3 Chapter 3: Roommates

What's going on?

A thief?

Or is it a woman?

Araki stared intently at the partially open door, his eyes filled with caution. He knew that there was nothing valuable inside his house, the kind that would make even a thief shed tears.

Considering the risk and reward ratio, his house wasn't worth the risk for a theft, especially by a female thief...

Didn't they do market research before coming?

Or perhaps...

It wasn't about stealing at all?

With these thoughts in mind, Araki quietly took a step back. As a young boy living alone, he still had the basic sense of self-defense. It was important to protect oneself in unfamiliar places.

Creak...

However, just as Araki hesitated, contemplating whether he should leave and seek help from the Konoha Security Division, the partially open door was pushed open.

What came into view was a modestly dressed and composed middle-aged woman. Her hair was tightly tied back, and her face showed no expression, appearing quite cold.

Is this...

Sarutobi Biwako?!

Araki's gaze fell upon this middle-aged woman, and there was a faint sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her in an anime before.

But it was his first time seeing her in the ninja world.

He wasn't entirely certain.

After all, Sarutobi Biwako was the wife of the Third Hokage, someone an ordinary person like him wouldn't easily encounter.

Because...

She could be considered the First Lady of Konoha.

Could it be that she discovered his ability to use Wood Release?

Could it be that she discovered my ability to use Wood Release?

Otherwise, why would she casually enter my room for no reason?

At this moment, Araki considered many possibilities. His face didn't show any complex emotions, but inside, he was extremely cautious.

"Oh, Araki, you're back!"

Sarutobi Biwako's face, as calm as an ancient well, blossomed with a smile like an iceberg melting. The sudden gentle tone made Araki's whole body covered in goosebumps.

In that instant, Araki became even more flustered.

"We have found tenants for the house you entrusted us to rent!"

Sarutobi Biwako said self-consciously, appearing to care about Araki's reaction, but in reality, she was acting alone.

"???"

A bunch of question marks immediately popped up in Araki's head. He couldn't understand what Biwako was talking about at all.

What entrusted?

What tenants?

When did I say I wanted to rent out this house?

If the house is rented out, where will I live?

What is going on here?

How did it end up being entrusted and rented like this?

Are they taking advantage of an honest person?

After being bewildered for a moment, Araki immediately realized that Biwako might think he had mental issues. Since he couldn't understand or explain clearly, she simply took advantage of the situation.

This act of entrusting someone was too clever!

It truly left him at a loss for words!

Araki immediately understood the other's intentions. Even if he wanted to deny it now, the previous narrative had already been established. He couldn't say anything, or else all his pretenses from the past three years would go down the drain.

Of course, he didn't believe that Biwako saw through his true nature. This behavior was simply taking advantage of him.

"This is the tenant who will be living in your house!"

Sarutobi Biwako didn't pay any attention to Araki. In her eyes, all of Araki's expressions and changes were normal. This kid didn't understand anything, so he could be exploited for as much as possible.

"I've already paid her ten years' worth of rent. Since you don't stay in the room at night anyway, let her stay there!"

As Biwako spoke, she pushed Uzumaki Kushina, who was hiding behind her, forward.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention, her name is Uzumaki Kushina!"

Biwako added as a final remark, and a faint smile appeared on the corners of her mouth.

For Konoha, this was the best outcome.

After all, Kushina had come here with a unique purpose. She was an incredibly important tool, and her positioning wasn't easy to arrange.

If they made her specifications too exaggerated, it would not only arouse Kushina's suspicion but also draw the attention of many eyes focused on Konoha.

Placing her in an ordinary child's house was actually the best means of protection for someone like Kushina, a tool with a specific purpose.

Having said that, Sarutobi Biwako didn't say anything else.

She immediately left.

"..."

Araki stared blankly at everything that had just happened. He was on the verge of shouting out, but he held himself back. If he reacted too strongly, he might expose himself.

But...

This girl...

Uzumaki Kushina!

Oh my god!

After Araki exclaimed inwardly, he suddenly felt a headache. He was in the middle of Konoha and didn't want to get involved in any trouble.

To outsiders, he was just a child who had experienced psychological trauma. It was an excellent disguise, allowing him to quietly improve his skills until he could control the Wood Release kekkei genkai.

However...

The appearance of Uzumaki Kushina had disrupted Araki's plans!

At this particular point in time, Kushina had arrived in Konoha, and Araki knew very well what that meant.

In the ninja academy, there was a very prominent classmate in his class named Namikaze Minato.

Not long ago, Araki was calculating whether it was almost time for Kushina to transfer to his school. And now, she was standing right in front of him, deliberately avoiding contact with Namikaze Minato. He didn't want to get involved with the Nine-Tails and risk revealing his Wood Release abilities.

But now...

Kushina had moved into his bedroom and become his roommate.

It wouldn't be long before Kushina replaced Mito and became the new Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

Headache.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

Araki stood at the door, staring blankly at Kushina. On the surface, he was looking at her, but inside, he was considering various strategies. However, he couldn't come up with any plan that he could execute. The most appropriate approach seemed to be to accept her first and then respond according to the situation.

"Um..."

Kushina looked at the dumbfounded Araki and recalled the mental trauma that Biwako had mentioned. She also thought about her mission to save him. She pursed her lips and took a step forward, approaching Araki.

"Araki, hello, I'm Kushina. It's nice to meet you. From now on, we're friends!"

Kushina confidently extended her right hand, offering a handshake. Without Biwako around, she appeared calm and composed when facing Araki, even showing a hint of familiarity.

"..."

Araki's face was filled with frustration. Helplessly, he mechanically extended his hand and shook hands with Kushina.

From her posture, it seemed as if she was the owner of the room.

She got comfortable way too quickly!

Araki felt resigned but had no choice. If he had the option, he really wouldn't want to be friends with someone who brought so much trouble...