Chapter 334: Gaining the Support of the Hyūga Clan
Konoha Village.
Hinata had moved back to the Hyūga clan residence after suffering emotional trauma, while Naruto tried to escape reality by burying himself in nonstop work.
"Mirai, you should head home and check in on Kurenai-sensei first."
Standing at the village gate, Shikamaru said this to Sarutobi Mirai.
"But… the mission report…"
Mirai hesitated slightly. According to protocol, after completing a mission, one must submit a report to the Hokage.
"I'll handle the report. Just go home for now, Mirai."
Kakashi chimed in, speaking to her.
"Thank you, Lord Sixth, and you too, Shikamaru-sensei."
After Sarutobi Asuma's death, Shikamaru had become Mirai's mentor.
"Boruto, what about you? Want to come with me to see Naruto?"
Shikamaru turned to Boruto and asked. He had assumed Boruto would refuse—after all, submitting a mission report to Naruto wasn't exactly a fun task—but to his surprise, Boruto actually nodded in agreement.
Hokage's Office.
When they saw the disheveled Naruto before them, Shikamaru almost didn't recognize him at first glance.
"Naruto, what's going on with you?" Kakashi asked, concerned at Naruto's exhausted state. "And how many days has it been since you last went home?"
"Kakashi-sensei… Shikamaru… you're back…"
Naruto looked up at the two, dark circles under his eyes. Seeing them brought him a fleeting sense of comfort. During the time everyone had been away on missions, he was once again reminded how important his companions were.
"Dad."
Boruto stepped forward from behind Kakashi and Shikamaru, his gaze fixed intently on Naruto.
"Looks like… you already know, Boruto."
Naruto met his son's eyes briefly, his expression avoiding direct contact.
"Yeah, you were even on TV giving an interview."
Boruto nodded, his face blank. Or rather, he was burying all his emotions deep within, making sure not to let anything show in front of his father.
"What happened?" Shikamaru looked between the two, sensing the heavy silence. "Naruto, did something happen in the village?"
"...Yeah."
After a long pause, Naruto finally nodded and began explaining what had taken place.
As Naruto spoke, both Kakashi and Shikamaru turned their eyes to Boruto. They had expected an outburst—maybe even for Boruto to lash out at Naruto in anger. But instead, Boruto stayed silent.
Maybe he had already burned through all his anger when he first found out.
That was the guess both Kakashi and Shikamaru came to.
But Naruto knew Boruto better—after all, he was his father. The look on Boruto's face now wasn't anger. It was disappointment. Utter disappointment in him.
"Where's Mom?"
Boruto asked.
"At your grandfather's place."
As soon as Naruto answered, Boruto turned and walked away without another word.
"..." The Hokage's office fell into a brief silence until Shikamaru finally broke it.
"Right, Naruto—Mirai's already back. Kakashi and I told her to go home first to see Kurenai-sensei."
"Okay." Naruto nodded. "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei. And you too, Shikamaru."
But Kakashi shook his head and said, "It wasn't Shikamaru and me who brought her back—it was Boruto..."
Then Kakashi and Shikamaru recounted everything they'd heard from Boruto.
Hyūga Clan Grounds.
"Boruto, you're here."
Hiashi Hyūga looked at Boruto. This time, he didn't show his usual affection—perhaps because in that moment, he felt like Boruto had already grown up.
"Grandpa." Boruto greeted him and asked, "Where's my mom?"
"She's inside—in the room she used to stay in as a child," Hiashi said with his hands tucked into his sleeves. "Hanabi is in there with her, taking care of her."
"Alright."
Hinata's childhood room had remained unchanged even after she married Naruto. It was still maintained regularly by Hyūga clan staff.
"Boruto?! You're back!"
Hanabi greeted him cheerfully. Looking at him, she couldn't help but catch a glimpse of what the future Boruto might look like.
"Hanabi-nee." Boruto nodded, then walked over to Hinata, who lay on the bed. Sitting cross-legged beside her, he said, "Mom, I already know what happened."
"Is that so..." Hinata's face was pale, her voice weak. "Boruto, don't blame your father. As Hokage, he had no choice but to make that decision..."
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm not blaming him."
Maybe it was just her imagination, but with Boruto by her side, Hinata's complexion seemed to improve a little. Sakura had diagnosed Hinata's condition as psychosomatic—an ailment of the heart.
Feeling the comfort of her son's presence, Hinata soon drifted into sleep.
"Hanabi-nee, I have something to ask of you."
Once outside Hinata's room, Boruto turned to Hanabi, his face serious.
"Huh? Why so formal? Whatever it is, I'll help you. I'm your big sister, after all."
Hanabi said lightly as she sipped her tea.
"Thanks, Hanabi-nee... What I want to ask is—will you help me run for Hokage?"
The moment Boruto said it, Hanabi spat out her tea, coughing violently as the liquid caught in her throat. It took her a while to recover.
"What did you say? Hokage? Are you serious, Boruto?" Hanabi stared at him in disbelief. "I remember you used to say being Hokage was the last thing you ever wanted."
"That was before. After everything that's happened, I've realized my dad isn't fit to be Hokage anymore. So instead, I'll take that role—and give him the chance to stay by Mom's side."
Boruto looked her straight in the eyes. "You don't want to see Mom stay like this forever, do you?"
"This..."
Hanabi frowned, a look of hesitation on her face.
"The Hyūga clan will support your bid for Hokage."
"Father?!"
"Grandpa?!"
Both Hanabi and Boruto turned to the elderly man who appeared at the doorway.
"When did you get here, Father?"
Hanabi looked at Hiashi in surprise.
"I've been standing outside the whole time. You just didn't notice." Hiashi explained briefly, then turned to Boruto. "Are you serious about becoming Hokage?"
"Yes."
Boruto nodded firmly.
"Father, you can't be serious about supporting him. He's still so young…"
"It's fine. These are peaceful times. The old grudges between villages have mostly faded. What the village needs now isn't a Hokage with overwhelming strength—it's a leader who can help grow the village's economy. Besides, given Boruto's connection with the feudal lord's son, if he becomes Hokage, it'll strengthen ties between the village and the Daimyō."
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