It went in very smoothly.
But coming out… that took ti.
Gato's hidden fortune turned out to be far greater than nma had expected.
The man truly was obscenely rich—richer than many daimyō of small nations. So minor countries might not even hold as much wealth as this one corrupt rchant.
However, most of Gato's assets weren't in ready cash. A large portion was tied up in real estate and offshore ventures scattered across several nations. Not only in the Land of Water, but even the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had investnts connected to him.
The liquid money on this island, though impressive, amounted to just under seventy million ryō—still a staggering sum, equivalent to multiple elite-rank mission payouts.
Even so, it was slightly less than nma had anticipated.
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Well, unexpected profits are still profits."
After carefully storing the cash inside a sealing scroll, nma gathered all property deeds and transaction seals into another. They might co in handy one day, he thought.
As he stepped out of Gato's private vault, a rare, genuine smile crept across his face—one that hadn't appeared in a long ti.
As for Gato himself?
nma had already sent him on his way—permanently.
Without hesitation or remorse, he had dealt the final blow.
Now, with his objective complete, nma boarded the ship once more and steered it south, back toward the Land of Waves.
By his asure, this mission had yielded more than success—it was a windfall. Even after deductions, he had gained enough to make any ninja satisfied.
⸻
Ten Days Later
The bridge that symbolized hope for the Land of Waves was finally complete.
Thanks to Tazuna's determination—and the fall of Gato—the people's fear had vanished.
Workers who once abandoned the project returned with renewed courage.
With resources and morale restored, construction finished earlier than expected.
Team 7 could finally return ho.
nma had suggested leaving right after dealing with Gato, but Naruto insisted they stay until the bridge was done.
nma had no objection.
If Naruto wanted to linger, so be it.
As long as it didn't interfere with his own plans, nma had no reason to argue.
From that day onward, he resolved sothing within himself: he would no longer waste energy on aningless sentint.
Taking care of his own path—his vengeance—was what truly mattered.
That's why, outwardly, he began wearing a gentler mask.
He appeared calr, softer even—but beneath that exterior, his convictions had hardened like tempered steel.
In truth, this was nma's form of growth. The ti-traveler had finally begun to fully integrate into this world.
The kindness he once held from his previous life… he now saw it for what it was—a form of weakness, or perhaps, hypocrisy.
⸻
During these ten days, Team 7 hadn't been idle.
Sasuke and Sakura had begun chakra control training—tree climbing and water walking—after seeing how easily Naruto and nma perford such feats.
Even the proud Sasuke couldn't ignore such an advantage.
Driven by rivalry, he trained relentlessly. Kakashi guided them both patiently, helping them push past their limits.
Naruto and nma trained separately.
Naruto pestered Kakashi to teach him stronger jutsu, while nma devoted himself entirely to mastering the Rasengan—a jutsu once created by their father, Minato Namikaze.
An A-rank, chakra-compression technique that required no hand seals. Its raw destructive power was undeniable—enough to crush solid rock in a single blow.
nma knew it would amplify his attack strength trendously, and he approached its mastery with quiet obsession.
Kakashi, aware of nma's lineage and natural aptitude, wasn't surprised. Within ten days, the results of Team 7's combined training were remarkable.
⸻
February 20
At last, Team 7 departed from the Land of Waves, their mission complete.
The journey back to Konoha was far quicker than before.
Within a few hours, they crossed into the Land of Fire's borders.
"Ohhh, finally back!" Naruto stretched and laughed as the massive wooden gates of the Hidden Leaf Village ca into view. His blue eyes sparkled with excitent.
Sakura exhaled in relief, her lips curving into a soft smile.
It was her first mission outside the village—and not just a simple escort. They had faced danger, death, and victory. For her, it was an unforgettable experience… and the generous paynt didn't hurt either.
She glanced at nma, who walked quietly at the edge of the group, his expression unreadable.
'He's still the sa nma,' she thought warmly. 'I really overthought things. He's kind after all.'
Sakura's optimism painted over every doubt she once had about him.
To her, nma's recent calm deanor—and the fact that he had shared so of the mission rewards—proved his generosity.
The thought of going ho with enough money to buy anything she wanted made her grin from ear to ear.
Kakashi, walking at the front, stopped and turned with a faint smile beneath his mask.
"Well, it's been a long mission. You've all earned a break. Take a few days off before reporting for the next one."
"Got it!" Naruto cheered.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura replied.
Sasuke gave a silent nod.
nma said nothing, just watching the village gates with calm eyes.
One by one, the four young shinobi leapt away toward their hos, vanishing into the familiar streets of Konoha.
Kakashi, however, didn't go ho.
Instead, he headed straight for the Hokage Building, carrying several scrolls and two large sealing pouches.
Inside were the remains of Zabuza Momochi, Haku, and the massive Executioner's Blade—proof of mission completion and items that required official report and storage.
This mission had been filled with unpredictable turns—and for Kakashi, one thing stood out: nma's performance.
It had been his first ti outside the village.
And yet, the boy's decisions, skill, and efficiency… were beyond what a newly graduated genin should possess.
It was ti to report everything to Lord Third—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
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