Second Time Around, This Time It Was Hinata

"I won't do it!"

Naruto's answer was completely different from what Uzuki Yugao had in mind. She was stunned for a moment before she realized that he had refused.

Why? The village.

"What does the village have to do with me?" Naruto interrupted. "I don't want to get involved in these troublesome things right now. The Shinobi World Alliance has already formed an alliance, so losing one of me won't make a big deal."

"I have more important things to do. Ino is pregnant, and I have to stay here to ensure her safety."

"Anbu Meeting"

"I don't trust the Anbu. Don't even mention you coming in person. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that it's impossible." He spoke first. "The village needs an Anbu Captain, not some ordinary Jonin."

Plain and unremarkable? Ordinary? Uzuki Yugao felt like vomiting blood.

"Do you know that your involvement might change the course of the war?" She didn't give up and continued to persuade him.

"Do you know that Ino is very important to me? If anything happens to her, I'll turn around and join the other side." He paused and said, "That could change the course of the war."

Uzuki Yugao: "."

With his Talk no Jutsu, no matter how many Uzuki Yugao's, they are no match for Naruto.

When she realized she couldn't reason with Naruto normally, she chose to be honest with him. Looking up at him, she spoke sincerely.

What do you want?

"The safety of Ino and Hinata."

"We will guarantee that everything will be absolutely foolproof," she said hastily.

"Besides."

"Besides?"

"I haven't thought of anything yet, but I can't leave now. I have to stay in the village for a few days." Naruto relented; he would have to go to the front lines sooner or later.

However, the difference is that one went passively, while the other went after reaping enough benefits.

Going to the battlefield is never a good thing; even the most powerful person can be worn down by a relentless war of attrition. The Third Raikage died, as did Gold and Silver Brothers, and the Second Hokage also perished on the battlefield.

No one is immortal unless they cheat.

"You can ask, as long as you agree to do your part for the village," said Uzuki Yugao.

"Hmm." Naruto didn't say much. He couldn't say that he didn't plan to put in much effort, but he knew that Uzuki Yugao didn't have high hopes either.

Some things are better left unsaid; it's enough that everyone understands them.

Uzuki Yugao gave Naruto a deep look, then turned and left.

She knew that this was probably the last time she would speak to Naruto like this; there likely wouldn't be another chance like this.

After noon.

Naruto remained calm, not taking Uzuki Yugao's words to heart, and even forgetting them as soon as he turned his head. He didn't care about promises; he only knew that he couldn't leave now.

That scheming Kabuto —six years ago, I advised him to improve himself and even gave him a friendly greeting to his mother. Knowing his personality, he would never forgive and forget.

In a sense, Kabuto was a genius who was not favored by fate. He was more dangerous than Obito Uchiha, that madman.

From the very beginning, Naruto never forgot Kabuto.

Six years ago, his strength was insufficient, and he could only barely block a sword for Tsunade. During that time, he did not have the opportunity to kill Kabuto to eliminate future troubles. After that, Kabuto disappeared without a trace, as if he had vanished into thin air.

Perhaps Tsunade doesn't remember such a minor character, but Naruto does.

Kabuto, who managed to escape death while working under Danzo, later worked for Orochimaru. These two experiences are unparalleled in the Shinobi World.

To put it more elegantly, such a person is like a dragon that transforms when the wind and clouds blow.

Besides, Kabuto has really transformed into a dragon now. Damn, just like Jackie Chan.

Even though Kabuto, he left a very deep impression on Naruto. He looked sleazy and spoke in a cocky manner; he didn't look like a good person at all.

Kabuto lived solely to pursue his identity, and it was this obsession that kept him working under Orochimaru. If such a fanatical person harbored resentment, it would be a terrifying thing.

Naruto didn't know if anyone had insulted Kabuto's mother, but he knew very well that the scoundrel would not let him off easily and would definitely resort to insidious means.

If he makes a move, he'll make it as big as possible. That's Kabuto; he needs to be seen, to be acknowledged, even if it's out of fear.

Before this, Kabuto could hide in the darkness, underground. This period of time was long, but Kabuto didn't care at all; he only cared about one thing.

Who is he!

Six years ago, Naruto answered this question by kicking him hard Naruto the softest spot in his heart, spitting on him and cursing him.

From then on, Kabuto stopped constantly asking who he was, and stopped rushing to seek revenge on Naruto. Instead, he turned to something else: he wanted to kill so many people that the Shinobi World would remember him.

Just as Orochimaru was renowned for his Orochimaru, he wanted to be remembered in the same way. For him, this was the best answer he could come up with.

Naruto had no idea what Kabuto was thinking. He thought to himself, "The fighting outside is so intense, they almost attacked the strongholds of the Five Great Nations. It must be very difficult."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think that Kabuto was some kind of great strategist. He's been killing and setting fires everywhere, teaming up with Black Zetsu, and even recruiting that idiot Sasuke Uchiha."

"Everyone wants me to leave, to go to the front lines, but he's been watching me the whole time. How could I not know? I've just grown up, not lost my mind."

"Kabuto, you're fucking vicious, almost as vicious as me!"

Naruto spat and hid on the beam of the Hyuga Clan's house, watching two White Zetsu figures slowly emerge from the wall. The war had already begun.

More and more White Zetsu surged out of the wall without warning, grinning maliciously, and charged towards Hyuga Hiashi's house. With a few sharp thuds, two White Zetsu were knocked down.

Uzuki Yugao and her group jumped down from the rooftop, exhaling two puffs of white smoke, her eyes slightly cold. She made a promise to Naruto, but the truth was she couldn't keep it.

Naruto drew his sword and cleaved the last White Zetsu in two at the waist. He turned and glanced at Uzuki Yugao, his eyes conveying a clear meaning. "I gave you a chance, but you didn't use it. What good are promises then?"

Uzuki Yugao was utterly defeated, completely lacking the confidence she had displayed that morning. What could she offer in exchange? Nothing. This was forcing Naruto to disregard Hinata and Ino's safety.

She couldn't do that; she and Naruto had a personal relationship, even setting aside their responsibility to communicate.

Night falls.

Naruto, living room.

"I'm sorry, I take back what I said this morning." Uzuki Yugao lowered her head, her ever-present face showing deep shame.

She suddenly felt incredibly stupid, not at all like an Anbu Captain. Lately, her mind had stopped working; she was constantly driven by the village's stance and interests.

This made her extremely irritable. She became the Anbu Captain to become stronger and to achieve a more prestigious status. One day, she wanted to meet Baki, the teacher of the three Sand siblings, and kill him with her own hands.

But now it seems to be going in the opposite direction. What stupid things have I been doing these past few days? Being led by the nose by the enemy, Five Kage Summit, and then gathering people to search for White Zetsu in the village.

Everything seemed normal, even making her somewhat smug, but now it all looked like a slap in the face. Had the investigation been thorough enough? She'd fallen for someone else's trap again!

"What did you say this morning?" Naruto didn't care, holding a glass of ice water in his hand.

The outside temperature wasn't high, and after nightfall it was even closer to two or three degrees Celsius, but Naruto still liked to hold a glass of ice water and drink it slowly while thinking about things.

There aren't many things that can make him use his brain, so Kabuto is a worthy opponent.

"I"

"You said you would guarantee Ino and Hinata's safety, but you couldn't even handle a few White Zetsu stragglers and got completely outmaneuvered," Naruto retorted.

"Yes." Uzuki Yugao had nothing to say; it was the truth.

Now she has accepted the fact that she is indeed incompetent. She may be able to handle things well in normal times, but she still finds it difficult when faced with this kind of roundabout struggle.

She's too ashamed to even suggest sending Naruto to the front lines. She can't even resolve his worries, so what right does she have to speak?

Uzuki Yugao left, and I've almost lost all face.

At the same time, she also realized that the enemy was not as simple as it seemed, and that the start of this war in this long winter might have a deeper meaning.

The Hokage's Office.

Kakashi rubbed his temples, a slight headache throbbing in his eyes. Not far from him were several large monitors. A voluptuous woman, equally serious, spoke solemnly.

"The sea has already started to freeze over, so our people can't get here. It will take at least a month to arrive."

"A month?"

"The war was already decided in a month, why bother with support?"

After the Five Kage finalized their alliance, they frequently needed to contact each other when organizing their respective forces to launch their uprisings. The Intelligence Department simply moved the meeting equipment to the Hokage's Office.

Even late at night, the Five Kage were still discussing military matters.

Due to the freezing winter, it is difficult for ninja forces from various countries to regroup. The outer seas of the Land of Water are already frozen, so it will take at least three months before troops can be dispatched, or at the earliest, one month.

The situation in Kumogakure wasn't much better. The samurai of the Land of Iron weren't afraid of the cold, but it was of little use.

Generally speaking, wars rarely break out in winter.

People need to eat, and the winter marching conditions are extremely harsh; a slight misstep can lead to being caught in a blizzard. This is why no one chooses to wage war in winter.

But the White Zetsu need to eat; they are just clones and completely obey Kabuto's orders.

"How's the situation in the Land of Fire? Hokage?"

Hearing someone call his name, Kakashi quickly opened his eyes, suppressing a yawn that was about to escape. He had been working non-stop for two days without closing his eyes for a single moment.

"Ahem, the situation in the Land of Fire has temporarily stabilized. The five thousand White Zetsu from the border have been temporarily repelled," Kakashi said earnestly.

In fact, it wasn't them who repelled them; the White Zetsu retreated on their own. Konohagakure's White Zetsu have already been screened, and it's impossible to determine whether there are any left.

Just as Kakashi was lost in thought, the Five Kage Summit had already ended.

Knock, knock, knock—there was a knock on the office door.

Hinata carefully opened the door and breathed a slight sigh of relief when she saw that it was Naruto.

"Come in first."

"Good."

Naruto was also a little curious as to why she was in such a hurry to find him, so he bent down to change his shoes. Unexpectedly, Hinata had already squatted down and naturally helped him put on warm cotton slippers.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Do you remember what I told you last time?" Hinata looked a little nervous, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.

"Don't want?"

"You're so annoying!" Hinata blushed and punched him lightly, then pulled him to sit down on the sofa. This was her room, but it was bigger than Naruto's living room and bedroom combined.

Damn, how can they be so rich!

"That's not it!" she said, slightly annoyed.

"Well, that's hard to guess. You like to keep quiet and don't like to make a sound." Naruto chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

"Naruto."

"Um?"

"I think I'm pregnant."

"Hmm!" Naruto was stunned; he really couldn't laugh this time.

First Ino got pregnant, and then Hinata got pregnant. Although I was mentally prepared, I didn't expect the success rate to be 100%. Are my offspring so active?

"Naruto, what's wrong?"

"I'm happy."

"But your expression doesn't look happy; you seem unhappy," Hinata said, sounding unusually aggrieved.

That's because Ino is pregnant too. Naruto felt a little uneasy, thinking to himself why it had to be right now that the village's affairs hadn't been resolved yet.

That vicious little Kabuto, who knows what methods he'll use to continue assassinating us.

"No, absolutely not." Naruto quickly calmed down and tried to cover for himself. "I was just thinking that the village isn't safe either, and that makes me even more worried about you."

"The village." Hinata thought of what happened during the day. Although the Anbu had dealt with the White Zetsu, she knew that perhaps the same thing would happen again sometime in the future.

If she were alone, she wouldn't be afraid; Hinata herself is Jonin, not a weak woman who can't even kill a chicken. But now that she's not alone, she can't help but worry.

"Then what should we do?" she asked nervously.

"It's okay, I know a place that's absolutely safe, lively, and perfect for a baby's recovery." Naruto smiled and reached out to hug Hinata.

"But I don't want to leave the village, not my father, not everyone," Hinata said hesitantly. "Can't I stay in the village?"

"No." Naruto took out his prepared plan and said softly, "The situation in the village is complicated right now. Those White Zetsu are coming for me."

"Six years ago, I offended someone, and now he wants to hurt you to make me suffer. If he finds out you are pregnant, he will definitely harass you at any cost."

"As long as you're safe, everyone is safe. Your father and everyone else will be fine. Be good, okay? Hinata, this will all be over soon."

"Really?" she asked.

"Mm." Naruto nodded.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, looked up at Naruto and asked.

"Ino alright?"

"She's fine." Naruto said calmly. He had to separate the two and settle them down. "She was just feeling a little unwell at the time, but she's better now."