21 Back to the office!!!!
I drop Temari back at her hotel after breakfast. We talk a little on the way. Nothing heavy. She gives her blunt advice again about Hinata. If Hinata wants my attention, she should just ask instead of hiding and watching from a distance. I don't argue. Temari means well. I just don't think it's that simple.
After that, I head straight for Tsunade's office. There are a few things I need to clear up with her.
When I push the door open, the first thing I see is paperwork mountain of it. Tsunade is buried behind her desk, and Shizune is adding to the pile like it's a personal mission. Both of them look up when they hear the door.
Tsunade actually smiles. A real one. "Well, look who finally decided to rejoin reality."
I pause. "If you're busy, I can come back later."
"No," she says immediately, stretching her arms. "Perfect timing. I was starting to think you'd sleep the whole day with Temari wrapped around you."
I feel heat rush to my face before I can stop it. Behind her, Shizune giggles, and Tonton squeals and points at me like she understands exactly what's happening.
Tsunade leans back, smirking. "So? Does my hyperactive blond nephew have a crush on the desert princess?"
I drop onto the couch with a sigh. "Alright, let's not exaggerate. Temari's beautiful. Strong. Smart. Probably the strongest kunoichi our age. Anyone who says they don't notice that is either blind or lying."
Tsunade laughs. "Easy there, hotshot. I'm not ready to send a marriage proposal to the Kazekage just yet."
The joke lands, but it also shifts something in the room. Tsunade's tone changes, just a little.
"Relax," she adds. "Plenty of girls would line up for you. In fact, there's a lavender-eyed one who's been doing exactly that."
I wince. "Please don't bring Hinata into this. I already talked about her with Temari this morning."
That gets their attention.
Shizune blinks. "Wait. Naruto-kun. Did you just say you know about Hinata's feelings?"
I nod. "Yeah. It's obvious. She freezes up every time I'm close. Same look most girls used to give Sasuke. Only hers isn't about status or power. She genuinely likes me."
Tsunade's smile is gone now. She's watching me closely. "Then why haven't you done anything about it?"
I lean forward, elbows on my knees. "Because the Hyūga clan would kill me."
Silence.
Shizune speaks carefully. "Naruto… why do you believe that?"
I breathe out slowly. This isn't something I planned to say out loud.
"When I was around seven, I saved Hinata from some bullies. Genin. They beat me pretty badly. Hinata tried to help, but her guard showed up. A jōnin. He picked her up and told me not to associate with a demon like me. Said it would ruin her image."
Tsunade's hands tighten on her desk.
"From that point on," I continue, "I kept my distance. I noticed something back then. When I was hurt, no one came. When Hinata was near trouble, her guard appeared instantly. That told me everything. I wasn't someone worth protecting."
Shizune looks heartbroken. Tonton waddles over and presses against my leg, nuzzling me. I scratch her head absently.
"I didn't want Hinata dragged into that mess," I say. "So I kept contact minimal. Same with Ino. Clan girls have politics, expectations. Targets on their backs."
Tsunade exhales sharply. "And Sakura?"
I glance up. "Her parents are civilians. No clan council. No guards. I figured the worst that could happen was her dad yelling at me. I could take that. Compared to jōnin showing up to put me 'in my place,' it felt safer."
The room goes quiet.
Tsunade rubs her temples, muttering curses under her breath. Elders. The old man. The system. All of it.
Shizune wipes at her eyes, trying to stay composed.
Tonton nudges my hand again.
"It's fine," I say softly. "I grew up like that. I survived."
But Tsunade looks furious. Not at me.
At the village that made a child think surviving alone was normal.