Chapter 3: Lost in the Sound of "Hinata-chan"
"Sort of," Iruka said after a moment's hesitation, then tried to ask as gently as he could, "But more importantly, I'd like to hear why you're giving up on your dream?"
"No reason. That kind of thing just isn't my dream." Naruto shrugged. "Didn't you say Hokage is supposed to be the strongest in the village, Iruka-sensei?"
"Yes, I did say that," Iruka nodded.
"Well, they're right. I'm just dead last—how could I possibly become Hokage?" Naruto countered.
"You can't put it like that. As long as you work hard…" Iruka trailed off. He knew Naruto's circumstances, but because of the Third's decree, he couldn't say anything.
Naruto tilted his head, looking at Iruka in puzzlement.
"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to be Hokage anymore. I want to pick a dream that isn't so far out of reach."
"What dream?" A bead of sweat slid down Iruka's temple. He didn't even know why he was going along with a child's words like this.
"Maybe finding a gentle wife and getting married or something—just being an ordinary adult," Naruto said, scratching his head.
Iruka's heart skipped a beat and then grew heavy. Naruto's dream was just to become a normal person—so simple, yet, for him, impossibly distant.
Kid, you're a jinchūriki. You can't possibly live a normal life, marry, have kids.
But those words lodged in Iruka's throat. Thinking of all the cold stares and rejection aimed at a child, his eyes stung with heat.
No matter what, Naruto's parents had protected the village, protected its people. And yet the Fourth's child had become a jinchūriki, subjected to pain even grown adults could hardly endure.
Suddenly, Iruka realized Naruto might have already grown up—seen through the villagers' disdain and hatred. The thought made his spine go cold.
If a jinchūriki's heart ever sprouted hatred, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Iruka's vision blurred for an instant, but when he looked again, Naruto still wore that bright, sunny smile.
"Naruto, that dream of yours…"
"What's wrong? It's great, isn't it, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto's grin was just as dazzling. "By the way, Iruka-sensei, you're still single, aren't you?"
"Eh!" Iruka's composure snapped instantly. Clenching his fist, he roared, "Naruto!"
"Help! Somebody save me!" Naruto yelped and bolted.
As the two of them played around, Hinata off to the side was already red to her ears, so embarrassed she could barely breathe. Her little hands twisted together as she mumbled something under her breath.
...
"All right, that's enough." Iruka's tone turned stern. "Make sure you go to school tomorrow, Naruto!"
"Yes, Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied meekly, head lowered as if thoroughly chastened.
Unconsciously, both their gazes shifted toward Hinata, who stood quietly with her head down. She let out a small "ah," and her face flushed even deeper.
"Naruto, you can head home on your own. I'll walk Hinata back. You'll be fine by yourself, right?" Iruka said, rubbing his forehead.
Naruto was just about to agree when, without warning, the interface popped up again.
[Option 1: Pursue Sakura, walk the path of a simp. Reward: B-Rank Jutsu.]
[Option 2: Pursue Hinata, avoid ten years of detours. Reward: Kurama's acknowledgment (ability to freely use Nine-Tails' chakra).]
[Note: Option 1 immediately grants mastery of a random B-Rank Jutsu (with a chance to obtain the rare Wood Release). Option 2 provides progressive rewards depending on the success of the pursuit.]
Was this even a choice? The Nine-Tails' power was far beyond what any B-Rank jutsu could offer!
Besides, even without rewards, if he had to choose between Sakura and Hinata…
Naruto wouldn't hesitate to choose Hinata. If nothing else, he had to make sure his future kids had a gentle mother, right?
Option 2!
[Mission initiated. Please proceed optimally.]
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly blurted out, interrupting. "Let me walk Hinata home instead!"
"Ah!" At those words, Hinata flushed all the way to the tips of her ears and turned away.
"Hm?" Iruka looked at Naruto in puzzlement.
"I know where Hinata lives—I've walked her home before," Naruto explained with a smile. "If you went, it'd be out of your way and a bother, right?"
"Well…" Iruka hesitated, but when he thought of the haughty Hyūga clan, he finally agreed.
"All right then. Naruto, make sure you protect Hinata—do your duty as a man!" Iruka said with a grin.
"Yeah! I'll protect Hinata for sure!" Naruto replied with a beaming smile.
Once Iruka had left, Naruto patted Hinata's shoulder. She startled, eyes brimming with tears.
"It's okay. I'll walk you home," Naruto said with a gentle smile, his voice softer than usual.
"Th-thank you, Na…Naruto-kun," Hinata said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then give me your hand," Naruto said.
"Wh-why?" Hinata jumped, face crimson, her words stuttering.
"It's what you do when walking at night. It'll make you feel safer."
"Well… even so, Naruto-kun's hand…" Hinata hesitated.
"What's wrong? Does it bother you? Sorry."
"No! Not at all!" Hinata shook her head so fast it was like a rattle drum. Carefully, she offered her hand, her heart pounding wildly.
When warmth spread from his palm into hers, it was like a soothing current flowed into her heart, instantly calming all her unease.
Naruto-kun wasn't lying—it really does feel safer.
But… doesn't this count as holding hands?
What am I even thinking? Naruto-kun is just so kind—I can't let my imagination run wild.
Looking at Naruto walking just half a step ahead of her, Hinata's heart started to flutter uncontrollably. Deep down, Naruto-kun really was such a gentle person.
Naruto, leading her by the hand, was oblivious to Hinata's inner turmoil. Feeling the Nine-Tails' chakra circulating smoothly through his body, he couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.
It worked.
"Bye, Hinata. See you tomorrow."
Naruto stopped in front of the torii gate marking the Hyūga compound. No need to go any further—the Hyūga didn't welcome outsiders, least of all him.
"Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun." Hinata bowed with her ears red, looking surprisingly proper.
"I should be thanking you—you came looking for me, after all." Naruto waved at her. "Sleep well tonight. See you tomorrow!"
With that, Naruto turned and dashed off, running away from the torii and into the darkness beyond.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun," Hinata whispered softly.