Seeing the genuine disappointment radiating from Naruto, Hinata didn't know what to say.
"Hinata, I thought you really wanted to be my friend." Naruto looked at the bewildered girl and sighed deeply.
After all, Hinata was so kind and sweet. He really did want to be friends with her.
"If I spar with Naruto-kun... then you'll believe I really want to be friends?" Hinata asked carefully.
She desperately wanted to get closer to him.
"Oh! Then you agree to spar with me?" The disappointment vanished from Naruto's face, replaced by renewed fighting spirit.
Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He dropped his charcoal and ran over. "Naruto, Hinata's a girl."
"So? I can't be friends with girls?" Naruto looked genuinely puzzled.
"Sasuke-kun, please go back to your training." Hinata clenched her fists, determination flickering in her pale eyes. "I really want to be friends with Naruto-kun."
"You're both idiots," Sasuke muttered. Seeing that both of them were willing participants in this madness, he gave up and returned to his charcoal production.
Sure enough, moments later he heard the distinctive sounds of impact from behind. Bang. Bang. Bang. His eye twitched. When he glanced back, he saw several fresh bruises blooming on Hinata's face, which was already starting to swell.
"Naruto-kun... are we friends now?" she asked, voice slightly muffled.
"Of course!" Naruto smiled warmly and helped her up with care. "Actually, Hinata, I wanted to ask you to be friends yesterday. But you left so quickly."
"Really?" The pain in Hinata's face suddenly didn't matter anymore. Her heart raced at his words, cheeks flushing.
"Really. More real than breakfast," Naruto replied seriously.
After they talked for a while longer, Naruto boiled some eggs and gave them to Hinata to press against the swelling. After all, she was his friend now. He should look after his friends' wellbeing.
Half an hour later, Hinata said her goodbyes. She'd stayed much longer than usual. Father would definitely scold her when she got home.
And she still had evening training in the Gentle Fist waiting for her.
On the walk home, Hinata felt incredibly happy. In the past, she hadn't even dared to speak to Naruto. She could only hide in corners, watching him from afar, sometimes secretly cheering him on in her heart.
Now she could not only talk to him alone, but they were actually friends.
It would have been pure fantasy before. A dream she'd never dare speak aloud.
With a sweet smile on her face, Hinata returned home. The front hall was empty—Father must be waiting at the training grounds, probably with that stern expression he always wore.
Bracing herself for the scolding, Hinata tiptoed toward the practice area.
Sure enough, her father stood there with his back to her, radiating his usual serious aura. Hearing her footsteps, Hiashi Hyūga turned around to look at his daughter.
His eyes widened. What happened to her face?
"What happened?" Hiashi's voice came out low and controlled.
"Father, I sparred with someone." Hinata answered honestly.
"Sparred?" Hiashi looked genuinely surprised. He knew his daughter's personality. She was usually so timid and hesitant. Yet she'd actually agreed to spar with someone?
This was... unexpected.
Good. He didn't want a weak daughter. If she had the courage to fight, even coming home injured, that satisfied him more than any perfect, unblemished retreat.
For the first time in recent memory, a smile crossed Hiashi's stern features. "Well done, Hinata. Now, let's begin your Gentle Fist training."
Hearing her father's praise made Hinata's heart soar. This was the first time he'd ever praised her. With sudden clarity, she understood—it was because sparring with Naruto had earned his approval. Silently, she thanked Naruto and replied loudly, "Yes, Father!"
Time passed. Hinata sometimes came back to chat with Naruto, and he was always willing to talk with the shy girl.
Shikamaru and Choji came over for dinner regularly. Usually because Choji dragged Shikamaru along.
As for Sasuke, he'd told Naruto after school today that this was his final day learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu with Itachi. Starting tomorrow, he could use shadow clones to attend the Academy in his place.
Then they could train together on the back mountain properly again.
On the back mountain, Naruto practiced the Heavenly Ascension Fist. The technique looked deceptively simple, but actually performing it was incredibly difficult. It demanded precise body control and perfect strength distribution.
Like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time, except a thousand times harder.
Nine-Tails, who'd been working on his cookbook, suddenly lifted his head. His ears twitched. "Naruto, I smell something unpleasant."
Naruto stopped mid-punch and walked over. "What kind of unpleasant smell?"
"That masked man's chakra." Nine-Tails' voice came out through gritted teeth. "Seven years ago, that bastard summoned me and controlled my mind. Made me slaughter Konoha."
The raw hatred in his voice made it clear how much he despised the masked man.
"There are... many powerful chakra signatures gathering... A big battle is breaking out..." Nine-Tails' ears flattened against his head.
"A battle?" Naruto looked in the direction Nine-Tails indicated.
His heart dropped. "That's... that's the direction of Sasuke's home. No, Sasuke might be in danger!"
He calculated the time. Sasuke should be on his way home right now. If he ran into whatever was happening...
"I have to go check." Naruto started moving.
"Naruto, I can't go with you. If I get close, that man might be able to control me again..." Nine-Tails' voice carried genuine unease.
"Then stay here and wait for me." Without another word, Naruto took off running in that direction.
Two ANBU operatives suddenly materialized, blocking his path. The Hokage had given them explicit orders not to let Naruto go there.
"Naruto, it's dangerous. You can't go."
"You again?" Naruto's voice came out low and dangerous. "Are you going to stop me?"
"What do you mean 'again'? This is the first time we've appeared directly in front of you." The two ANBU exchanged confused glances before reaching out to physically restrain him. "Naruto, stay here. It's too dangerous."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward and delivered a punch to each of their chests.
The ANBU operatives smirked behind their masks. Just a kid. Doesn't matter how big he is. If he can knock us down, I'll eat my mask.
They stood their ground, not bothering to dodge.