Walking along the quiet path, Hinata glanced at Naruto and said, "Naruto-kun, I've noticed you've changed."
Naruto turned around and smiled. "Oh? For better or for worse?"
Hinata shook her head. "I don't know. I just feel that you've changed, Naruto-kun. I actually noticed it after we left the Land of the Moon, but it wasn't very obvious then. This time, though, the change really is obvious."
Naruto looked at Hinata seriously. "Hinata, no matter how I change, my feelings for you will never change."
Hearing his words, Hinata's face filled with happiness. Blushing, she whispered, "Neither will mine."
Naruto looked at Hinata with a smile. "I know Sasuke, Shikamaru, and the others all think of me as the sun in their hearts. Even you feel that way, don't you, Hinata? But what I want to tell you is that you're the sun in my heart. Without you, I really don't know if I could hold on to that gentleness inside me. Maybe you've always thought I was gentle, but you're all wrong. I'm not an especially kindhearted person. On the contrary, there's a lot of darkness in me. But I want to change. I want to become the person you all think I am, because the people who want me to change are my friends. Especially you, Hinata. I'm willing to change for you."
Hinata grew emotional at his words. "No, Naruto-kun, you've always been that gentle person. It's just your circumstances that have forced you to act otherwise. But I believe in you, and I believe your dream will come true. You'll definitely create a world without war, without death, and without hatred. I truly believe that."
Naruto smiled tenderly. "Thank you, Hinata. Thank you for always trusting me so much. Even if it's only for your sake,