Sakura Isn't Right for You

Time flew by like a galloping horse, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed. Wu Liang was now nine years old.

Wu Liang and Naruto appeared in the classroom again. Because Wu Liang and Naruto had gone too far over the years, even though Wu Liang was handsome at such a young age, no girls gathered around him. That did make Wu Liang's life easier. Having girls around felt nice, but a bunch of little brats was another matter. Just look at Sasuke across from him—wherever he went, a swarm of annoying girls followed him, making it impossible for him to do anything.

"A Liang, you're here."

As soon as Wu Liang sat down, Hinata greeted him. Aside from Naruto, Hinata was his other friend. She was also a girl who had no such thoughts about Wu Liang, because her mind was filled entirely with Naruto. Naruto, however, was as dense as ever. Just like in the original story, his mind was full of Sakura.

"Mm. What did you bring Naruto today?" Wu Liang teased casually.

Hinata's little face immediately flushed red. She said softly, "I brought him Fried Meatballs that I made myself."

"Oh my, little Hinata is really so virtuous. I'm so jealous of Naruto. Why does no one like me? Am I not handsome?" Wu Liang continued teasing her.

"P-please don't say that. A Liang is handsome too. It's just that you and Naruto are too close, so no one dares approach you. You'll find someone who likes you." Little Hinata was unusually serious. After saying that, she looked at Naruto, who was fawning over Sakura not far away, and let out a faint sigh.

"Alright, alright. I'll find a chance to put in a good word for you. Naruto should start noticing you." As Wu Liang spoke, he opened the lunchbox Hinata had brought for Naruto, picked up a Fried Meatball, and popped it into his mouth. "Mm, not bad. Pretty tasty."

Watching Wu Liang eat the Fried Meatballs she had made one bite at a time, Hinata said nervously, "A Liang, leave some for Naruto. Don't eat them all."

"Relax, relax. When have you ever brought something for Naruto that I didn't eat half of?" Wu Liang did not care. After eating half, he put the lid back on the lunchbox and began refining Chakra. Years of training had given Wu Liang greater height and a stronger body than children his age. His Chakra reserves had also surpassed even Iruka Umino's. By that measure, he should have reached the Elite Chunin level. To keep others from noticing, Wu Liang had even asked Seria to conceal his aura. Fortunately, Seria had not held it against him and generously helped him.

When school ended at noon, he picked up the lunchbox, greeted Hinata, and went home with Naruto.

When they got home, Wu Liang set the lunchbox on the table and went into the kitchen to prepare lunch. Naruto, bored out of his mind, opened the lunchbox and said, "A Liang, I've never asked you this—why do you sometimes bring a lunchbox home?"

"Actually, someone gave this lunchbox to you. I eat half every time as payment." Wu Liang intended to lay everything out for Naruto and tell him about Hinata. As for what Naruto chose to do, that would be up to him.

"W-what? You're joking, right?" Naruto's hand trembled in fright as he picked up a meatball, nearly dropping it. He said shakily, "H-how is that possible? You're my only friend in class. Everyone else hates me. Why would anyone bring me a lunchbox? You're lying to me, right?"

Hearing Naruto say that from the kitchen, Wu Liang replied, "I'm not lying to you. Hinata asked me to bring all these lunchboxes to you. Oh, right, Hinata is the girl who sits beside me."

After hearing that, Naruto propped his chin up and thought for a moment. "You mean that weird girl who doesn't dare look me in the eye? She is quiet and easily embarrassed, but why would she like me?"

Unable to figure it out, Naruto scratched his head. "But I like Sakura. Even though Sakura beats me up all the time, I still like her."

Wu Liang sighed after hearing that. "Naruto, loving someone is painful. Being loved is what brings happiness. Look, you've done so much for Sakura, but all you get is ridicule and insults. And Hinata? She's been quietly making delicious food for you all this time. Compare them for yourself. Sakura isn't right for you."

Naruto fell silent for a moment before saying, "But it doesn't make sense. I'm not handsome, so why would the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter like me?"

"I actually know that. Do you remember saving a little girl by the swing in the woods when you were little? Even though you tried to show off and got beaten up instead. That little girl was grateful to you all along. She was Hinata," Wu Liang said.

"Mm? I don't remember. I got beaten up every day when I was little. How could I remember all that? But now that you mention it, I vaguely remember something. Still, that can't be right. Why would the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter be bullied by a few children? Weren't they afraid the Hyuga Clan would come after them?" Naruto said as he scratched his head.

"Naruto, Hinata was very insecure when she was little. She was the eldest daughter of the prestigious Hyuga Clan, but she kept running away from the high expectations everyone had for her. In the end, even her father was disappointed in her.

"At the time, she sparred with her younger sister and lost. She saw disappointment in her father's eyes. She hated herself for being useless, so in a fit of anger, she ran away. Then she bumped into some people there. You should know what happened after that, right? You saved her. Even though you didn't succeed, you became her hero—the hero in her heart. You're not without good qualities. At the very least, you dare to speak and act, and she deeply admires your never-say-die spirit.

"And as the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter and young lady, she had no friends. The clan members did not dare befriend her because of her status. She was lonely. You're much the same. No one dared be your friend because of your identity either. You two are kindred spirits, so I'm saying you're a good match," Wu Liang said slowly from the kitchen.

"Don't I have you as a friend?" Naruto retorted after a moment of silence.

"Hinata is my friend too." Wu Liang did not indulge him.

"It's impossible for us to be together. The gap in our identities can't be bridged," Naruto sighed.

"That's true, for now. But who knows what the future holds?" Wu Liang finished cooking and set the food in front of Naruto. "I'm only telling you how Hinata feels. You're both still young. You can worry about the future later. You just need to keep Hinata in your heart, because she truly likes you," Wu Liang said.

"Fine. But why did you have to tell me all this? Now I have no appetite for this perfectly good food. Damn it, you did this on purpose, didn't you?" After taking a few bites, Naruto grabbed his head and shouted at Wu Liang in frustration.

"Heh heh."

That night, Wu Liang and Naruto appeared at Training Ground 3 again. Wu Liang had long since mastered these basic Water, Fire, and Earth Release techniques, but he still insisted on coming every night to practice. He had also thoroughly mastered Medical Ninjutsu, and could now release the Chakra Scalpel, though he had never used it since he had no target. His Healing Technique was even more proficient. As for the Mystical Palm Technique, he could barely use it, but its effects were not even as good as the B-rank Healing Technique. As expected, using an A-rank ninjutsu before reaching Jonin level was quite difficult. Even if he could use it, the effect was poor.

After finishing one round of practice, Wu Liang turned toward where Naruto had been training and found that Naruto had already run off. Just as the bored Wu Liang was about to practice some swordsmanship, the Anbu ninja wearing a cat mask appeared beside him again. "Ryo Senju, the Hokage summons you."

Wu Liang was taken aback. He did not know why the Third Hokage wanted to see him, but he still nodded to show that he understood.

After receiving Wu Liang's answer, the Anbu ninja left using the Body Flicker Technique.

On the way to the Hokage's office, Wu Liang kept wondering what the Third Hokage wanted from him. Had his secret been exposed? That should not be possible. He had never used Wood Release. Though he roughly knew the hand seal sequence for Wood Release, he had never used it. And he had not casually used Chakra in front of others either. This is so annoying.

Knock, knock, knock.

Outside the Hokage Building, Wu Liang knocked on the door.

"Come in."

At the Third Hokage's call, Wu Liang pushed open the door. Looking at the old man bent over his paperwork, he said, "Third Hokage, what did you call me here for?"

The Third Hokage looked up at Wu Liang, took a puff from his pipe, and slowly said, "At school, I saw you spending time with the Hyuga girl and thought you were interested in her. Who would have thought you would tell Naruto that the Hyuga girl liked him? Do you know what Naruto represents in this village? And do you not hate him?"

Only then did Wu Liang understand why the old man had called him here. After being silent for a moment, Wu Liang said, "Why would I hate Naruto? And how do you know what Naruto and I talked about? Were you monitoring me?"

Facing Wu Liang's question, the Third Hokage said expressionlessly, "When it comes to Naruto, I must be cautious. You are so close to him that I cannot allow you to act recklessly, so surveillance is necessary. Don't avoid my question. Do you not hate him? Your father died at the hands of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto is called the demon fox by everyone in the village. Why are you still willing to accept him?"

Wu Liang looked at the Third Hokage and said, "I don't hate him. He isn't the demon fox. He's a person. Even if everyone else treats him like the demon fox, I won't. He is a very driven person. He may be reckless, but recklessness is closer to courage than cowardice.

"Besides, why carry so much hatred? Isn't it exhausting? Hatred only breeds more hatred. We only live once. Being happy is a day, and holding grudges is also a day. Why shouldn't I happily choose to do what I like instead of thinking about how to take revenge?

"Third Hokage, in my opinion, Naruto is not the demon fox. He is the hero who saved the village. I do not know how the Fourth Hokage resolved the disaster caused by the demon fox nine years ago, but Naruto must have been involved. Otherwise, he would not be called the demon fox."

The Third Hokage stared at the nine-year-old child before him in shock. Wu Liang had inferred so much from Naruto that he was already infinitely close to the truth. The Third Hokage was silent for a while, taking puff after puff from his pipe. After a long time, he finally said, "A Liang, you have done well. There are many things I cannot tell you, but you are a good child. I can see that you do not harbor hatred or suspicion toward this village. However, there will be no good outcome between the Hyuga girl and Naruto. The Hyuga Clan will never permit the main family's eldest daughter to be with a demon fox hated by the entire village. So it would be best if you did not spread this matter around."

"Alright, I understand. But, Third Hokage, aren't you meddling a bit too much? We're only nine years old. We're still children, alright? It'll be a long, long time before we even think about dating or getting married." Wu Liang was speechless. Still, it seemed the Third Hokage's last doubts about him had probably been cleared away.