Hinata lay on the snow-covered ground, her small hands tightly covering her eyes, her body trembling slightly.
Naruto grabbed her gently by the collar, lifted her up, and brushed the snow from her coat.
"Are you okay?"
Feeling the warmth of the boy standing so close, Hinata lowered her head and nodded obediently.
"I-I'm… fine. Thank you…"
Naruto's gaze lingered on her small face. Her cheeks were red from the cold, slightly frostbitten.
A thought crossed his mind.
Perfect chance to practice the Mystical Palm Technique.
"Don't move. I'll heal it."
He cupped her soft cheeks with both hands. A faint green glow appeared.
The irritated skin began recovering at a visible rate.
Hinata froze.
Her pale Byakugan widened slightly.
Then—
Her face flushed bright red.
Steam might as well have been rising from her head.
Her heart pounded violently.
His hand… on her face…
She didn't dare pull away.
Instead, she lowered her head, occasionally sneaking glances at him.
[Mystical Palm Technique — Proficiency Increased (3/10)]
Naruto felt the chakra flow more smoothly through his palm.
Good.
Practice really does help.
Hinata truly was a lucky star.
Her cheeks were soft and smooth, like freshly peeled eggs.
Still—
He wasn't interested in little girls.
His preference leaned toward mature women.
Especially blonde ones.
Suddenly—
"That's the Mystical Palm Technique, isn't it?"
A gentle, surprised female voice sounded nearby.
Naruto turned.
A woman with long light-brown hair stood there, her expression warm yet astonished.
She had a gentle face, soft features, and the calm demeanor of a caregiver.
"I'm Yakushi Nono," she introduced herself with a gentle smile. "Director of the Konoha Orphanage."
"I'm also a medical-nin at Konoha Hospital."
She looked at Naruto with genuine curiosity.
"You're very young… and you can already use the Mystical Palm Technique?"
"Would you like to study medical ninjutsu under me?"
Her surprise was understandable.
The Mystical Palm Technique might be entry-level medical ninjutsu, but it required precise chakra control.
And this boy hadn't even entered the Academy yet.
Even Tsunade-sama, the greatest medical-nin in the world, might not have mastered it at this age.
Naruto felt a flicker of recognition.
Yakushi Nono.
Former Root operative.
Known once as the "Wandering Shrine Maiden."
Later, she established an orphanage to shelter children of fallen shinobi.
And eventually—
She would die tragically during one of Danzō's schemes, killed by Kabuto under tragic circumstances.
Naruto spoke calmly.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
Nono's smile froze almost imperceptibly.
Of course she knew that name.
The Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
She had heard whispers about his treatment.
As a former Root elite, she also understood the political sensitivity surrounding him.
The Third Hokage personally oversaw matters related to the Jinchūriki.
Unauthorized close contact was… complicated.
Even Danzō had failed to obtain control over Naruto.
Yet—
Looking at the boy standing before her.
Polite.
Calm.
Helping the Hyūga clan's young daughter.
Her heart softened.
If she had never met him in person, perhaps she could have remained detached.
But now…
She hesitated.
If she reported Naruto's medical aptitude to the Hokage, perhaps the village would value him more?
Since Tsunade left, Konoha's medical corps had struggled.
If nurtured properly, Naruto could become another pillar of Konoha's medical system.
Her smile returned.
She gently patted his head.
Naruto blinked.
Why does everyone in this village like patting my head?
Hokage Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched everything through the crystal ball.
"As expected of Minato's child… The Will of Fire burns within him."
But his expression darkened slightly.
He had sensed the Nine-Tails' chakra earlier—at the shop, and again just now.
Naruto was already unconsciously drawing upon it?
Self-taught?
Before he could analyze further—
He saw Naruto break the boys' arms without hesitation.
Hiruzen's brows knitted tightly.
This…
This was excessive.
They were ignorant children.
Discipline would have sufficed.
Such ruthless retaliation—
That was not the Will of Fire.
Violence answered with violence was no different from the path of Uchiha Madara.
The Jinchūriki's heart must not be consumed by hatred.
If Naruto were to walk the wrong path, the village—still rebuilding after the Nine-Tails' attack—could not endure another disaster.
Hiruzen exhaled heavily.
Perhaps…
It was time to assign Naruto a proper teacher.
He could not personally guide the boy while burdened with Hokage duties.
And Naruto—
Needed guidance before resentment took root.