The next morning, Naruto glanced down at Karin, who was curled up like a kitten in his arms, sleeping peacefully. He smiled helplessly.
"Last night, no matter what I said, she insisted on sleeping beside me."
Maybe it's because she's been alone for so long. Now that she finally has someone to rely on… she's scared of losing it.
---
Uzumaki Karin: "Damn it… what kind of description is that? Who are you calling a kitten?!"
Kizuki: "Hahaha! A little red kitten—actually, not bad! I think that suits you quite well!"
Uzumaki Karin: "You bastard! You've been contradicting me all morning. Do you want to die?!"
Suigetsu Hozuki: "I don't know why, but seeing you annoyed really makes me happy!"
Uzumaki Karin: "..."
---
Meanwhile, Naruto continued refining the chakra within his body, waiting for Karin to wake up. Training had become a part of his daily routine—something he did instinctively every day.
Soon after, Karin stirred and slowly opened her eyes. At that moment, Naruto also opened his own.
"Let's go," he said with a smile. "I'm taking you to eat something delicious today!"
"Really…? Are you serious?"
Before she could process what was happening, Naruto had already grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
Unlike Hinata's delicate hands, Karin's were slightly rough. It was a subtle sign of her difficult childhood, a life that lacked care and comfort. Yet despite this, Karin liked the feeling of Naruto's large hand around hers. She clasped it tightly in return.
"This is a three-color dango," Naruto said as they arrived at a small food stall. "It's a local specialty—lots of people in Konoha love it."
They were seated near the entrance of the dango shop. Since Naruto's recent accomplishments—especially saving the Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru, in public—his reputation among the villagers had significantly improved. People no longer looked at him with disgust or suspicion.
Karin held a skewer of meatballs, her eyes gleaming with joy.
She had never felt so happy… or eaten anything so delicious in her life.
---
Yamanaka Ino: "Wow, Naruto in that world is surprisingly thoughtful!"
Uzumaki Kushina: "Ah… I never expected the proud Uzumaki clan to fall to this level…"
Kisame: "Mr. Itachi, if I remember correctly, we passed by that shop last time, right? You were eyeing those meatballs, weren't you?"
Uchiha Itachi: "I was in Konoha for matters related to Sasuke. I didn't go there for meatballs."
Kisame: "Got it, got it, Itachi-san! Still, those three-color balls are amazing!"
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
---
The rest of the day was filled with laughter and simple joys. Naruto accompanied Karin all around Konoha. They visited parks, strolled along narrow alleys, and even fed the birds near the lake. Uzuki Yugao, stationed nearby on surveillance duty, followed them in silence.
Yet even from the shadows, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the warm and innocent moments between Naruto and Karin.
It's been so long since Hayate and I went on a proper date…
As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, its golden light reflected gently on Naruto and Karin's faces.
Karin, perhaps sensing what was to come, finally broke the silence.
"Naruto… should I leave?"
Naruto looked at her, slightly surprised.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan, Karin was naturally sensitive to chakra. She had already noticed that not only was Uzuki Yugao monitoring them from the shadows, but others had been secretly watching as well.
"No matter where I go… someone will always be coveting us Uzumaki," she said, her voice low.
Naruto smiled softly.
"You misunderstood. I was actually planning to ask you to leave temporarily."
"Temporarily?" she asked, eyes wide.
"Yes. But just for a short time," Naruto assured her. "Trust me."
"Because… I'm about to do something very important."
Karin could see the seriousness in his eyes. He wasn't lying. Whatever he was planning, it wasn't ordinary.
"Alright… but before I go, can I buy some perfume?" she asked shyly.
"Perfume?"
"Mm-hmm! Sister Yugao told me all about it yesterday. I want to try some too."
Naruto looked at her for a moment. She was still growing and maturing. Even if she wore perfume, she wouldn't have the same allure as someone like Yugao. But seeing her so enthusiastic, he didn't think too much about it.
Besides, he had plenty of money now—he had gotten a huge sum from Cardo. He handed Karin a pouch filled with enough cash to last her lavishly for a whole year.
"Buy your perfume, then leave the village quickly," he instructed. "I'll come find you when the time is right."
He gently placed his hand on her head. A stream of red chakra flowed from his palm into her body.
Karin instantly felt a surge of power—it was as though she'd become dozens of times stronger.
"This is Nine Tails' chakra," Naruto said. "It'll protect you, and let me sense if you're safe."
Karin's eyes welled up with emotion. Overcome with gratitude, she leaned in and kissed Naruto on the cheek.
---
Hatake Kakashi: "Whoa, another girl kissed Naruto!"
Haruno Sakura: "Another rival appears!"
Yamanaka Ino: "Karin's not bad… as long as it's not Sakura, I'm fine with it."
Tenten: "Hey! What about me? When will it be my turn?!"
---
Moonlight Hayate: "Xiyan… cough cough… Xiyan…"
Uzuki Yugao: "What is it, Hayate?"
Moonlight Hayate looked down in sadness.
But what could he say?
This version of Yugao wasn't the one from his world. And besides, he was already dead in that world… killed by a mere Sand ninja.
He could only blame himself for being too weak.
---
After Karin left, Naruto sensed the lingering presence of several Anbu still tailing him.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, several pre-arranged shadow clones sprang into action, surrounding the Jōnin in an instant.
Each of the clones radiated red Nine Tails chakra. And in their hands—Chidori, Rasengan, and Rasenshuriken shimmered with deadly energy.
Naruto narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "So, what now? Are you going to fight me? Or do you want to test the Nine Tails' power?"
The Anbu exchanged uneasy glances.
They weren't frontline combatants. Most of them had been promoted for their superior reconnaissance and stealth skills, not battle strength.
Although Naruto was just a Genin, they knew how dangerous he could be—especially now that he had full control over the Nine Tails' chakra. And those jutsu in the hands of his clones? They weren't just flashy—they were lethal.
"…Retreat. Report back to the Hokage," the lead Anbu ordered.
The others let out silent sighs of relief.
They weren't foolish enough to fight this boy—this beast—in human form.
After the Anbu left, Uzuki Yugao stepped out from the shadows. Her sharp eyes met Naruto's, her voice hesitant but steady.
"Naruto… what exactly are you planning?"
Naruto looked at her and smiled.
"Well, Sister Yugao, speaking of which… I actually have a favor to ask."
"???"
Seeing that mysterious smile on Naruto's face, Yugao's heartbeat suddenly quickened.
Wait a minute… could it be…?
---
Moonlight Hayate: "…"
---
To be continued….
---