Naruto rolled the name around in his mind, testing it for logic or hidden meanings. Finding none, he nodded with approval. "Born in Konoha, so it should definitely be called Midori. From now on, that's your name."
He crouched down beside the nursing calf, his expression softening. "Grow up strong, Midori."
The calf's legs wobbled at the sound of Naruto's voice. She nearly toppled over before catching herself, her small hooves scraping against the ground.
Haku watched the scene with a complexity of emotions warring across his delicate features. His gaze moved between the fragile calf and Naruto, who was observing the nursing process with such genuine care.
He arranged all of this for me, Haku realized. Every bit of it.
He'd seen Midori's frail body, seen how close she'd come to dying. But he'd also seen her desperate struggle to stand, that fierce will to survive against impossible odds.
And he'd wanted to give up his own life. To just let go and fade away.
Shame and something else—something that might have been hope—stirred in Haku's chest. The desire for death that had felt so absolute minutes ago now wavered, flickering like a candle in wind.
"Haku." Naruto stood and took a few steps away from the calf. "Come here. I want to tell you something."
Haku looked at Midori one more time, then followed.
Zabuza watched Haku walk away with Naruto, his mind churning through possibilities. Looking at this situation, Naruto doesn't plan to kill us. Which means... maybe my dream isn't dead after all. Maybe there's still a way forward.
Naruto stopped under a large tree, its branches spreading overhead to create dappled shade.
Haku stopped beside him and waited.
"Haku, you named Midori. So you should stay here and take care of her." Naruto's voice was casual, but his eyes were intent. "The pigs, cows, and sheep here—they're all pretty cute. You'd like them."
Haku's mouth opened, but no words came out.
"Didn't you say you wanted to live a peaceful life? You and Zabuza together?" Naruto gestured around them at the rolling pastures, the distant mountains, the clear sky. "There are beautiful mountains and rivers here. No one to disturb you. I think you'll like this place."
He leaned against the tree trunk, projecting confidence. "As for the problem of being a Kirigakure missing-nin—I'll handle that. With my strength, Kirigakure's hunter-nin won't be able to set foot here. Not even close." He paused, then added, "And don't worry about money. You won't be living without income. You'll help manage the farm, and I'll pay you a salary every month."
It was a complete package, presented with the kind of certainty that made it feel inevitable.
Haku raised his eyes to meet Naruto's, and for a moment, genuine longing flickered across his face. Then reality reasserted itself, and he lowered his gaze. "But... Zabuza-sama won't stay here quietly. He has ambitions, goals. He won't give them up."
Oh. Naruto felt excitement surge through him. As long as you agree, that's all that matters. Zabuza is a minor detail.
"Do you want to live here?" Naruto asked bluntly. "If you do, just nod. The Zabuza part—I'll handle that."
Haku followed his heart and nodded before he could second-guess himself. But doubt crept in immediately. "Are you really sure you can convince Zabuza-sama to stay?"
"Don't worry about it, Haku." Naruto's smile was bright and reassuring. "Go back and wait. I'll talk to Zabuza. Trust me—he'll love this place. After all, there's no fighting here, no danger. It's everything you both wanted."
Isn't that why ninja build villages in the first place? For peace?
Haku studied Naruto's face for a long moment, then turned and walked back toward where Zabuza waited.
Zabuza saw the complex expression on Haku's face and felt alarm bells ringing in his head. What did Naruto say to him?
"Zabuza-sama," Haku said quietly, "Naruto wants to speak with you."
Zabuza's mind raced. Separate interrogations? What did Haku tell him? What am I supposed to say? How do I avoid getting beaten?
As he passed Haku, he leaned in and whispered urgently, "Do we need to get our stories straight?"
Haku shook his head.
That made Zabuza even more nervous. He caught Naruto looking at him from across the pasture and felt his legs move automatically, carrying him forward whether he wanted them to or not.
"Zabuza, you're here." Naruto's smile was friendly. Warm, even.
Which only made Zabuza more suspicious. He raised both hands in immediate surrender. "Naruto, you don't need to ask—I'll tell you everything! The whole mission, from start to finish—"
He launched into a detailed explanation: Gato's contract, the original plan, every decision point along the way, holding nothing back.
Naruto listened with growing confusion. I don't care about any of this. Why is he telling me this?
He raised one hand to interrupt.
Zabuza saw the hand coming up and immediately dropped into a defensive crouch, covering his face with both arms. "Don't hit me! Everything I said is true! If you're going to hit me, please—not the face!"
My face just healed, he thought desperately. I can't go back to looking like a purple balloon again.
Naruto stared at the 1.8-meter-tall man trembling in front of him and felt a headache forming. I'm not going to hit you. And you definitely don't look like someone who fought the Fourth Mizukage and lived to tell about it.
Still, he didn't correct the assumption. He simply lowered his hand and said, "Zabuza, I'm not interested in your mission details. But you know that right now, you're my captive. Your life is in my hands."
Zabuza nodded miserably.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you." Naruto's tone became reassuring. "You never actually tried to kill us during the mission. So I don't intend to kill you either."
Zabuza's eyes lit up. So there's still a chance! I could still overthrow Yagura, still change Kirigakure—
"From now on," Naruto continued, "you and Haku will stay here and help me manage the farm. Don't worry—you won't be working for free. I'll give you a generous salary every month."
Zabuza's hope shattered. He leaped to his feet, all caution forgotten. "Absolutely not! Naruto, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that request! If you want me to stay here farming, you might as well kill me right now!"
Stay here? Tending cattle and sheep? His mind rebelled at the very concept. The stars and seas are out there! That's the dream of a man like me!
"What did you say?" Naruto's voice went very quiet. He clenched his fists, and his knuckles made distinct cracking sounds. The smile never left his face. "Say that again, Zabuza. I don't think I heard you correctly."
Zabuza froze.
His survival instincts, honed over decades of combat, screamed at him to shut up. Immediately.
"I said," he replied carefully, his tone doing a complete reversal, "this place is wonderful. Thank you, Naruto-kun, for giving me this opportunity. The job pays well, there's no danger—I'm very grateful. I'll take excellent care of the farm. I guarantee I'll double the number of cattle and sheep within a year."
Naruto lowered his fist, the smile becoming genuine. See? I knew Zabuza was reasonable. He just needed the right approach. Logic and persuasion—that's all it takes.
Well-founded reasoning and convincing arguments!
"Great! I'm glad we understand each other, Zabuza. Come on, let's go tell Haku the good news."
Naruto walked back toward where Haku waited.
Zabuza followed with his shoulders slumped, defeat written in every line of his body. What choice do I have? I can't beat him. If I stay in his good graces, at least I'm alive. Those who understand the times are true heroes. Keep the green mountain, and you won't lack firewood to burn.
"Haku!" Naruto's voice carried across the pasture. "Zabuza agreed to stay!"
Surprise flashed across Haku's delicate features. He looked at Zabuza with questioning eyes.
Zabuza met his gaze and managed a wry smile. "Yes, Haku. I agreed with Naruto's... reasoning. So from now on, we'll stay here peacefully and take care of these lovely animals."
His emphasis on "reasoning" made the actual nature of the negotiation clear.
"You two can build a residence anywhere on the farm," Naruto said cheerfully. "If you need help with construction or supplies, just let us know. We'll get you set up properly."
He turned and walked away, Nine-Tails still perched on his shoulder, leaving Zabuza and Haku alone to talk.
As soon as Naruto was out of earshot, Zabuza let out a long, heavy sigh.
The sound carried layers of meaning—resignation, frustration, and a touch of genuine fear about what his life had become.
Haku looked at his master with concern. "Zabuza-sama, isn't it your dream to one day return to Kirigakure? To overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's rule?"
"What good is a dream when you're dead?" Zabuza's voice was bitter.
"I think," Haku said carefully, "this could actually be an opportunity."
Zabuza's head snapped up, his visible eye narrowing. "What do you mean?"
"Zabuza-sama, what do you think of Naruto-kun's strength?"
Zabuza didn't hesitate. The memories were too fresh—the transformation, the Thousand Buddhas technique that had annihilated dozens of armed men in seconds, the casual way Naruto had ended Gato's life.
"Stronger than Yagura," he said quietly. "Much stronger."
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