"..." Haku showed a troubled expression and didn't dare to look at Naruto, as if he had something hard to say.
Naruto knew that Haku was actually a very gentle person. There are thousands of weapons in the ninja world, but the steel needles Haku used were the least efficient for killing. He didn't know how many steel needles it would take to kill a person.
Compared with steel needles, kunai and shuriken were more like killing weapons.
Haku hated killing, so he chose to use steel needles as his weapon. This was the last bit of innocence he retained in this cruel ninja world and also the proof of his stubbornness.
Naruto said in a solemn tone, "I want you all to start a new life in Konoha, but you all have a disgraceful past. Do you think there will be anyone in Konoha opposing your presence?"
"..." Haku, Zabuza, and Karin all remained silent.
"If The Third Hokage doesn't want to see the wanted Rogue Ninjas enter Konoha, then the Hokage can at most only rank second." Naruto said in the most solemn tone, "The one who least wants to see you in Konoha, topping the list, is none other than Tanzo Shimura."
"Tanzo Shimura is our biggest obstacle," Naruto said. "If we don't get rid of him, our family can't be formed."
"Hahaha," Zabuza Momochi laughed heartily. "Naruto, I'm not interested in being your family member, but I've had a few peaceful days in Konoha. If anyone wants to ruin it, I'll just send them to hell."
"Haku," Naruto persuaded. "There are still a few days left until the final round of the Chunin Exams. I hope you practice swordsmanship well. Besides, Zabuza himself is a master with the sword."
"..." Haku's heart was still in resistance.
Naruto sighed. He could only give Haku some time to think it over. Then Naruto left the house with Karin.
Karin followed Naruto, feeling extremely uneasy. She felt that Naruto was about the same age as her, but she could never see through him.
Walking on the bustling Commercial Street of Konoha Village, Karin's inner uneasiness was swept away. She pulled Naruto around to browse the stalls.
"Octopus balls, just out of the oven!" A stall owner was shouting.
"Wow—" Karin's eyes sparkled with stars as she stared straight at the steaming octopus balls.
Naruto directly handed over the money and said, "Boss, one serving of octopus balls, please."
"Sure, sir. Here are your octopus balls!" The stall owner packed a serving of octopus balls and handed them to Karin. Karin happily took them.
Tasting the delicious flavor, Karin's tense nerves relaxed. Kusagakure Village is a very poor place. It can't compare with the prosperity of the Land of Fire, and it doesn't even have a decent commercial street. Every day is filled with fear.
Naruto thought to himself: I'll still need Karin's help in my future training. Consider this as the payment for her work.
"However, I must stay vigilant," Naruto whispered. "If Hinata sees this, I'm afraid even the Great Waterfall Technique won't be able to clear up the misunderstanding. If Hinata gets the wrong idea, I'm done for!"
Naruto continued to take Karin shopping. The main purpose was to let Karin experience the goodness of Konoha Village and help her integrate into it as soon as possible.
At this moment, several Ninja were lurking in the shadows of the street, seemingly observing Karin secretly.
"Tsk, here they come," Naruto noticed these people and knew they were all Ninja from Kusagakure Village.
After Karin went missing, the people from Kusagakure Village would surely notice. Since Karin was valuable, they didn't want to lose her. And now, they had come looking for her.
The Ninja from Kusagakure Village, noticing that Karin was with Naruto, found Naruto an obstacle and decided to distract him first and then kidnap Karin.
"Transformation Jutsu," said the Ninja from Kusagakure Village as they transformed into the appearance of Kakashi, planning to use Kakashi's looks to deceive Naruto away.
Kakashi being Naruto's teacher was no secret, so it was easy for the Ninja from Kusagakure Village to obtain this information.
"Naruto, why are you still here? Come with me to the back mountain for training," said the fake Kakashi played by the Ninja from Kusagakure Village as he stepped forward.
Naruto gave him a look as if he were looking at a fool and thought to himself, "Since Sasuke got the Cursed Seal, Kakashi has been staying by Sasuke's side. He's probably teaching Sasuke to practice the Lightning Release Chidori right now. How could he appear in front of me..."
"Teacher Kakashi," Naruto pretended and said, "Where have you been? I've been looking for you for a long time. I was hoping you could teach me some new Ninjutsu."
"Let's go practice new Ninjutsu right away."
"Yeah, finally I can learn new Ninjutsu!" Naruto exclaimed cheerfully.
The fake Kakashi played by the Ninja from Kusagakure Village thought to himself, "Piece of cake. He's fallen for it..."
The fake Kakashi turned around and walked away. Naruto followed him. At the same time, Naruto secretly formed Hand Seals and created a Shadow Clone in an inconspicuous corner. Then he quickly switched places with the Shadow Clone.
While the fake Kakashi was being followed away by Naruto's Shadow Clone, Naruto's real body lurked.
Karin was still lingering around the stalls. Just when she was lost in the mood, other Ninja from Kusagakure Village rushed out, quickly grabbed Karin, and disappeared on the street in an instant. No one among the passers-by noticed the disappearance of a young girl.
"Tsk," Naruto witnessed the whole scene and quickly chased after them.
The Ninja from Kusagakure Village brought Karin to a secluded rural house. There were at least twenty people there, all Ninja from Kusagakure Village.
Karin was thrown roughly to the ground, dirtying her newly bought clothes.
At this time, a Chunin from Kusagakure Village, a bulky man with arms as thick as barrels, stepped forward. He grabbed Karin's hair and said, "Where have you been these days? Some of us were injured in the Chunin Exams, and we've been waiting for you to treat them!"
"Go and treat them right away!" The Chunin from Kusagakure Village kicked Karin viciously.
Karin was full of fear and didn't dare to disobey them. She obediently walked into the courtyard and skillfully rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair and slender arms.
A severely injured Genin from Kusagakure Village unceremoniously bit Karin's arm and greedily sucked her Chakra. His previously listless spirit became invigorated. The force of his bite kept increasing, and the severely injured Genin actually fully recovered in a short time.
"I'm alive again!"
The Genin from Kusagakure Village was extremely agitated. Without thanking Karin, he gave her a glare and said, "There are other wounded over there. Go quickly and don't waste time."
Just then, the Konoha Village Forehead Protector that Naruto gave to Karin dropped with a loud clatter.
"Why do you have a Konoha Village Forehead Protector?" the Chunin from Kusagakure Village said expressionlessly. "Have you betrayed us?"
At this time, Karin recalled what Naruto had said: Konoha Village is your home from now on, and I'm your family. From now on, no one will dare to bully you!
Karin tightly held the Konoha Village Forehead Protector. She was scared of these Kusagakure Village people in front of her and remembered that her mother was bitten to death by them.
"Why do you have a Konoha Village Forehead Protector? What do you mean by wearing this?"
Karin, who had endured for so long, finally exploded and said, "I'm from Konoha Village!"
"What!" the Chunin from Kusagakure Village roared. "You're asking for death!"
"It's you who are asking for death!" Naruto Uzumaki suddenly materialized out of thin air, and no one noticed when Naruto arrived. Naruto said to Karin, "You did great. Leave the rest to me."
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