Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Originally, Naruto had planned to continue his scolding, venting all his pent-up frustration.

However, seeing Tazuna and Inari sincerely apologize and even regard him as the good guy, he decided to let it go.

After taking a deep breath, he assumed a sage-like pose, stroking his imaginary beard and saying: "You're teachable indeed. Since you understand, my efforts haven't been in vain."

"Thank you, Naruto! You're truly generous and magnanimous. We're deeply grateful."

Tazuna and Inari said, bowing repeatedly.

Even Sakura lowered her head in embarrassment and said, "Naruto, I misunderstood you. I didn't realize how much thought you put into this."

Kakashi and Sasuke, who had stayed silent the whole time, also looked approvingly at Naruto, feeling that he had done well.

Only Naruto himself knew the truth… he'd only been berating them just now.

'Well, would you look at that! Everyone completely misinterpreted me...'

The night passed without further incident, and the next morning arrived.

Since Naruto had also completed his tree-climbing training, all members of Team 7 were assigned to guard Tazuna today.

But just as they arrived at the bridge, an elderly worker in a sleeveless shirt approached them.

"Tazuna, could I speak to you privately?"

"Giichi, what's the matter?" Tazuna asked with concern.

Giichi averted his gaze, subconsciously avoiding Tazuna's concerned gaze. He lowered his head and said, "Actually, I've been thinking a lot lately. Would it be okay if I quitted from the bridge construction project?"

"What? Why would you… even you now?"

Tazuna's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his old friend.

With a heavy sigh, Giichi said, "Tazuna, we've been friends for years. I want to help you, but if we keep pushing things this way, even we might get targeted by Gato."

Hearing this, Tazna couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

Giichi continued, "And if you end up dead, it'll all be pointless. Let's call off the bridge construction here."

"No! I can't let it end like this!"

Tazuna said in a determined voice: "This bridge belongs to all of us. We all believe that it will bring the Land of Waves out of poverty and connect us to essential resources and trade. That's why everyone in town is giving it their all."

"But if it means losing our lives..."

Giichi was about to say something when Tazuna interrupted him, "Okay, that's enough. Let's get to work."

"No, Tazuna. I still want to quit," Giichi said firmly.

Sighing, Tazuna turned to Naruto, "Naruto, you are right. What this country lacks is not a bridge, but courage."

Tazuna then looked back at Giichi and said, "Do you think I'm not afraid to die? I have a widowed daughter and a young grandson. I'm more afraid of death than anyone else."

"So, why are you still building this bridge?" Giichi asked in doubts.

Before Tazuna could answer, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from afar… It was Inari.

At this moment, Inari's face showed no trace of fear, though he looked a bit ridiculous in the oversized work clothes he was wearing.

"Grandpa, I want to help build the bridge too. I can at least carry wood."

"Why? Why are you here too, Inari?" Giichi was even more confused.

"That's my grandson for you."

Tazuna patted Inari's shoulder, then turned to Giichi and said, "Don't you get it yet? This bridge isn't just for the development of the Land of Waves… it's here to give our people courage."

"Poverty isn't the worst thing. The worst thing is having no hope. If you back down out of fear and everyone thinks like you do, how will the Land of Waves ever progress? Right now, you're not even as brave as my eight-year-old grandson."

"If you still want to leave, I won't stop you. Everyone has their own path, and I respect yours. But let me tell you, we've suffered enough, and we won't let future generations keep living under Gato's shadow. Our generation alone should bear this burden!"

Tazuna's voice grew louder, nearly turning into a roar by the end.

All the workers on the bridge heard him clearly.

The workers gradually gathered together and many of them couldn't help trembling with emotion.

"Tazuna, I chose to follow you because of this! This bridge is our hope!"

"Inari, we all owe you an apology. We couldn't save Kaiza back then, but to us, he's always been a hero."

"Now, we're working so hard to build this bridge so that we can become heroes in the eyes of future generations!"

The workers, their eyes brimming with tears, released emotions they had suppressed for so long.

Hearing this, Tazuna and Inari couldn't help but shed tears themselves.

"Tazuna, you're right… I'm not even as brave as your eight-year-old grandson."

Giichi fell to his knees and looked at the bridge for a long time without saying a word.

The workers' eyes also fell on Giichi.

After a long while, Giichi took a deep breath and said, "You're right. We've suffered enough for one generation. I don't want future generations to think I am a coward. I want to be a hero in their eyes. I've decided. I'll stay and keep working on this bridge!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Tazuna shouted, his spirits lifted, "Giichi, and everyone else, each of you is a hero in my eyes. For the sake of future generations, let's give it everything we've got!"

"Let's do it!"

The workers shouted in unison, then returned to their posts one after another and continued to work.

Although the task of building the bridge hadn't changed from the previous days, there was no longer a trace of gloom on their faces. Instead, their expressions were filled with joy, and their eyes sparkled with a flame.

It was the flame of hope!

Watching the workers labor with renewed enthusiasm, Naruto couldn't help but smile.

Maybe he was just venting his frustration yesterday, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was that his words had changed this place, impacting these people.

As the saying goes, 'Those who suffer often have their own shortcomings, but they also have their own strengths'.

"Inari, come over here," Naruto called, gesturing for him to come closer.

Inari trotted over. His face was covered in sweat, but his emotions were unusually high, "What's wrong, Naruto-nii?"

"Yesterday, I may have gone overboard, so I'm sorry for that. You look a bit rough working so hard, but doing it by yourself is really impressive. Keep it up!" Naruto said with a smile, giving Inari's head a gentle rub.

Inari shook his head vigorously and replied, "No, Naruto-nii. People like me deserve that scolding. You don't have to apologize to me. If anything, I should thank you for waking me up. If there's nothing else, I'm going back to work now."

With that, he ran off to carry more wood, his formerly sullen expression replaced by one of radiant cheerfulness.

"Naruto, you did a great job this time."

Kakashi was the first to give Naruto a thumbs up.

Sakura followed suit, giving two thumbs up: "Naruto, you really look like a big brother now. Great job!"

Naruto chuckled and scratched his head sheepishly.

The result this time was completely accidental, but it also made him experience the pleasure of helping others.

'Maybe helping people wasn't such a bad thing after all.'

However, two compliments were good, but he was missing one more.

His eyes couldn't help but shifted over to Sasuke.

"Cough!"

Sasuke coughed dryly, pulling his right hand out of his pocket and giving Naruto a thumbs up.

"Okay, I admit you did it very cool this time!"