The morning sun filtered through the window as Naruto woke up in bed, stretching and yawning. His body still felt a little sore from the intense battle with Yagura, but he had healed enough to help out around the Mist Village. The memory of the previous day—the cheers of the villagers, the moment of being lifted as a hero—was still fresh in his mind. He couldn't help but smile.

As he got dressed, there was a knock at the door. He opened it to find Chojuro standing there, looking eager but serious.

"Good morning, Naruto," Chojuro greeted him. "Mei-sama has requested your help. There's been word of bandits taking advantage of the chaos. They've been attacking a nearby village and stealing supplies. We're going to head out with my team to stop them."

Naruto nodded, fastening his Hidden Mist headband and adjusting the black and orange kimono Haku had given him. "I'm ready. Let's go."

They set out toward the gates of the village, where Chojuro's team was already waiting. The journey was quiet at first, with the sound of waves crashing in the distance and the occasional seagull flying overhead. The tension was palpable; though the Mist Village had survived Yagura's wrath, the aftermath left vulnerabilities. Bandits would undoubtedly exploit this chaos, preying on those who couldn't defend themselves.

As they moved toward the village under threat, Naruto couldn't help but ask, "So, how bad is it? These bandits… do you think they're organized, or just some thugs looking for an easy target?"

Chojuro frowned slightly. "We're not entirely sure. Reports say they're well-armed, but they've been avoiding large confrontations. They've been targeting the outskirts—small villages that don't have many shinobi or defenses. Mei-sama wants to put a stop to it before things escalate."

Naruto clenched his fists, his resolve strengthening. "Then let's make sure we protect them."

Meanwhile, back in the village, Zabuza and Haku were busy helping the villagers rebuild. Haku was tending to the injured, her gentle hands carefully wrapping bandages around a young villager who had been hurt during Yagura's attack. The villagers, who had once feared Zabuza and Haku, now saw them in a different light. They were no longer viewed as rogue ninjas, but as protectors.

Zabuza, carrying large beams of wood, placed them down near a construction site where villagers were rebuilding homes that had been destroyed. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he glanced over at Haku, who was tending to another injured villager.

"You're doing good work, Haku," Zabuza muttered, though his voice was gruff. He wasn't used to giving compliments, but he felt a sense of pride seeing how far they had come.

Haku smiled warmly. "Thank you, Zabuza-san. It feels good to help."

Back with Naruto and Chojuro's team, they finally arrived at the village under threat. Smoke rose from the distance, and they could see the damage left behind by the bandits. Several houses had been ransacked, and the villagers were in a state of panic.

Chojuro motioned for Naruto and the team to spread out. "We need to find the bandits. They could still be around."

Naruto tried to walk carefully moving through the area, while Chojuro and his team began questioning the remaining villagers. One elderly man shakily pointed toward the hills, where a group of armed figures could be seen retreating into the distance.

"There!" Naruto shouted. "They're trying to escape!"

Chojuro nodded, and the team quickly moved into pursuit. As they ran, Naruto felt a familiar surge of excitement—this was a mission where he could protect those in need, something he had always strived to do. But there was also a sense of unease. These weren't shinobi, but they were dangerous enough to terrorize a village. He needed to end this quickly before more lives were lost.

As they closed in on the bandits, Naruto prepared himself for the confrontation, his eyes sharp and focused.

"Let's finish this."

Naruto and Chojuro stood face-to-face with the towering, buff man wielding a menacing bat covered in sharp blades. His size alone was intimidating, but the air around him crackled with chakra as he prepared to use jutsu. The man's grin widened as he unleashed a combination of fire and earth-style techniques, creating a fiery wave of molten rock that surged toward them.

Chojuro reacted quickly, drawing his sword with precision and stepping in front of Naruto. "Stay back for a moment. I'll handle him!" he shouted.

The buff man swung his bat with incredible force, aiming directly for Chojuro, but the Mist ninja was agile. He ducked under the attack and retaliated with his own water-style jutsu, summoning a torrent of water that doused the man's flames. Chojuro then unleashed a barrage of sharp water needles, forcing the enemy back.

The bandit growled, stomping his foot into the ground and raising a wall of earth between him and Chojuro's attack. "You're not bad, Mist ninja," he sneered. "But I'm going to crush you!"

The battle raged on as Chojuro's swordsmanship matched the brute's powerful swings. Despite his size and strength, the buff man was surprisingly quick, and he combined his earth and fire techniques to keep Chojuro on his toes. The clash of jutsu and steel echoed across the battlefield, the ground scorched and shattered beneath their feet.

Naruto, watching closely, knew it was time to act. He grinned, confident in their teamwork. "Now's my chance!" he thought.

As Chojuro parried another swing of the bat, Naruto shot forward, moving faster than the bandit could react. In a blur of speed, Naruto appeared behind him, charging his Rasengan. "Chojuro, get ready!" Naruto shouted.

The buff man barely had time to turn before Naruto slammed the glowing blue Rasengan into his back, sending him flying forward. The man's eyes widened in shock as the Rasengan's energy overwhelmed him, shattering his defenses. He was knocked to the ground, the bat falling from his grasp.

Chojuro followed up swiftly, using his water jutsu to bind the man's limbs, keeping him pinned. He gave Naruto a grin as they both caught their breath. "Nice timing, Naruto."

Naruto grinned back and held up his hand for a high five. "You too, Chojuro! That was awesome!"

The two slapped hands, sharing a brief moment of celebration as the dust settled around them. The bandit lay unconscious, restrained by Chojuro's water bindings.

After securing the man, Chojuro turned to Naruto. "We should get him back to the Mist Village. Mei-sama will want to question him about the bandits' plans."

Naruto nodded in agreement, looking down at the defeated enemy. "Yeah, and maybe we can find out if they're working with anyone else."

With the buff man restrained, they began their journey back to the Mist Village.

Haku took a deep breath as she sat down at one of the small food stalls in the village, finally taking a moment for herself after a long day of tending to the wounded. She ordered a simple bowl of miso soup and let herself relax, enjoying the warm food. The village around her was still recovering, but the atmosphere felt lighter now that the chaos was settling.

As she sipped her soup, she heard a familiar voice. "Well, if it isn't the one looking after our hero!"

Haku looked up to see Tazuna, the old bridge builder from the Land of Waves, walking toward her with a broad smile. "It's been a while!" he said, sitting down beside her without asking. "I'm proud of that kid, Naruto. You know, the Leaf really messed up by banishing him. Their loss is your gain now."

Haku smiled warmly at the compliment. "Naruto's done so much already. He has a good heart, and he never gives up. I think the Mist Village is lucky to have him."

Tazuna chuckled, clearly pleased with her response. "Lucky is an understatement! That boy's got something special, something they should have appreciated more. The Mist Village will take good care of him, I'm sure. He's earned the respect of so many people already."

Before Haku could respond, she saw Inari and his mother, Tsunami, approaching. Inari waved energetically, running ahead. "Haku-san!" he called out, his face beaming with excitement. "We heard about Naruto! He's amazing!"

Tsunami, catching up behind her son, smiled kindly at Haku. "We're proud of him, too. Naruto saved our village back then, and hearing that he's doing so well makes us all happy."

Haku's heart warmed at the sight of them. It was clear how much Naruto had touched these people's lives, even all the way back during their mission in the Land of Waves. She laughed softly, feeling a sense of joy and pride for Naruto. "He's grown so much since then, and I'm sure he'll keep getting stronger."

Inari nodded eagerly. "I want to be strong like him one day! He's the best!"

Haku smiled and gave the boy a gentle pat on the head. "If you keep working hard, you can be just as strong as Naruto. He never gives up, and neither should you."

Tazuna, Inari, and Tsunami exchanged a few more words of encouragement before saying their goodbyes. Haku waved to them as they left, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude for Naruto's presence in their lives.

As she finished her meal, Haku stood and made her way back to the medic tent where she had been helping the injured. She passed by the bustling village streets, seeing people rebuilding homes, smiling, and moving forward. The air was filled with hope, and Haku felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders—to continue supporting Naruto, Zabuza, and the Mist Village in their efforts to rebuild and protect their people.

Naruto and Chojuro walked through the Mist Village streets after their successful mission, the defeated bandit leader bound and taken away by the Mist ANBU. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow over the village. As they approached the Mizukage's office, Naruto felt a sense of pride but also knew that there was still much to be done.

Inside the Mizukage's office, Mei Terumi stood behind her desk, her eyes sharp as she listened to Chojuro's report. "So, you successfully captured the leader of the bandits causing trouble near the village?" Mei asked, her voice calm but carrying the weight of authority.

Chojuro nodded. "Yes, Mizukage-sama. With Naruto's help, we managed to defeat him. He was a powerful enemy, using both Fire and Earth style jutsu, but Naruto's quick thinking with his Rasengan sealed the victory."

Mei smiled, clearly pleased with the result. "Excellent work, both of you." She turned her attention to the ANBU standing nearby. "Take the prisoner in for questioning. We need to make sure there's no larger plot behind these attacks."

The ANBU nodded and swiftly exited the room with the bandit leader in tow. Once they were gone, Mei turned her focus back to Naruto and Chojuro. "Naruto," she began, her tone now more thoughtful, "you've proven yourself time and time again, but the challenges ahead will only get harder. If we are to keep the peace in the Mist and prevent future threats like this, we need to ensure you're strong enough to face whatever comes."

Naruto listened closely, understanding the weight of her words. He had been through so much already, but he knew that his journey was far from over.

Mei continued, "That's why I'm asking Chojuro to take you under his wing for a while, to help you hone your skills further. His experience and strength as one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist will be invaluable to your growth."

Naruto looked at Chojuro, who nodded in agreement. "I'll do my best, Naruto," Chojuro said. "You've already got a lot of potential, but with more training, we can make sure you're ready for anything."

Naruto grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Alright! I'm all for it. Let's get started as soon as possible!"

Mei smirked at his enthusiasm. "Good. Then I leave you in Chojuro's capable hands. The training grounds should be clear at this time, so you can head there now."

With a respectful bow, Chojuro and Naruto left the Mizukage's office and made their way toward the Mist Village's training grounds. As they walked, Chojuro glanced at Naruto with a smile. "You've already improved a lot since we first met, but now it's time to refine your techniques and prepare you for the more dangerous enemies we'll face. You ready?"

Naruto clenched his fists with determination. "I'm always ready! Let's do this!"

As the sparring session came to a pause, Chojuro sheathed his sword and turned to Naruto, his expression thoughtful. "Naruto, I've noticed you have a natural affinity for wind chakra, which is great. But here in the Mist, water jutsu can be incredibly useful. I want to see if you can harness that as well."

Naruto blinked, intrigued but a little uncertain. "Water jutsu, huh? I haven't really tried it before, but I'm willing to give it a shot!"

Chojuro nodded. "Good. We'll start with something simple, to help you get a feel for controlling water with your chakra." He gestured to a nearby stream that ran through the training grounds, the water flowing gently. "I want you to channel your chakra into your hand and hover it over the surface of the water. Try to connect with the flow and guide it."

Naruto crouched down next to the stream, holding his hand over the water as instructed. He furrowed his brow, focusing hard as he began to push chakra into his palm. The water rippled slightly, reacting to the chakra, but nothing significant happened.

Chojuro observed with a patient smile. "Don't force it. Water is different from wind. It's more about flowing with it, not overpowering it."

Naruto exhaled, calming himself down. He closed his eyes and let his senses connect with the movement of the water, trying to feel its rhythm rather than control it. Slowly, he opened his eyes again and tried once more, his chakra flowing more smoothly into his hand.

This time, the water began to rise up slightly, forming small, controlled ripples. Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "Hey! I think I'm getting it!"

Chojuro smiled, pleased with Naruto's progress. "Good. Keep practicing. Water jutsu is all about balance and flow. If you can master that, you'll be able to combine it with your wind nature to create powerful techniques."

Naruto kept his focus, gradually feeling more in tune with the water as it responded to his chakra. He tried to guide a small stream up into the air, creating a gentle spiral of water. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

"Wow, this is actually pretty cool," Naruto said, grinning as he managed to hold the water spiral for a few seconds before it splashed back into the stream.

"You're doing great," Chojuro encouraged. "Now, imagine using that control in battle—manipulating water around you, turning the environment into an advantage. It might not be your primary nature, but mastering a second chakra nature will make you even stronger."

Naruto nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I get it now. If I can combine wind and water, I'll be even more unpredictable in a fight. Thanks, Chojuro! I'll keep practicing until I can do this like it's second nature."

Chojuro gave Naruto a proud smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing how far you can take it, Naruto. Let's continue with some more exercises to improve your control."

As Zabuza took a break from carrying heavy beams of wood for the village reconstruction, he wiped the sweat from his brow and exhaled heavily, enjoying the brief moment of peace. His brief respite was interrupted when Ao approached him, his serious demeanor signaling something important.

"Zabuza," Ao said, crossing his arms. "The Mizukage needs to speak with you. It's about Naruto."

Zabuza raised an eyebrow. "Naruto, huh? Alright." With a grunt, he pushed himself up from his resting spot, knowing that whatever Mei wanted, it wasn't going to be a simple request.

He followed Ao to Mei's office, where the Mizukage was waiting, a thoughtful expression on her face. As Zabuza entered, Mei greeted him with a nod, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"Zabuza, thank you for coming," Mei began, standing up from her desk and walking over to him. "I wanted to discuss Naruto's progress. He's come a long way, but he still has much more potential to unlock, especially with the Nine-Tails sealed within him. My hope is that one day, Naruto will become a perfect jinchuriki."

Zabuza crossed his arms, already sensing where this conversation was heading. "And you want me to help with that, right?"

Mei smiled slightly. "You know him better than most. Naruto has already shown great promise, but his control and skill with jutsu could be sharper. I want you to train him in areas that Chojuro or myself can't. Your experience with different techniques, especially the more unorthodox methods, might be exactly what Naruto needs."

Zabuza let out a long, tired sigh. "I figured it was something like that. The kid's a handful, and I'm not exactly the 'nurturing' type."

Mei chuckled softly. "No one's asking you to nurture him. Naruto's tough. He needs someone who can push him to his limits. You've seen how much potential he has. Imagine what he could do with better control and discipline."

Zabuza rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about the countless times Naruto had managed to surprise him with his determination and raw strength. As much as he hated to admit it, there was something about Naruto that made Zabuza respect him.

"Fine," Zabuza finally relented. "I'll train the brat, but don't expect me to go easy on him. He's going to regret this, trust me."

Mei smiled, clearly satisfied with his response. "I wouldn't have asked you if I expected anything less. Naruto needs someone who won't hold back. If we can get him to master his tailed beast and improve his combat skills, he'll be an invaluable asset to the village."

Zabuza grunted in agreement. "Alright, I'll start seeing him. I'll make sure the kid is ready, because I'm not going to go easy on him."

As Zabuza turned to leave, he paused at the door and glanced back at Mei. "One more thing. You sure about this whole 'perfect jinchuriki' thing? The Nine-Tails isn't exactly cooperative."

Mei nodded. "I have faith in Naruto. He's already shown that he has the willpower to resist the Nine-Tails' influence. With the right guidance, I believe he can achieve control."

Zabuza shrugged, still skeptical but willing to see how things played out. "We'll see."

Naruto stood in the training ground, gripping a bottle of water, eyes focused as he tried to channel chakra from his body up to his throat. Chojuro watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, giving Naruto space to experiment, though he couldn't help but sigh at what he was witnessing.

Naruto had the bottle to his mouth, guzzling water, then suddenly puffed out his cheeks as he tried to release the water in a burst. But all that came out was a weak spray of regular water. The sight was almost comical, and Chojuro pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Uh, Naruto… that's not how it works," Chojuro said with a tired smile. "You don't need to drink the water. It's about molding chakra and using it to create water from the surrounding moisture. You're just spitting regular water."

Naruto wiped his mouth, his face a bit flushed from embarrassment. "I thought if I drank enough water, I could make it come out like a whole ocean or something," he said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Guess that's not how it works, huh?"

Chojuro chuckled softly. "Not exactly. Water Release requires precise chakra control. You need to pull water from the air, the ground—any moisture around you—and mold it with your chakra. Try it again, but this time focus on your chakra rather than the water from the bottle."

Naruto nodded, determined to get it right.

As Naruto continued his attempts to channel chakra for his water jutsu, spitting small streams of water from his mouth, Zabuza approached with his arms crossed, a stern look on his face. He watched for a few moments, his gaze shifting from Naruto to Chojuro, then back to Naruto.

"What exactly are you doing, brat?" Zabuza asked, his voice gruff but curious. He had noticed the water bottle in Naruto's hand and the feeble jets of water coming from his mouth.

Chojuro, standing next to Naruto, chuckled softly and explained, "Naruto's trying to learn Water Release. He thought drinking water would help him spit it out, but it's more about chakra control."

Zabuza sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know what kind of training you've been doing, but that's not going to get you anywhere. If you want to learn a real Water Release jutsu, I'll teach you one. I know the Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu. It's an advanced technique, but if you're going to learn Water Release, you might as well do it properly."

Naruto's eyes widened with excitement. "Water Dragon Jutsu? That sounds awesome!" He pumped his fist into the air, always eager to learn something new.

Zabuza's face remained serious as he folded his arms. "It's not something you can learn by fooling around with water bottles. It requires precise chakra control and a long string of hand seals. I'll teach you the signs, but you're going to have to work hard to master it."

Just as Zabuza was about to start explaining the hand seals for the jutsu, a sudden poof of smoke erupted in front of Naruto, making him jump back slightly. Out of the cloud of smoke, a familiar toad appeared, croaking loudly as it sat on the ground in front of him.

Naruto blinked in surprise, immediately recognizing the toad. "Gamakichi? What are you doing here?"

"Yo, Naruto," Gamakichi said, his voice a bit more somber than usual. "I've got a message for you."

Naruto sat up fully, his heart sinking. "Huh? I didn't summon you. Did Jiraiya send you?"

Gamakichi nodded. "Yeah, he did. The Leaf Village… they want you back."

Naruto scowled, his fists tightening at his sides. "They banished me, Gamakichi. Why do they want me back now? They didn't care about me before."

The toad looked at him with an apologetic expression. "I don't have all the details, but Jiraiya's been looking for you. He says there are bigger threats coming. He needs you back in the village, and so does Tsunade."

Naruto shook his head, anger bubbling to the surface. "They only care now because they think they need me. After everything, why should I go back? I've made a life here in the Mist."

Gamakichi sighed, hopping closer to Naruto. "Look, I get it. You've been through a lot, and the Leaf didn't treat you right. But Jiraiya isn't giving up. If you don't come back on your own, he's gonna come find you. He knows where you are now."

Naruto felt his stomach twist at the thought. The idea of Jiraiya tracking him down felt like his last bit of control over his own life was slipping away. "So, what? He's just going to drag me back to the Leaf?"

Gamakichi shook his head. "I don't think it's like that. But you know Jiraiya. If he wants to find you, he will."

Naruto clenched his fists, frustration and anger boiling over. "I'm not going back! Not after they threw me out like trash."

Gamakichi looked at him with sympathy, but also with understanding. "I hear ya, Naruto. But just know, Jiraiya's not gonna stop. Whether you want to see him or not, he's coming."

With that, Gamakichi gave Naruto one last nod before disappearing in another puff of smoke, leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts.

Naruto stood there, his fists clenched at his sides, feeling a swirl of frustration and confusion. His thoughts raced as he tried to process what Gamakichi had just told him. The idea of the Leaf Village looking for him—after they had banished him—made his blood boil.

"Why now?" Naruto muttered under his breath, his voice tight with anger. "They didn't want me then. What changed?"

He stared down at the ground, lost in thought, but was soon interrupted by Zabuza's rough voice. "What are you going to do, brat?"

Naruto didn't look up at first, still processing everything. Zabuza's presence, though usually imposing, wasn't the reason for his frustration this time. After a moment, Naruto sighed heavily and finally answered, "I don't know. I don't want to go back… but if Jiraiya finds me, it's going to get complicated."

Zabuza studied Naruto for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he saw the conflict in the young shinobi. He crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby tree. "So, you're stuck between doing what they want and what you want. Typical shinobi dilemma."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "It's not that simple, Zabuza. They kicked me out, made me feel like I didn't belong… Now they want me back? It doesn't sit right with me."

Zabuza gave a low chuckle. "Then don't go. You're strong enough to make your own decisions. You don't have to be their weapon."

Naruto paused at Zabuza's words. The idea of forging his own path had crossed his mind before, but hearing it from someone like Zabuza made it feel more real. He didn't have to be tied to the Leaf. The Mist had become something of a temporary home for him, a place where people were starting to respect him without any preconceived judgments.

But deep down, the bond with Jiraiya still held weight. Despite everything, Jiraiya had been there for him, training him, guiding him, even when the village had turned its back.

Naruto looked away, feeling more torn than ever. "I just don't know, Zabuza. I feel like I need to rest… clear my head."

Zabuza gave him a nod of understanding, his usual gruff demeanor softening slightly. "Go rest. But when you're ready, decide what you want. No one can make that choice for you. Not Jiraiya, not the Leaf Village. Only you."

Naruto gave a small nod in response, appreciating Zabuza's advice, even if it didn't make things any less complicated. "Thanks, Zabuza. I'll figure it out… eventually."

Without another word, Naruto turned and began to walk back toward the place he had been staying with Zabuza and Haku.

At the training grounds Zabuza and Chojuro stood in silence for a moment, watching as the villagers continued their reconstruction efforts in the distance. Zabuza leaned against a tree, arms crossed, while Chojuro was adjusting the straps on his sword.

"So," Zabuza grumbled, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "What do you make of the kid? You think he's ready for what's coming?"

Chojuro took a deep breath before responding. "Naruto… he's strong, no doubt. But mentally, he's going through a lot. You can see it. The burden of being a jinchuriki, being banished from his home—it's weighing on him."

Zabuza grunted in agreement. "He's torn. Doesn't know if he should go back to the Leaf or carve out his own path here. Kid's stuck between two worlds."

Chojuro nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I understand how he feels. Growing up, I never wanted to be a part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Everyone always told me it was this great honor, but to me, it felt more like a curse."

Zabuza raised an eyebrow. "A curse?"

Chojuro looked at the ground, his voice soft but steady. "The sword I wield, Hiramekarei, has a history—a bloody one. The people who came before me, who held this sword, were feared for their strength, but they left a legacy of violence behind them. I didn't want to follow that path. I didn't want to be feared just because of the sword I carried."

He glanced up at Zabuza, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "One day, I realized I had to grow up. I couldn't keep running from my responsibility, from my power. There were people who relied on me—Mei, the villagers, my friends. I had to become stronger, not just for myself, but for them. But that didn't mean I had to walk the same path as the previous swordsmen."

Zabuza remained silent, listening intently as Chojuro continued.

"I decided I would cut my own path, not just follow the footsteps of those who came before me. I'd prove I could be strong without becoming the kind of person who used that strength for destruction." Chojuro's grip on his sword tightened slightly. "Naruto's in a similar place. He's strong, but he doesn't want to be used by anyone—not by the Leaf, not by Jiraiya, and not by the people who cast him out. But eventually, he'll realize what I did—that there's more to strength than just power. He'll have to decide what to do with it."

Zabuza smirked slightly, impressed by Chojuro's words. "You've come a long way, Chojuro. I remember when you were just a scared kid who couldn't even swing that sword properly."

Chojuro chuckled. "Yeah, I've had to learn a lot. But that's the thing about growing up, isn't it? You either learn, or you get left behind."

Zabuza pushed himself off the tree and started walking, motioning for Chojuro to follow him. "Naruto's going to need guidance, especially with the Leaf breathing down his neck. He's stubborn, but if he's going to survive whatever's coming, he'll need more than just raw strength. He needs to figure out his place in this world."

Chojuro nodded as he walked alongside Zabuza. "Yeah, and I think, in time, he'll find it. He's got that same fire inside him, the same drive to protect the people he cares about. It's just a matter of him realizing that strength isn't just about fighting—it's about the choices you make."

Zabuza grunted in agreement. "Let's hope he figures it out before Jiraiya comes knocking."

Later that evening, Haku returned to the house she shared with Naruto and Zabuza, her footsteps light as she entered. She expected to find Naruto still resting after she heard he had left for a mission as she expected him to return but something about the air felt different. There was a heaviness, an unspoken tension lingering in the quiet room.

As Haku walked into the bedroom, she saw Naruto lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His usual energetic aura was missing, replaced with a quiet sadness that made her heart sink. She quietly sat down beside him, her gentle presence enough to draw his attention.

"Naruto… what's wrong?" Haku asked softly, concern etched on her face.

Naruto sighed, glancing at her before turning his gaze back to the ceiling. "One of my summons, the toad Gamakichi—came earlier. He told me that Jiraiya and the Leaf are looking for me. They… they want me to come back."

Haku frowned slightly, her worry deepening. "And how do you feel about that?"

"I don't want to go back," Naruto said firmly, his voice trembling with frustration. "I finally feel comfortable here, in the Mist. I've been training, helping out, and for the first time, I feel like… I have a place. I have friends who care about me." He paused, his eyes flickering over to her. "Like you, Haku."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and for a moment, she was unsure how to respond. Naruto had always been straightforward, but hearing him say that she mattered to him made her feel warm inside.

Naruto continued, his voice quieter now. "I don't want to go back to the Leaf. They banished me. They didn't care, but here… things are different. You're different. You actually care about me."

Haku bit her lip, feeling the weight of what he was saying. She had seen how much Naruto had grown since coming to the Mist, how he had found his strength and his purpose. And she knew she was part of that. But something else had been weighing on her as well—something she had kept hidden for a long time.

There was a moment of hesitation before Haku spoke again, her voice softer. "Naruto… I need to tell you something. Do you remember the first time we met? Back during the mission on the bridge?"

Naruto nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Of course, how could I forget?"

Haku took a deep breath. "Back then… I told you I was a boy. But… that wasn't the truth. I only said it to protect my identity. In reality… I'm a girl."

Naruto blinked in surprise but then gave her a small, understanding smile. "I know."

Haku's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by his response. "You… you knew?"

Naruto chuckled softly. "Yeah. I kind of figured it out after a while. The way you act, the way you talk… it just made sense. But I never said anything because I understood why you lied back then. You were just trying to protect yourself."

Haku felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been so nervous about telling him the truth, fearing that it might change how he saw her. But here Naruto was, completely unfazed, accepting her for who she was without hesitation.

"Thank you, Naruto," Haku whispered, a soft smile crossing her lips.

Naruto smiled back at her, his expression warm. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Haku. You're my friend, and I trust you."

Feeling a sense of closeness she hadn't felt in a long time, Haku reached out and gently grabbed Naruto's hand, squeezing it lightly. "And I trust you too, Naruto. I'm glad you're here."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, simply holding each other's gaze. Haku finally let go of his hand and stood up, her smile returning to its usual brightness. "You stay here and rest. I'll make us something to eat."

Naruto grinned, his mood lightened by their conversation. "Sounds good. I'm starving!"

As Haku walked toward the kitchen, Naruto watched her with a soft smile, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. Despite everything that was going on—the pressure from Jiraiya, the uncertainty about his future—he knew that, at least for now, he had found a place where he belonged.

And as long as Haku was by his side, he felt like he could face anything.