The moon hung high in the sky. Most people in Konoha were already asleep, but Naruto lay awake on Mitaraishi Anko's bed, his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out how to tell Hinata about what had happened between him and Anko.
After leaving the Hyuga Clan, Naruto had originally planned to go home. He had been away for days and wanted to get some proper rest, see Karin, and chat with her. They had agreed on that when they parted that afternoon.
But as he passed the Dango Shop, he spotted Mitaraishi Anko staring miserably at her favorite dango. Naruto knew she must have been worrying about their relationship. Unable to leave her alone like that, he followed her all the way home.
Naruto hid in a large tree not far from Anko's home and watched her secretly as she stared at the Crystal Pendant he had given her. He had bought five of them in the Land of Hot Water. Three were carved with Naruto and Hinata holding Hanabi's hands. Of the other two, one depicted Naruto embracing Anko, and she was holding it now. The last depicted Karin, though hers showed only Karin herself. Naruto still had it with him and planned to give it to her when he got home, since he had forgotten to give it to her at noon.
Naruto had also placed a Flying Thunder God Technique mark on the back of each of the five pendants. He was afraid that if they ever faced danger, he might not be able to reach them in time, and that would leave him with lifelong regret. Back then, Minato had failed to leave a mark on Kushina, giving Obito Uchiha an opening. What had happened to Naruto's parents had already cost Minato his life.