Friends

The suddenly appearing Bizarre Creatures caught Danzo off guard.

They also dealt a severe blow to the Foundation, which had yet to recover.]

Of course, the Third Hokage's deliberate suppression was part of the reason...

While Uchiha Fugaku worried about the Uchiha Clan's future, Hinata was obediently eating at home.

Though Hinata's constitution no longer required food, she had kept the habit of eating three meals a day and had no intention of changing it.

Besides, food was meant to be enjoyed.

Hinata did not have many hobbies now, but food was one of them.

Hinata did not mention today's duel, and Hyuga Hiashi did not ask.

Hyuga Hiashi, who knew something of Hinata's strength, knew that no one in the Academy could defeat her now—not even an Uchiha, not even an upperclassman.

"Big sister, big sister! Did you beat that little Uchiha young master again at school today?"

Hyuga Hiashi had no interest in children fighting, but Hyuga Hanabi was different. She was interested!

"Mm, I won," Hinata said flatly.

"Big sister, I heard Brother Neji say that the little Uchiha young master used two ninjutsu, and you blocked them both with Rotation. Is that true?"

Hyuga Hiashi stiffened, but soon relaxed.

The ninjutsu children used were only C-rank. Even those could not hurt Hinata. As for Hinata being able to use Rotation, he had known that long ago—or rather, he had been the first person besides Hinata to know.

"Mm, it's true." Hinata's tone remained unchanged.

Hanabi cheered and looked at Hinata with adoration. "Big sister is amazing!"

Ever since she could remember, Hanabi had known that her sister was incredible. It seemed there was nothing her sister could not overcome.

Those difficult Gentle Fist techniques she usually could not understand became clear the moment her sister explained them.

Even the adults in the clan were no match for her sister, making Hanabi admire Hinata even more.

Hanabi's worshipful gaze made Hinata a little uncomfortable, but she did not avoid it.

"You'll be able to do this someday too."

"Hanabi will definitely become as amazing as big sister!"

That would probably be difficult...

"...As long as you work hard." Hinata did not discourage Hanabi.

"Mm! Hanabi will work hard!"

After dinner, Hanabi impatiently pulled her sister along and asked her to teach her Hyuga Gentle Fist.

Hyuga Hiashi did not stop them. A year ago, he would have intervened.

But now he no longer had the standing to do so, because Hyuga Hinata's attainments in Gentle Fist had already surpassed his...

Though she was supposedly teaching Hanabi Gentle Fist, a three-year-old child could not train too intensely.

More than teaching her Gentle Fist, it was like she was playing with Hanabi.

The next day, Sasuke entered the classroom with bruises that had faded somewhat.

His first glance went toward the little Akimichi fatty... and Hinata behind him.

Choji cooperatively slumped over his desk, revealing Hinata.

Sasuke's eyes were filled with unwillingness to concede, but he said nothing and walked over to sit in his seat.

In his view, anything he said now would be nothing more than the howling of a defeated dog.

He had already lost. Talking tough afterward was the behavior of the weak!

He was not weak!

"I'm late! I'm late!"

At that moment, accompanied by a shout, an orange figure rushed into the classroom.

There was no need to look. One could tell from that vigorous, energetic voice that it was Naruto.

Speaking of Naruto, he had been a little too well-behaved around Hinata these past few years.

At first, Naruto sat beside Hinata and spent the entire day sitting upright, facing the blackboard without letting his eyes wander. If Hinata had not known his true nature, she might really have thought he was a diligent model student.

During class, he would always secretly glance at Hinata. His face would turn red, as though he had something to say to her, but when the words reached his lips, he could not get them out.

Hinata found it rather strange. Why did he look so much like Hinata from the original story whenever she was around Naruto?

Until two years ago, Hinata finally could not stand it anymore. After school, she directly confronted Naruto and told him to hurry up and say whatever he wanted to say.

Naruto stammered, unable to get the words out.

Seeing that, Hinata sighed and did not press him.

"Then I won't force you. Sorry, I was too abrupt."

Perhaps Naruto's childhood experiences had left him somewhat insecure. Since he did not want to say it, Hinata would not force him. Though she had already prepared herself to reject him...

But before she could take two steps, someone grabbed her hand.

Hinata turned around. Naruto was holding her hand.

Seeing Hinata turn around, Naruto hurriedly released the hand he had been holding.

"Hyuga... Hyuga, I... I... I... I want... I want... want..."

"I want to be friends with you!"

His voice had been very soft at first, and his words halting. But then Naruto suddenly shouted, startling the classmates who had not yet left.

Especially those who had deliberately eavesdropped, curious about what Naruto wanted to say.

Hinata: "..."

Just friends?

Hinata was quite confident in her looks.

Though she was still young, she already possessed beauty capable of toppling nations. Even the sun seemed reluctant to cast its scorching rays upon Hinata's skin.

Throughout the Academy, there were countless boys drawn to Hinata's cuteness who wanted to be her boyfriend.

But then, out of nowhere, some fool told you he wanted to be your friend!

And that fool was serious. He had no improper thoughts whatsoever, his eyes incomparably clear; he simply wanted to be friends with her.

It made Hinata wonder whether her cuteness simply had no effect on fools.

Hinata held out her hand. "Hello, my name is Hyuga Hinata."

"I... I... I'm, I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"

Naruto tremblingly took Hinata's outstretched hand.

"All right, Naruto. From today onward, we're friends."

Naruto: "..."

Naruto stared blankly at Hinata as tears streamed from his eyes, impossible to stop.

"Waaaaah!"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Hyuga."

Hinata took out a handkerchief and wiped Naruto's tears. The moment she had wiped them dry, more flowed from his eyes.

"Since we're friends, you should call me Hinata. Didn't I already call you Naruto?" Hinata continued wiping away his tears.

"Yes, Hinata... Hinata. You're my friend. I'll definitely protect you from now on."

You should protect yourself first.

"You should protect yourself first." Hinata said exactly what she thought.

Naruto: "..."

Naruto choked on his words, but his tears stopped.

"I'll definitely protect you!" Naruto said with utmost seriousness after wiping away his tears!

Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect you.

Naruto made up his mind.