Naruto stared at Haku, his gut telling him this boy wasn't just a simple villager. There was something… off.
"Strength?" Naruto repeated, rubbing the back of his head. "Of course! If you're strong, you can protect the people you care about."
Haku chuckled softly. "That's a noble answer."
Naruto frowned. "Why? What do you think?"
Haku's gaze became distant. "Strength is a tool, but it depends on how you use it. Some people fight for themselves, others fight for someone precious to them. Those who have something to protect… are truly strong."
Naruto felt a pang in his chest. He thought of his family—his mom, his dad, and even Sasuke. He thought of his team, of Kakashi-sensei and Sakura. They were all precious to him.
"I get it," Naruto said, nodding. "If you have people to protect, you get stronger."
Haku smiled. "That's right."
Naruto grinned. "Then I'll become the strongest ninja ever! I'll protect everyone I care about!"
Haku's eyes softened, but there was something melancholic in them.
"I hope you do."
Naruto tilted his head. "What about you? Do you have someone to protect?"
For a moment, Haku didn't answer. But then, his smile returned.
"Yes," he said simply. "And for that person, I will do anything."
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine. Something about the way Haku said that…
Before he could ask anything else, Haku turned away. "I should go. It was nice talking to you, Naruto."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Huh? How do you—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Haku had disappeared into the forest, his presence fading like mist in the morning sun.
Naruto stood there, confused.
That guy… just who is he?
---
Back at Tazuna's house, Kakashi sat at the table, his arms crossed as he addressed the team.
"Alright, listen up. Zabuza is still alive."
Sakura gasped. "What? But the hunter-nin—"
Sasuke scoffed. "It was fake. We already figured that out."
Kakashi nodded. "That means we need to be prepared. The next fight won't be as easy."
Naruto clenched his fists. "Let's go after them, then! We can't just sit here and wait!"
Kakashi shook his head. "We don't know where they are. And we still have a mission to protect Tazuna."
Tazuna sighed. "That's right. The bridge still isn't finished."
Kakashi turned to his students. "Until then, we train."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Training?"
Kakashi smiled. "We'll be improving your chakra control."
Sasuke's brow furrowed. "What kind of training?"
Kakashi smirked. "Tree climbing."
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "We already know how to climb trees, Sensei."
Kakashi's smirk widened. "Not without using your hands."
---
Soon, the team found themselves in a dense forest near the house.
Kakashi gestured to a large tree. "This exercise will help you improve your chakra control. The goal is to channel just the right amount of chakra to your feet and walk up the tree."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Whoa, that sounds awesome!"
Sasuke frowned. "And how do we know how much chakra is the right amount?"
Kakashi pulled out a kunai and threw it at a tree, where it embedded itself deeply. Then, in one fluid motion, he walked straight up the tree's trunk, stopping upside down on a branch.
"The trick," he continued, "is finding the perfect balance. Too little chakra, and you won't stick. Too much, and you'll repel yourself off the surface."
Sakura's eyes widened. "That's amazing…"
Naruto clenched his fists. "Alright, let's do this!"
Kakashi tossed each of them a kunai. "Use these to mark how far you get."
Without hesitation, Naruto ran at the tree… and immediately slammed face-first into it.
"Ow!" he groaned, rubbing his nose. "That hurt!"
Sasuke smirked. "Idiot."
Sakura sighed. "You need to focus, Naruto."
Sasuke took a step forward, calmly channeling his chakra before running at the tree. He made it a good way up before his foot slipped and he flipped back onto the ground.
Sakura stepped forward next. With precise chakra control, she calmly walked up the tree and reached the highest point on her first try.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "NO WAY!"
Sasuke scowled. "Tch."
Kakashi chuckled. "Impressive, Sakura. You have the best chakra control of the three."
Sakura beamed. "Hehe, thank you, Sensei!"
Naruto groaned. "Man, this is harder than it looks…"
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "Keep at it. You'll get better with time."
Naruto pouted. "Easy for you to say…"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, determination flaring in them. I can't let Naruto surpass me.
He clenched his kunai and ran at the tree again.
---
As night fell, Naruto sat on the porch of Tazuna's house, panting. His arms ached, and his forehead was slick with sweat.
But he wasn't giving up.
"I'll get this…" he muttered.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You're working hard."
Naruto turned to see Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, standing nearby.
"Yeah…" Naruto exhaled. "I have to."
Tsunami smiled softly. "My son, Inari, used to believe in heroes too."
Naruto tilted his head. "Used to?"
Tsunami's smile faded. "Ever since Gato came, he's lost hope."
Naruto's brows furrowed. "That's not right."
She looked at him, surprised.
Naruto grinned, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll show him that heroes exist."
Tsunami's eyes widened slightly, before she chuckled. "You're an interesting boy, Naruto."
Naruto grinned. "Just wait. I'll get stronger, and I'll protect everyone!"
As the night deepened, Naruto clenched his fists, his determination burning brighter than ever.
Tomorrow… he would push himself even further.