"I understand now."
After wrestling with himself, Zabuza finally came to terms with it. Whether he supported Senju Haruto or not didn't matter in the end. Just as Haruto had said—when it came to unifying the shinobi world, he was the inevitable tide.
And beyond that…
A world with true peace.
A world where people could open their hearts to one another.
A world where the Bloody Mist would no longer exist.
"…I'd like to see such a world with my own eyes."
Zabuza drew in a deep breath, his gaze clearing, no longer clouded by doubt.
"But after overthrowing the government of the Land of Water, what do you plan to do with the Fifth Mizukage and the shinobi of Kirigakure?" Zabuza suddenly shifted the conversation.
As much as he longed for the world Haruto described, not everyone would accept it. Especially not the Mizukage or the shinobi of Kirigakure. They would resist with all they had.
"Kill them."
Haruto didn't even hesitate. There was no need to lie about this.
If they could not be made to serve him, then what use was there in leaving them alive? Letting them plot assassinations and schemes to overthrow him day after day?
If they refused—or were incapable of accepting the truth—then the only gift he could give them was a hero's death.
"Then… are we heading to Kirigakure next?"
It was Sasuke, who had been silent until now, who finally spoke up.
He didn't care for Haruto's grand talk of peace, but the thought of challenging the entire Mist Village stirred an undeniable excitement in him.
Naruto, on the other hand, didn't even need convincing. He didn't yet fully understand peace, or war, or all the weight behind those words. But he trusted Haruto absolutely.
If Haruto said it, if Haruto decided it—then Naruto would follow without hesitation.
But Haruto only shook his head.
Naruto and Sasuke were indeed core figures of the Land of Fire, but for the coming campaign to topple the Water Country, their involvement wasn't necessary.
"You'll return to the village with Kakashi."
"Return to the village?"
Sasuke and Naruto both frowned, catching on immediately. Haruto wasn't saying all of them would return together first—he was saying that they would return, while he moved forward without them.
In other words, this mission did not require Team 7.
"Why? Just because we're still genin?!"
Sasuke shot to his feet, indignant. He refused to accept such a thing. Naruto's frustration was no different.
"Listen first."
Haruto waved a hand calmly. "The Chūnin Exams are about to begin. With your current growth, I believe you're ready to take part."
"The… Chūnin Exams?"
"That's right. This is your chance to become Chūnin. That's why I'm sending you back to Konoha."
Haruto didn't need to think twice.
He knew the ins and outs of the Chūnin Exams. Naruto's Sage Mode and golden cloak mode would almost certainly be restricted, not allowed in the trials. Sasuke, meanwhile, had only just grasped the first stage of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
He wasn't yet strong enough to face someone like Orochimaru at full strength.
The Curse Mark of Heaven, though… that was something worth noting.
And Haruto knew something else as well—Orochimaru would use this Chūnin Exam as his chance to invade Konoha.
In the original story, it was during this very attack that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, lost his life.
This was also why Haruto planned to head to Kirigakure with Zabuza now—it gave him the perfect reason to be absent from the village when the invasion came.
Once Hiruzen fell, Haruto could step forward to assume the position of Fifth Hokage.
At the same time, the Kazekage Rasa of the Wind Country would also be eliminated by Orochimaru. With Gaara still needing time to grow, it would leave the Wind Country at its weakest.
If Haruto played his cards right, he could swallow up two great nations in one stroke.
For his plan of unifying the shinobi world, this would be an enormous step forward.
Of course, he wouldn't share such truths with Team 7.
Hearing only of the Chūnin Exams was enough to get Naruto's blood boiling with excitement.
"You're not planning to go to Kirigakure alone, are you?"
Now it was Kakashi's turn to look uneasy. He knew Haruto's strength was great, but to challenge an entire hidden village on his own…
"Of course not."
Haruto chuckled and shook his head. "Kakashi, don't forget—I'm not only the Hokage's advisor of the Fire Country, I'm also the leader of Root. Naturally, I'll mobilize my forces for this mission."
The truth was, Haruto didn't need any help.
Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage, wasn't all that formidable in his eyes. With Wood Release, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and the chakra of the First, Third, and Ninth Tails at his disposal—even the combined might of the Mist Village wasn't enough to threaten him.
Still, mobilizing Root served two purposes:
First, once the Water Country was taken, he would need shinobi to occupy the territory.
Second, he didn't want Root entangled in Konoha's conflict with Orochimaru.
"Root, huh…"
Kakashi suddenly realized he'd nearly forgotten Haruto held that card.
"You really have been planning this for a long time, Haruto." Kakashi sighed in quiet awe.
Though he too wanted to take part in the operation, Haruto was right—the Chūnin Exams were about to begin.
"Exactly." Haruto nodded. "If no one has further objections, we'll proceed as I've outlined."
"Dazuna."
As he saw that no one else had more to say, Haruto turned his gaze to the old bridge builder.
The reason he had been invited to this discussion was simple—he, too, was a vital piece in Haruto's plan.
"Me?!"
Dazuna's eyes went wide, pointing at himself in disbelief.
He was just a bridge builder. How could he possibly help with something like this?
"No."
Haruto shook his head with a small smile. "You're more important than you realize. The Land of Water, where Kirigakure is located, is much like the Land of Waves—an island nation, dependent on maritime transport."
"That's why I want you to construct a bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the Land of Water."
His tone was utterly serious.
"A… a bridge?"
Dazuna's eyes widened as understanding dawned.
"That… that's not impossible. But…"
His voice trailed off, hesitation creeping back in.
What he wanted to say was: what if they failed? Then all his work would be wasted.
Kirigakure was no mere Land of Fire.
"I told you already—I am the tide of this world."
"Dazuna, do as I've said. As for the costs, leave the economic matters to me."
Haruto rose to his feet as he spoke.
And just then, a familiar voice rang in his ears once more:
Host, please proceed to Kirigakure to check in. Upon successful check-in, you will receive your reward!