on the way to the bridge.

“Well, you can try, but it’s much harder than one,” Justus replied, seeing her determination.

“Sensei, should I double my clones today?” Naruto asked.

“Sure…” Before Justus could finish, Tazuna interrupted.

All the workers on the bridge had collapsed, instantly putting everyone on high alert.

“Could it be…” Kakashi looked back warily.

Just then, two swordsmen appeared at Tazuna’s door, hands resting on their hilts, ready to strike.

“Sorry, but you’re in the wrong place.” Justus’s clone placed a hand on each man’s shoulder.

A flash of lightning later, only two smoking lumps of charcoal remained. The wind swept up the ashes, scattering them into the distance.

Back on the bridge, a thin mist began to spread.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS: I’ve made my decision. I’ll stay at Qidian unless they don’t want me! If I can’t sign a contract, then I’ll leave!