"Sort of." Iruka hesitated for a moment, then tried to ask as gently as possible. "But more than that, I want to hear why you gave up on your dream."
"There's no reason. That kind of thing isn't my dream." Naruto shrugged. "Iruka-sensei, you said the Hokage is the strongest in the village, right?"
"Yes, I did say that." Iruka nodded.
"They were right. I'm just the dead-last. How could someone like me ever become Hokage?" Naruto asked back.
"You can't put it like that. As long as you work hard..." Iruka trailed off. He knew Naruto's situation, but because of the Third's decree, he couldn't say more.
Naruto tilted his head, eyes full of confusion as he looked at Iruka.
"I don't want to be Hokage anymore. I want a dream that isn't so far away."
"What kind of dream?" Iruka felt cold sweat form on his forehead. Even he didn't know why a child's words had pulled him along like this.
"Probably to marry a kind wife and live like an ordinary grown-up." Naruto scratched his head as he spoke.
Iruka was both surprised and unsettled. For Naruto, an ordinary dream was even further out of reach.
Naruto couldn't just live a normal life, get married, and have kids.
The words clogged in Iruka's throat. Thinking of all the cold stares and exclusion directed at this orphan, his heart felt heavy.
After all, Naruto's body held the Nine-Tails, which had once protected the village. Yet Naruto, who bore that burden, was hated by the very villagers he saved.
Iruka's own parents had died in the Nine-Tails' attack, but he couldn't bring himself to hate the boy in front of him.
The fault wasn't his. It was the Nine-Tails'.
Naruto had been made a vessel at birth, forced to endure scorn and hatred just to keep living.
Suddenly, Iruka realized Naruto might have already grown enough to understand the disgust and hostility in people's eyes. The thought sent a chill down his spine.
If hatred took root in a jinchūriki's heart, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Iruka blinked, and when he looked again, Naruto still wore that same bright smile.
"Naruto, that dream of yours..."
"What about it? Great, isn't it, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto grinned. "Besides, you're already so old without a girlfriend. You must have a ton of savings, right?"
"Wha—!" Iruka exploded on the spot, fists clenched. "Naruto!"
"Help, he's gonna kill me!" Naruto laughed and ran off.
As they played around, Hinata was already blushing furiously at the side, so embarrassed she could barely stand still. Her little hands twisted together as she mumbled to herself.
...
"All right, enough fooling around." Iruka straightened up and scolded. "Tomorrow you'd better be in school, Naruto!"
"Yes, Iruka-sensei." Naruto lowered his head obediently.
At the same time, both of them glanced at Hinata, who stood silently with her head down. She squeaked and her face turned red again.
"Naruto, you can go home alone. I'll walk Hinata back. You'll be fine, right?" Iruka said, rubbing his forehead.
Naruto was about to agree when the panel suddenly popped up again without warning.
[Option 1: Pursue Sakura. Reward: S-rank jutsu.]
[Option 2: Pursue Hinata, avoid ten years of detours. Reward: Recognition of the Nine-Tails (free use of Nine-Tails' chakra).]
[Note: Option 1 grants mastery of a random S-rank jutsu immediately (chance of rare Wood Release). Option 2 is a progress-based reward, synced with how far the relationship advances.]
There was hardly any need to think. The Nine-Tails' power couldn't be compared to a single S-rank jutsu.
Besides, even without rewards, if he had to choose between Sakura and Hinata, Naruto would still pick Hinata without hesitation. If nothing else, at least his kids in the future would eat soft food, right? Big is justice!
Pick the second one!
[Mission activated. Please prioritize completion.]
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly interrupted. "How about I walk Hinata home instead?"
"Ah!" Hinata's face turned red to her ears, and she quickly turned away.
"Hm?" Iruka looked at Naruto in confusion.
"I know where Hinata lives. I've walked her home before." Naruto explained with a grin. "It'd be out of your way, Iruka-sensei. No need for the trouble."
"This..." Iruka hesitated, but remembering the cold Hyūga clan, he agreed.
"Fine. Then you protect Hinata properly, like a real man should!" Iruka smiled.
"Of course! I'll make sure to protect her!" Naruto answered with a big, sunny grin.
After Iruka left, Naruto patted Hinata on the shoulder. She jumped, tears welling up in her eyes.
"It's fine. I'll walk you home." Naruto gave a gentle smile, his voice softer now.
"Th-thank you, N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata whispered.
"Then give me your hand, Hinata-chan."
"Wh-why?" Hinata squeaked, blushing and stammering.
"It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night. If we hold hands as friends, you'll feel safer, right?"
"Th-that's true, but... your hand..." Hinata hesitated.
"What's wrong? Is it uncomfortable? Sorry."
"No! Not at all." Hinata shook her head so fast it looked like a rattle drum. Carefully, she reached out her hand, her heart pounding.
When his warmth touched her palm, a current of comfort rushed into her chest, sweeping away her anxiety.
Naruto-kun wasn't lying. I really do feel safer.
But... this counts as holding hands, doesn't it?
What am I thinking! Naruto-kun probably doesn't mean it that way at all!
Looking at Naruto a step ahead of her, Hinata's heart fluttered. Deep down, he really was such a gentle person.
Naruto, walking in front with her hand in his, had no idea of her thoughts. He was too busy feeling the Nine-Tails' chakra flowing actively through his body, circulating in his meridians. He couldn't help but smile with joy.
It worked.
When they reached the Hyūga compound gates, Naruto stopped. The Hyūga didn't welcome outsiders, especially not him.
"Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun." Hinata bowed, ears red, her pale neck flushed pink.
"I should be thanking you. You came out looking for me, after all." Naruto waved. "Sleep well tonight, Hinata-chan!"
With that, Naruto turned and ran, vanishing into the darkness in the opposite direction.
Hinata leaned against the wooden gate, dazed, her heart melting with every "Hinata-chan" echoing in her ears. She whispered softly.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun."
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