Secret Technique: Couple's Rasengan

"Little Tiger, Little Tiger! You finally came back."

At Konoha's mission assignment office, a burly woman was rubbing her face wildly against her pet cat. The poor cat was nearly suffocated by the flesh on her face.

"I can kind of understand why this cat ran away."

Naruto rubbed the spot on his face that the cat had scratched and laughed gleefully. Sasuke and Sakura nodded in understanding as well.

"Here, this is your payment."

The elegantly dressed woman handed over the reward in satisfaction and left with her beloved pet. Naruto felt that the cat would definitely escape again if it ever got the chance.

"That's quite a lot for this mission's reward..."

Kakashi took the mission payment from the assignment clerk and was slightly surprised by the amount in his hand. A D-Rank Mission had actually paid 8,000 Ryo, meaning that woman had put up 20,000 Ryo as the reward.

"You got lucky. That was Lady Chizumi, the wife of the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire. Even some ordinary B-Rank Missions don't pay that much."

Naturally, Kakashi did not keep the reward for himself. He gave the three members of Team Seven their share of 2,000 Ryo each. Normally, a D-Rank Mission paying over a hundred Ryo was already considered generous. They had just happened to meet a wealthy client.

"Wh-what is this?!"

Naruto's eyes sparkled. His wallet had never held even 100 Ryo before, and now he was holding two 1,000-Ryo notes without knowing what to do with them.

"Now I can buy so many clothes! Hooray!"

Sakura had not expected their first mission to earn such a reward either, and she cried out happily. Probably only Sasuke, who had never lacked money since childhood, still looked indifferent.

"One bowl of ramen costs 10 Ryo, so that's 20 bowls?"

"That's 200 bowls. Is ramen all you ever think about?"

Sasuke sneered and answered coldly.

"Ooh, is being a ninja really such an insanely profitable job?"

"You put in the effort to carry out missions, so of course you won't work for free. That's all for today. Dismissed."

Kakashi vanished with a smile. With this unexpected reward, he could buy a few more copies of Icha Icha Paradise.

"Hinata, I'll treat you to ramen!"

The first thing Naruto did after getting home was bring Hinata out of her house and head toward Ichiraku Ramen.

"I can, but are you really that happy, Naruto?"

"Yeah. I got 2,000 Ryo from today's mission reward. I'm so happy I don't know what to do with myself."

"Congratulations."

Hinata tilted her head in confusion. Was it really that much? Her Mother usually gave her ten thousand Ryo at a time for spending money. But after being with Naruto, Hinata had gotten used to living simply too. She was wearing only a white hoodie and black leggings today, looking nothing like the daughter of a wealthy family.

"Naruto, if you need money, why don't you ask me? I have plenty."

"Eh? Because it belongs to Hinata."

"Do you not understand what marrying into the family means?"

Naruto's innocent answer made Hinata laugh, and she asked in confusion.

"Um... I've already forgotten my original reason. But now, I want to marry into your family because I like you, Hinata. There's no other reason."

"Ugh, it's unfair to suddenly say something like that."

Naruto's heartfelt words were like being unexpectedly stuffed with a sweet piece of candy, making Hinata's face flush slightly.

As they talked, the two crossed Konoha's bustling streets and arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

"We're here, we're here. Iruka-sensei, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Naruto, why did you suddenly call me out? Your teacher is busy too, you know. Don't tell me you want me to treat you to ramen again, you little brat!"

"Iruka-sensei, it's not that..."

"Fine, since you can use Shadow Clones so proficiently now, I'll treat you."

Iruka decided before hearing Naruto out. Naruto had even used a Shadow Clone to summon him, which made him feel deeply gratified.

"I'm telling you, that's not it! I'm treating you to ramen!"

"Eh? Am I dreaming?"

"I got my mission reward. Iruka-sensei is always treating me to ramen, so this is my way of returning the favor."

"...Sniff, Naruto, you've finally become a ninja who can stand on his own. Your teacher is so happy."

Iruka's nose stung. That Naruto, who once only knew how to skip class, pull pranks, and recklessly kiss girls with twisted values, could now complete missions so well.

"Eh, Sensei, why are you crying?"

"The pepper got in my eyes."

"Welcome, Naruto."

Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, was a burly man with an imposing presence. Unlike the other villagers, he had never treated Naruto like a monster. The first bowl of ramen Naruto had ever eaten had been offered by Teuchi, who had invited him into the shop without any reservations.

"Teuchi, three extra-large bowls of ramen, with all the toppings."

"You do seem different now that you're a ninja. Give me a moment."

"Oh, you came with Hinata today. Sorry, I didn't notice you just now."

Iruka looked around. There were no other customers in the shop, and only then did he notice the flash of purple seated to Naruto's right.

"Hello, Iruka-sensei."

Hinata hid behind Naruto and spoke softly. She had thought this would be a date, but Naruto had invited Iruka too, which made her a little unhappy.

"Naruto, you brought your little girlfriend again today. Want your big sister to treat you?"

Before long, the scent of ramen drifted out from the kitchen. A brown-haired girl came out carrying the bowls and teased Naruto and Hinata when she saw them.

"Thank you, Ayame. I got lots of mission money today, so I don't need it."

Naruto answered with a smile. Like her father, Ayame did not hate Naruto. She would often secretly treat him to ramen behind her father's back, and Naruto had always remembered that kindness.

"Eh, that snot-nosed little brat from back then has become such an outstanding ninja. Keep it up."

Ayame said with a sigh. Her final words were directed at Hinata, making the girl lower her head shyly again.

"Say, Naruto, does anyone else know that you can communicate with the Nine-Tails?"

After drinking the last of his soup, Iruka leaned close to Naruto's ear and asked in a low voice. Ever since the Scroll of Seals incident, he had been wondering whether Naruto's relationship with the Nine-Tails was good or bad. He had not even reported the matter to the Third Hokage.

"No. Iruka-sensei is probably the only one who knows."

Naruto thought about it. Minato had only warned him not to tell others about the Nine-Tails being unsealed, so this did not fall under that restriction. No one had found out because nobody had asked Naruto something as stupid as, "Do you know the Nine-Tails?"

"Then remember to keep it secret. You absolutely can't tell anyone, or it'll cause unnecessary trouble."

"Okay."

"Your teacher is leaving first. If I stay and play third wheel for too long, people will dislike me. I want a girlfriend too."

Iruka had finished eating as well. Muttering resentfully, he left Ichiraku Ramen. He had come for ramen, only to have his own student force-feed him romance.

"Hinata, do you want more? I can eat two bowls of Ichiraku's ramen...!?"

Naruto turned around, intending to ask Hinata whether she wanted another bowl, only to see five empty bowls already stacked beside her as if he had seen a ghost.

"Hmm?"

Hinata had not heard what Naruto said. She was focused solely on devouring the ramen before her, holding chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in the other. Though she ate elegantly, the food in her bowl vanished at a visible speed.

"If I'm feeling good, I can eat three bowls too!"

Naruto's competitive spirit ignited over this strange matter. He ordered two more bowls from Ayame, only to nearly throw up afterward.

Naruto and Hinata had always been close. They had known each other since childhood and were Childhood Sweethearts. Precisely because of that, Naruto had overlooked some small things since he was young—such as how quickly empty bowls piled up beside Hinata whenever she ate.

"Ugh, I can't eat anymore... I didn't know Hinata could eat so much. Where does it all go?"

Naruto contentedly rubbed his stomach, then curiously looked at Hinata's flat lower belly. Could there be another dimension inside Hinata's stomach? Such a strange thought came to mind.

"Isn't it bad for a girl to eat too much?"

Hinata's index fingers unconsciously poked against each other. It was something she often did without realizing whenever she was shy, though Naruto did not think it was a big deal.

"Is it? Being able to eat means you're healthy, doesn't it?"

"Naruto is really kind."

"I'll walk you this far...?"

After escorting Hinata to the gates of the Hyuga Clan, Naruto turned to leave, only for Hinata to grab his hand.

"Come inside. Stay with me a little longer before you go."

Hinata raised her head. Her Byakugan held both pleading and reluctance. Today, she simply wanted Naruto to spend more time with her.

"Heh, Hinata really loves to act spoiled."

Naruto could not help laughing. Holding Hinata's little hand, he walked into the Hyuga Clan residence.

"The moon is so round."

Naruto lay on the wooden floor of the corridor and looked at the moon. Whenever he felt lonely as a child, he would climb onto the roof and stare at it. At least the moon would not reject him; it stayed with him every day.

"Mother said there are fairies living on the moon. I wonder if that's true."

"If so, the fairy would definitely fall in love with me, since I look at her every day."

"Pfft, shameless."

Hinata scolded Naruto with her words, but her body honestly leaned against his side as she enjoyed this moment of peace.

"I wish time could stop at this moment. Eh?"

No sooner had Hinata spoken than a dark cloud drifted over as though the heavens were playing a prank, covering the moon. The place that had been lit by moonlight was plunged into darkness at once.

"Heh."

"Don't laugh! I'll go light a lamp."

Naruto's laughter rang out in the darkness, and Hinata slapped him in embarrassment and annoyance.

"It's too dark. Be careful not to fall. Watch this."

Naruto sat up from the floor and held out his right hand. Chakra slowly gathered above it, and after about ten seconds, a small blue sphere appeared in his palm, radiating a gentle glow.

"No matter how many times I see this ninja technique, it's so beautiful it doesn't seem like a ninja technique."

Hinata gazed dreamily at the Rasengan in Naruto's hand. It was the most primal light of Chakra. When other ninja used Chakra, its nature had already changed—it might become fire or water—making it impossible to release Chakra's glow so directly.

"It does look nice, but it's too slow."

Naruto sighed while holding the Rasengan. Minato had repeatedly emphasized speed. In battle, even being one second faster could decide life or death. The Rasengan had to form within at least three seconds before it could be considered acceptable.

"Can't you make it bigger?"

"If it gets any bigger, I can't keep it round. The Chakra will leak out. The Chakra inside is extremely violent, racing around without any pattern. Maintaining even this size is difficult."

"Byakugan!"

Hinata activated her Byakugan. Just as Naruto had said, the Chakra inside was indeed chaotic, but with the Byakugan, she could see the path of every strand of Chakra.

"Naruto, can you maintain the spherical shape? Leave the Chakra injection to me."

"I can, but what are you trying to do?"

"It's just a sudden idea. Gentle Fist!"

Hinata took a deep breath and used the unique Taijutsu passed down through generations of the Hyuga Clan. Her hands danced up and down around the Rasengan like two butterflies, injecting her own Chakra into Naruto's Rasengan through her palms. With the Byakugan's assistance, every bit of Chakra she fed in was extremely precise and did not conflict with Naruto's Chakra. With her help, the Rasengan grew larger and larger.

"A-amazing, Hinata! Look at this."

By the time Naruto came back to his senses, the Rasengan, which had originally been only as large as his palm, had turned into a massive sphere around one meter in diameter. Resting in his hand, it carried a heavy weight.

"So beautiful..."

Hinata was also stunned by the completed Rasengan. The light it emitted grew increasingly intense, illuminating the entire courtyard.

"Now here's the problem, Hinata. What do we do with this thing?"

The more beautiful something was, the more dangerous it could be. Naruto now understood that saying firsthand. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his face as the violent Chakra inside the Rasengan seemed ready to break free of his control and explode.

"Eh?"

"I can disperse it if it's smaller, but this is too big..."

BOOM!!!

The entire Hyuga Clan estate shook violently. The enormous shockwave sent up sand and stones that smashed into the main residence with a rapid series of crackling sounds. Only after around thirty seconds did everything gradually settle down.

Hyuga Hiashi was the first to react, rushing into the courtyard to see whether they were under enemy attack. What he saw, however, was a bizarre scene.

The once colorful garden was gone. The lush trees he had planted himself were gone. The pond where they kept koi had evaporated completely. All that remained in the entire courtyard was a huge pit twenty meters across and roughly two meters deep, spreading outward from the center in the shape of a vortex.

"Naruto! Naruto!"

Hinata came back to her senses and ran screaming into the center of the crater. She pulled Naruto out of the dirt and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that he was all right.

"Cough... Looks like I'm not dead yet."

Naruto sat blankly in the middle of the crater and spat out a mouthful of smoke. His clothes had become tattered, and faint heat still rose from the ground. The moment he sensed that the Rasengan was about to explode, he had leaped into the courtyard and desperately forced it into the earth, preventing it from reaching Hinata.

"Did that brat create this ninja technique?!"