Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

The streets of Konoha felt very different from usual.

The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere that normally filled the village had been replaced by a palpable sense of tension.

Every few steps, civilians could spot Konoha shinobi patrols moving through the streets.

Though the ninja weren't specifically targeting pedestrians, their sharp eyes constantly swept across everyone they passed, making many people uneasy and eager to return home rather than linger outside.

Whether it was the commercial district or the residential areas, patrol teams were everywhere.

Even taverns and bars weren't exempt from inspection.

After several days of intensive patrols, even the occasional drunk troublemakers no longer dared to indulge themselves.

Many had quietly exchanged sake for strong tea, proudly claiming they had decided to cultivate their character instead.

The local residents, long tired of dealing with drunken disturbances, were highly supportive of this development.

Unfortunately, until the village officially canceled the operation, the patrol intensity showed no signs of decreasing.

Even normally deserted locations now had ninja patrols passing through.

And by pure coincidence—

The patrols soon discovered a "suspicious individual" right outside Naruto's house.

"Hey, you! The red-haired girl over there."

A Konoha patrol stopped in front of Karin.

"Come here for a moment."

"You've been acting suspicious around this area since early morning. What exactly are you doing?"

Already surrounded by multiple Konoha ninja for what felt like the hundredth time, Karin didn't even look frightened anymore.

Instead, she let out a long sigh.

"Third group today..."

"I'm honestly tired of explaining."

"I'm just waiting for someone."

She pointed casually.

"And I live here."

"That house over there."

After hearing her explanation, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved.

The patrol ninja apologized awkwardly.

Though they couldn't help being impressed that such a young girl somehow already owned her own house.

...Well, that wasn't really the important part.

Regardless, they repeatedly warned her not to go outside alone during this period.

Karin responded with a series of completely insincere:

"Yeah, yeah."

"Right, right."

"Sure, sure."

"Got it, got it."

Eventually the patrol gave up and left.

The moment they disappeared, Karin immediately returned to her designated waiting position.

Ever since her encounter with Sasuke that day, she had been waking up early every morning to wait here.

Everything was progressing according to her ideal scenario.

A chance encounter with Sasuke.

Morning greetings.

Gradually falling in love.

And then...

"Hehehe..."

"Hehehehe..."

The departing patrol ninja couldn't help glancing back several times after hearing the strange laughter.

Looking at the red-haired girl hiding behind a tree again, one of them muttered to his companions:

"She's practically wearing a sign that says suspicious."

"Shouldn't we bring her in for questioning?"

"Forget it."

Another waved dismissively.

"She probably just isn't very bright."

"Look at her. She doesn't seem dangerous at all."

—

Not long afterward, footsteps approached.

Karin immediately lifted her head excitedly.

But the person who arrived wasn't Sasuke.

Instead, it was a thin man wearing Konoha's standard ninja vest.

His appearance was fairly handsome.

However, the heavy dark circles beneath his eyes and his sickly complexion made him look like he might collapse at any moment.

Karin's first instinct was to stay away from him.

"Excuse me... cough cough..."

Before he could finish speaking, Karin immediately interrupted.

"Fourth group."

"Seriously, does this never end?"

"Just so we're clear, I live here."

"I'm not suspicious."

Then she looked him up and down with obvious disdain.

"Big brother, with a body this weak, you shouldn't be out patrolling."

"And without teammates too."

"What if you collapse somewhere?"

Then we'd probably have to help collect your—"

"Cough cough."

The man hurriedly interrupted.

"I think you've misunderstood."

"I'm not part of a patrol."

"And I wasn't suspicious of you."

"I just wanted to ask for directions."

"Directions?"

"Yes."

He nodded.

"I heard you live nearby."

"Could you tell me if Uzumaki Naruto lives around here?"

Naruto?

Karin scratched her head awkwardly.

Apparently she'd completely misunderstood.

"His place is upstairs. Second room."

"Sorry."

"I didn't mean what I said earlier."

"I wasn't trying to be rude..."

"It's alright."

The man smiled gently.

"Thank y—"

"Cough cough cough cough cough!"

Before he could finish thanking her, he suddenly bent over in a violent coughing fit.

Watching him struggle for breath filled Karin with overwhelming guilt.

In her mind:

He looks like he only has a few days left to live.

Was what I said even human?

She glanced down the road.

Still no sign of Sasuke.

After hesitating briefly, she gritted her teeth.

"W-Want me to help you upstairs?"

"Huh?"

The man blinked.

"That won't be necessary."

"Don't be polite!"

Karin immediately grabbed his arm.

"You're so weak."

"You'll probably collapse halfway up the stairs."

"Come on."

"I'll help."

"Let's go!"

Hayate Gekkō blinked in confusion as the girl practically dragged him toward the building.

For some reason, she wore the expression of someone making a tremendous sacrifice.

—

"Naruto-kun! Are you home?"

"Someone's here to see you!"

Karin turned out to be surprisingly kind-hearted.

After dragging Hayate upstairs, she even helped knock on Naruto's door.

A response quickly came from inside.

But it wasn't Naruto.

It was a female voice.

"Coming!"

Click.

The door opened.

Standing there was Hinata, dressed casually in home clothes.

"Ah, Karin."

Then she looked at Hayate curiously.

"And this is...?"

Judging by his vest and forehead protector, he was at least a chūnin, perhaps even a jōnin.

"Hello."

Hayate bowed politely.

"My name is Hayate Gekkō."

"I came to thank Naruto-kun."

Meanwhile, Karin's mind had already exploded.

Wait.

Why is Hinata inside Naruto's apartment?

She got up early every day.

Previously, whenever Hinata brought Naruto food or visited him, she would always see her arrive.

But recently...

She hadn't seen Hinata come over in the mornings.

Nor had she seen Naruto leave the house early like usual.

She had even assumed the two had argued and drifted apart.

Don't tell me...

They're already living together every night?

No way!

Is Konoha really this open-minded!?

Then does that mean Sasuke and I could also—

"Naruto-kun, someone has come to see you."

Hinata's voice interrupted Karin's increasingly dangerous imagination.

"Please come inside."

"No need to stand in the hallway."

She welcomed them in naturally.

The apartment remained as simple and modest as ever.

Yet everything was spotless.

Clean.

Fresh.

Clearly maintained daily by someone.

Combined with several pieces of newly purchased furniture, the small apartment felt surprisingly warm and inviting.

Karin had expected to witness something scandalous.

Instead she found Naruto sprawled lazily across his bed.

Rubbing his eyes.

Yawning.

Looking completely half-asleep.

"Hm?"

"Morning..."

"Yaaawn..."

"So sleepy..."

Karin couldn't help staring.

Since when was Naruto this kind of person?

The behavior felt strangely rude.

Yet when she glanced at Hayate, she discovered he seemed completely unbothered.

"The place is small."

"Make yourselves comfortable."

"I'll prepare some tea."

Hinata looked every bit like the lady of the house as she prepared cushions for both guests.

Then she leaned toward Naruto and whispered softly:

"Naruto-kun."

"We have visitors."

"Try your best to wake up a little, okay?"

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