Naruto: Divine Reward System

"It's actually really easy!"

Tatsuya chuckled lightly and explained, "The weather has been hot and dry for days, and it hasn't even rained today,"

He smirked and continued, "And yet, there's a suspicious puddle of water."

The two Demon Brothers froze for a moment, realization dawning on them. They hadn't even considered that detail.

Kakashi nodded approvingly. "Tatsuya, your observation skills are impressive. Keeping track of your surroundings is a vital skill for a ninja."

Tazuna, however, frowned. "Since you knew in advance, why did you let these kids handle it? Weren't you worried something would happen to them?"

Though he seemed concerned for Tatsuya and the others, his real worry was his own safety. In his eyes, they were just rookies.

Kakashi's response was calm but firm. "Because I could take them down in an instant if needed."

His words carried such confidence that no one doubted him. After all, Kakashi was more than capable.

'I just didn't expect Tatsuya to be so capable,' Kakashi inwardly admitted. 'Taking down two Chunin is no small feat, even if luck played a role. His strength is undeniable.'

Of course, the reality was that the Demon Brothers had underestimated their opponents, making Tatsuya's victory easier.

Kakashi then turned to Tazuna with a sharp look. "One more thing. I need to know—who was their real target?"

Tazuna stiffened under Kakashi's gaze, his voice betraying his guilt. "Uh... what do you mean?"

"To be blunt, were they after you or us?" Kakashi pressed. "From what we just saw, it's obvious the target wasn't us."

His tone hardened. "That means your request doesn't match the mission you described. You claimed this was a C-rank mission—dealing with bandits or thugs. But if trained ninja are involved, that pushes this into B-rank or higher. That's a serious problem."

Kakashi crossed his arms. "I understand you may have your reasons, but this puts us in a difficult position. First, your payment doesn't cover the real risk. Second, these three are fresh Genin. If a stronger enemy appears, their lives could be in danger."

He fixed Tazuna with a firm stare. "As their teacher, I can't gamble with their lives."

Tazuna's expression darkened with worry. He had his reasons for hiding the truth, but if he spoke now, his life could be at risk. And if he didn't, his homeland would be doomed.

"Sensei, I... I need to say something," Tatsuya interjected before Tazuna could speak.

Turning to Tazuna, he said, "Uncle Tazuna, this is about Gato, isn't it?"

Tazuna's eyes widened in shock. "You... how do you know that?"

Tatsuya shrugged. "I ran into a couple of refugees from the Land of Waves a few days ago during a mission. They told me about him."

Kakashi frowned. "Gato? You mean Gato from the shipping company?"

Tazuna sighed heavily. "Since you've already figured it out, there's no point in hiding it anymore."

He clenched his fists. "Yes, it's Gato. He controls a shipping company on the surface, but behind the scenes, he works with the criminals and rogue ninja, smuggling contraband and oppressing smaller nations. He's a monster who seizes businesses and crushes the weak."

Tazuna's voice grew somber. "About a year ago, he set his sights on the Land of Waves..."

As he recounted the situation, the team finally understood the full extent of the crisis.

By the end of his explanation, Tazuna looked desperate. "Please, I beg you—help us!"

Kakashi sighed but nodded. "We'll continue the mission."

He had absolute confidence in his own abilities, and he knew he could protect the team.

Tatsuya, of course, had no objections. He knew exactly when a certain rogue ninja would appear. As long as he stayed near Tazuna, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to face him.

Sasuke, focused on proving himself, had no intention of backing down. And Naruto, still stinging from Sasuke's earlier taunts, refused to quit now.

With that, the "escort mission" continued.

After some time, the five boarded a small boat, making their way toward the Land of Waves.

...

Half an hour later.

As they approached the island, the boatman, an acquaintance of Tazuna, turned to him.

"Tazuna," he whispered, "we're safe for now. But just in case, we should take the underground waterway. The plants will help hide us."

Tazuna nodded. "Good idea."

The boatman picked up the pace, clearly wary of Gato's reach.

A short while later, Tatsuya and the others navigated through the underground passage. Finally, they set foot on the Land of Waves.

After arriving on the island, Tatsuya and his team continued escorting Tazuna home. Their mission was to ensure his safety until the completion of the Great Bridge.

Tatsuya wasn't too concerned about the mission's danger—if things went as expected, eliminating Zabuza Momochi wouldn't be a problem. As long as he survived, and Gato and his men were dealt with, there would be no threats left. After the bridge was completed, protecting Tazuna wouldn't even be necessary.

At that point, he could visit this island as a tourist!

On the way, Naruto took the lead, pushing ahead with determination. The encounter with the Demon Brothers earlier had shaken him, making him realize how unprepared he was. This time, he wanted to prove himself—he refused to let Sasuke outshine him.

Tatsuya, on the other hand, walked leisurely behind them, unconcerned. He and Naruto were good friends, and he knew the blonde's competitive spirit all too well.

Halfway there, Naruto suddenly stopped and looked around suspiciously, his senses on high alert.

"Something's not right…" he muttered.

Then, without hesitation, he hurled a kunai into a dense patch of vegetation.

Silence.

Nothing moved.

Feeling awkward, Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Uh… it was just a mouse!"

Sasuke scoffed, shaking his head. "Hmph… idiot."

Kakashi sighed and offered a calm but firm warning. "Naruto, don't throw weapons recklessly. That kind of carelessness can be dangerous."

Seeing no reaction from the bushes, Tazuna exhaled in relief and shouted, "You little brat! Don't scare me like that!"

But the moment Tazuna finished speaking, a kunai shot out from Tatsuya's hand, slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Everyone froze in shock.

Clang!

A metallic ring echoed through the trees as the kunai struck something solid. Kakashi's eyes narrowed, sensing a faint disturbance in the air. His gaze immediately locked onto the exact spot where Tatsuya's kunai had landed.

At first glance, there was nothing unusual. No enemy, no signs of movement.

Just a small, terrified rabbit.

Seeing this, Naruto and the others let out a collective sigh of relief.

Tazuna chuckled nervously. "Oh, it was just a rabbit! You scared me again, kid."

But Tatsuya wasn't convinced. His expression remained serious as he spoke again. "Don't let your guard down. There could be an enemy nearby."

Naruto tensed. "An enemy?" He scanned the area anxiously but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Sasuke frowned. "Tatsuya, you sure you're not just overthinking this? There's no one here."

"Look at the rabbit," Tatsuya said calmly.

Everyone's attention turned to the small, trembling creature. Even Kakashi gave Tatsuya an intrigued glance.

"This isn't an ordinary wild rabbit. It's a snow hare."

"So what?" Naruto asked, confused.

Tatsuya elaborated, "Snow hares change their fur color based on the season. In winter, when the days are short, they turn [white]."

He pointed at the rabbit. "But right now, we're at the transition between spring and summer."

"That means this rabbit should have a 'brown' fur, not white."

Naruto still didn't get it, but Sasuke's eyes widened in realization. He immediately added, "You moron, don't you understand?"

"Tatsuya's saying this rabbit was raised by someone. It's not wild—it was kept in captivity. And considering the situation, that 'someone' is probably an enemy. The rabbit might've even been used as a decoy."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Oh! Now I get it!"

Kakashi, watching the exchange, nodded approvingly. He hadn't expected Tatsuya to have such a deep understanding of these kinds of details. His instincts and knowledge were sharp.

'That was fast,' Kakashi thought. He was already on alert—he had sensed something earlier and now, thanks to Tatsuya's observation, he was sure.

Hidden in the trees, a shadowy figure silently observed them.

His eyes remained locked on one person—Kakashi.

'So, that's the infamous Copy Ninja of Konoha…'

The figure smirked, lips curving with amusement.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan, huh...?" he muttered to himself. "Interesting…"

Without hesitation, he reached behind his back and gripped the handle of a massive sword. The blade, enormous and jagged, gleamed under the faint light. A distinctive notch in the weapon made it look broken, but it was meant to be that way.

One of the legendary Seven Ninja Swords—the [Executioner's Blade].

The man wielding it was none other than its second owner.

Zabuza Momochi—the Demon of the Hidden Mist.

And he was about to make his move.

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Everyone! I've already posted the another translation. Just search "Naruto: The Sand Will Rise." or you can go directly to my profile to check on it. I'll update both of these translations daily so all of you don't have to worry. Just like this one, the update schedule there will be daily. 

Also, please give this novel a review on what you think. It will help me. Once again, thank you for reading this! Enjoy reading "Naruto: The Sand Will Rise"! In my opinion, its way better than this one.

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