章節 194: Chapter 194

"Really," Naruto beams at Karin before correcting Haku, "and it's our clan."

"Naruto-kun, I am not an Uzumaki," Haku states.

"So," Naruto answers with a shrug. "You're still apart of our clan."

"Agreed," Karin tells the beautiful boy, then continues to explain, "I've only just started, so there's still more to research, but I read a section on members of clans. To be a lawful member—that is to say legitimate in the eyes of the clan and the village—the person must be blood-related, married to a member, adopted by a member, or concubine of a prominent member, like the Head or heir. Though concubinage seems to be one of the lowest ranks of a member."

"What are the other ranks of a low member," Haku asks, wondering if this'll work out. Knowing Naruto, he's not going to care about some law and simply declare Haku a member.

"A slave," Karin answers and despite the noodles in his mouth, Naruto is clearly disgusted to hear it. "Not to be confused with an indentured servant, who merely works for the clan," Karin continues. "Slavery isn't really around anymore, which leads me to believe I read an out-dated book, but when it was more common, a slave was considered the property of the clan, thus, technically members but in the worst possible way."

"This should go without say, but when we make our rules, absolutely no slavery of any kind is allowed," Naruto tells them. Thinking of Hinata, he also adds, "even if one of our members marries a slave or low-rank member of another clan."

"Are you thinking about Hinata-chan," Haku asks, happy to see Naruto's cheeks blush.

"Ooooooohhhh," Karin sounds, scooting closer to the table as Naruto denies it. "Who's Hinata-chan? Is she your girlfriend?"

"No," an embarrassed Naruto calls back to Karin. "I don't have a girlfriend. Unfortunately, your cousin isn't exactly popular with the girls."

Haku actually snorts, and Karin practically bounces in her chair, asking Haku, "I want to know everything!"

As Haku starts, "well, Hinata-chan is just the sweetest girl and she looks like a princess, Ino-chan is stunning, a bit abrasive, but her heart's in the right place, then there's Sakura-chan… so far, I don't approve…"

Something sparks in Naruto's brain when Karin said she wanted to know everything. Sitting at a dining table, eating an awesome meal with loved ones, he suddenly realizes he has secrets that he doesn't want to keep from them but must. However, it's also true Karin and Haku aren't normal people so it should be okay to tell them, but Kurenai's voice tells him, 'those closest to us are in the best position to betray us, even if they don't want to.'

Shaking his head, Naruto calls, "um, guys," interrupting gossip chatter. "I… don't want to lie to either of you. You both mean so much to me—I know I only just met you, Karin-chan, but you do too and we'll only get closer. Anyway, I have secrets, three of them, actually, and I don't want to keep them from you, but for now, it feels better that I do."

"Why not tell us," Karin asks.

Thinking of his role as a Jinchūriki as well as Naru-nii's existence, Naruto explains, "it's very dangerous and or very heavy information." As Kurenai strictly forbade him from telling anyone about them, Naruto won't disclose that as much as Naru-nii or being Kurama's Jinchūriki, but he'd rather explain how much he dislikes keeping said secrets than continuing to lie by omission. "That's really all I can say for now, but, I promise, the second I'm able to be completely honest, I'll tell you both everything."

"Please don't feel any undue stress over telling me, Naruto-kun," Haku serenely declares. "I already know everything about your character I need to. Anything else is pleasantly superfluous."

"Um, well, I don't know if I want to know dangerous secrets just yet," Karin confesses. Being new to an entire way of living, she'd rather take it a day at a time. "Let's get to know each other a little more first, then we can go from there."

"Of course," Naruto happily agrees.

Curious if speaking in front of Karin about a specific topic is acceptable or not, Haku asks Naruto, "would what happened in the country of Wave be one of those secrets?"

"Nope," Naruto answers before asking, "why?"

Smiling, Haku cheerfully answers, "because I've been meaning to tell you that Zabuza-sama has finally returned and is in Konoha right now."

"What!" Naruto gasps, setting down his chopsticks as he yells, "really?"

Content and nodding, Haku adds, "and he'd like to speak with you."

Karin asks, "who's Zabuza and why the honorific?" Naruto and Haku then explain the broad strokes of what happened on his Land of Wave mission, to which Karin stands up, slamming her palms on the table as she yells, "you beat a former Kirigakure Anbu, now hired assassin! Are you insane!"

With an overly exhausted exhale, a resigned Naruto answered in a tuckered out voice, "maybe I should just start answering yes to that question. It's like it's the only logical reason for fighting Zabuza-jiji, as if Haku wasn't worth it."

"Well, it's… just…" Karin comes up short on how to explain it.

"Uncommon," Haku answer with a serene smile.

"Yeah," Karin agrees.

With everything he knows about the future, Naruto explains to both of them, "I don't have a death wish, but you guys should be prepared. My dream to be the absolute greatest Hokage means I have to fight the strongest guys out there. I can't avoid them, but I can promise you, whatever is out there, whoever I face, I'll always try to come back."

"You speak as if I won't be fighting right beside you," Haku asserts.

"Or like I'm going to let the Head of our clan die from his wounds," Karin adds. "I may not be much of a fighter but I'll heal any injury you take."

Heart-hammering happy not to say more, a jovial Naruto instead asks Karin, "I thought you were going to be the Head?"

"May I start calling him Naruto-sama now," Haku merrily interjects.

"I don't see why not," Karin tells Haku with a shrug.

"Hey, wait," Naruto calls out feeling the conversation run away from him. "Why me? I don't know the first thing about running a clan."

"And you think running a village is going to be easier than running a clan," Karin asks. "Being Hokage isn't just fighting the toughest threats, you know. Like, eighty percent of the time, it's all sorts of meetings and a ton of paperwork and that's exactly what the head of the clan does."

Though Naruto looks nauseous at the thought of paperwork and meetings, Haku adds, "if you truly wish to become Hokage, this would be a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience."

"Besides, you're from the main branch of the Uzumaki bloodline," Karin points out. "It only makes sense that it's you… Naruto-sama."

"Well, if there's any chance of me accepting, then we're definitely not doing the whole -sama thing. No one's ever called me -san before. To go straight to -sama… that's too weird."

"Fine. Let's table this until after your coronation, Cousin-dono," Karin smirks. Before Naruto can dispute that honorific, Karin continues, "so Zabuza-san is in Konoha. Isn't that bad for you, Haku-kun? I know they told you to report meeting anyone from your past."

"They did," Haku confirms with no sense of fear for the repercussions. It's fairly evident Haku won't reveal Zabuza's presence in Konoha to the authorities. "He wouldn't be a master of silent killing if he wasn't also an infiltration specialist."