The Only Place You Can Make a Home Is Konoha

"Once, we were enemies. Why did you hire me?" Zabuza Momochi asked. The question had puzzled him for days and nights, and he simply could not figure it out.

"Didn't I say so?" Naruto explained. "You're incredibly conscientious workers—no, incredibly conscientious ninja. That Kado is utterly unscrupulous and a terrible person. You took Kado's money and worked hard for someone like him. That alone was enough to make me like you."

"Oh! That's all?" Zabuza Momochi said. "Aren't you afraid that if someone offers us a higher price, we'll cut off your head? I am Zabuza of the Demon!"

"Because I can offer the highest price that no one else can afford!" Naruto said proudly. "I can give you a home!"

Zabuza Momochi and Haku were both greatly shocked!

Zabuza Momochi was a rogue ninja from Rain Village, listed as Rain Village's most wanted fugitive. No matter where he fled, he would be hunted down, with no day of peace in sight.

Haku was a homeless orphan. Wandering the streets, he happened to meet Zabuza Momochi, another soul adrift in the world. The two had traveled together ever since, and Haku followed Zabuza down a bloodstained, unsettled road.

"Hahaha." Zabuza Momochi shook his head and said mockingly, "So what you mean is that you want to recruit us? You've got some nerve. I don't even know how many arrogant heads like yours my Executioner's Blade has taken."

"Not recruit—take in." Naruto said, "What does Rain Village amount to? They may dare hunt you across the world, but they would never dare enter Konoha Village. Only in Konoha Village can you live in peace."

"Only in Konoha Village can you finally stop and rest."

Zabuza Momochi was moved. "What makes you think I'd agree?"

"Because you were willing to risk your life for Kado." Naruto said. "For money, you were willing to work for Kado. What you really need isn't money, but a stable, safe home. You want to use money to flee somewhere without ninja."

"But no such place can exist in this world. Only Konoha Village, a village full of ninja, can bring you peace. The only place where you can settle down and make a life is—Konoha."

"..." Zabuza Momochi fell silent.

"..." Haku was silent as well. When he looked at Naruto, a strange light appeared in his eyes.

"You're only a Genin. Even if you stand out in the Chunin Ninja Exams, you'll only become a Chunin." Zabuza Momochi said skeptically, "What makes you think Konoha Village will protect us?"

"Because I'll become the future Hokage." Naruto said. "I'm definitely going to be Hokage. Whether I can become Hokage will also require your help. Once I become Hokage, I'll make the rules of this village."

Haku broke into a happy smile.

"Hahahaha!" Zabuza Momochi laughed wildly. "I must be insane, listening to a Genin brat spout nonsense."

"Either way, you won't lose out." Naruto said. "While I employ you, not a single cent will be missing. I'll let you see the day I become Hokage."

"Remember this. Before I become Hokage, you must keep your identities hidden and make sure no one notices you. Once I become Hokage, you'll be able to live openly in Konoha Village."

Naruto left the forest, leaving Zabuza Momochi and Haku standing there in the wind. Haku looked eagerly at Zabuza, and after thinking for a long time, Zabuza, whose heart was as hard as steel, said, "Haku, how about we trust that kid just this once?"

"Mm." Haku nodded happily.

Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha when Sasuke and Sakura ran over. Sakura said, "Naruto, where did you run off to? We've been looking for you forever."

"I was looking for you too, but I couldn't find you anywhere." Naruto said bitterly. "I was even worried you'd gotten lost."

With a loud thud, Sakura's iron fist landed on Naruto's head. She snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? Sasuke and I clearly went to find Kakashi-sensei and learned the time and location of the next exam. You were the only one who disappeared without a trace."

Naruto clutched his head and squatted on the ground. A real man doesn't fight with women. With how unreasonable Sakura is, who besides that idiot Sasuke would want her...? Compared to my Hinata, she's nowhere close...

Some time later, the many Genin examinees gathered in the wilderness. The chief examiner for the second test, Anko Mitarashi, had been waiting there early. Once everyone had arrived, she began announcing the exam rules.

The sky rang with the cries of vultures. The towering mountains around them echoed with the roars of wild beasts. Insects fell silent, birds lost their voices—everything proclaimed the danger of this place.

"This place gives me the creeps." After staying there for a while, Sakura felt goosebumps rise all over her body.

"That's right. This place is called the Forest of Death. You'll experience it for yourselves." Anko Mitarashi said with a smile. "You'll personally learn what wilderness survival is." Anko Mitarashi had a voluptuous figure, and as she spoke and laughed, her ample curves trembled along with her.

Naruto immediately began imitating her posture. "That's right. This place is called the Forest of Death. You'll experience it for yourselves. You'll personally learn what wilderness survival is."

As he spoke, Naruto struck coquettish poses. From the look of him, he seemed to be mocking Anko Mitarashi, the chief examiner.

"..." Sakura froze. Naruto has way too much nerve. Is he not afraid of dying...?

Sure enough, a sharp kunai came flying toward Naruto. Naruto sprang up with the motion, startling even Anko Mitarashi.

The kunai grazed directly beneath Naruto's ribs, tearing through his clothes and leaving a long cut along his side. Blood immediately began to flow.

Is he an idiot?! Anko Mitarashi cried inwardly. The kunai I threw was only meant to scare him. It was supposed to pass by his face and leave, at most, a small cut on his cheek. He actually jumped up to meet it himself. Is he trying to use my hand to kill himself...?

The kunai that had grazed Naruto's side did not stop. It flew straight toward a ninja standing some distance away.

Before everyone's astonished eyes, that ninja suddenly extended a meter-long tongue and caught the kunai firmly with it.

Naruto glanced back. Tch, even Anko's kunai couldn't do anything to him? I deliberately provoked Anko so she'd throw a kunai, then used my body to alter its trajectory. I wanted to test him... I didn't expect him to neutralize it so easily. As expected of Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Legendary Three Ninja...

Naruto's injury was minor; only the skin beneath his ribs had been cut. This time, Anko Mitarashi was truly angry. She felt that this examinee had deliberately come looking for trouble.