After leaving the hospital, Naruto made his way to the place he had agreed to meet Hinata.
The moment Hinata saw him, her eyes lit up. She immediately waved with excitement.
"Naruto-kun!"
A warm smile spread across Naruto's face—one of those rare, sincere smiles that came from deep within his heart. A smile he only showed to those truly close to him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hinata," Naruto said.
"It's fine… it's really fine. I'm just happy to see you again, Naruto-kun!"
As she spoke, Hinata lowered her head slowly. Her face turned crimson with embarrassment, as if even that simple confession had drained all her courage.
"Why do you always blush so easily?" Naruto teased playfully.
He gently stretched out a finger and tapped her small nose, smiling brightly. Hinata's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
"Alright, what do you want to eat today? It's my treat!" Naruto said, changing the subject with cheerful energy.
Before she could answer, her face grew pale, and her knees buckled.
"Hey—Hinata? What's wrong? Why did you faint?!"
"…"
---
Later, at Ichiraku Ramen…
The sky had darkened, casting a quiet shadow over Konoha. Inside the familiar warmth of Ichiraku Ramen, only Naruto and Hinata remained seated.
Uncle Ichiraku, ever tactful, had quietly retreated after preparing their bowls, giving the young couple their privacy.
"Hinata," Naruto said, stirring his chopsticks, "you can't keep fainting like that. If your body is this weak, how can you be a ninja?"
"I… I'm sorry, Naruto."
"You don't have to apologize to me. Just make sure to eat well. I'll help you with some training later!"
"E-Eh?!"
Hinata froze, her mind blank. She knew very well—her fainting had nothing to do with poor health.
It's because… I like Naruto-kun too much!
---
Meanwhile, in the viewing dimension…
Tenten covered her mouth in excitement: "Oh my god, is this a confession? I had my suspicions, but I didn't think Hinata actually had a crush on Naruto!"
Hinata, flustered in the audience dimension: "No… no… I… I couldn't possibly like…"
She tried to explain, but halfway through, she stopped.
What was the point of denying it?
Even if she denied it, she herself wouldn't believe it.
After all… that Hinata is me.
And she does like Naruto-kun!
It doesn't matter if it's Naruto from this world…
Or the Naruto from that world…
She likes them all.
---
Naruto: "W-What? Hinata, you… you really like me?!"
Minato sighed with a chuckle: "This kid is really slow to react, just like his old man."
Kushina, with a proud smile: "He's so much like you, Minato!"
Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, crossed her arms: "Honestly, I think my sister likes the Naruto on the black screen more. That Naruto is more worthy of her!"
Ino flipped her hair: "Wow, Hinata is surprisingly bold. I didn't expect someone as gentle as her to openly like Naruto. That makes her a real competitor in both looks and charm!"
Sakura, frowning: "Pig Ino, what's that supposed to mean?!"
Ino smirked: "Exactly what it sounds like!"
Jiraiya laughed out loud: "I never thought Naruto would be so popular with the Konoha girls! Not bad! This is how a true protagonist should be!"
Tsunade, muttering: "I don't know why, but I feel uneasy whenever I see that alternate world Naruto. He has this strange aura… reminds me of Nawaki and Dan."
Orochimaru grinned slyly: "Tsunade, you're not falling for him too, are you? Careful—your age is showing, Grandma."
Tsunade: "You damn snake! We're the same age!"
Orochimaru, smirking smugly: "No, no, no. My current body is that of a 20-year-old girl. You can't compete with that kind of tightness."
Mei Terumi, casually joining the fray: "Luckily, I'm still quite young and don't have to worry about things sagging."
Tsunade: "???"
---
Back at Ichiraku Ramen…
"I'm full!" Naruto announced, stretching his arms in satisfaction.
"Me too, Naruto-kun," Hinata replied shyly.
Naruto glanced at the bowls in front of her and was genuinely surprised.
"Whoa, I didn't expect you to be able to eat more than me! You look so petite!"
Hinata blushed and looked away, covering her face.
Naruto chuckled, pulled out his signature toad wallet, and paid for the ramen.
"Thanks for the food, Uncle Ichiraku! We'll be heading out now."
"See you later, Naruto!"
---
Outside the restaurant, the night was tranquil. The moon shone high above, casting silver light over Konoha's rooftops. The peaceful village felt like a dream.
Somewhere in the distance, a lone cat meowed, and the sound echoed across the quiet street.
"It really is a beautiful village," Naruto muttered to himself. "But… it's not my village."
He sighed and stretched.
Hinata stepped up beside him. "What did you say just now, Naruto?"
She blushed again. Did he mean… she was part of his village?
What should she do if Naruto suddenly confessed?
Or worse… what if he was angry?
While she was panicking in her thoughts, Naruto moved swiftly—he bent down and scooped her up by the waist!
"Wha—?!"
"You've gained a little weight," Naruto teased with a mischievous grin.
Hinata was so embarrassed that she buried her head in his chest.
"Hold on tight!"
With a burst of chakra in his legs, Naruto soared into the air, landing nimbly on a rooftop, then leaping again from treetop to treetop. The cold night wind brushed gently across their faces.
Nestled in Naruto's arms, Hinata felt like she was flying.
The golden strands of Naruto's hair shimmered in the moonlight. Unlike the Naruto on the screen, this Naruto had longer hair—somewhat resembling his father, Minato.
"Na-Naruto… where are you taking me?" Hinata asked nervously.
"You'll see soon enough," he replied with a grin.
As he said this, a layer of lightning chakra erupted under his feet. The world around them blurred as Naruto transformed into a golden flash, disappearing into the night.
---
Not long after they left, two Hyuga clan members arrived at the spot where Naruto had taken off.
"Damn! We lost them!" one of them hissed. "Naruto took Lady Hinata and vanished!"
"He was already out of range for our Byakugan to track… how is this possible? Isn't he just a Genin?! How can he move that fast?!"
"Don't forget—his father was the Yellow Flash. Speed runs in his blood."
"Still… this is beyond Genin level. We have to report this to Lord Hiashi immediately!"
"Right!"
The two disappeared into the shadows, heading back toward the Hyuga compound.
---
On a branch nearby, a silent figure stood observing everything. A purple-haired kunoichi in Anbu attire—Uzuki Yugao—watched the Hyuga members leave, then turned to follow Naruto's path.
"The Third Hokage's words still echo in my mind," she whispered.
"'We must win Naruto over to Anbu—no matter the cost. For Konoha, and for the Land of Fire.'"
Yugao tightened her grip. Even with the Anbu mask concealing her face, her conflicted emotions could be seen in her posture.
At all costs. The implication was clear.
Naruto might still be a child, but if necessary… they would use whatever means it took.
Yugao clenched her fists. She had no choice.
---
Back at Konoha's forested training ground…
Naruto landed gently and placed Hinata on the grass.
"Alright, Hinata! It's time to start your training!"
"E-Eh? Right now?"
Naruto's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I want to try this new acupoint striking technique I just learned. You ready?"
"Eh?! Wait… acupoints? N-Naruto-kun… do you even know how—?"
But it was too late.
Naruto stepped forward with a grin.
"Relax. I'll be gentle!"
Hinata's entire face turned bright red.
Tonight… was going to be unforgettable.