"We were once enemies. Why did you hire me?" Zabuza Momochi asked. This question had puzzled him for days and nights, and he just couldn't figure it out.
"Didn't I tell you?" Naruto explained. "You guys are just extremely dedicated workers, no, extremely dedicated ninjas. That Gato is extremely unscrupulous and has a bad personality. You took Gato's money and worked hard for such a person. Just for this, I took a fancy to you."
"Wow! Is that it?" Zabuza Momochi said. "Aren't you afraid that we'll cut off your head if someone offers us a higher price? I'm the Demon Man Zabuza!"
"Because I can offer a 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 and was listed as the number one wanted criminal by Rain Village. No matter where he fled, anywhere, he would be chased and killed, and he would never have a moment of peace.
Haku was a homeless orphan. He met Zabuza Momochi, another wanderer on the streets. Then the two of them traveled together and followed Zabuza onto a path full of hardships and dangers.
"Hahaha." Zabuza Momochi shook his head and said in a sneering tone, "Do you mean to recruit us? You've got a lot of nerve. The Cleaver Sword in my hand has chopped off the heads of many as arrogant as you."
"It's not recruitment, but take you in," Naruto said. "What's Rain Village? They dare to chase you anywhere, but they don't dare to enter Konoha Village. Only in Konoha Village can you live in peace."
"Only in Konoha Village can you stop and take a rest."
Zabuza Momochi was moved and said, "What makes you think I'll agree?"
"Just because you were willing to work for Gato," Naruto said. "You were willing to work for Gato for money. What you really need isn't money, but a stable and safe home. You wanted to use money to flee to a place without ninjas."
"But there's no such place in this world. Only Konoha Village, full of ninjas, can bring you peace. A place where you can settle down is—Konoha."
"..." Zabuza Momochi fell silent.
"..." Haku also fell silent. When he looked at Naruto, a strange look appeared in his eyes.
"You're just a Genin. Even if you stand out in the Chunin Exams, you'll only be a Chunin," Zabuza Momochi said in a skeptical tone. "What makes you think you can get Konoha Village to shelter us?"
"Because I'm the Future Hokage," Naruto said. "I'm definitely going to become the Hokage. I still need your help to achieve this. As long as I become the Hokage, I'll make the rules of this village."
Haku showed a happy smile.
"Hahaha." Zabuza Momochi laughed wildly. "I think I'm crazy to listen to a little Genin kid talking rubbish."
"Anyway, you won't lose out," Naruto said. "I won't shortchange you a single cent during the time I hire you. I'll let you see the day when I become the Hokage."
"Remember, before I become the Hokage, you must hide your identities and not let anyone notice you. Once I become the Hokage, you can live openly in Konoha Village."
Naruto left the forest, leaving Zabuza Momochi and Haku standing there, stunned as if blown by the wind. Haku looked at Zabuza with eager eyes. After a long moment of thought, the steel - hearted Zabuza said, "Haku, let's trust that kid this time."
"Okay." Haku nodded happily.
Naruto was walking on the streets of Konoha when Sasuke and Sakura ran over. Sakura said, "Naruto, where have you been? We've been looking for you for ages."
"I've also been looking for you guys, but I just couldn't find you anywhere," Naruto said with a worried look. "I was even worried that you guys might be lost."
With a loud thud, Sakura punched Naruto right on the top of his head and shouted angrily, "What are you talking nonsense about? Sasuke and I went to see Teacher Kakashi to find out the time and place of the next exam. You're the only one who disappeared without a trace."
Naruto squatted on the ground, holding his head with his hands, thinking, "A real man doesn't fight with a woman. Sakura is so shrewish. Besides that idiot Sasuke, who would take a fancy to her? She's far inferior to my Hinata."
After some time, many Genin candidates gathered in the wild. Anko Mitarashi, the chief examiner for the second exam, had arrived early. When everyone was present, she began to announce the exam rules.
The screeches of vultures echoed in the sky, and the roars of various wild animals reverberated through the surrounding towering mountains. The chirping of insects stopped, and the singing of birds fell silent, all these signs indicating the danger of this place.
"I always feel that this place is really creepy," Sakura said, getting goosebumps after staying here for a while.
"Right, this is the Death Forest. You'll just have to experience it for yourselves," Anko Mitarashi said with a smile. "Let you truly experience what it means to survive in the wild." Since Anko Mitarashi had a curvy figure, when she talked and laughed, her curves jiggled.
Naruto began to mimic Anko Mitarashi's pose and said, "Right, this is the Death Forest. You'll just have to experience it for yourselves. Let you truly experience what it means to survive in the wild."
As Naruto spoke, he struck a pose, which made it obvious that he was mocking the chief examiner, Anko Mitarashi.
"..." Sakura was stunned and thought to herself: "Naruto is so bold. Isn't he afraid of death?"
Sure enough, a sharp Kunai flew towards Naruto. Naruto jumped up smoothly, which even surprised Anko Mitarashi.
The Kunai barely missed Naruto's rib, cutting through his clothes and leaving a long gash on his rib. Immediately, blood oozed out.
Is he crazy! Anko Mitarashi exclaimed in her mind: "The Kunai I threw was just meant to scare him. It was supposed to just pass by his face and leave at most a small cut. But he actually jumped up and met the Kunai head - on. Does he want to commit suicide by my hand?"
The Kunai that had grazed Naruto's rib didn't stop and shot straight at a Ninja not far away.
In the shocked gazes of everyone, that Ninja suddenly stuck out a one - meter - long tongue and firmly caught the Kunai with his tongue.
Naruto glanced back and thought to himself, "Damn, can't we even deal with him with the kunai thrown by Anko? I deliberately provoked Anko into throwing the kunai and then used my body to deflect its direction just to test him. Unexpectedly, he defused it so easily. He truly lives up to his reputation as Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of Konoha..."
Naruto's injuries were minor, just a scratch on the skin under his ribs. This time, Anko Mitarashi was truly enraged. She thought this examinee was deliberately causing trouble.
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