[SORYY FRIENDS, A LOT THINGS HAPPENED WITH MY HEALTH IN THE PAST MONTH...AS I GONE TO HOSPITAL FOR MY SPINE AND PELVIC BONE RELATED ISSUE. NOW..I AM STILL RECOVERING. I WILL PLACE CHAPTERS AGAIN DAILY.....]
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Naruto was completely unaware of the tension around him.
He slept soundly, as if the chaos on the bridge had nothing to do with him.
Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Tazuna, and Haku exchanged glances.
The atmosphere was strange.
Haku's presence was the main reason.
No one knew why he had suddenly sided with Naruto. No one knew what had happened inside the ice sphere. And no one fully trusted him.
Sasuke looked directly at Haku.
"Who are you?"
Haku answered softly.
"My name is Haku. I am a loyal servant of Naruto."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"I've known Naruto since he was a kid, and I don't remember him ever hanging out with you."
Sasuke and Sakura both nodded.
The doubt on their faces was clear.
Haku remained calm.
"You can ask Naruto when he wakes up. He will vouch for me."
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who was still asleep.
Then he looked back at Haku.
"For now, let's all rest at Tazuna's house. I'll keep an eye on him. You two take rest. We'll depart once Naruto recovers."
After that, the group returned to Tazuna's house.
Kakashi carried Naruto carefully on his shoulder. Haku followed with his hands bound by rope, his face calm despite the treatment.
The tension did not disappear, but no one had the energy to continue arguing.
Night came quickly.
For a while, the house fell into a quiet peace.
Hours passed.
Naruto's body slowly recovered.
Kurama's chakra and the strong healing power of the Uzumaki bloodline worked inside him. His damaged body healed, and his exhausted energy began to return.
Late at night, Naruto's eyes opened.
He stayed still for a moment, looking around the room.
Then his gaze sharpened.
The Executioner's Blade was not near him.
His heart skipped for a second.
The weapon he wanted was gone.
Naruto slowly sat up and looked around.
He searched the room first.
Then he checked the corners, the walls, the shelves, and every place where someone might have hidden it.
Nothing.
There was no sign of the sword.
Naruto quietly stepped out of his room.
In the main room, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were sleeping deeply.
Haku was resting in the corner with his hands and legs tied with rope. Even then, his face was calm, as if being restrained did not bother him at all.
A small puppy sat near Haku, curled up quietly.
Naruto's gaze moved to Haku.
'Haku is calm even in rough situations. It seems he is used to this kind of life.'
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Naruto's mouth.
'Looks like I made the right choice by making him my servant.'
Then his eyes shifted to the puppy.
'What is this puppy doing here?'
Naruto looked at it for a moment, then ignored it.
'Well, whatever.'
His gaze moved toward Kakashi.
For a second, Naruto thought about asking him where the sword was.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
'No. The chance of him telling me is fifty-fifty. He might also become suspicious of me. My demonic chakra, my behavior, Haku calling me master, and now asking about that sword... it is better not to bring it up with him.'
Then Naruto glanced at Sasuke.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'Ask Sasuke? That is the last thing I will do. After I made him kneel before me, he will never tell me anything. The chance of him helping me is zero.'
His gaze moved back to Haku.
For a moment, he considered asking him.
But he stopped that thought too.
'No. If I ask Haku, the others will become even more suspicious of our relationship. They already don't trust him. For my made-up story to hold, I can't be seen interacting with him too much. Not for now.'
Finally, Naruto's eyes landed on Sakura.
'It seems my last bet is Sakura. Let's get this over with.'
Naruto approached her quietly, making sure not to wake anyone else.
Sakura was lying on her side, sleeping peacefully. Her face looked calm, completely different from the tense expression she had shown on the bridge.
Naruto looked at her for a moment.
'For a shinobi her age, she is quite beautiful.'
Then he lowered his hand and gently tapped her shoulder.
"Hey, Sakura," he whispered. "Wake up."
She did not respond.
Naruto tapped her again, a little firmer this time.
"Sakura... Sakura, wake up."
Sakura slowly stirred.
Her eyes blinked open.
The moment she saw Naruto's face close to hers, she froze.
Her mouth opened in shock.
"A—"
Before she could scream, Naruto quickly covered her mouth with his hand.
"Shhh," he whispered urgently.
Sakura's eyes widened.
Her body became tense, and confusion filled her face. She tried to speak, but her voice came out muffled against his hand.
"Mmmm..."
Naruto leaned a little closer and kept his voice low.
"Don't shout. I just need to ask you something."
Sakura stared at him, still shocked and confused.
But neither of them noticed one thing.
Someone was watching the whole scene.
(To Be Continued...)