Originally, based on the Sandaime's considerations, he intended to arrange a steady and safe place for Karin to stay.
Perhaps she would be looked after by a trustworthy woman from the clan, or placed in a relatively independent guest room, with Anbu or reliable Ninjas immediately arranged for secret protection.
After all, Karin's identity was sensitive, and she had just escaped danger; she needed professional comforting and isolated observation to prevent further trouble from Kusagakure and to avoid more anxiety from suddenly arriving in an unfamiliar environment.
However, when the Sandaime tried to gently propose this arrangement, Karin's reaction was unexpectedly intense.
Like a startled small animal, she gripped Naruto's hand even tighter, her small body almost completely hiding behind Naruto, revealing only half of her face and those eyes filled with terror and resistance.
She shook her head desperately, her lips tightly pursed; though she didn't speak, her posture said everything.
She wasn't going anywhere; she only wanted to follow Naruto.
Naruto felt her fear and dependence and immediately spoke up: "Sandaime-jiji, Karin just arrived and is still very unfamiliar with Konoha."
"Let her stay with me first. My place is small, but it's safe, and Uncle Inoichi is there too."
"I'll take good care of her."
Seeing Karin's total dependence on Naruto, almost like a fledgling imprinting on its parent, and the unquestionable protectiveness in Naruto's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly.
He understood that for this child who grew up amidst malice and bullying, Naruto—the first person to reach out to her and who shared the same clan name—was already her only psychological pillar and source of security at this moment.
Forcing them apart would likely cause her secondary trauma and exacerbate her anxiety.
So be it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and finally nodded, compromising: "In that case... Naruto, I'll leave Karin in your care for now. Be sure to ensure her safety, and report any situation to me immediately."
He looked at Karin again, his tone exceptionally kind: "Child, follow Naruto for now. That place is your home; live there with peace of mind."
"If you need anything or if there's anything you're not used to, just tell Naruto or me, alright?"
Karin finally breathed a small sigh of relief. Though still sticking close to Naruto, she timidly nodded to the Sandaime and said softly, "Th... thank you, Hokage-sama."
The arrangement was temporarily settled.
Before leaving the study, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Naruto about the specific reason he discovered Karin.
After all, during the Chunin Exams, Ninjas from various countries were mixed together; how could Naruto accurately find the Uzumaki orphan in the Kusagakure team?
Naruto explained, "Actually, it was Konohamaru who gave me the heads-up."
He recounted the story of Konohamaru finding him to complain earlier today.
After hearing this, a trace of a smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's serious face, and he nodded.
Truly my grandson!
Although it was unintentional, this accidental tip-off led to the crucial rescue of a wandering, suffering Uzumaki orphan.
This merit was indeed worth noting.
He'd give the boy some extra pocket money later.
With the cause and effect of the matter roughly cleared up, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Naruto a few more instructions, telling him to be extra careful and look after Karin.
Finally, Naruto, holding the hand of Karin—who had finally relaxed a bit but still followed him closely—left the Hokage Residence accompanied by Asuma and headed towards his home.
As the night deepened, the lights on the streets of Konoha were dim.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru, who had unintentionally acted as the "clue provider," was perhaps dreaming of the heroic sight of Big Brother Naruto helping him get revenge by beating up the trio from the Hidden Sand Village in the Chunin Exams, completely unaware that a single careless word of his had quietly changed someone's fate.
Back home, the house was quiet.
A familiar note was stuck on the refrigerator door, still in Inoichi's elegant handwriting: Naruto, there's urgent intelligence to analyze, so I need to work overtime again tonight. Don't wait up for me, and take care of yourself. —Inoichi
Seeing this note, Naruto actually felt relieved.
With Uncle Inoichi not at home, there was less trouble explaining things, and the sofa in the living room was conveniently empty for him to sleep on.
Holding Karin's hand, he first gave her a simple introduction to this small home.
The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and his own room.
Karin followed him closely the whole time, both curious and nervous about the new environment, like a kitten arriving in a new territory.
They came to Naruto's bedroom; the room wasn't large but was kept fairly tidy. The most conspicuous things were the three flower pots on the nightstand.
A light purple bellflower, two sunflowers, and a bouquet of white daisies.
A simple single bed was placed against the wall.
"You sleep here tonight."
Naruto patted his bed, his tone relaxed.
"The sheets and duvet covers are clean; I just changed them two days ago. The bathroom is over there, and there's hot water anytime."
"Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you something to eat?"
Karin shook her head; her attention seemed to be more on Naruto.
When Naruto began taking spare pillows and a thin quilt from the closet, clearly intending to go to the living room, a flash of panic crossed Karin's eyes.
Almost without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed Naruto's arm as he was tidying the quilt.
The force wasn't great, but it carried a stubbornness and... dependence that couldn't be ignored.
Naruto's movements paused, and he looked back at her.
Karin lowered her head, her fingers tightly clutching his sleeve, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum but clearly audible:
"How about... we sleep together?"
This sentence made Naruto freeze for a moment.
He looked at Karin's lowered, slightly reddened profile and her anxiously trembling eyelashes, and immediately understood what she meant.
It wasn't anything else; she was simply and extremely lacking a sense of security.
In this completely strange place, Naruto, her "clansman," was her only familiar anchor. Darkness and being alone probably meant the fear of abandonment and the recurrence of past nightmares to her.
Naruto's heart softened; all concerns seemed insignificant in the face of the girl's dependence.
"Alright, alright."
He immediately softened his voice, agreeing in a tone like he was coaxing a child.
"Then how about this: you sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the floor right next to you. Will that work?"
Saying this, he let go of Karin's hand, walked to the bedside, and skillfully lifted the bed board.
There was a hidden storage space underneath.
He briskly pulled out a set of spare bedding from inside.
Watching his movements, Karin's tense shoulders clearly relaxed, and a look of relief appeared in her eyes.
Naruto nimbly spread the mat on the empty floor by the bed and then laid out the bedding, his movements clean and efficient.
Soon, a simple but comfortable floor bed was ready, right next to the edge of the bed.
He patted the floor bed and gave Karin a bright smile: "See, I'll sleep right here. You can reach me just by stretching out your hand."
Karin smiled. Though it was a bit stiff, it was the first smile she had shown since coming to Konoha.
"Mm."
She responded softly, her voice less shaky this time.
Naruto watched her climb onto the bed and carefully crawl under the covers, revealing only half of her small face and her eyes watching him under the dim bedside lamp.
He helped her tuck in the corners of the quilt, then crawled into his own bedding on the floor, lying on his side facing the bed.
The light in the room was turned off, leaving only a very dim nightlight that wouldn't affect sleep, emitting a warm yellow glow.
In the darkness, the two were silent for a while. There were only the occasional sounds of insects outside the window and the sound of each other's shallow breathing.
After a while, just when Naruto thought Karin had fallen asleep, he heard a rustling sound from the bed. Then, a cold little hand quietly reached down from the bedside, groped around, and finally lightly touched the back of his hand resting outside the quilt.
Naruto didn't move, letting her touch him.
Then, he felt that little hand, somewhat hesitantly but ultimately firmly, take hold of his hand.
Karin didn't say anything, but the action said it all.
Naruto turned his hand over, taking that cold little hand completely into his own warm palm, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze.
He spoke softly in the darkness, his voice deep and reliable, like a promise:
"Don't worry."
"I'm always here."
The hand holding his trembled slightly, then completely relaxed, resting steadily in his palm.
Soon, the sound of even and steady breathing came from the bed. Karin finally sank into what was perhaps her first truly safe sleep in years, within this solid protection.
Meanwhile, Naruto held her hand, staring at the ceiling with his eyes open.
What was he thinking about at this moment?