Just along this stretch of road—yet today, Shirakumo Aoba had run into everyone he'd never normally meet.
First, the blond boy who'd just been bowing and apologizing for bumping into him. Golden hair cropped short, ocean-blue eyes, and six whisker-like markings on his cheeks. Aoba couldn't help sighing, then gripped the boy's shoulders to stop his endless bows.
"I was daydreaming and not watching where I was going. It wasn't your fault!"
Whether Naruto had been looking or not, he certainly hadn't been watching the path. After Naruto's apologies, Aoba stepped forward to brush the snow off the boy's coat. But once he'd finished, Naruto stared at him in stunned silence.
Aoba waved his hand in front of Naruto's eyes, snapping him back. Yet Naruto's gaze glistened with moisture.
"It's…it's the first time…" Naruto stammered.
Aoba had no time for his awkward murmurings. A crowd was already gathering around them, whispering—but their malicious stares were plain as day. Aoba himself was the center of attention.
He squirmed under their eyes. Whether Naruto was a demon fox or not, he was only a child—and didn't deserve to bear a village's hatred. The Konoha townsfolk should be grateful for Minato Namikaze's seal, or none of them would dare to watch this spectacle.
Aoba hated to see good people bullied. Yet he could do little… until he leaned into Naruto's ear.
"You ready? We're running."
"Huh?" Naruto stood frozen, mid-stutter.
"Sometimes there's no shame in running." Aoba whispered. "I…I…" Naruto blinked.
"Go!"
Before the crowd choked the street, Aoba grabbed Naruto's hand and dashed into the throng. Villagers scattered, fearing bad luck, and in moments the two had vanished.
"Th-thank you!" Naruto gasped as they ran, eyes shining.
"Never feel ashamed to run." Aoba called over his shoulder. "You don't have to live for others' approval. Your own happiness matters most."
"Huh? What…do you mean?" Naruto asked breathlessly.
"Don't think you owe them anything. Their approval means nothing. We'll meet again."
With that, Aoba released Naruto, accelerated, and slipped away. Naruto sprinted after him in the commotion, but once he cleared the crowd, Aoba had already disappeared.
—
Breathing hard on an empty street, Aoba finally let out a sigh.
"So many weird encounters today." He muttered. "Hope nothing else happens."
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind…
"Oi! You little monster!"
Three unruly boys were circling a pale girl wearing a scarf. "Her eyes are white? That's disgusting." "She looks like a freak." "Are you a white-eyed monster?" They taunted, crowding around her.
Hyuga Hinata's body trembled. She froze, her face drained of color. Her pale Byakugan eyes misted over, tiny hands clutching her scarf.
"Come on—cry already?" sneered the leader. "So useless—you're crying before we even start!"
They advanced, but Hinata just folded in half, sobbing. The bullies wouldn't relent.
Aoba's lips twitched. Of all days, he himself walked into a rescue. He cast a glance around—Naruto was long gone. Had he accidentally broken Naruto's heart already?
"No choice." He sighed. He didn't buy the "great power, great responsibility" line—yet when he saw children being tormented, he couldn't stand by. And if the Hyuga heiress returned with bruises, someone would lose sleep.
In an instant, the three boys had closed in on Hinata. Aoba scooped up a handful of stones from the snow, weighing one in his palm. Perfect size—not too heavy, not too light.
"You three are too loud." Aoba's calm voice halted them. They spun to see a boy their own age, stones in hand. Hinata looked up from her tears.
"You interfering brat?" the fat bully barked, shrugging off the stones in Aoba's hand.
Aoba just chuckled—no expression, just a soft snort. As their anger swelled, he flung the stone. With his advanced shuriken technique, it flew true and struck hard.
The three shrieked as bruises burst on their foreheads. "Aaaah!" they wailed, clutching their heads. Then they saw Aoba stoop to pick another stone—and terror halted them cold.
"Don't come near me!" they cried, scrambling away in a panic.
Aoba approached Hinata, whose cheeks were still pink from crying. He felt he hadn't thrown hard enough. Konoha's guards were truly incompetent.
"Thank you," Hinata whispered, bowing her head.
"Do you know how to get home?" Aoba asked.
"I…" Hinata opened her mouth—and her stomach answered first: "Gurgle—"
Aoba blinked. The street was silent again under the silver snow.