Lost in "Hinata-chan"

"I suppose so." Iruka hesitated for a moment, then asked as gently as he could, "But I'd rather hear why you want to give up on your dream?"

"No reason. That kind of thing was never my dream." Naruto shrugged. "Iruka-sensei said the Hokage is the strongest person in the village, right?"

"That's right, I did say that." Iruka nodded.

"They're right. I'm just a dead last. There's no way I could ever become Hokage, is there?" Naruto shot back.

"You can't say that. Not if you're willing to work hard, Naruto." Iruka's words faltered. He had a rough idea of Naruto's situation, but the Third Hokage's gag order kept him from saying anything outright.

Naruto tilted his head, looking at Iruka with a puzzled expression.

"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to be Hokage anymore. I want a dream that's not so far out of reach."

"What dream?" A bead of cold sweat trickled down Iruka's forehead. He didn't even know why he was getting drawn in by a kid's words.

"Maybe find a virtuous wife, get married. Just live like a normal adult." Naruto scratched his head.

Iruka was both surprised and unsettled. For Naruto, an ordinary dream was even more unattainable.

Naruto could never marry and have children like a normal person.

Those words stuck in Iruka's throat. Thinking about how all the cold stares and rejection were aimed at an orphan, Iruka felt a bitter pang in his chest.

No matter what, Naruto had the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, protecting the villagers. Yet the very contribution that made him a Jinchuriki earned him nothing but their scorn.

Iruka's parents had died in the Nine-Tails' rampage, but he couldn't bring himself to hate the boy standing before him—parentless and alone.

It wasn't his fault. It was the Nine-Tails'.

Naruto was just a container the Nine-Tails had been poured into at birth, living his whole life hated and despised.

Suddenly, Iruka realized Naruto might have already grown up, that he understood the disgust and hatred in the villagers' eyes. When that thought took shape in his mind, a chill ran down Iruka's spine.

If a seed of hatred ever took root in a Jinchuriki's heart, the consequences would be unthinkable!

Iruka blinked, and when he looked again, Naruto's face still wore that bright smile.

"Naruto, this dream of yours..."

"What about it? It's great, right, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto's smile was as radiant as ever. "Iruka-sensei, you're pretty old and you don't have a girlfriend. You must have a ton of savings, huh?"

"Huh?!" Iruka's composure shattered on the spot. He clenched his fist and roared, "Naruto!"

"Help!" Naruto bolted away with a shout.

As the two fooled around, Hinata was already blushing furiously nearby, practically steaming with embarrassment. Her small hands twisted together as she mumbled something under her breath.

"Alright, that's enough." Iruka put on a stern face and scolded, "Make sure you come to school tomorrow! Naruto!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei." Naruto hung his head, looking properly chastened.

As if by unspoken agreement, both of them turned their gaze to Hinata, who was still standing there with her head down, silent. She let out a small "Ah!" and her face flushed red again.

"Naruto, you can head home on your own. I'll walk Hinata back. You'll be fine by yourself, right?" Iruka said, rubbing his forehead.

Naruto was about to agree when the panel popped up without warning.

Option One: Pursue Sakura. Reward: S-rank Ninjutsu. Option Two: Pursue Hinata, save ten years of detours. Reward: Nine-Tails' Recognition (unrestricted use of Nine-Tails' chakra).

Note: Option One grants immediate mastery of a random S-rank Ninjutsu (small chance of obtaining a rare Wood Release Ninjutsu). Option Two is a progress-based reward, unlocked in stages as the relationship advances.

This was basically a no-brainer. The power of the Nine-Tails was nothing an S-rank Ninjutsu could compare to.

Besides, even if there were no rewards at all, if he had to choose between Sakura and Hinata as someone to pursue...

Naruto would pick Hinata without a second thought. Even setting everything else aside, at least his future kids would have a soft place to land. Bigger is justice!

Pick the second one!

Quest started successfully. Please prioritize completion.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly cut in. "Let me walk Hinata home instead!"

"Ah!" Hinata's face turned red all the way to her ears, and she instinctively turned away.

"Hm?" Iruka looked at Naruto, puzzled.

"I know where Hinata's house is. I've walked her before." Naruto explained with a smile. "If you do it, Iruka-sensei, it's out of your way. Too much trouble, right?"

"Well..." Iruka hesitated, but thinking of the cold Hyuga Clan members, he relented.

"Alright then. Naruto, you protect Hinata, you hear? Do your duty as a man!" Iruka said with a smile.

"Yeah! I'll protect Hinata properly!" Naruto flashed a bright grin back.

After Iruka left, Naruto patted Hinata on the shoulder. She flinched, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's okay. I'll take you home, Hinata." Naruto gave a gentle smile, his voice softer now.

"Thank you, Na... Naruto-kun!" Hinata's voice was barely a whisper.

"Then give me your hand."

"Hinata-chan."

"Wh-why?" Hinata jumped, her face bright red, her words stumbling.

"A girl walking alone at night is pretty dangerous, right? Holding hands like ordinary friends would make it safer, wouldn't it?"

"That's true, but... Naruto's hand." Hinata hesitated.

"What's wrong? Is it troubling you? Sorry."

"No! Not at all." Hinata shook her head like a rattle, carefully reaching out her hand, her heart pounding wildly.

When the warmth of his palm met hers, a warm current seemed to flow into Hinata's heart, instantly calming her uneasy feelings.

Naruto wasn't lying to me—I really do feel safer.

But does this count as holding hands?

What am I even thinking! Naruto isn't thinking about that at all.

Watching Naruto, who was half a step ahead of her, Hinata suddenly felt flustered. Naruto really is a gentle person at heart.

Walking ahead and holding Hinata's hand, Naruto was completely unaware of her thoughts. Feeling the Nine-Tails' chakra overflowing in his body and cycling through his meridians, he couldn't help but feel delighted.

It worked, just as planned.

Naruto stopped at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan compound. Unless necessary, the Hyuga Clan didn't welcome outsiders—especially him.

"Thank you for seeing me home, Naruto." Hinata bowed to him, her ears reddening, her long neck pale and flushed.

"I should be the one thanking you. After all, you came looking for me." Naruto waved at her. "Sleep well tonight, Hinata-chan!"

With that, Naruto turned and ran off, heading in the opposite direction, toward the distant darkness.

Hinata lost herself in the sound of "Hinata-chan," leaning against the wooden door as she whispered.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto."