Chapter 58
Naruto, on account of the snacks, asked casually.
"Ugh… I…"
Clearly, Hinata had something she couldn't say.
However, under Naruto's gentle coaxing, she quickly revealed the truth.
Hinata: "Mother's health has not been very good since she was young…"
Nine-Tailed: "As a member of the Main Family, her health isn't good. Those with good health can't become part of the Main Family. Heh…"
With nothing else to do, the Nine-Tailed began to criticize Konoha's politics.
Although the adults kept it from Hinata, she wasn't foolish. With her extremely delicate mind, once she learned of her mother's health issues, she couldn't help but feel down and worried.
"Especially… Mother is now pregnant with my younger sister, and her health is even more precarious…"
As she spoke, Hinata's tears were about to fall.
"Ugh~."
Hinata sniffled and began to wipe away her tears, looking down.
The room suddenly became very quiet.
Hinata thought, Naruto-kun is truly understanding… considerate of others' feelings… However, at this moment, Naruto's gaze had already drifted to the maid beside them.
Nine-Tailed: "Where are you looking…"
The Nine-Tailed thought.
That Uzumaki Naruto kid really isn't human.
Someone's mom could die at any moment, and not only does he not comfort her, but he's looking around at this time… "Although I have the thought of helping Hinata's mom~my~, after all, some things need to be done with confidence and capability before I can speak…"
Naruto stared at the maid who was cleaning the kitchen.
Today, Hyuga Natsu wore a black-blue inner shirt, covered by a pristine white, lacy maid outfit.
Her ear-length, dark green short hair indicated efficiency and neatness.
As if sensing Naruto's gaze, she, who was wiping the counter with a damp tissue, turned her head.
At this sight, her face instantly changed.
Because, looking over the low table, she clearly saw the monster awakening.
Due to her inspection, Hinata, who was wiping away tears, couldn't see it.
The pretty maid, her face instantly pale, immediately turned her head back, her movements as she wiped the table trembling slightly.
Perhaps she recalled her experience on New Year's Eve, or perhaps… she was afraid of what was about to happen.
"Hmph… At least he said something human."
The Nine-Tailed snorted.
This kid, at least he knows not to make empty promises.
But the next second—
"Hinata~, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to cure Aunt Hazuki~. I'm already working hard~."
Naruto clenched his fist and made a promise to Hinata.
Nine-Tailed: "…"
Hinata: "Naruto-kun~."
Hinata shed tears again, and this time… it was out of move (moved).
Nine-Tailed: "What exactly am I expecting…"
The Nine-Tailed, of course, didn't understand. As the protagonist… Naruto meant, as Uzumaki Naruto, wasn't it normal for him to make empty promises… oh no, to make promises to people?
"Later, I will also promise in the Chunin Exams that Inuzuka Kiba will become a stray dog in the future."
"After Nagato's death, I also promised Konan to bring peace to the Hidden Rain Village~."
"And…"
Naruto couldn't help but feel happy, thinking about how many empty promises… oh no, promises he could make.
"Naruto-kun~, thank you. I really don't want to lose Mother…"
Hinata wiped away her tears, and her body suddenly began to sway.
She was tired.
Since New Year's, she hadn't had a good night's sleep, constantly worrying about her mother's health and the safety of her younger sister in her mother's womb.
Yes, with the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, the gender of the fetus can be clearly determined.
Adult Hyuga Clan members can also detect problematic fetuses in time, which is the secret to the Hyuga Clan's continued existence for 1000 years of internal marriage.
"Hinata, if you're tired, go to sleep. With me here, don't worry."
Naruto waved his hand, signaling Hinata to relax.
"Mm."
Hinata softly hummed, and soon, under Naruto's arrangement, lay down on the bedding.
"Naruto-kun's scent…"
Smelling Naruto's scent on the quilt, Hinata's small face grew even redder.
Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.
"…"
Watching this scene, Naruto's expression gradually faded.
Hyuga Natsu was cleaning. She wiped the kitchen counter, her speed becoming slower and slower. Her attention was entirely focused on the gaze behind her…
Tap.
As footsteps sounded on the floor, moving from far to near, Hyuga Natsu's body became increasingly tense.
Until… almost zero distance, able to sense each other's presence, at this point… Hyuga Natsu's hair stood on end.
"Hoo… hoo…"
Naruto stood behind Hyuga Natsu, his breathing becoming heavier.
The practice of Yin Release was not only a new path to becoming stronger, but also a method to save Hinata's mom~my~, and even others.
However, before that, obstacles on the path of cultivation also needed to be overcome.
The negative emotions previously caused by seeing Yūgao Uzuki in fashionable winter clothes, Yakushi Nonou in white-stocking nun's attire… and others.
They needed to be properly eliminated.
"!"
Finally unable to bear it, Hyuga Natsu moved her feet to the side with lightning speed.
However, the kitchen was only so big, and she quickly retreated to the edge of the gas stove.
Facing Naruto, when she noticed the abnormality in Naruto's clothes, her face couldn't help but change color.
Her pretty face instantly turned pale.
Her thin, pink lips began to tremble up and down.
Hyuga Natsu also didn't know that the Tailed Beast Partner within Naruto's body, nourished by Yin Release, was even more formidable than before.
"S-sorry… Naruto-kun~… No, Naruto-sama."
Hyuga Natsu instinctively began to apologize, even though Naruto hadn't said a single word.
This might also be because of what Naruto said last time, that he wouldn't forgive her so easily.
"When apologizing, …it's common sense."
Naruto's words made the scene of New Year's Eve flash back in Hyuga Natsu's mind.
It was a memory she didn't want to face.
Fear stemmed from pain, and the harm inflicted on her had penetrated her bones.
So, almost uncontrollably, her body began to tremble.
Her skin, which had already healed, seemed to start aching faintly.
"…And that was last time. This time, apologize with an even more sincere posture!"
Naruto's voice slowly turned cold.
At first, Hyuga Natsu didn't understand.
But soon, as Naruto's gaze shifted and he hummed a hint, she understood what she needed to do.
The pretty maid slowly released her right hand, which was holding the wiping tissue.
Then, her hands slowly moved downwards, placed at the hem of her dress.
Clearly, her slow speed demonstrated her inner struggle at this moment.
But Uzumaki Naruto was an existence she could not resist.
From the moment she had scolded, driven away… and so on, she had already sealed her tragic fate.
Hyuga Natsu deeply regretted her actions at the time.
However, there was no such thing as a regret pill.
"Ugh~."
A mournful cry escaped her heart.
At this moment, no one would come to save her, nor could they.
Her fingers gradually tightened, and during this process, an expression of humiliation appeared on her fair, pretty face.
Her clenched, pearly white teeth were clean and even.
Her true emotions floated to her eyes and expression, guided by her subconscious.
Her white eyes were filled with disgust, anger, contempt… This was genuine, impossible to fake or conceal.
As the pretty maid's arms trembled as they lifted, coupled with this expression of disdain.
Naruto couldn't help but grin, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.
The weather today was good, sunny.
The pristine scenery in the sky was extremely beautiful, very suitable for dispelling negative thoughts from one's heart.
Chapter 2. Sako, you are not allowed to associate with Uzumaki Naruto from now on!
As the winner who took first place in the Second Exam.
Itachi left the examination grounds on the morning of the second day after passing through the Forest of Death.
The remaining number of examinees was insufficient to hold an overtime match.
So the examiner instructed Itachi to directly prepare for the "Third Exam" three days later.
Additionally… Itachi broke the record for the Forest of Death's completion time since Konoha's founding, a record even better than the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Almost all examiners believed that Itachi's future prospects were limitless.
Itachi was not overly proud of this.
He merely felt that he was one step closer to becoming Hokage.