After the thorough inspection was completed, Haku was finally released.
To avoid unnecessary suspicion, Naruto did not bring him to the forest hideout immediately. Instead, he left Haku in his apartment for the time being, making sure he stayed hidden and did not wander outside without permission.
Hokage only ordered to watch over Haku, but watching over Naruto is bonus.
But now, anbu stationed near Naruto's old rented apartment. As Naruto returned to his secluded hideout deep in the forest. Naruto carefully placed his two wooden boxes containing two main ingredients in their designated spots. After that, he collapsed onto the bed and closed his eyes.
Morning came swiftly.
The Hokage had granted Team 7 a week-long break as a reward for completing an A-rank mission, which is impossible for a team with brand-new genin to cmoplete.
But Naruto had no intention of resting. He still needed three more ingredients to complete the Body Purification Pill. That pill was a crucial step in his plans. Without it, his weak body would continue slowing down his progress.
Dressed in his sleek black uniform, Naruto walked through the village alleyways.
His steps eventually led him to Sakura's house.
Sakura was sitting by the window, enjoying the cool morning air. She seemed lost in thought, her chin resting lightly on her hand as the wind moved gently around her.
Then Naruto's voice suddenly cut through the peaceful morning.
"SAKURA! We need to talk. Come with me."
Sakura jolted in surprise and almost lost her balance. She quickly steadied herself, her eyes widening as she looked down toward Naruto.
His sudden shout had not only caught her attention.
It had also caught her mother's. A sharp voice rang out from inside the house.
"DON'T be close to that monster! How many times do I have to tell you?!"
Naruto heard it clearly. Maybe Mebuki had even intended for him to hear it.
Sakura clenched her fists, her face filling with frustration and embarrassment.
"I know, Mom! We're on the same team! I have to go with him!"
For a moment, the house became quiet.
"Take care outside."
A few moments later, Sakura stepped out of the house. She glared at Naruto immediately.
"What's with you? What do you want this early in the morning?" she demanded.
Naruto looked at her with dark expression. "Huh."
Without another word, he grabbed her wrist and started walking.
"Hey!—" Sakura protested, trying to pull her hand away. But it didn't even budge.
At first, Sakura kept trying to pull back, but Naruto did not slow down. The crowded streets slowly disappeared behind them. Soon, houses were replaced by trees. They entered the forest on the outskirts of Konoha.
In this forest only Naruto and her is present. Sakura's unease grew with every step.
Eventually, they reached a large, isolated house hidden deep among the trees. Naruto pushed the door wide open and pushed Sakura, making her enter the house.
The moment Naruto released her wrist, Sakura pulled her hand back and rubbed it. Her eyes moved around the place, taking in the size of the house.
The house was far larger than she expected. It can be estimated to have a wide hall, a proper kitchen, two bedrooms, and several storage rooms. It did not look like some abandoned shelter. It looked grand, almost too grand for someone like Naruto.
There were also many old scrolls and scriptures where Sakura was standing.
All she knew was that Naruto had brought her somewhere isolated, far away from everyone else.
Her legs trembled slightly, and Fear rose in her chest.
She knew Naruto was far stronger than her now. After everything that happened in the Land of Waves, Sakura no longer saw him as the loud idiot she used to look down on.
Now, standing alone with him in this hidden place, she felt the difference between them clearly.
"What do you want me to do?" Sakura asked, her voice shaking despite her effort to sound strong. "Are you trying to rape me, by bringing me to an isolated area?"
A heavy silence followed after her words.
Sakura's hands tightened at her sides. She hated that her voice had trembled this much.
"What… is this place?" she asked.
Naruto looked at her without any expression. "Calm down. I own this place."
Sakura scoffed, trying to hide her nervousness behind arrogance.
"HuuuuH, you? An orphan with no parents, owning a grand house like this? Yeah, right."
Naruto's gaze darkened.
For a moment, the air around him seemed to grow heavier.
"It seems you're looking down on me," Naruto said calmly, "even after you begged me to accept you as my disciple."
SLAP
Naruto slapped Sakura's face; it was so hard that his finger-stamp was clearly placed on her cheek.
Sakura stumbled onto the hall ground and she quickly stood up and turned around.
"What?! You dare to slap me!"
In the next moment, Naruto was already behind her.
Naruto forced his hand over Sakura's neck and bent her over his lap while he sat on the chair.
"It seems," Naruto said, his voice low and unwavering, "I need to show you your place."
"SLAP" (a sweat sound from her ass.)
(...To be continued.)