The final plank slammed into place, the bridge now a sturdy, sun-warmed reality. A cheer erupted from the workers, a joyous sound that chased away the lingering shadows of fear. Tazuna, tears welling in his eyes, clapped Team 7 on the back, his voice thick with gratitude.
"You really did it!" he exclaimed, a wide, relieved grin spreading across his weathered face. "We couldn't have done it without you."
Kakashi, his single visible eye crinkling into a smile, waved a dismissive hand. "Just doing our job, Tazuna-san," he said, his voice laced with his usual easygoing tone. "Besides, Zabuza's gone, and Gato's pushing daisies – no one's gonna bother you now."
The workers, hearing this, erupted into another round of cheers. Some started setting up makeshift tables, pulling out snacks and drinks – a spontaneous celebration of freedom. Naruto, his grin wide enough to split his face, joined in, happily accepting a rice ball from a beaming villager.
"See? I told you we'd get it done!" he declared, stuffing the rice ball into his mouth. "Best mission ever!"
Sakura, a little more reserved, helped distribute drinks, her cheeks flushed with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. "It's nice to see everyone so happy," she murmured to Sasuke, who was observing the scene with a quiet intensity.
Sasuke, a rare hint of a smile tugging at his lips, nodded slightly. Even he couldn't deny the infectious joy that permeated the air. He found himself almost enjoying the atmosphere, a strange feeling for him.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the celebration, Team 7 reluctantly bid farewell to the jubilant villagers. They promised to return someday, a promise that was met with enthusiastic cheers.
Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hokage's office was a stark contrast to the lively celebration they had just left. The Sandaime, his expression thoughtful, listened intently as Kakashi recounted the mission.
"The bridge is complete, and the Land of Waves is safe," Kakashi concluded, his tone light. "A resounding success, wouldn't you say?"
The Sandaime chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Indeed, Kakashi. You've done well."
Kakashi, however, deliberately omitted the incident with Naruto's Kyuubi chakra. He scratched the back of his head, feigning nonchalance.
"Oh, and there was this one time Naruto almost set a tree on fire," he said, his tone casual. "But he got it under control. No big deal."
The Sandaime raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. "Almost set a tree on fire?" he repeated, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism.
"Yeah, you know Naruto," Kakashi shrugged, giving a lazy smile. "Always getting into trouble."
He then quickly changed the subject, launching into a detailed description of the delicious rice balls they had been given at the celebration, effectively distracting the Hokage from any further questions. He knew he had to keep the Kyuubi incident a secret, at least for now.