"Hey—do you guys really think it's fun to gang up on a girl?"
Naruto's voice rang out loudly.
The children who were in the middle of their usual bullying routine froze, then turned toward him with annoyed expressions. A moment later, they burst out laughing.
"Isn't that the Nine-Tails Demon Fox?"
"What, you suddenly think you're tough now?"
"Since when do monsters play the hero and save damsels?"
"Been a while since we beat you up—itching for it again?"
These kids were some of the people most familiar with Naruto.
Back then, it was a big beating every three days, a small beating every two. Getting cornered and pummeled had been routine.
The ANBU who were supposedly protecting him never interfered. They would only watch coldly from the shadows, stepping in only when things were about to turn fatal, casually saying, "That's enough."
That attitude only made these kids bolder.
Until one day, Naruto finally fought back with everything he had, knocking two teeth out of their leader—though he paid for it by getting his face swollen like a pig's head.
After that, they caused him less trouble.
Just as Aizen had said: blind kindness only invites greater cruelty. Sometimes, violence was the most effective solution.
Now, they no longer dared to bully Naruto—but instead targeted others.
Watching this scene, a deep disgust rose in Naruto's chest.
"Trash belongs in the trash heap," he said coldly. "Standing here and wasting air is an insult to Konoha."
The gentle smile vanished from his face, his eyes sharpening instantly.
He stepped forward and threw a rapid series of punches.
Each strike carried a trace of spiritual pressure.
The result was devastating.
One punch per person—fair and equal.
Moments later, the children were sprawled on the ground, bloodied and wailing. Their leader had lost three teeth and would now lisp every time he spoke.
Naruto stood there calmly, watching them cry for a full five minutes without lifting a finger again.
He knew the ANBU wouldn't allow things to escalate further.
Their "protection" was only meant to make sure he didn't die.
When the crying finally subsided, Naruto put on a warm, gentle smile. He pulled them to their feet and spoke in a patient, older-brother tone.
"Mocking someone's appearance is extremely rude. We're all civilized residents of Konoha, right? We wouldn't solve problems with something as barbaric as fists… correct?"
That elegant smile made the kids' scalps go numb.
They nodded frantically.
"Good. So what should you do next?"
"I—I'll leave?" the leader sobbed.
Naruto's hand tightened on the boy's shoulder.
"A-apologize!" he cried out in pain, hastily correcting himself.
"Admitting mistakes and fixing them makes you a good child," Naruto said kindly, letting go.
The kids shuffled over to the girl.
"S-sorry," they muttered.
"Louder. An apology needs sincerity," Naruto reminded them thoughtfully from behind.
A chill ran down their spines.
They bowed deeply and shouted, "We're sorry!"
"Good. Remember that." Naruto watched them stagger away, then turned toward the girl with a gentle, harmless smile.
"Are you alright?"
For Hinata Hyuga, this was a day she would never forget.
She had slipped out of the clan grounds alone, planning to buy some snacks, only to be stopped halfway by those children.
She recognized them—kids in Konoha notorious for bullying others.
They shoved her, cursed her, and mocked her eyes.
Just when she felt completely helpless, a gentle, handsome boy appeared like a hero, driving away the bad people and saving her.
He was so kind.
And his smile was so bright.
When she heard the bullies apologizing, tears welled up in Hinata's eyes. She looked at Naruto with watery eyes and spoke softly.
"Thank you… may I ask your name?"
"My name is Naruto."
He gently patted her on the head.
Hinata's face instantly turned bright red, as if steam were about to rise from it.
"Kindness is a wonderful trait," Naruto said softly.
"But the easier you are to bully, the more people will bully you. The tougher you are, the fewer people will dare."
"I hope that next time we meet, you won't be a pushover anymore."
"I'm leaving now. Goodbye."
Hinata hurriedly looked up—
But Naruto was already gone, disappearing at the far end of the street.
She stood there blankly, his words echoing in her mind.
Not be a pushover anymore…
"Miss, are you alright?"
A guard from the Hyuga Clan landed beside her, his voice tense with concern.
As the eldest daughter of the main family, Hinata was normally accompanied by guards whenever she went out.
But today, she had slipped away without permission. When her absence was discovered, the clan head immediately sent people to search for her.
On the way, the guard had seen several crying children fleeing while cursing angrily:
"Damn Nine-Tails Demon Fox! Damn Byakugan monster!"
Byakugan monster?
That had to be referring to the young lady.
He ignored the children entirely and rushed over.
Hinata didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the street where Naruto had disappeared.
Thank you… Naruto-kun.
After that day, Hinata's father, Hiashi, was shocked to discover that his previously timid daughter had suddenly become diligent.
She began training the Gentle Fist seriously.
She even said to him, "Father, I want to train. I want to become strong, so no one can bully me anymore."
Hiashi was deeply gratified—and praised her without reservation.
Meanwhile…
"A timid Hyuga girl, with guards no less… her status isn't low. She's worth befriending."
Naruto walked down the road, thinking calmly.
Before leaving, his spiritual pressure had already sensed ninja approaching rapidly, so he chose to leave decisively.
On his way out, he even crossed paths with a young Hyuga guard in his twenties, his Byakugan clearly visible.
Definitely her guard.
The Hyuga were a prestigious clan on par with the Uchiha. The Byakugan was just as famous as the Sharingan.
That meant—
The girl could become a very valuable connection in the future.
Naruto's lips curled upward slightly.
He had already planted the seed of strength in her heart.
He hoped that when they met again, she wouldn't disappoint him.
"Only by becoming strong," he thought,
"will you be qualified to stand on my board."