Sakura's wide eyes remained fixed on Naruto.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Her mind was racing, and the warmth of his hand still lingered on her mouth. But Naruto's voice was low and close to her ear.
"Shhh," Naruto whispered again. "Come outside. I need to talk to you. I won't do anything to you. Believe me."
Sakura's heart pounded in her chest.
'Do I have to trust him?'
She stared at him carefully.
'He did save me before... and I want to know what this is all about.'
Slowly, Sakura stopped struggling.
Then she gave a small nod.
Naruto noticed her agreement and slowly removed his hand from her mouth. His eyes stayed on her for a second, making sure she would not shout and wake the others.
Without saying anything else, the two quietly moved toward the door.
They stepped carefully, trying not to make any noise.
To them, it seemed like they had managed to leave without waking anyone.
But in the corner of the room, Kakashi's single exposed eye followed their every move.
'So much for sleeping peacefully.'
Kakashi remained still, but his mind was fully awake.
At first, his attention had been on Haku. Even though the boy was tied up, Kakashi had no intention of lowering his guard around him.
But Naruto's sudden movement had shifted his attention.
Kakashi had sensed Naruto's chakra the moment he woke up. Then he watched as Naruto approached Sakura and quietly led her outside.
His visible eye narrowed slightly.
'Sakura... she likes Sasuke, doesn't she?'
His gaze stayed on the door after they left.
'But now she's sneaking out with Naruto in the middle of the night? What are they planning?'
A small smirk formed under his mask.
'Ah, youth. Love is messy, complicated, and full of surprises.'
Then he sighed quietly.
'I do enjoy these love triangle situations, but they are my students. I shouldn't peek into their personal matters, even if I am curious.'
Kakashi closed his eye again.
'I'll let this one slide. For now.'
With that, he shifted his attention back to Haku, who remained calm in the corner even with his hands and legs tied.
Outside, the night air was cool.
The faint sound of crickets came from the grass, and the moon hung high in the sky. Its pale light fell over Naruto and Sakura as they stood facing each other.
Sakura crossed her arms.
Her posture was defensive, but her eyes showed curiosity.
"What do you want, Naruto?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment, as if deciding how to ask.
Then he spoke quietly.
"It's about Zabuza's sword."
Sakura blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Zabuza's sword? What about it?"
"It's gone," Naruto said, his frustration showing slightly. "I woke up and searched the entire house, but it's nowhere to be found. I thought... maybe you had seen it."
Sakura frowned and thought for a moment.
"No, I haven't," she said. "Are you sure it's not in the house? Maybe someone moved it."
"I already checked," Naruto replied.
His fists clenched slightly at his sides.
"It's not there. I didn't want to ask Kakashi or Sasuke... for obvious reasons."
Sakura tilted her head.
"And you thought asking me would be different?"
Naruto looked at her directly.
His blue eyes met hers with a serious look that made her heart skip for a second.
"Because you are my last bet. And I... trust you."
The sincerity in his voice caught Sakura off guard.
For a moment, she did not know how to respond.
She glanced away, and a faint blush touched her cheeks.
"I... I see."
Then she looked back at him.
"Why is that sword so important to you?"
Her voice was softer now, but there was still curiosity in it.
Naruto stayed silent for a second.
"It just is," he finally said. "I want it desperately. I think it will make me stronger."
Sakura watched him carefully.
Then she sighed.
"Okay... fine. I'll tell you. But you owe me one."
Naruto did not argue.
Sakura pointed toward a distant cliff near the sea.
"After you collapsed on the ground, sensei left Sasuke and Tazuna to look after you. Gato wasn't dead yet, so he didn't want everyone to leave the bridge at once."
Her eyes moved toward the cliff.
"Sensei carried Zabuza's body and Zabuza's sword there. Haku and I went with him."
Naruto followed her gesture with his eyes.
His gaze narrowed.
"There," Sakura continued, "sensei buried Zabuza's body. Then he placed the sword into the ground where Zabuza was buried."
Naruto listened in silence.
Sakura then added, "Out of curiosity, I asked sensei, 'Why are you placing the sword here, sensei, instead of using it or selling it?'"
She tried to mimic Kakashi's calm tone.
"Sensei said, 'Even though Zabuza died, he died as a warrior. He didn't use dirty tricks at the end, and he accepted his fate. I honor that.'"
Naruto remained silent.
His thoughts began moving quickly.
'I have been in this world for eighteen years, but I still don't know much about Kakashi.'
His eyes lowered slightly.
'When we first met, I tried to analyze his strengths and weaknesses. My instincts told me he could become a threat to me someday.'
A faint light of understanding appeared in his eyes.
'But now... it seems he values comrades and honor the most.'
Naruto's lips curved slightly.
'I don't want to deal with him right now. But if it happens in the future, I now know how to handle him.'
A sly grin slowly appeared on Naruto's face.
Sakura noticed it immediately and frowned.
"Why are you making that smile?"
Naruto waved his hand lightly.
"It's nothing."
Then he looked away from her.
"Sakura, I'm going outside for a moment. I need to pee. You go inside and rest. I'll come back after."
Sakura stared at him with narrowed eyes.
She did not fully believe him.
But she still nodded.
"Fine. Don't take too long."
Naruto gave a small nod and turned toward the direction of the cliff.
The sword was waiting there.
And this time, he had no intention of leaving it behind.
(To Be Continued...)