Lost in the Repeated Cries of Hinata-chan

"More or less." Iruka hesitated for a moment before speaking, then asked as gently as he could, "But I'd rather hear why you want to give up on your dream."

"There's no reason. That wasn't my dream in the first place." Naruto shrugged. "Iruka-sensei said the Hokage is the strongest person in the village, right?"

"Yes, I did say that." Iruka nodded.

"They were right. I'm just a dead last. There's no way I could become Hokage, is there?" Naruto asked.

"You can't put it that way. As long as Naruto is willing to work hard..." Iruka found himself at a loss for words. He roughly knew Naruto's situation, but because of the Third Hokage's order, he could not say it outright.

Naruto tilted his head and looked at Iruka with a puzzled expression.

"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to become Hokage anymore. I want a dream that isn't so far away."

"What dream?" A bead of cold sweat appeared on Iruka's forehead. Even he did not know why he had been led around by the words of a child.

"Maybe finding a virtuous wife to marry, something like that. Living like an ordinary adult." Naruto scratched his head as he spoke.

Iruka was somewhat surprised, but also alarmed. For Naruto, an ordinary dream was even more unattainable.

Naruto could never marry, have children, and live an ordinary life.

Those words lodged in Iruka's throat. Thinking of all the cold stares and exclusion directed at an orphan, Iruka felt deeply uncomfortable.

No matter what, the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto had protected the people of the village. Naruto had made that contribution by becoming a Jinchuriki forever, yet he still had to endure the villagers' disdain.

Iruka's parents had died in the Nine-Tails' Rampage, but he could not bring himself to hate the parentless boy before him.

The one at fault was not Naruto. It was the Nine-Tails.

Naruto was merely a vessel who had been filled with the Nine-Tails at birth, living until now under hatred and rejection.

Suddenly, Iruka realized that Naruto might have grown up already. He had understood the disgust and hatred in the villagers' eyes. As that thought formed in his mind, a chill ran down Iruka's spine.

Once the seeds of hatred were planted in a Jinchuriki's heart, the consequences would be unthinkable!

Iruka's vision blurred. When he looked again, Naruto still wore that brilliant smile.

"Naruto, this dream of yours..."

"What's wrong? It's great, isn't it, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto's smile remained radiant. "Iruka-sensei, you're so old and still don't have a girlfriend. You must have a lot of savings, right?"

"Hey!" Iruka instantly exploded, clenching his fists as he shouted, "Naruto!"

"Help!" Naruto fled at once.

While the two fooled around, Hinata beside them had already blushed furiously, looking so embarrassed she seemed about to steam. Her little hands twisted together as she muttered something under her breath.

"Alright, that's enough." Iruka sternly reprimanded him. "Remember to go to school tomorrow, Naruto!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei." Naruto lowered his head with the look of someone who had learned his lesson.

As if by tacit agreement, both their gazes shifted to Hinata, who stood silently with her head lowered. Hinata let out a small cry, and her face swiftly reddened again.

"Naruto, go home by yourself. I'll take Hinata home first. You'll be alright alone, won't you?" Iruka said, rubbing his forehead.

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

Option One: Pursue Sakura. Reward: S-rank ninjutsu.

Option Two: Pursue Hinata and save yourself ten years of detours. Reward: Nine-Tails' Recognition (freely use Nine-Tails' chakra)

Note: Option One immediately grants mastery of a random S-rank ninjutsu, with a certain chance of obtaining the rare Wood Release ninjutsu. Option Two grants rewards progressively, distributed according to pursuit progress.

There was basically no need to think about it. The Nine-Tails' power was not something an S-rank ninjutsu could compare to.

Besides, even without any reward, if he had to choose between Sakura and Hinata as someone to pursue—

Naruto would choose Hinata without the slightest hesitation. If for no other reason, his future children should at least get to live easy, right? Bigger was justice!

Option Two!

Mission successfully activated. Please complete it as a priority.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly called out, interrupting him. "Let me take Hinata home instead!"

"Ah!" Upon hearing that, Hinata blushed all the way to her ears and involuntarily turned around.

"Hm?" Iruka looked at Naruto in confusion.

"I know where Hinata lives. I've taken her home before." Naruto explained with a smile. "Iruka-sensei, it's not on your way, and it would be too much trouble, wouldn't it?"

"Well..." Iruka hesitated, but when he thought of those cold Hyuga Clan members, he agreed in the end.

"Alright then. Naruto, make sure you protect Hinata, and fulfill your duty as a man!" Iruka said with a smile.

"Yeah! I'll protect Hinata properly!" Naruto replied with a bright smile.

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

"It's alright. I'll take you home, Hinata." Naruto revealed a gentle smile, and his voice softened considerably.

"Th-thank you, Naruto." Hinata spoke very quietly.

"Then give me your hand."

"H-Hinata-chan."

"W-why?" Hinata was startled. Her face flushed as she stammered.

"It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night, right? Holding hands between ordinary friends would make you feel safer."

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

"What's wrong? Would it bother you? Sorry."

"No! Not at all." Hinata shook her head like a rattle drum, carefully extending her hand as her heart pounded.

When warmth from his palm reached hers, it felt as though a warm current had been poured into Hinata's heart. The unease within her settled considerably in an instant.

Naruto didn't lie to me. I really do feel safer.

But this counts as holding hands already, doesn't it?

What am I even thinking?! Naruto probably didn't mean it that way at all.

Looking at Naruto half a step ahead of her, Hinata suddenly felt flustered. Naruto truly was such a gentle person at heart.

Naruto, walking ahead while holding Hinata's hand, was completely unaware of her thoughts. Feeling the Nine-Tails' chakra overflowing from within his body and constantly circulating through his meridians, joy rose in his heart.

Just as I thought, it worked.

Naruto stopped at the gates of the Hyuga compound after escorting Hinata there. Unless necessary, the Hyuga Clan did not welcome outsiders, especially not him.

"Thank you for taking me home, Naruto." Hinata bowed to Naruto with reddened ears, her slender neck fair and flushed.

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

With that, Naruto turned and ran away, heading in the opposite direction, racing toward the darkness in the distance.

Hinata lost herself in the repeated cries of Hinata-chan. Leaning against the wooden gate, she softly said,

"See you tomorrow, Naruto."