Chapter 103: Returned to Konoha

The journey to Konoha had begun.

The skies were clear, the wind was gentle, and for once, there were no enemies waiting to jump out of the bushes. It was just them—Naruto, Karin, Haku, and the open road ahead.

As they walked along the forested path, birds chirped above and the rustle of leaves filled the silence between conversations.

"Karin," Haku asked softly, glancing at her new companion with curious eyes, "what's Konoha like?"

Karin smirked like she'd just been asked to describe a secret paradise. "Hmm... well, let's put it this way: it's definitely bigger than Nami no Kuni. More people. More noise. More... everything."

She tilted her head, thinking. "But the people? They're good. Mostly. You've got the occasional jerk, but hey, that's universal. The scenery's nice—especially in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. I'd give it a solid 8.5 out of 10."

Naruto, walking a bit ahead with his hands behind his head, glanced back. "Wow, 8.5 good", his mind voice, 'Only from outside, but if anyone sees their ugly parts, they don't hesitate to give less than 5 out of 10'

"You better see for yourself how good Konoha is," Naruto said with a confident grin, walking backward just to face Haku as he spoke. "Words won't do it justice. You gotta feel the vibe."

Behind him, as if this conversation had absolutely zero impact on his life, Kakashi trudged along with his nose deep in his beloved Icha Icha Paradise, flipping a page like it held the secrets of the universe.

"Of course," he muttered from behind the book, "Konoha has many... scenic experiences. Depending on your interests."

Sasuke, ever the brooding shadow in the sunshine parade, walked silently with his arms crossed and his signature scowl glued to his face.

He wasn't jealous of Naruto getting attention. Nope. Not even a little. Definitely not.

"Tch. Idiots," he muttered.

But his eyes stayed locked on the trio ahead, quietly observing.

The journey wasn't rushed—they weren't being chased for once, and that alone felt like a luxury. Occasionally, they took breaks under the shade of tall trees, drinking from cool rivers, letting the breeze cool their skin, and even sharing a snack or two that Naruto somehow didn't eat all by himself. A miracle.

At one such break, Naruto plopped down onto a patch of grass, arms stretched out like he owned the earth. "Man, traveling without bandits or ambushes is actually kind of boring," he said with a laugh.

"Don't jinx it," Karin said, sipping water.

"I won't let anything ruin this trip," Naruto said proudly—then immediately got hit in the face by a falling pinecone.

Silence.

Haku giggled. "Nature disagrees."

Kakashi didn't even look up from his book. "That's karma, Naruto. Learn to respect the forest."

Even Sasuke's mouth twitched—just barely—but it happened.

The journey continued, full of laughs, eye rolls, awkward silences, and the promise of something new waiting just beyond the trees.

As night fell, the stars blinked to life above the trees, and the group settled into their camp for the evening. The flames of the campfire danced gently, casting warm hues over their faces. And once again, the designated chef of the night—Naruto Uzumaki—got to work.

"Oi, don't burn it this time," Karin teased as she handed him a small bowl of chopped herbs.

"Excuse me," Naruto huffed, mock offended, "I am a master chef in training. These hands? Blessed by ramen gods."

Despite his dramatic flair, the food turned out—unsurprisingly—delicious.

Haku, tasting it for the first time, looked visibly stunned. "Naruto, this is... really delicious."

Naruto smirked, puffing out his chest. "Well, I do have many talents. Cooking just happens to be one of the top three."

"What are the other two?" Karin asked, raising a brow.

"Looking cool... and being a pain in the butt," she answered herself before Naruto could reply.

He pouted. "Rude. Very rude."

They all shared a small laugh before settling into a lull.

The fire crackled as they leaned into the quiet peace—until, of course, Naruto's curiosity kicked in like a rogue raccoon in the night.

"Haku, you said you know Hyoton, right? But you never use it. Can I see it once? Please?"

Haku blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh... now?"

"Yup. Right now. It's the perfect time. Campfire, stars, drama, ice—what more do we need?" Naruto was practically sparkling with enthusiasm.

Haku looked flustered, glancing away. "I… I don't usually show it like that…"

"Haku," Karin cut in, deadpan. "Just show him something quick, or he's gonna bug you the entire rest of the journey. He will. I've seen it. I've lived it."

Naruto gasped. "You make me sound like some kind of ramen-craving gremlin!"

"You are," both girls said in unison.

Grumbling but clearly enjoying the banter, Naruto leaned forward, grinning. "C'mon, Haku. Just one tiny snowflake. Pretty please?"

Haku sighed, smiled softly, and stood. With a graceful movement, she formed a single hand seal.

From her palm, a delicate snowflake began to shimmer into life. Pure, crystalline, and glowing faintly in the moonlight—it drifted lazily down like a petal of winter grace.

Naruto's mouth fell open. "Whoa…"

"It's beautiful…" Karin murmured, eyes wide despite herself.

"See? Told you she was hiding cool tricks," Naruto whispered like a proud parent showing off his prodigy.

Haku looked at them, a little bashful. But for the first time, she felt no fear in using her abilities—only warmth.

And as the tiny flake landed in the fire and evaporated into mist, the five of them sat back down, the silence now comfortable, glowing with laughter, and a tiny bit of magic.

With that single snowflake, Naruto's smile lit up like a kid who'd just seen magic—and honestly, he had. The others were equally impressed, each caught for a moment in the artistry of Hyōton's grace.

The rest of the journey was surprisingly smooth—no bandits, no beasts, just steady footsteps, laughter, and the occasional ramen craving.

Soon, the familiar greenery of the forests surrounding Konoha came into view.

As they walked under the thick canopy, Naruto glanced at Haku beside him. "Hey… we're almost there."

She looked at him quietly, attentive as always.

"There's something you should know," he said. "Konoha's pretty strict with outsiders. Since you're a shinobi from another land, they'll definitely take you into custody for questioning. Standard protocol—don't panic."

Haku blinked, her smile soft. "I understand."

"I'll be with you the whole time," Naruto added, his tone firm now. "You're not alone in this. I won't let anything bad happen."

"I know," she whispered, as if those two words were more than enough.

And then, through the breaks in the trees, the gates of Konoha emerged.

Bustling as ever, with civilians and shinobi alike moving in and out—bags, scrolls, carts—the village hummed with life.

The five of them walked toward the gate, and the guards at post straightened immediately at the sight of a returning squad.

Kakashi stepped forward with casual ease, flipping his mission scroll lazily. "Team 7 reporting back. Rank C mission to Nami no Kuni, completed."

The guards nodded, checking the record. "Yep, Team 7… C-rank assignment logged. You're good to go."

But then—one of the guards tilted his head, eyeing the unfamiliar presence among them.

"Hold on. Who's she?" he asked, nodding toward Haku.

Before anyone else could answer, Naruto stepped forward. "She's a friend. She helped us during the mission."

The guards exchanged glances, murmuring low.

Then, one of them spoke. "You four can go in. But she needs to be brought in for verification. She's clearly a trained shinobi from outside—standard procedure."

Naruto's expression stiffened. He looked at Haku, then back at the guard. "She's not a threat."

"Protocol doesn't bend for trust," the guard replied calmly. "If she's clean, she'll be released. But until then, we need her under watch."

Haku gave a small nod, stepping forward on her own. "It's alright, Naruto. I understand. We expected this."

"But…" Naruto started, his voice low, frustration flickering behind his eyes. He sighed, knowing deep down this was coming the moment they neared the gates. "Alright," he finally said, though the word tasted bitter.

Haku gave him a reassuring nod, her expression calm—even kind. As if she were the one comforting him.

Without resistance, she stepped forward. One of the ANBU gently guided her toward the verification quarters, while Naruto watched her go, his fists clenched quietly at his sides.

Trust the process, he told himself.

But still… it stung.

She'd walked beside him through snow and silence, through grief and healing—and now she was being treated like a potential threat.

He didn't like it. Not one bit.