'Starting Over'

With her mother completely vanished from this world, she had been granted a second chance.

Uzumaki Eiyuling understood that she had missed too much and failed to see things clearly; this time, she wanted to understand everything anew and take another look at this world.

Though it was merely an obsession, she still hoped Neji would become the head of the Hyuga Clan, that the Bird Cage would be no more, that Naruto and Sasuke would join forces to forge a new era, that Sakura would become a formidable woman who stood tall and surpassed Tsunade, along with many, many other regrets.

Most importantly, she had to repay the life she owed him.

The crisp chirping of birds reached her ears—the unique tranquility of the Konoha forest.

She slowly awakened, feeling as though she had lived through a fantastical life, though now only fragments remained.

However... the most painful image was still so vivid: in that world, she had personally killed the person she loved most.

That agony seemed to have seeped into her very marrow, an inconsolable grief that left her struggling to breathe.

Yet, her hopeless life seemed to have found a direction, with new obsessions and thoughts filling her mind.

She lay on the ground, listless, the wound piercing her chest still oozing blood; if she didn't stop the bleeding, she would surely die.

Struggling to sit up, she saw the blood spreading from her chest, and she could only press her hands tightly against the wound, yet the pain still struck directly at her heart.

She had to go back; a voice was telling her that she would die if she stayed here!

As she dragged herself back toward Konoha, her chaotic mind finally cleared, though her past felt as if it had been smeared over, leaving only pain whenever she tried to recall it.

Her name was Uzumaki Eiyuling, but she never dared to mention her surname; this was the Third Hokage's warning to her.

Eiyuling had hair as bright as fresh blood, which was why she had always been bullied, but she had been timid since childhood and never dared to resist, making it all the more natural for them to torment her.

She did not remember how she had run away, only that her vague memories contained nothing but the image of herself being pierced through at the end, while she clearly remembered the person in that life whose chest she had run through.

Her life seemed to have lasted only three years; after her mother died, she lived alone, but as an orphan, she naturally could not escape being bullied.

That red hair became a target for their amusement, so she had cut it extremely short, and for three years, everyone had mistaken her for a boy.

Three years later, she had died here without a care; she had originally had a chance to live, but at some point, she felt that dying like this wouldn't be so bad, so she simply watched the sky, waiting for death, and then drifted off as if falling asleep.

But now, she would absolutely not do that again; no longer lost, she had to live, and so she must return to Konoha.

Finally, she saw the gates of Konoha, where two Chunin were stationed; Eiyuling had dragged a long trail of blood all the way there.

The two men looked at her in shock and hurriedly ran over to support her.

Upon seeing the gates of Konoha, Eiyuling finally collapsed into unconsciousness.

When she woke again, she was already in the Konoha Hospital, likely brought there by the two Chunin.

Eiyuling sat up, staring blankly at the white sheets. Before long, the door opened, and the steady footsteps of the Third Hokage approached. She did not turn to look at him, but she heard a long sigh.

"Sigh... Eiyuling... I still failed to protect you."

Eiyuling remained silent, her gaze growing cold; she did not know what to make of this feeling.

Yet, upon hearing the Third Hokage say this, a sense of hatred welled up within her, a grievance rising from the depths of her heart.

She recalled the past, feeling resentment toward the villagers who were indifferent to whether she lived or died, simply because she was an outsider; she had no right to live in this village.

This was also the reason why the people in the village indulged their own children in bullying her.

Seeing her silence, the Third Hokage knew she would not forgive the village. He had thought about taking good care of Eiyuling, but the Third Hokage had too many responsibilities and no time, and those tasked with looking after her were not diligent. He truly did not know when Eiyuling had begun to hate the village.

"Eiyuling... why were you so severely injured?" he asked, changing the subject.

Eiyuling finally turned her head to look at him, though her expression remained cold. "How would I know such a thing? Though it is a pity I didn't die!" Eiyuling said with a sneer.

The Third Hokage frowned, saying helplessly, "Eiyuling... you..."

The Third Hokage did not know what she had experienced, but one thing was certain: her mindset seemed to have changed.

That look in her eyes was vastly different from the one she used to have.

Eiyuling herself had not expected to say such things; it was as if her mouth had moved on its own.

After a long silence, Eiyuling asked softly, "I'm sorry, Grandpa Third... I'm really tired. Can I rest now?" When she said this, she sounded like a spoiled little girl, as if the person who had spoken just moments ago was not her.

The Third Hokage was stunned, staring intently at Eiyuling, trying to discern something.

In the end, he only sighed silently. "Very well... get some rest." The Third Hokage sighed again and said nothing more.

"Mm!" Eiyuling smiled gently and curled up under the covers. The Third Hokage watched her, his eyes dim, before finally turning to leave.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Eiyuling sat up once more, threw off the covers, and walked to the door barefoot.

After confirming there was not a sound outside, she opened the door and stepped out. She felt no sense of unfamiliarity; the Konoha Hospital was, indeed, a place she visited often.

Eiyuling's gaze became resolute; she had to find Naruto, and she had to find him now.

Knowing the Third Hokage must be monitoring her, she initially just wandered the streets, trying her best to avoid being suspected of intentionally running into Naruto.

The way the people of Konoha looked at her was truly strange—not as hateful as they were toward Naruto, yet no less intense than that hatred; it was a conflicted gaze.

Every adult who saw her simply avoided her from afar. Eiyuling withdrew her gaze, no longer paying them any mind.

She wandered for a while and went to the few places Naruto usually frequented: the monkey bars, the small plaza, the riverside—but she did not see him anywhere.

She couldn't help but furrow her brows. She lifted her head to look into the distance, and the Hokage Rock entered her line of sight. With a faint smile, she knew where Naruto had gone.

Upon arriving at the Hokage Rock, she indeed saw Naruto staring blankly at the stone faces.

"Who are you?" Uzumaki Eiyuling asked first.

Naruto was startled, his hands raised as if he were wiping something away.

After a moment, he turned to look at her and demanded indignantly, "And who are you!"

Then, he pointed proudly at the Hokage Rock and declared, "I am the one who will become Hokage!"

Uzumaki Eiyuling chuckled softly; he was still the same, Naruto...

"What? You don't believe me!" Naruto pointed at her, shouting in a mix of anger and embarrassment, like a small animal stamping its feet.

"No, I believe you. You will definitely become Hokage," Uzumaki Eiyuling said, putting away her smile and speaking earnestly.

Naruto stood frozen in place for a long time, his finger still pointing at her, forgotten. Joy and sorrow mingled in his eyes, and he actually began to sob.

It was the first time he had been understood, the first time he had seen something other than hatred in someone's eyes.

Uzumaki Eiyuling watched him quietly. Naruto had not yet become as thick-skinned as he would be later; he was currently at his most vulnerable, craving recognition, and he was not yet accustomed to the coldness and hatred of others.

"My name is Uzumaki Eiyuling. What about you?" she asked softly.

Naruto wiped away his tears and gave a brilliant smile. "Uzumaki Naruto! I am the one who will become Hokage!"

The smile on Uzumaki Eiyuling's lips bloomed as well, and she said gently, "Mm, nice to meet you. Please take care of me!"

"Yeah!" Naruto replied happily.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe as he watched the crystal ball before him. He smiled helplessly, though he could not hide his delight.

"Uzumaki Eiyuling, Uzumaki Naruto... I never thought you two would meet, but that is fine. At least neither of you will be lonely anymore," the Third Hokage said faintly, though a decision had already been made in his heart.

Uzumaki Eiyuling stood quietly by Naruto's side, listening to him talk about his dreams. She simply watched him with a light smile. Before long, the sunset turned the village red, and she interrupted him.

"Naruto, it's time for you to go home."

"Ah, why? I still have so much to tell you!" Naruto said, looking dejected.

Uzumaki Eiyuling chuckled. "Because I have to return to the hospital. Let's meet again next time, how about that?"

"The hospital!" Naruto shouted, asking with concern, "Are you hurt, Eiyuling?"

Uzumaki Eiyuling looked Naruto straight in the eye and said, "Mm. Naruto, we will see each other again. Believe me."

"Oh... oh..." Naruto stared at her blankly.

"Bye," Uzumaki Eiyuling said, then turned and left.

Naruto broke into a smile and shouted at her retreating back, "See you later!"

Hearing his voice, Uzumaki Eiyuling glanced back at Naruto, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly before she turned and walked back toward the hospital.

When she returned to her ward, the Third Hokage was actually waiting at the hospital entrance. Uzumaki Eiyuling's gaze darkened for a moment before returning to normal.

"Grandpa Third, why are you here?" she asked, puzzled.

The Third Hokage looked at her gently and said, "Eiyuling, would you like to live with Naruto?"

"Naruto?" Uzumaki Eiyuling frowned slightly, contemplating everything.

"Yes, that child lives alone as well. You could move in and live with him," the Third Hokage replied.

"He doesn't have parents either?" Uzumaki Eiyuling paused, then said, "Alright..."

"Mm, I knew you would agree," the Third Hokage said with a smile. "Then move to his place tomorrow when you are discharged. I will have him come to pick you up."

After the Third Hokage left, Uzumaki Eiyuling watched him go with a furrowed brow. Something felt very wrong, even though everything seemed perfectly fine!

Sure enough, early the next morning, Naruto rushed over to find her and help her pack. Uzumaki Eiyuling didn't know what the Third Hokage had told him, but it no longer mattered.

She led Naruto to her house, a wooden cabin far from the center of Konoha. Knowing her mother hadn't left much behind, she packed up her things casually.

It was Naruto's first time in someone else's home, and he ran around everywhere. Uzumaki Eiyuling couldn't be bothered to manage him and began packing her belongings.

After thinking carefully for a while, she boxed up all her clothes. She looked around the room, then crawled under the bed to drag out a small chest. It was the only memento she had received from her mother: a few small toys and some books. Once everything was ready, Uzumaki Eiyuling called Naruto, and they left together.

"Eiyuling, Eiyuling, your house is so beautiful!" Naruto said excitedly.

She remembered her mother loved planting flowers; there were some for every season, and she seemed to have cared for them very meticulously. Naruto had probably gone to the backyard. It seemed she would have to come back often, or the flowers would die.

"Mm, from now on, you can come water them with me!"

"Really? Oh! I'm so happy!" Naruto shouted. Seeing how happy he was, Uzumaki Eiyuling sighed helplessly, though her own heart felt a leap of joy.