Chapter 24 : Courage
After following Haruto for a while, Naruto suddenly spoke:"Boss, Sasuke's changed a lot lately."
Haruto nodded silently. He had already noticed it too.Sasuke had clearly been pushed by Haruto's strength, refusing to waste even a single chance to train.
"It's nothing," Haruto said calmly."Sasuke has his own ideals... he's just working hard for them. "But he didn't say the rest: Even if those ideals are cruel.
As they walked through the Land of Waves, Haruto's expression gradually darkened. The situation was far worse than he'd expected.
The country barely produced any food——and used to survive by selling special products and handcrafts.
But ever since Gato monopolized trade, everything they made was sold to him at rock-bottom prices, while food became painfully expensive.
The coast was the only saving grace—people could still fish to scrape by. Yet many couldn't even do that.
On the streets, beggars lined both sides. Some sold their children. Others knelt in despair, begging anyone for work.
Even Naruto fell completely silent at the sight. Suddenly, they heard a commotion up ahead.
"You brat! You dare steal from me? Give it back!" "You little thief! I'll beat you to death!"
Two angry adults were kicking a small boy—about six or seven years old.