**Chapter 37: An Invitation from Root**
"Here, put this on," Anko said, tossing a Divine Robe she'd somehow acquired at Naruto.
"Untie me! Untie me!" Naruto yelled, his face twisted in annoyance.
"Shut up, brat!" Anko snapped, pulling a kunai from behind her back and twirling it menacingly. Her glare silenced Naruto, who shrank back in fear.
With a flick of the kunai, Anko severed the ropes binding Naruto. "Hurry up and get dressed!" she barked impatiently. "What are you staring at?"
"Big sis, you forgot something important..." Naruto whined, his eyes pleading.
"What's missing? The robe's long enough—no pants needed," Anko retorted smugly.
"The underwear! The underwear!" Naruto mumbled weakly, his gaze fixed on Anko.
"Oh, that thing?" Anko rubbed her temples. "I forgot to buy it. Whatever, just wear the robe home. No one will see what's underneath anyway."
"What?!"
Naruto instinctively let out a shout, then quickly grabbed the Divine Robe and threw it on before leaping out of Anko's window.
He couldn't stay there for another second.
"Tch, that impulsive brat..." Anko muttered to herself as she flopped back onto the bed, her expression complex, lost in thought.
"Haku, open the door! Haku!"
As noon approached, Naruto ran to his house and called out urgently.
*Creak...*
Before Haku could even speak, Naruto grabbed her and whisked her inside.
"Brother Naruto, what's wrong?" Haku asked, her delicate face flushed as she nestled in his arms, looking up at him with concern.
"Nothing, nothing," Naruto said, forcing a smile. "I just wanted to hold you."
"Oh..." Haku nodded obediently, saying no more.
In her heart, Naruto was her everything, her entire world. She would never question his actions, believing everything he did was right.
"Haku, it feels so good to hold you." Naruto wrapped his arms tightly around Haku's soft, warm body, desperately seeking comfort.
"Mm," Haku murmured softly, her voice as gentle and obedient as ever.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Is Uzumaki Naruto here?"
As Naruto lay on the bed, cuddling with Haku, a loud shout startled him slightly. "That unfamiliar voice... who could it be?"
"Brother Naruto, it sounds like someone's looking for you," Haku said, gently nudging Naruto, who had his arms wrapped around her.
"Mm, I know, Haku. Stay here and be good. I'll go check it out."
Naruto settled Haku back onto the bed and glanced at the nearby table where his Kusanagi Sword usually rested.
"What's going on?"
The next moment, Naruto's brow furrowed in concern. The Kusanagi Sword was no longer on the table.
"Haku, have you seen the glowing sword that was on the table?" Naruto asked.
"That sword?" Haku frowned slightly, thinking for a moment before shaking her head in confusion. "It was there before we went to sleep last night. How could it be gone now?"
"No, it's not gone," Naruto immediately countered, shaking his head. He could clearly sense the Kusanagi Sword's presence, as if it were right beside him.
"Kusanagi Sword!"
As Naruto called out, a pale green sword materialized in his hand, radiating a chilling aura yet pulsing with an infinite life force. It was indeed the Kusanagi Sword.
"Dismiss!"
With another command, the sword vanished instantly.
"Haha! I get it now!" Naruto shouted joyfully, pulling Haku close and planting a loud kiss on her cheek.
"Brother Naruto must have mastered the sword's summoning technique," Haku mused, her mind sharp and perceptive. She grasped things instantly, and this revelation only made perfect sense to her.
"Hehe, you're right," Naruto chuckled, stroking Haku's hair. His mood lifted considerably, the lingering shadow from his encounter with Anko fading away.
"Alright, Haku, stay here and be good. I'm heading out now." Naruto swung his legs off the bed, reaching over to ruffle Haku's silky hair.
"Mm, Brother Naruto, be careful on your way," Haku replied, her unchanging words of concern overflowing with unspoken affection.
***
"Are you Uzumaki Naruto?"
As Naruto walked downstairs and opened the door, a masked man stepped forward and asked him.
"That's me," Naruto replied with a slight nod, his tone casual.
"Lord Danzo requests your presence," the man said, gesturing for Naruto to follow. "Please come with me."
"What does that old geezer Danzo want with me?" Naruto wondered aloud, his face showing genuine confusion. "Could he have realized my value so quickly?"
"Alright, lead the way," Naruto said, nodding to the man. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Danzo's invitation? Heh... interesting..."
Following the man to an unfamiliar area, Naruto stepped into a plain-looking building.
There was nothing to worry about. At this point, Naruto was in absolutely no danger.
Simply being the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki was enough to deter Danzo from making any hostile moves against him.
"Lord Danzo is in the inner chamber. Please enter," the man said, turning to face Naruto and gesturing toward the door.
"Hmm," Naruto nodded and pushed the door open without hesitation.
The interior was surprisingly spacious.
Naruto's gaze fell upon an elderly man seated across the room, his right arm and half his face wrapped in white bandages—Danzo.
"Heh heh, Naruto, you've come! Please, take a seat," Danzo said with a warm smile, gesturing invitingly.
*Damn it, that old fox is being so friendly? He's definitely up to no good,* Naruto thought to himself.
.....................
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(End of Chapter)