With the incident wrapped up, the details of the trade and protection agreements between the Land of Waves and the Hidden Leaf still needed some internal discussion.
On the ruined coast, they found a clean, flat clearing. Kasha suggested holding a bonfire party for Hikari and the others to celebrate their hard-won victory.
Everyone agreed without hesitation.
The people of the Land of Waves had faced Kado's threats, the oppressive rule of the Black Hoe's Raiga, and the earthquakes and tsunamis caused by a Kage-level battle. Their nerves were frayed, and a bonfire party to unwind was exactly what they needed.
As the heroes who saved the Land of Waves and the key to building friendly ties with the Hidden Leaf, Team 7 was naturally the star of the celebratory feast.
That evening.
Smoke spiraled into the sky, stirring the clouds, as the bonfire licked the twilight, blending the sea and sky into a deep indigo.
Vivid flames danced, bursting with the crackle of firewood, scattering into the night. The tide rolled in, spreading layers of shimmering silver along the shore.
The bonfire feast was alive with chatter and laughter.
In the makeshift kitchen, oil sizzled in the pans, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.
A chef in a white hat wielded his spatula, whipping up all sorts of Land of Waves specialties.
Hikari didn't budge from her spot by the kitchen. She sniffed the smoky air, her cherry-blossom lips pursed, barely holding back a flood of drool.
Her mouth could cook a dish—that wasn't just a figure of speech.
The Land of Waves, situated between the Lands of Water and Fire, had cuisine that was as rich as the Fire Country's but carried the island flair of the Water Country.
Not counting her past life, Hikari was born in the Water Country and raised in the Fire Country. She loved both cuisines.
Now, tasting the Land of Waves' food was like a dream for someone who craved both sweet and spicy—discovering a perfect sweet-spicy dish. She had to scarf down bowl after bowl!
Using her chakra to raise a stone bench as hard as granite, she parked herself right by the serving counter. Whenever a new dish came out, she'd snag a bite to test the flavor. If it suited her taste, she kept it; if not, she passed it off to someone else.
Her eating was slow and graceful, but her pace was ferocious. Paired with her otherworldly beauty, which stood out starkly against everyone else, she drew constant glances.
"Looks like Miss Hikari really loves our Land of Waves cuisine!" Tsunami, in charge of serving, handed a dish Hikari didn't like to her husband. Watching the girl devour her food, Tsunami smiled warmly.
She'd heard from Naruto that the critical ninjutsu that saved Kasha came from Hikari. When her father, Dazna, was ambushed and nearly killed with a shattered shoulder, it was Hikari who healed him. Plus, the Black Hoe's Raiga, who'd locked her and Inari in a coffin, was taken out by Hikari in a single move. With all these factors combined, Tsunami's gratitude was beyond words.
If Inari ever clashed with Hikari, she'd give him a good smack!
Kasha, Dazna, Kakashi, and the other adults sat at one table, smiling at Tsunami's comment.
The Land of Waves had only recently come into wealth, and its people still carried a rustic simplicity.
A guest eating heartily was the highest honor for a host.
They were deeply grateful for Hikari and the others' help and didn't mind her voracious appetite one bit.
Only Kakashi's smile carried a hint of melancholy.
Every time he saw Hikari eat, he couldn't help but think of that afternoon when he took her to Ichiraku Ramen.
That was when he learned: humans really could inhale twenty bowls of ramen in one go.
"Just a heads-up—" Kakashi said, picking up a bite of food and shielding his face with his hand. Whoosh! He yanked off his mask, scarfed down the dish like a dog shaking off water, and slipped the mask back on.
The whole process took less than two seconds. By the time he finished, Dazna and the others at the table hadn't even registered it, completely missing his face under the mask.
Tsunami was stunned.
She glanced at Hikari, demolishing an entire table's worth of food, then back at Kakashi. Could humans really eat that fast?
Adjusting his mask, Kakashi, equally freakish in his own way, swallowed and said slowly, "If you can get Hikari to put in a good word for the Land of Waves, it'll save you a lot of effort convincing the Hokage."
Dazna's family froze, exchanging looks.
Kasha leaned in, whispering to Kakashi, "Who is she, exactly?"
"I can't spill the details, but just know Hikari's got a special status in the Leaf. The Hokage values her opinion," Kakashi said, leaning back casually with his hands behind his head.
He had a good impression of the Land of Waves and was happy to give them a tip.
Kasha reacted quickly, turning to Tsunami. "Tell the kitchen to bring out their best dishes—especially the ones Miss Hikari likes!"
As Tsunami headed to the kitchen, the smoky aroma intensified, and the dishes came out faster. Hikari's cheeks puffed out, her lips glistening with oil.
Sasuke wasn't interested in the bonfire feast. Pinching his chin, he eyed the "food bucket" not far away, still scheming about how to get his hands on the Lightning Blade: Fang.
This mission had been a blessing in disguise for Naruto, who'd unlocked three gates and unleashed some red chakra Sasuke had never seen before, boosting his strength to new heights. Meanwhile, Sasuke was stuck in place, possibly the weakest in the team now.
That was unacceptable!
The Lightning Blade was perfect for him—a rare and powerful ninja tool. If he could get it, he'd secure a top-three spot in the team!
But… what could he trade for it?
Sasuke's eyes flickered with hesitation.
He wasn't entirely without leverage.
Two years ago, when his Sharingan evolved to two tomoe, Hikari had asked to study his body. He'd flat-out refused.
Now, if he offered to let her study him in exchange for the blade… Sasuke shivered. It felt like staring into an abyss.
But to gain power, you had to pay a price. It was just his body—what's the big deal?
Pushing down his inexplicable fear, he steeled himself with a do-or-die look, as if suddenly understanding the meaning of a steel wool flower.
Compared to Hikari and the others, Naruto was the busiest.
He stood by the bonfire, bouncing around as he recounted the battle, sometimes using words too limited to describe it and resorting to shadow clones for a multi-person reenactment.
A crowd of kids had gathered around him, Inari among them.
Listening to Naruto's thrilling tale of the Land of Waves' defense, Inari's eyes sparkled. He'd clearly become a Naruto fanboy.
The boy who dreamed of becoming a master architect felt something quietly shift in his heart, while Naruto basked in the crowd's admiring gazes, living his hero fantasy to the fullest.
The feast was a hit, lasting late into the night, the firelight never fading.
The trade deal between the Land of Waves and the Leaf was urgent. By the third day, the terms were set, with Kasha representing the Land of Waves, accompanying Team 7 back to the Hidden Leaf to seek protection.
A few days later.
Team 7 and Kasha returned to the Leaf, heading straight to the Hokage Building to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In the Hidden Leaf.
Inside the Hokage's office.
The ever-present smoke swirled in the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, looking at Team 7—these troublemakers—with wrinkles deep enough to crush a fly.
Kakashi had already given a full report on the mission to save the Land of Waves, leaving Hiruzen sweating.
From the ambush outside the Land of Waves to the final battle at sea, involving Zabuza Momochi, Raiga of the Black Hoe, immortal beings, and even an evil god's curse…
Every ninja involved was at least elite jonin level.
The mission's difficulty far exceeded A-rank, easily qualifying as S-rank.
It was only because Hikari's Byakugan provided clear intel on the enemy that they pulled through. If Guy or even Hiruzen himself had gone in unprepared, they might've been cursed to death by that immortal ninja.
At that thought, Hiruzen's gaze toward Hikari grew even warmer.
With his three students gone, the Uchiha and Senju clans extinct, and both he and Danzo growing old, Guy and Kakashi hadn't taken that critical step forward, and Naruto's generation was still maturing.
In the Leaf's time of transition, Hikari's appearance was like a gift from the heavens!
That's why he doted on this disciple so much.
She'd appeared when the Leaf needed her most, a spark in the darkness.
"Regarding stationing Leaf ninjas in the Land of Waves for protection…" After Kakashi's report, a sweaty Kasha stepped forward as the Land of Waves' representative to negotiate.
The usually bold Captain Kasha was so nervous his toes were curling.
He'd always known the Leaf was the top ninja village, with unmatched ninja quality, but he hadn't grasped what that meant until now.
Arriving in the Leaf and seeing its prosperity shocked him. Then he learned the terrifying truth:
Hikari and the others were just genin fresh out of the Academy.
He'd seen the orange-clad ninja summon a thousand shadow clones in an instant, sending the Black Hoe thugs running. Sasuke's sword swings sparked like wildfire, cutting through enemies like grass.
And the scariest was that girl—one laser-like attack, and Raiga was pierced clean through.
If Leaf genin were this strong, what about chunin, jonin, or the Hokage? They must be off the charts!
Seeing the bigger picture, Kasha didn't dare underestimate the seemingly kind Hokage. Forgetting fancy negotiation tactics, he laid out the Land of Waves' full sincerity.
After hearing their offer, Hiruzen pondered for a moment before turning to his silent disciple. "Hikari, what do you think of the Land of Waves?"
At his question, the Anbu guards and Kasha looked up, their eyes wide with shock.
What did this mean?
Why was a village-to-village deal being run by Hikari? The implications were staggering. As a militia captain, Kasha knew a bit about politics. Recalling Kakashi's tip at the banquet, his view of Hikari shifted dramatically.
Kakashi kept his head down, calm and silent.
He'd seen Hiruzen discuss village matters with Hikari more than once, which is why he'd given that tip in the Land of Waves. The rumors about Hikari being a future Hokage candidate? They started with him.
Seeing everyone's stares, Hikari knew they'd misunderstood.
She was currently running the Root, and Hiruzen was aware of it.
Though she held no official title, she was gradually taking over Danzo's role. Hiruzen, knowing she'd be the Root's future leader, often asked her about national and administrative matters—a sort of test before she officially took charge.
But she didn't want to get tangled in politics.
No matter how slick your political moves, they weren't worth one of her punches!
"Good people, great location, tasty food," Hikari said, giving a few kind words since they'd fed her well and hadn't asked her to pay for the destroyed port.
"Heh, alright!" Hiruzen chuckled, making his decision. He turned to the Anbu, Suzaku. "Take them to Nara Shikaku to discuss the follow-up."
"Yes, sir!" Suzaku bowed, gave Hikari a deep look, and led an excited Kasha out.
The office was left with just Hiruzen and Team 7.
"You all worked hard. This mission was extremely tough, so I'm marking it as an S-rank. Take some time to rest."
Hiruzen upgraded the mission's rank.
An S-rank mission as genin? Team 7's pitiful resume of a few D-rank missions instantly became legendary!
Mission ranks matter for ninjas.
A stellar record affects rank promotions, job advancements, and even future Hokage candidacy.
For example, you need at least one C-rank mission to qualify for the Chunin Exams, multiple B-ranks and one A-rank for special jonin, and an S-rank for jonin. An S-rank mission is a dream for most ordinary ninjas.
Team 7 had already cleared the toughest hurdle on the ninja path, though they might not even need it. Kakashi nodded and left the office.
Having been away from the village so long, he wanted to visit the Memorial Stone to talk to Rin, Obito, his father, his teacher, and his teacher's wife about the mission's dangers.
Naruto, thrilled about the S-rank designation, practically glowed with excitement, dashing out to brag to Shikamaru and the others.
Sasuke, head down, seemed distracted, glancing at Hikari with visible inner conflict.
Hikari planned to head straight to the Root.
The coffins sealing Kakuzu and Hidan, the red eye, and the Lightning Blade had been taken by Root ninjas the moment they entered the Leaf. By now, her Yang Release clone and her main body were probably already studying them.
She was genuinely fascinated by the immortal duo's bodies.
Especially Hidan—if she could crack the secret of his immortality, she'd have no weaknesses left, aside from sealing techniques!
But things didn't go as planned.
"Hikari, stay. I need to talk to you," Hiruzen said, calling her back.
Naruto and Sasuke, aware of Hikari's connection to the Third, didn't think much of it. They said goodbye and left.
Now, the once-lively office was down to just Hiruzen and Hikari.
"What's up, Sensei?" With no one else around, Hikari didn't bother hiding their relationship, eager to get to the Root.
Hiruzen took a long drag on his pipe, his face heavy with worry. "In a little while, the village will host a joint Chunin Exam."
His voice was low and grim. Hikari immediately sensed something was off.
A joint exam with the Sand? Why so serious? Did Orochimaru's actions get exposed? Did Zabuza accidentally stumble into Orochimaru's plot to assassinate the Kazekage?
After the twists and turns in the Land of Waves, she no longer trusted the original plot blindly. All sorts of theories swirled in her mind.
But what Hiruzen said next made her realize she'd underestimated the situation.
"Puff!"
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his crow's feet deepening as he said gravely, "This exam is unprecedented in scale—the first-ever Super Chunin Exam, jointly held by all Five Great Ninja Villages!"
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