Izumi hadn't expected the boy to still charge forward. Though startled, his hands didn't pause for even a moment—two kunai flew from his grip, forcing his opponent to dodge. Taking advantage of the opening, Izumi leapt high, landing right in front of the boy, his fingers already weaving through seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
After a whole afternoon of practice, the tiny flame that had once been no larger than a fingernail had finally grown to the size of a fist. And with Izumi standing so close, the blaze ignited the boy's hair instantly.
Seeing their leader falter, the other two boys rushed in at once.
Caught between them, Izumi thought of using his kunai to counter, but in the instant he reached for his pouch, both boys lunged and pinned him to the ground. He was only four years old—how could he possibly resist children already seven or eight? And so, poor Izumi was pressed down and beaten.
But when their guard slipped, Izumi's hand found the cool edge of a kunai. Gripping it tightly, he raised the blade. With a weapon in hand, the boys dared not press their advantage recklessly.
Their leader's gaze then drifted toward Hinata Hyuga, who stood frozen nearby. Izumi immediately understood their intent—they wanted to take her hostage. Without hesitation, he hurled two kunai to block their advance and then sprinted to Hinata's side.
He pulled her behind him, clutching his last kunai as his eyes locked on theirs.
"Don't even think about it. If you want to hurt her, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Izumi's eyes glimmered with a dangerous light, an almost feral hunger that sent chills down their spines. For the briefest moment, a crimson hue flickered across his gaze.
The three boys faltered. After all, the Uchiha clan was not known for its mercy. If they were caught, they would be in serious trouble. They were just children from ordinary families; the only reason they had picked on Hinata was because of her timid, shrinking personality. To them, the Hyuga clan's shy young lady would never report them. But the sudden appearance of Uchiha Izumi made it clear he was no easy target.
Under his cold stare, the three eventually backed off and left. Izumi finally exhaled in relief.
"Um… my name is Hinata Hyuga. Thank you…" she whispered softly, head bowed, her voice like the hum of a mosquito.
"Ding! System notification: You have befriended Hinata Hyuga."
Izumi ignored the voice ringing in his mind.
"My name is Uchiha Izumi. You don't need to thank me. Boys should protect girls—it's only natural. We're all part of the same village, so helping each other is the right thing to do."
He forced a smile he thought looked warm and sunny, though with one cheek swollen and bruised, the effect was more comical than charming.
"Thank you," Hinata repeated, at a loss for words, bowing her head even lower.
"Grrr…"
A loud, awkward rumble echoed from Izumi's stomach. He hadn't eaten since noon, and breakfast hadn't been much either. Hunger was now protesting fiercely.
"If… if you don't mind, I could treat you to something," Hinata offered timidly, summoning her courage.
Izumi blinked in surprise. In this world, the Hinata he knew was so shy she could barely speak without blushing, especially in front of Naruto. For her to take the initiative and invite him out… it was almost unheard of.
"How could I let a girl pay? I'll treat you. I've heard Ichiraku Ramen is delicious—this is the perfect chance to try it."
Without waiting for her response, he grabbed Hinata's hand and headed for the busier part of the village.
Hinata hadn't expected Izumi to take her hand so suddenly. Her cheeks turned crimson. Thankfully, the cold snowfall masked her blush—others would simply think it was from the winter chill.
When they reached the bustling market streets, Izumi realized something awkward—he didn't know the way. Ever since arriving in this world, he hadn't once left the Uchiha compound. Today was his first time wandering outside, and now… he was lost.
"Um, I don't really know where it is… do you know the way to Ichiraku?" Izumi asked helplessly, frustrated at his own embarrassment. To lose face at a time like this felt mortifying.
"I… I know," Hinata murmured, still keeping her head low as she quietly guided him. Neither noticed that their hands remained firmly clasped together.
At last, they arrived at Ichiraku.
"Uncle Ichiraku, two bowls of miso ramen, please," Izumi ordered as they sat down. Hinata remained silent, eyes fixed on her lap.
"Coming right up!" Teuchi, the shop owner, didn't find it strange for children to dine there. Still, seeing an Uchiha and a Hyuga sitting together did make him raise a brow.
Soon, two steaming bowls arrived. Izumi's stomach growled again, and he wasted no time digging in.
"Hinata—can I call you that?"
"O-of course…" she stammered, face still lowered, her fingers fidgeting nervously at her chest.
"Then let's eat before it gets cold."
Though he wanted to say something else, the words melted away as he focused on the ramen. Izumi finished his bowl quickly, savoring the rich broth. No wonder Naruto loved this place so much.
When he turned to check on Hinata, he was startled—her bowl was already empty, cleaner than his.
"Uncle Ichiraku, another two bowls!" Izumi called without hesitation. Only then did he remember Hinata's reputation as a "queen of appetites." Though still small, she could definitely eat more than most.
This time, Izumi only finished half his bowl before he was full. The first serving had been enough; the second he'd ordered only to make Hinata feel comfortable. Unsurprisingly, she polished hers off with ease.
Before Izumi could speak, Hinata blurted, "I-I'm full now."
Izumi paid the bill, then once again naturally took Hinata's hand as they stepped outside. Snow was falling heavier now. Worried she might catch a cold, he offered, "The weather's bad—I'll walk you home."
"…Mm." Her reply was soft as ever.
Hand in hand, they made their way toward the Hyuga compound. This time Izumi asked for directions beforehand, determined not to get lost again. The streets grew quieter, the night settling in around them. For a moment, it felt like the world held only the two of them. Hinata kept her head lowered, but she never once pulled her hand away.
Finally, they reached the outskirts of the Hyuga estate. Izumi knew he shouldn't linger near the clan's gates.
"Hinata, we're here. I'll head back now."
"…Mm."
"I usually train at Training Ground Seven. If anyone ever bullies you, come find me." He wasn't even sure why he said it—it simply slipped out.
"…Mm."
He turned to leave, but her faint voice stopped him.
"Be careful on your way back."
Izumi froze for an instant, then looked back at her standing shyly at the gate. Smiling, he raised a hand. "Don't worry—I'll be fine."
With that, he left, and Hinata disappeared inside her home.
…
Back in his room, Izumi lay on his bed. He tried not to dwell on Hinata. Instead, he turned his thoughts to his own training. He'd memorized the chakra flow for the Fireball Jutsu, but no matter how he shaped it, the technique still fell short. The failure left him deeply frustrated.