In the end, Naruto didn't lend a hand to 'modify' the statue's appearance.
First, he felt it was, after all, a spontaneous act by the citizens of Uzushiogakure… or the newly born Land of Whirlpools. They expressed their gratitude this way.
As the one being thanked, if he interfered, it might have the opposite effect.
If it spurred them on, making them feel that just this statue wasn't enough, who knows what marvelous thing he might see the next time he returned.
Second... well, it was Naruto's personal selfishness.
Unless someone knew him very well, they probably wouldn't immediately associate him with that statue upon seeing it.
This avoided the possibility of embarrassment spreading.
Led by Sachinosuke, Naruto, along with Konohamaru, who inexplicably had a large lump on his head, entered a three-story building… the 'administrative center' of Uzushiogakure.
Their arrival caused quite a stir, so Queen Sara, who had been handling official business inside, had already set aside her work and come downstairs to greet them.
"Ah... long time no see, Naruto-sama."
Queen Sara looked at this man who had provided the surviving people of Roran with a new place to live, her eyes also filled with gratitude.
"Speaking of which, I originally thought I'd see you the moment you returned here first. But it's been nearly three months since you came back."
Hearing this, Naruto just smiled and rubbed his cheek.
"Hahaha... is that so? I had some urgent matters at the time and didn't think much of it..."
As he spoke, Naruto's gaze shifted behind Sara, where he didn't see the familiar figure he was looking for.
"By the way, what about Jiraiya-sensei? Isn't he here?"
Hearing Naruto's question, Sachinosuke, who had been guiding them, belatedly explained.
"I failed to inform you in time. Jiraiya-sama received news from Konoha Village some time ago and temporarily left Uzushiogakure."
"Konoha?"
Hearing it was about Konoha, Naruto instinctively frowned. Konohamaru, who had been holding his head and moaning in pain, also dropped the act, his expression turning serious.
"Did he say what he went to do?"
Actually, Naruto knew in his heart that given Jiraiya's personality and his sense of belonging to Konoha Village, if they sent news needing help, he wouldn't sit idly by.
After all, Jiraiya was different from him… he couldn't just wash his hands of Konoha with peace of mind.
"I'm not too sure about that. We're just ordinary civilians, Jiraiya-sama wouldn't tell us about such dangerous matters either."
Sachinosuke shook his head under Naruto's disappointed gaze, then added,
"But perhaps the two other Ninja Lords he entrusted to protect Uzushiogakure might know."
Hearing this, Naruto's eyes flickered. His Observation Haki instantly covered dozens of miles, easily capturing two distinctly stronger auras.
—Actually, he didn't need to scan such a wide range, as those two had probably rushed over as soon as they received news of unidentified persons appearing.
"I didn't expect Jiraiya-sensei to ask you two to help..."
"Zabuza, Haku."
Swish! Swish!
Two familiar figures, one burly and one slender, landed before Naruto. They were none other than the [Demon], Momochi Zabuza, who should have been living in seclusion in the Land of Vegetables, and his 'follower', Haku.
"Tch, you're finally back? Haven't seen you for so long, I thought you got tangled up in something again."
Zabuza was now dressed in everyday clothes. His iconic Kubikiribocho wasn't slung on his back, and he wasn't even wearing a mask. If Naruto weren't fairly familiar with him, he might not have recognized him at first glance.
It seemed life in the Land of Vegetables had indeed changed this [Demon].
Hearing his unceremonious teasing, Naruto didn't mind. They were no longer in the simple assassin-and-target relationship of the beginning.
After Naruto had spared them, and they had bonded with Kousei and joined the Tailed Beast Team on their world-saving journey, they could already call each other 'friends'.
"Hahaha… you're not exactly wrong..."
Thinking back on the past three months, Naruto couldn't refute that.
"Long time no see, Naruto."
Beside him, Haku, with his long hair flowing down his back, looked at Naruto with a gentle smile, his tone very soft.
"And this little brother... is he your disciple?"
Unlike Zabuza, the thoughtful Haku didn't overlook the other unfamiliar face present and proactively greeted Konohamaru.
And under the gaze of those pure, spring-water-like eyes, Konohamaru, who had been glaring at Zabuza for speaking rudely to Naruto, suddenly froze.
Then this little brat's face flushed red, and the words he had prepared to retort to Zabuza dissolved into silence.
Konohamaru, who had shown no reaction or wavering even in the face of Sandersonia's generous 'fan service', now fell into a state of budding bewilderment upon seeing Haku.
'Such... such a beautiful big sister...'
Konohamaru's face reddened, but he couldn't utter a word.
Clearly, this was really his type.
And it made sense.
Compared to seductive and teasing older women, a gentle big sister like pure white moonlight was probably better at capturing a little boy's heart.
—Of course, all of this was predicated on the person actually being a 'sister'.
"I... this one is Naruto-Aniki's chief disciple! Konohamaru is me!"
Perhaps due to excessive fluster, Konohamaru had abandoned his catchphrase and blurted it out again.
This energetic display, however, made Haku smile softly.
"Is that so? Hello there, Konohamaru-kun. My name is Haku."
Beside them, Naruto, sensing something, showed a strange expression.
Even the always cold and stern Zabuza noticed it, and a playful look appeared on his face.
'What an interesting little brat... can't blame him though, since Haku's appearance was indeed very deceptive.'
Thinking this, Zabuza suddenly grinned widely and deliberately said to Haku,
"Haku, seems this little brat has a crush on you."
Hearing this, before Haku could respond, Konohamaru sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glaring fiercely at Zabuza.
"Hey! What are you talking about?!"
Haku beside them just smiled and patted Zabuza's shoulder.
"Come on, Zabuza-san, don't tease me. How could this little brother have a crush on me, another man?"
Saying so, he glanced back at Naruto, just in time to meet Naruto's somewhat complicated gaze.
'Ah... this was an unforeseen scene.'
Crack—
In his mind's ear, Naruto seemed to hear something shatter.
He knew it was a boy's heart, which had just sprouted a branch of longing.
Konohamaru's mouth opened and closed soundlessly, his neck turning stiffly like a rusty machine to look at the fair-skinned, slender-figured 'big sister', Haku.
Then, Naruto's palm gently covered his forehead.
Words were unnecessary at this moment.