Over the next few days, Arata, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura took turns guarding Tazuna as he worked on the bridge.
They split into pairs — one group protecting the old man while the other scouted or trained nearby.
Zabuza hadn't shown himself again.
But Kakashi, ever cautious, stayed with Tazuna's group at all times.
After all, the bridge builder was the mission's lifeline — if he fell, the entire operation would collapse.
During those days, Arata's growth was staggering.
He'd already mastered dozens of new jutsu — even Chidori, which he had now perfected into his own variation.
At this point, he was studying sealing techniques under Kakashi's supervision.
Even Kakashi, who'd seen prodigies his whole life, was left speechless.
Arata wasn't just talented — his progress defied reason.
He had already reached the level of a jōnin, perhaps even approaching the elite tier.
The only thing he lacked… was experience.
To Arata, that was the most valuable form of growth.
But Kakashi saw it differently — in his eyes, Arata was already strong enough that even a seasoned jōnin would struggle to defeat him.
A few quiet weeks passed.
Then, one evening, as Arata returned from his daily training in the mountains, he stopped at the doorstep of Tazuna's house.
Something was off.
The moment his hand reached for the door… he froze.
"Too quiet," he murmured.
He took a step back—
and in the next instant, his figure vanished.
A golden flash cut through the air.
Arata reappeared on the second floor, entering silently through the balcony.
Chakra gathered at his feet as he walked across the wooden floor without a sound.
The rooms were spotless — too spotless.
He frowned, his eyes sharp.
Descending to the first floor, Arata noticed it immediately.
No sound of Tsunami in the kitchen.
No laughter, no running footsteps from Inari.
No sign of Sakura in her usual spot by the window.
The house was utterly still.
Then, on the dining table, he saw it — a letter.
A folded sheet of rough parchment sealed crudely.
Arata's instincts screamed.
He channeled chakra into his hands, golden energy wrapping his fingers like gloves, and tore the envelope open.
The words inside made his expression darken instantly.
"A kidnapping note…?"
His eyes narrowed.
"So that's how it is. A trap… and they want me to walk straight into it."
Inside, the message was blunt:
"We have Sakura, Tsunami, and the boy. Come to the mountain cabin before sunset — or they die."
A typical setup.
But it worked.
He had no time to warn Kakashi — every second mattered.
Arata blurred forward, golden chakra flickering at his feet as he raced through the trees.
His mind sharpened with each step.
They knew my training schedule. That means they've been watching for days.
Their goal isn't the hostages. They're baiting me — to keep me away from the bridge.
If I'm right… Zabuza's attacking Kakashi right now.
Arata's eyes hardened.
Even knowing that, he couldn't ignore the trap.
He wasn't the type to abandon people — especially not his own team.
The forest thickened as he approached the meeting point.
There, hidden in the mist, stood a small wooden cabin.
Inside, Sakura, Tsunami, and Inari were tied to thick posts, their bodies bound with ropes covered in paper bombs.
In front of them sat a tall man with long green hair and razor-sharp teeth — his grin twisted and cold.
"Well, well," he hissed. "Let's hope that Konoha brat shows up soon. I'd hate to waste these fine explosives."
This was Raiya Kurotsuchi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of the twin Thunder Blades: Kiba — and a wanted rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist.
Standing behind him were two other Mist-nin — both mid-level, but deadly nonetheless.
After learning of Arata's strength, Zabuza had realized he couldn't face both Kakashi and Arata at once.
So he'd called in help — and Gato, desperate to win, had paid for it.
An S-rank commission.
A small fortune, just to kill one bridge builder.
Raiya grinned at his captives, his eyes glinting with malice.
"Don't worry. Once your precious hero arrives, you'll all die together."
"A grand funeral, just for you."
He cackled, the sound echoing through the cabin like thunder.
Sakura glared at him, struggling against the ropes.
"You… you green-haired freak! You'll never get away with this! Once Kakashi-sensei and Arata arrive, they'll—"
"Kill me?" Raiya interrupted with a sneer.
"I doubt it. By now, your dear Kakashi is probably already dead — courtesy of Zabuza Momochi."
He leaned closer, eyes gleaming.
"As for that boy, Arata… yes, I've heard about him."
"Talented, quick, maybe even dangerous. But he'll come running to save you — and that's when I'll kill him."
He pointed to the paper bombs.
"Let's see him outrun this."
"I'll admit, it's a shame — a genius like him, dying for a stupid little girl."
His laughter filled the cabin.
Inari trembled, tears streaking his face.
Just like before… just like Father…
He remembered Kaiza — his father's smile, his strength, his death.
The man who had stood up to Gato… and been executed for it.
"Heroes always die," he whispered.
"Anyone who tries to fight… always dies."
His voice broke.
"There are no heroes in this world. Only fools who think they can change it."
Tsunami's face was pale, her body shaking.
She understood exactly what the Mist-nin's words meant.
They were all going to die.
My son… my father… and now me too…
Her thoughts blurred.
Even as she tried to stay strong, despair swallowed her.
She looked at Sakura — so young, so terrified.
They were just children.
How could kids like them possibly stand against monsters like these?
Outside, somewhere in the darkness, a faint crackle of lightning whispered through the air.
Golden light flickered among the trees.
And Arata's voice, calm yet deadly cold, broke the silence.
"You talk too much."
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