"Naruto-kun… you don't have the Byakugan, so how can you locate acupoints?" Hinata asked softly, a hint of concern in her voice.
"That's why I need you, Hinata," Naruto replied with a smile. "I want you to show me where the acupoints are on the human body."
"Eh? Are you asking for my help?" she stammered.
"Why, Hinata? Are you unwilling?"
Hinata quickly shook her head, her face flushing. "That's not it, Naruto-kun! Of course I'm willing!"
She smiled shyly. Being able to help Naruto gave her a sense of purpose. It made her feel useful—and happy.
"Then," Naruto asked, "which acupuncture points should we start with?"
Naruto gazed at Hinata as he spoke. The human body contained many acupoints, each with different effects and uses. He needed her guidance.
"By the way," Naruto added suddenly, "earlier today I saw Lee using the Eight Inner Gates. Are those related to acupoints?"
He had just remembered the fight he had witnessed earlier. It was still early in the night, and since they had already shaken off the Hyuga clan and the Konoha tracking team, Naruto and Hinata now had time to talk freely.
"I heard from Kakashi-sensei that the Eight Inner Gates correspond to specific chakra points: Gate of Opening, Gate of Rest, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death."
Hinata nodded seriously. "That's right, Naruto-kun. These are very important acupoints in the body. Releasing their limiters gives the user great power—but at great cost."
"Then… where exactly are these eight acupoints located?" Naruto leaned in closer as he asked, his eyes locked with hers.
Bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, Hinata saw Naruto's clean, determined face, and her heart pounded faster.
"Th-they're located here…" she stammered, reaching out slowly. Then, gathering her courage, she took Naruto's hand and gently placed it over the various points on his own body, guiding him through the Eight Gates one by one.
---
Elsewhere in Konoha…
Yamanaka Ino: "Naruto's so slick! Does he really want to learn about the Eight Inner Gates?"
Tenten: "Hinata actually took the initiative to touch Naruto! That's insane! That guy has legit abs too! This scene's too spicy!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Ahem! The Eight Inner Gates are a serious and dangerous technique, not to be taken lightly."
Hinata: "N-Naruto-kun's… body… is really strong…"
Jiraiya: "Heh, this reminds me of a chapter from Icha Icha Paradise, where a master and student got close over acupuncture training!"
Ebisu: "This sort of indecency has no place in Konoha's training! It tarnishes the spirit of the shinobi!"
Kakashi: "By the way, Ebisu… didn't you borrow my Icha Icha Paradise – Volume 1 a while ago? You still haven't returned it."
Ebisu: "Nonsense! I'm reading Foundational Ninjutsu. I would never touch something like that!"
Minato Namikaze: "Foundational Ninjutsu is indeed a good book. I'm surprised Jiraiya-sensei wrote something so proper for once."
Nagato: "Unfortunately, the world described in Jiraiya-sensei's books is too idealistic. I couldn't become the protagonist in his story… but through pain, I transcended. I became a god."
---
As the sun began to rise, Uzumaki Naruto finally returned home.
After a long night of "acupuncture training" with Hinata, both of them had clearly improved—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
"She really is the Hyuga clan's heir… her skin is so soft," Naruto muttered as he opened the door.
But just as he stepped inside, a shadowy figure squatting in the corner made him jump in surprise.
"You… you… Karin?!"
Naruto quickly turned on the light and confirmed the red hair—yes, it was her.
Uzumaki Karin slowly lifted her head, her expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration.
"You're finally back! I'm starving to death over here!"
Naruto suddenly remembered—he had asked Anko to escort Karin to her new residence after they faked her death using one of Orochimaru's test subjects. There was no way he'd allow her to return to the Hidden Grass and be mistreated again.
But he hadn't expected this…
"You've been here all night? Isn't there food in the house?"
Naruto walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. It was fully stocked, as usual. Since he didn't like mingling with others too much, he always bought food in bulk—enough to last a month.
"Refrigerator?" Karin's eyes sparkled with amazement. "This is my first time seeing one!"
Naruto sighed, scratching his head. He'd completely forgotten to explain things to her.
"Alright, hold on. I'll cook something for you."
"Y-you're cooking? For me?" Karin blinked, her face flushing pink.
"What? I'm just making ramen. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing… It's just… other than my mom, you're the first person who's ever cooked for me."
Naruto looked surprised, but then smiled. "Well then, if you like my food, I'll let you eat my cooking every day."
"Really?!" Karin leapt up and gave him a big hug.
A moment later, her stomach let out a loud growl. Naruto chuckled and headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal.
---
Soon, the aroma of freshly made ramen filled the house. Karin was practically drooling as she devoured her bowl.
"Man, this is amazing! You're the best, Naruto!"
Naruto laughed, then paused. "Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten since yesterday."
He turned back into the kitchen and made two more bowls of ramen.
Just as he placed them on the table, Karin looked surprised. "Wait, you made more? You knew I wasn't full?"
But Naruto shook his head and looked toward the window.
"Sister Yugao, you must be hungry. Would you like a bowl?"
"…"
To Karin's shock, a beautiful woman with long, purple hair emerged from the shadows. As she entered, the entire room seemed to be filled with a calming, floral fragrance.
Karin's eyes went wide. "W-who is she?! So pretty… This is what real femininity is!"
Naruto smiled warmly and handed her a bowl with chopsticks. "Come in, Sister Yugao. Try some of my ramen."
Uzuki Yugao, now unmasked, revealed a graceful, mature face. Her gaze softened as she looked at the steaming bowl.
She had been secretly observing Naruto on Anbu duty for some time now, and every time he cooked, she would silently admire from afar. Tonight was different.
She accepted the bowl gratefully and sat beside him.
"Sister Yugao," Naruto said, "what do you think? Is it delicious?"
"…It's really good," she replied with a rare smile.
---
Moonlight Hayate: "Cough… cough… cough!!!"
Shiranui Genma: "Hey, you okay, Hayate? Is your condition acting up again?"
Orochimaru: "The moonlight tonight… it's glowing green with envy!"
Uzuki Yugao: "Hayate, you've got it all wrong! I would never… do something inappropriate!"
Baki: "Don't worry, I'll help clear things up."
Uzuki Yugao: "Wait, you're the guy who killed Jifeng, aren't you?!"
Baki: "Don't point fingers. I didn't say anything."
Sarutobi Asuma: "Something feels off… even Anbu's Yugao is close with Naruto now. Could it be that…"
Yūhi Kurenai: "Asuma…"
---
To be continued…
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)