Originally, based on Third's considerations, we planned to arrange a stable and safe place for Karin.
Perhaps it is taken care of by a trustworthy clan woman, or it may be placed in a relatively independent Guest Room, and immediately arranged for secret protection by ANBU or reliable Ninja.
After all, Karin's identity is sensitive and she has just escaped from danger. She needs professional comfort and isolation observation to prevent Kusagakure from causing trouble again and prevent her from becoming more uneasy due to her sudden arrival in a strange environment.
However, when Third tried to gently propose this arrangement, Karin's reaction was extremely violent.
Like a frightened little animal, she clenched Naruto's hand even harder, and her thin body almost completely hid behind Naruto, leaving only half of her face and her eyes filled with fear and resistance exposed.
She shook her head desperately and pursed her lips tightly. Although she didn't speak, her gesture said everything.
She's not going anywhere, she's just willing to follow Naruto.
Naruto felt her fear and dependence and immediately spoke, "Grandpa Third, Karin just came here and is still very unfamiliar with Konoha.
Let her live with me first. Although my place is small, it is very safe. Uncle Inoichi is also there.
I will take good care of her."
Seeing Karin's complete dependence on Naruto, almost like a fledgling recognizing its kin, and the unquestionable protection in Naruto's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in his heart.
He understood that for this child who grew up with malice and bullying, Naruto, who was the first to lend a helping hand to her and had the same name as Young Naruto, was her only psychological support and source of security at the moment.
Forcing them to separate may cause secondary harm to her and aggravate her anxiety.
Whatever.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, finally nodded, and compromised. "In that case... Naruto, Karin will ask you to take care of her first. Make sure to ensure her safety, and report to me immediately if there is any situation."
He looked at Karin again, and his tone was particularly kind. "Son, you follow Naruto first. That is your home, and you can live there with peace of mind.
If you need anything or are not used to it, just tell Naruto or me, you know?"
Karin was slightly relieved. Although he was still close to Naruto, he still timidly nodded to Third and whispered, "Thank... Thank you Lord Hokage."
The arrangements are temporarily settled.
Before leaving the study, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Naruto about the specific reason why he discovered Karin.
After all, during the Chunin Ninja Exams period, Ninja from various countries were mixed together. How could Naruto accurately find the Uzumaki orphans in the Kusagakure team?
Naruto explained, "Actually, it was Konohamaru who reminded me."
He recounted the incident that Konohamaru came to him to complain about during the day.
Hiruzen Sarutobi After listening, a smile appeared on his serious face and he nodded.
He is indeed my grandson!
Although it was unintentional, this accidental report led to the crucial rescue of a homeless and suffering orphan named Uzumaki.
This contribution is indeed worth recording.
Give the kid some more pocket money later.
After the cause and effect of the matter were roughly sorted out, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Naruto a few more words, asking him to be more careful and take good care of Karin.
In the end, Naruto took Karin, who finally relaxed a little but still followed him closely. Accompanied by Asuma, he left Hokage Mansion and walked towards his home.
The night is getting darker, and the lights on the Konoha streets are dim.
And Konohamaru, who unintentionally acted as the "clue provider", may be dreaming about the heroic act of brother Naruto on Chunin Ninja Exams to help him avenge Sunagakure and the three of them, but he has no idea that one of his unintentional words has quietly changed a person's fate.
When I got home, the house was quiet.
There is a familiar note on the refrigerator door, still in the elegant handwriting of Inoichi: Naruto, there is urgent intelligence analysis, you still need to work overtime tonight, don't wait for me, take care of yourself.--Inoichi
Seeing this note, Naruto breathed a sigh of relief.
Uncle Inoichi is not at home, so there is less trouble to explain, and the sofa in the living room is just free for him to sleep.
He held Karin's hand and took her to get a brief introduction to this small home.
Living room, kitchen, bathroom, and his own room.
Karin has been following him closely, curious and nervous about the unfamiliar environment, like a kitten that has just arrived in a new territory.
When we came to Naruto's bedroom, the room was not big, but it was tidied up. The most eye-catching thing was the three flower pots on the bedside table.
One light Purple Eyes Bellflower, two Himawari and one white Daisy.
A simple single bed is placed against the wall.
"You can sleep here tonight."
Naruto patted his bed and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"The sheets and duvet covers are all clean. I just changed them two days ago. The bathroom is over there and hot water is always available.
Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you something to eat?"
Karin shook her head, her attention seemed to be more on Naruto.
When Naruto started to take out spare pillows and thin quilts from the closet, obviously planning to go to the living room, a trace of panic flashed in Karin's eyes.
Almost without hesitation, she reached out her hand and took Naruto's arm, which was adjusting the quilt.
It's not very powerful, but it carries a stubbornness and... dependence that cannot be ignored.
Naruto paused and looked back at her.
Karin lowered his head, holding his sleeves tightly with his fingers, and his voice was as thin as a gnat, but clearly audible:
"How about... let's sleep together."
This sentence made Naruto stunned.
He looked at Karin's drooping, slightly red profile and uneasily trembling eyelashes, and immediately understood what she meant.
Nothing else, just a simple, extreme lack of security.
In this completely unfamiliar place, only Naruto, her "fellow race", is her only familiar anchor. For her, darkness and solitude may mean the fear of abandonment and the reappearance of past nightmares.
Naruto's heart softened, all worries seemed insignificant in the face of the girl's dependence.
"Okay, okay."
He immediately softened his voice and agreed in a coaxing tone.
"Then, you sleep on the bed, and I make the floor bunk, right next to you. Is that okay?"
With that said, he let go of Karin's hand, walked to the bed, and skillfully lifted up the bed board.
There is a hidden storage space underneath.
He Menma lifully pulled out a spare set of bedding.
Karin Looking at his movements, the tense shoulders relaxed obviously, and there was a look of reassurance in his eyes.
Naruto quickly spread the mat on the open space beside the bed, and then laid out the bedding with clean and neat movements.
Soon, a simple but comfortable floor was ready, right next to the edge of the bed.
He patted the floor and showed a bright smile to Karin, "Look, I'll sleep here, you can reach it if you stretch out your hand."
Karin smiled. Although it was a little stiff, it was the first smile she showed after arriving at Konoha.
"Hmm."
She responded softly, this time with less trembling in her voice.
Naruto watched her climb onto the bed and carefully get into bed, revealing only half of her small face and her eyes looking at him under the dim bedside lamp.
He helped her tuck the quilt, and then he got into the quilt on the floor and turned sideways in the direction of the bed.
The lights in the room were turned off, leaving only a night light that was very weak and would not affect sleep, emitting a warm yellow halo.
In the darkness, the two of them were silent for a while. There were only the occasional chirping of insects outside the window and the sound of each other's shallow breathing.
After a while, just when Naruto thought Karin had fallen asleep, he heard a rustling sound coming from the bed. Then, a cold little hand quietly stretched out from the side of the bed, groping, and finally lightly touched the back of his hand outside the quilt.
Naruto didn't move, letting her touch it.
Then, he felt the little hand hold his hand hesitantly, but finally firmly.
Karin didn't say anything, but this action said everything.
Naruto turned his hand back, completely holding the cold little hand into his warm palm, and shook it firmly and comfortingly.
He whispered in the darkness, his voice low and reliable, like a promise:
"Don't worry."
"I'm always here."
Holding his hand, it trembled slightly, then relaxed completely, resting safely in his palm.
Soon, the sound of even and steady breathing came from the bed. Karin finally fell into perhaps the first truly safe sleep in many years under this solid protection.
And Naruto held her hand and stared at the ceiling with her eyes open.
What was he thinking about at this time?