𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙

𝟎𝟐𝟒

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After several hours of training, both Naruto and Sasuke were on their knees, panting heavily, showing signs of exhaustion. Sakura, on the other hand, lay beside a tree trunk, catching her breath.

Karma couldn't help but smirk, pride welling up in her chest as she observed their progress. However, Naruto seemed to be struggling, repeatedly reaching the middle of the tree before giving up and falling down.

"Shoot!"

Naruto crouched down in front of Sakura, sighing, and nervously asked, "Umm... umm! Could you give me some tips?"

"Huh?" Sakura questioned, surprised by Naruto's request.

Karma rose to her feet and stood next to Kakashi. She couldn't help but ponder, 'He's going to get stronger... a lot stronger... but just how strong?' It was a question that remained unanswered.

Later in the day, Kakashi assigned Karma and Sakura the task of watching over the bridge builder and his crew. Sakura took a seat on the sidelines, while Karma actively assisted in carrying heavy beams and larger wood planks. She found it enjoyable and didn't mind helping out.

Many of Tanzuna's men couldn't help but marvel at her strength. They teased her with questions about what her parents fed her, to which she replied with a playful tone, "I just make sure to eat all my fruits and veggies." The workers chuckled at her response.

"Seriously, Tanzuna, where did you find this youngster?" one of the workers inquired.

Tanzuna grunted as Karma handed him a large woodblock. "Leaf Village," he mumbled.

"That explains it. They've got a lot of weird ones over there," another worker chimed in.

Karma took their banter in stride, continuing to lift the metal beams and place them next to the workers.

Sakura let out a yawn, drawing Tanzuna's disapproving gaze. "You sure look bored over there all by yourself. Where's that blonde kid and the other one?" he asked Sakura.

Sakura sighed, "Training."

"So, you don't have to?" Tanzuna inquired further, "Since I'm so superior, Kakashi asked me and Sora to protect you."

Karma rolled her eyes at Sakura's self-importance. It wasn't that Sakura lacked strength; there were different reasons for her protection.

As they worked, a worker named Giichi caught Tanzuna's attention. He hesitated before asking, "Can I stop working on the bridge?"

"Why is that!? This is so sudden! Why you too?!" Tanzuna exclaimed, clearly surprised.

"Tanzuna, we've been close for a long time now. I want to help you, but if we continue this, Gatou will notice us. If something happens to you, what's the point? Why don't we quit now?" Giichi suggested.

Tanzuna hesitated, his thoughts conflicted. "I can't do that."

Karma, who had put down everything she was carrying, couldn't help but listen intently to Giichi and Tanzuna's discussion about the bridge's future. "This bridge is our bridge. This is the bridge we started building together, believing it would bring resources into our super-poor country," Tanzuna explained before walking away.

"It's already noon; let's stop for today... Giichi, you don't have to come tomorrow."

Karma followed Sakura and Tanzuna as they walked through the town, noticing people carrying signs that said things like 'will take any job' or 'free employee.'

Then, they came across a young boy sitting on the street, his head buried in his knees. The girl couldn't help but think, 'He can't be any younger than me...'

"It's been like this since Gatou came," the boy explained to them, his voice filled with despair.

Karma reached into the seal on her shoulder and pulled out a handful of candy, placing it in the young boy's now outstretched hands. The boy's eyes lit up with gratitude as he ran off with the candy.

"All the adults have lost hope. That's why we need the bridge as a symbol of courage. We need people to lose their fear and regain the desire to stand up for themselves. If that bridge... if that bridge can be completed, the city will return to that time... the people will return to how they used to be."

Once they returned home, Karma immediately began helping Tsunami with cooking and cleaning. After finishing the meal preparation, she set the table with food, her face bright with enthusiasm. "Wow!! This is super fun. It's been a long time since we ate with so many people."

However, neither Naruto nor Sasuke paid much attention to Tanzuna's words and continued to stuff their faces, seemingly competing with each other. Eventually, they overdid it, and both boys ended up vomiting on the floor.

"If you're going to throw up, then stop eating!" Sakura scolded them.

"No, I must eat," Sasuke mumbled, showing his determination.

"Yeah, we have to, no matter what, because we have to become stronger!" Naruto chimed in.

"Yup! But no need to throw up!"

As they settled down, Sakura noticed a torn picture on the wall, drawing her curiosity.

"Hey, why do you have a torn picture on the wall?"

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