Sakura said with a bright smile. If they were visiting the Hokage world, wouldn't it be pointless if they didn't paint over the Hokage Rock?
"You brats—get out now! Immediately, right this second! Go back to class, and after school, bring buckets, mops, and rags. Then clean that Hokage Rock yourselves!"
Iruka slumped over his desk looking utterly miserable. Why had Heaven sent these students to him? Why had he foolishly agreed to take care of them when the Third had asked? At this rate, he was sure he'd die from rage-induced heart failure sooner rather than later.
Sakura and the others crept silently out of the office, closed the door gently behind them, and then took off running the moment they were out. It was history class now, but Yamada-sensei had just been reduced to tears because of their behavior. Who would want to sit through lectures delivered by an adult man quietly sobbing while teaching? Especially one with a receding hairline—his pitiful appearance only made things worse.
In the Third Hokage's office, the Third stood at the window, gazing at his vividly colorful hair painted across the Hokage Rock, wearing an expression full of sorrow. Why did I have to be the only one who ended up looking like this? Look at the Fourth—blond hair, blue eyes, flawlessly brought to life. But his own portrait looked like some artistic renaissance gone wrong, with rainbow-colored hair, pink heart-shaped eyes, and even nosebleeds drawn under his nose. He looked like a shady guy with dubious tastes.
Favoritism again! Once more, he inwardly sighed at living in a world so obsessed with appearances. Though on his face there was no sign of anger. After all, it was just a statue carved in stone upon the Hokage Rock. As long as Naruto could find happiness, he had fulfilled Minato's final wish.
Chapter 55: Hinata's Thoughts
"Iruka-sensei really went too far," Naruto puffed his cheeks indignantly. He thought his artwork turned out great—especially proud of how he drew the Fourth Hokage. Yet now he had to wipe away piece by piece what he'd painstakingly created—something he wasn't willing to do at all.
"Probably because the Third Hokage forced him into it!" Sakura immediately shifted the blame onto the Third without hesitation. "Naruto, you must understand—within the village, the Third holds ultimate authority. There's no way Iruka-sensei could refuse his orders."
"That's such a shame," Naruto muttered as he slowly wiped away the image of his dear father. For some reason, he had no trouble defacing the other three Hokage portraits, but when it came to the Fourth's, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Hmph, what was I even doing going along with you people in the first place?" Sasuke frowned coldly. If his father found out he spent all day goofing around at school drawing graffiti, he might actually scold him.
"You weren't holding back earlier when you were painting away like crazy. Now suddenly having regrets?" Sakura rolled her eyes involuntarily. That guy always spoke one way and acted another. Back then, he seemed more excited than anyone else, yet now he pretended as if he regretted everything.
"Hmph," Sasuke scoffed. The Third's hairstyle was his masterpiece after all—who else but the Third would assign so many missions to His Brother through Anbu? It was all the Third's fault that His Brother never had time for him anymore.
Third: "???"
After scrubbing down all four Hokage Rocks, everyone was completely exhausted. They collapsed onto the top of the Hokage Rock, watching the sun slowly set.
"Um... I should head back now. Otherwise I'll be late!" After resting briefly, Hinata stood up, seeming slightly panicky.
"Well then, let's all go home."
Sakura exchanged knowing glances with everyone, and once Hinata was far away, the group that had been preparing to disperse suddenly gathered together again.
"Did you guys notice too? Lately Hinata seems really unhappy."
Sakura rubbed her chin thoughtfully. In recent days, Hinata had seemed unusually down, especially whenever it was time to go home—it almost looked like she was heading into battle.
"Could something have happened to her?" Ino looked equally concerned. All of them liked Hinata—she was such a kind girl—and seeing her in this state genuinely worried them.
"Why talk so much when we could just follow her and see what's going on?" Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets. Although the Uchiha and Hyuga families generally disliked each other, he'd never actually disliked Hinata. With her personality, it was difficult for anyone to truly resent her.
Having made their decision, the group quietly followed the path Hinata had taken back home. They were all very familiar with the Hyuga clan compound; Hinata's usual path hadn't changed at all, so they didn't worry about getting lost.
Walking alone on her way home, Hinata felt heavy-hearted. Now that she had entered the Ninja Academy, training in her family's secret techniques had officially begun—but she disliked actively attacking others. Even during practice, she held back. She knew Hiashi Hyuga had recently become displeased because he intended for her to become the next heir of the Hyuga clan. But Hinata honestly did not like hurting people, so during training, she always held back some strength, making it impossible for her to fully unleash Gentle Fist. His disappointment made her feel deeply upset. Every evening, the walk home felt like heading to her doom.
"Ow!"
Lost in thought and walking with her head bowed, Hinata wasn't paying attention and accidentally ran straight into a fat little boy coming from the opposite direction. Though the boy was one or two years older than her, after training chakra for an entire year, Hinata's physical condition was far superior. The impact immediately knocked him over.
"A-Are you okay?!" Hinata panicked slightly as she moved forward to help the chubby boy up.
"Hey! Stupid girl! You knocked me down—you should apologize right away!"
Supported by his two little friends behind him, the fat boy stood up. Seeing that Hinata was only a girl, his attitude instantly became arrogant.
"I'm really sorry!" Hinata quickly apologized, feeling embarrassed. If she hadn't been distracted while walking, she wouldn't have bumped into him.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>