In Naruto, the System Asks Me to Entrust Pokémon

"Kakashi-sensei, this is so boring! Where are the enemies already?"

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Naruto sat on the edge of the bridge, sighing in frustration.

"Naruto, be quiet," Sakura scolded, glaring at him.

How can he be bored in a situation like this? She was practically on edge, worrying about what might happen next!

"She's right."

Kakashi nodded, his gaze shifting toward Naruto. "Stay quiet. It's still early. Just wait a little longer."

"Damn that Zabuza. I knew he wasn't reliable! Looks like I have to handle things myself!"

At that moment, a loud voice rang out from behind them.

Everyone turned sharply toward the sound, their expressions instantly becoming serious.

A plump man with an angry scowl stomped toward them, accompanied by a dozen rogue swordsmen armed with katanas. Each of them wore a cold, murderous glare.

The workers building the bridge trembled in fear, their faces drained of color.

"G-Gato is here… We're done for… We're going to die!"

"We worked so hard… and it was all for nothing?"

"Damn you, Gato! Why won't you just leave us alone?!"

Tazuna clenched his fists as he listened to the terrified murmurs of the workers.

His eyes became firm, his voice resolute.

"Everyone, don't be afraid! The bridge is almost finished! If we must fight, then let's fight!"

Hearing his words, the workers' fear slowly transformed into determination.

"That's right! If we're going to die anyway, we might as well fight back!"

"We have nothing to lose! We won't let this bastard have his way!"

After all, they had already prepared for the worst. They knew Gato wouldn't let them off, so why not go down swinging?

Kakashi, standing at the front, narrowed his eyes as he observed Gato.

So this is the so-called wealthiest man in the Land of Waves?

He had heard plenty about Gato, but this was his first time seeing him in person.

His gaze darkened.

"Zabuza abandoned the mission? Looks like I wasn't wrong back then…"

Kakashi had suspected as much when he first noticed Haku's unusual movements.

And the timing of their retreat had been way too convenient.

"You must be the reason these fools found the courage to defy me," Gato sneered, his gaze sweeping over the bridge builders before turning toward Kakashi's team.

"I don't know what makes you ninjas so special, but you've given them some ridiculous hope. That ends now."

Hearing his condescending tone, Kakashi's expression remained calm, but his eyes turned dangerously cold.

Even Naruto, who was usually quick to retort, stayed silent this time, his fists clenched tightly in anger.

Sakura's face was filled with disgust, and even Sasuke's usual indifferent expression hardened with disdain.

Kakashi, however, had an entirely different look in his eyes—one that suggested Gato was already a dead man walking.

Completely oblivious to the dangerous atmosphere, Gato continued, his tone laced with arrogance.

"Do you know why I didn't attack you right away?"

A cruel grin spread across his face.

"It's because I wanted you all to watch—watch as this nearly finished bridge is destroyed right in front of you. I wanted you to feel the hopelessness before you die! Hahaha!"

He burst into laughter, his voice filled with twisted amusement.

"You bastard! Even if we die, we won't let you destroy this bridge!"

Tazuna stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Gato.

The workers behind him followed suit, standing their ground.

"That's right, Gato! Even if it costs us our lives, we won't let you win!"

"You're nothing but a greedy tyrant! We won't let you have your way!"

Gato, instead of being angered, laughed even louder.

"Hahahaha! This is hilarious! What do you think you can do? Do you honestly believe these worthless ninjas can protect you?"

Then, his smile vanished.

His gaze turned icy cold.

"If you're all so eager to die, then fine. But what about your families? Are they willing to die, too?"

His lips curled into a cruel smirk.

"I'll make sure you watch as your loved ones are butchered in front of you—one by one."

"You bastard—!!"

Before Gato could even react, Naruto had already dashed forward, his fist flying straight at Gato's face.

BAM!

Gato's massive body was sent flying backward, skidding across the ground for several meters before coming to a painful stop.

Blood dripped from his nose and mouth, and several of his teeth had been knocked out.

Naruto glared at him with seething rage.

"You scum! All they want is to live in peace! What crime have they committed?!"

Naruto had never felt such intense anger before.

How could someone be this despicable?

"Pfft—"

Gato struggled to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

His eyes burned with fury.

"I don't care about their pathetic lives! As long as they stand in my way, they deserve to die!"

Then, his eyes landed on Naruto, filled with pure malice.

"And you… you little brat… how dare you hit me?! You're dead!"

Before, he had been wary about provoking Konoha, which was a major village.

But now?

He didn't care anymore.

With a wave of his hand, he barked orders at his mercenaries.

"What are you idiots waiting for?! Kill them all!"

The rogue swordsmen surrounding him immediately turned their sharp gazes toward Naruto, their murderous intent palpable.

"Kid, you've got some guts. Too bad you won't be using them for long."

"You just sealed your fate. Originally, we would've let some of you live. But now… no mercy."

"Enough talk. Let's cut him down!"

Without hesitation, they unsheathed their katanas and began advancing toward Naruto.

Sakura gasped.

"Naruto! Watch out!"

Sasuke instinctively prepared to move, but just as he was about to step forward, Kakashi reached out and stopped him.

Sasuke shot him a questioning look.

Kakashi shook his head.

"Wait. These guys are just low-level thugs. Naruto can handle them."

Besides, this was the perfect chance to test Naruto's ability in real combat.

So far, Naruto hadn't been in a serious fight.

This would be his first true battle.

Sakura, however, looked worried.

"Kakashi-sensei, are you sure? There are so many of them!"

Even if they were just common mercenaries, there were a lot of them.

And Naruto was… well, Naruto.

Kakashi reassured her.

"Relax. I'm keeping an eye on him. He'll be fine."

Sakura still looked uneasy, but she nodded hesitantly.

She could only hope that Kakashi was right.

>>>>>

follow my patreon.com/Yueru1 for more advance chapters and search the link