"We'll talk about it later."
Naruto saw the death wish burning in Haku's eyes like a guttering candle, but he wasn't ready to give a definitive answer. He waved his hand dismissively. "Go back to your room. Rest. Recover."
Haku bowed and retreated, his footsteps soft on the wooden floor.
Naruto settled back into the reclining chair, staring up at the sky through the tree branches. His mind turned over the problem like a puzzle with missing pieces.
Haku wanted to die because he believed he was useless. That his purpose—serving Zabuza—had ended with their defeat. The solution, then, was twofold: first, show Haku that life had meaning beyond servitude. Second, convince Zabuza that Haku's existence was valuable, that the quiet life they'd both secretly dreamed about was actually possible.
The second point was easier. Naruto could reason with Zabuza. He was confident the missing-nin would listen, especially since Naruto's "reasoning" tended to be very persuasive when backed by the implicit threat of overwhelming physical force.
Yeah, Naruto thought. Zabuza will definitely listen to my reasoning.
Twenty minutes later, Sasuke came trudging back to Tazuna's house. He immediately began searching the property with the intensity of a bloodhound tracking a scent—checking rooms, peering under furniture, even examining the floorboards for signs of hidden compartments.
Naruto watched him from the recliner with mild amusement.
He's looking for the money, Naruto thought. Good luck with that. If he finds it, I'll be impressed.
Sasuke checked the yard, the storage shed, even climbed up to look in the roof eaves. His expression grew progressively more frustrated with each empty hiding spot discovered.
Naruto said nothing, just reclined in his chair with his eyes half-closed, the picture of innocent relaxation.
Half an hour later, Kakashi and Sakura finally returned from the bridge, their clothes dusty but their expressions relieved.
Tazuna immediately rushed out to meet them. "Kakashi-sensei, how are the workers? Are they all right?"
"They're fine." Kakashi's visible eye crinkled reassuringly. "Everyone's awake now. A few headaches, some bruises, but nothing serious. They should be able to return to work in a day or two."
The tension visibly drained from Tazuna's shoulders. Without workers, the bridge project would collapse. With workers, his income—and reputation—remained secure.
"It's time to eat!"
Tsunami's voice rang out from the kitchen, carrying the particular volume of someone who'd learned to project across construction sites and fishing docks.
"Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, everyone—please, come eat," Tazuna said, gesturing toward the house.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again when Naruto stood and walked past him into the house.
"Tsunami-san," Naruto called ahead, "did you cook all of the wild boar?"
"Every bit of it! And there's plenty of seafood too."
"Naruto-niisan!" Inari appeared at Naruto's side, grabbed his hand, and practically dragged him to the dining table. The boy pulled over a small stool and positioned it right next to Naruto's chair, then climbed up and immediately began serving food onto Naruto's plate.
Naruto eyed the boy's enthusiasm with mild suspicion. This kid. Being courteous for no reason—that's either rape or robbery, as the saying goes.
He knew exactly what Inari wanted. The boy was angling for training, hoping that enough service would convince Naruto to teach him.
Well, that depends on what Tazuna wants. If he agrees, I could accept Inari. Throw him to Sasuke for basic conditioning, or send him directly to the farm to feed pigs for three years. Build character.
Everyone gathered around the table—Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari. The spread was impressive: grilled boar meat, steamed fish, fried squid, clam soup, and several other dishes that made the table groan under their weight.
Naruto noticed two empty seats. "Sasuke, go tell Zabuza and Haku to come eat. Injuries heal faster on a full stomach."
Sasuke had just taken his first bite. He looked at his chopsticks with visible longing, then at Naruto with resignation. Finally, he set the chopsticks down and stood up, trudging toward the guest room like a man walking to his execution.
He stopped at the doorway without entering. "Hey. Naruto says you should come eat."
Then he turned and left immediately, not waiting for a response.
Inside the room, Haku looked at Zabuza questioningly.
Zabuza pushed himself up from the bed with a grunt, his face still swollen to impressive proportions. "Let's go. If Naruto tells us to do something, we do it."
It was simple pragmatism. They were prisoners. They'd do what their captor said and hope for leniency.
Haku helped support him as they made their way to the dining room.
Naruto gestured to two empty seats. Tsunami had already set out bowls and chopsticks for them, her natural hospitality overriding any concerns about the men who'd tried to kill her father.
Tazuna's feelings about the situation were complex, to say the least. He stared at Zabuza's swollen face—the man who'd been hired to assassinate him—now sitting at his dining table, eating his food.
One minute, this guy wanted to kill him. The next minute, they were sharing a meal like old friends.
This world is strange, Tazuna thought. And Naruto is the strangest thing in it.
The meal passed in relative peace, everyone too hungry or too tired to make much conversation.
Afterward, Team Seven lined up to collect their payment from Tazuna.
The bridge builder counted out the additional ryō they'd negotiated after Tazuna's deception had been revealed. This money was theirs to split among themselves—no need to report it to Konoha or pay village taxes.
Everyone's faces lit up with genuine happiness as they received their shares.
Naruto's expression was particularly bright. He'd already looted a fortune from Gato's base, and now this commission on top of it? Nine-Tails was going to be absolutely delighted when he saw the additional funds.
His gaze drifted to Sasuke, who was clutching his portion of the commission with both hands, a rare smile softening his usually stoic expression.
Should I offer to hold onto Sasuke's money for safekeeping? Naruto wondered. He's still underage. Not mature enough to properly manage finances. I'd be doing him a favor, really.
Sasuke's eyes snapped up, meeting Naruto's gaze. Some survival instinct must have triggered, because he immediately hugged the money to his chest and took three steps backward, his expression screaming "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT."
"Tazuna-san," Kakashi said, breaking the moment, "we'll be leaving now. Thank you for your hospitality."
Tazuna nodded, genuine gratitude warming his weathered features. "No, thank you. All of you. Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura—you saved my life. You saved this entire town." He bowed deeply. "We won't forget what you've done."
"I packed some dried seafood for you to take back to Konoha," Tsunami added, holding out a carefully wrapped bundle.
"That's very kind, but—" Kakashi started.
"We're fine, thank you," Sakura finished quickly, her face showing a hint of green at the thought of more seafood. They'd eaten nothing but fish and shellfish for days. The very smell was starting to make her nauseous.
"Naruto-niisan!"
Inari latched onto Naruto's leg with both arms, looking up with pleading eyes. "I want to become a ninja too! Can I come back to Konoha with you? I want to train with you!"
"What?" Tazuna's voice cracked with alarm. "Inari, no! Absolutely not! You're going to inherit my business. That's your future."
His tone left no room for argument. These past few days had shown him exactly how dangerous the ninja profession was. People died. Children got traumatized. Entire lives got destroyed. He wouldn't let his grandson walk that path.
"Inari," Naruto said gently, "listen to your grandfather."
Inari's face fell, disappointment crushing the hope that had been shining in his eyes.
"However," Naruto continued, "I can still be your friend. How about that? From today on, you'll be a friend of someone strong."
The transformation was instantaneous. Disappointment evaporated, replaced by excitement so intense that Inari practically vibrated. "Really? I can really be Naruto-niisan's friend?"
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a look. Both thought the same thing: This foolish boy...
"Of course," Naruto said warmly. "Inari, you'll be my first friend outside the village."
It was true. Between dealing with missing-nin and crime bosses and looting operations, he hadn't actually befriended anyone new on this trip. Inari would be the first.
The boy deserved that honor.
Naruto's fist moved.
WHAM.
The sound echoed across the yard.
Everyone froze.
Kakashi's visible eye went wide as dinner plates. Tazuna made a strangled sound. Tsunami's hand flew to her mouth. Zabuza's fingers unconsciously touched his own swollen face. Haku simply stared in shock.
Naruto beat Inari with methodical precision—one punch to the face, another to the cheek, a third that left the boy's nose bleeding. Within thirty seconds, Inari's face had swollen to match Zabuza's, both eyes puffed nearly shut, his lips split and bleeding.
The boy collapsed to his knees, swaying.
"Naruto!" Kakashi's voice carried genuine horror. "How can you hit a child?!"
He couldn't believe it. Couldn't process what he'd just witnessed. Hitting a child in public, in front of his family, after the boy had asked to be friends—it was insane. It was—
Naruto ignored his sensei completely. Instead, he crouched down to Inari's level, his expression serious and his tone earnest. "Inari, do you understand?"
Inari forced his swollen eyes open—barely managing a crack—and looked at Naruto's handsome face through the narrow gap. Blood dripped from his nose. His head was ringing. Everything hurt.
He nodded slowly. "I understand, Naruto-niisan. You wanted to leave a strong impression on me. To mark this moment so I'd never forget it." His voice was thick, distorted by his swollen lips, but sincere. "Thank you, Naruto-niisan."
"Good boy, Inari." Naruto ruffled the kid's hair with obvious affection. "I can see your sincerity."
Inari smiled—or tried to, given the state of his face. The expression came out more like a grimace, but the happiness behind it was genuine.
Naruto-niisan is so good to me, he thought, his heart swelling with gratitude. If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely go to Konoha to repay him for this kindness.
Sakura and Sasuke slowly raised their hands to their faces, both performing identical facepalms.
This boy was hopeless. Completely, utterly hopeless.
Zabuza unconsciously touched his own swollen face again, a sense of solidarity forming with the beaten child. Welcome to the club, kid. At least you're in good company.
Kakashi stood frozen, his mind struggling to reconcile the Naruto who'd just brutally beaten a seven-year-old with the Naruto who was now gently patting that same child's head like a beloved younger brother.
I don't understand, he thought helplessly. I don't understand any of this.
But Inari was smiling—genuinely smiling—despite the blood and swelling and pain.
And somehow, impossibly, that seemed to be exactly what Naruto had intended.
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