The next morning, Naruto got up and looked at the wounds from yesterday's fight. A smile immediately spread across his face. The worst of the wounds had already scabbed over, while the smaller ones had healed without leaving even a mark. His skin was fair and smooth, like a newborn baby's.
In his previous life, Naruto hadn't liked socializing much. Add the villagers' hostility toward him, and his desire to avoid contact with people only grew stronger.
As a result, Naruto seemed very aloof. He wasn't exactly coldhearted, but he never went out of his way to strike up a conversation. He usually wore a large cloak and pulled its hood up, making him seem utterly cut off from the world.
Naruto stood in front of the mirror and looked at his reflection. A handsome young man with a cold expression stared back at him. He had long golden hair that fell past his shoulders and a fair, smooth face. Three whisker-like black marks lined each cheek, and a red mark sat between his eyebrows. He wore a white short-sleeved T-shirt and black pants.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Naruto said, "My hair's gotten a little long. I should get it trimmed, but the barber said two years ago that he didn't want to cut my hair anymore. Oh well, never mind. It's not a big deal."
Naruto picked up the cloak beside him and put it on, muttering, "It's not like I meant to burn his hair. I didn't want that to happen either. What a stingy guy." As he spoke, he remembered what had happened two years ago. Back then, Naruto had just learned his first Wind Release Ninjutsu, the C-rank Great Breakthrough, from the Third Hokage. He'd been in a good mood, and since there was a festival going on, he'd gone to check it out.
When he walked over to the bonfire, he spotted a thief stealing money from the barber. The barber had always treated Naruto pretty well; at least, he'd never cheated him. So Naruto had thrown out his newly learned Great Breakthrough without a second thought. Who knew he'd miss, blow the barber more than ten meters away toward the bonfire, and set his hair on fire?
How was I supposed to know a little C-rank Wind Release technique could blow someone that far? And I was protecting his money, too.
After putting on his cloak, Naruto affirmed once again, "Yeah, he's just too stingy."
Looking at his skin, so smooth it seemed water might bead on it, Naruto said, "I should spend more time in the sun. I'm so pale I look like a pretty boy. It's not manly at all.
"I remember Naruto had a tan when I watched Naruto. How come I turned out pale as a girl after becoming Naruto? Hmm, it must be the production team's fault. Naruto's skin was obviously fair, but they changed it to a tan."
Naruto left the house and walked down the street. When he suddenly felt the sun beating down on him, he pulled up his hood. There. That's not so intense.
When he got to the place where he usually practiced ninjutsu and Shuriken, he spotted a few little girls bullying another girl with a pair of White Eyes. The moment Naruto saw her, he froze.
She was the first person with White Eyes he'd met since arriving in the Naruto World. And now this girl with White Eyes was being bullied by a few ordinary kids. What the hell was this? Although he didn't know what was going on, Naruto still walked over.
The boys bullying her saw Naruto approaching and sneered, "Look, it's that freak. You want a beating too?" Naruto stared at the idiots, who had clearly been spoiled by their parents, speechless.
He ignored them, walked over to the girl, and helped her up. "Are you okay? My name's Naruto Uzumaki. What's yours?" The girl's face turned red. After hearing him, she bowed politely in thanks and said, "Hello, my name is Hinata Hyuga."
Naruto was dumbfounded again. All he could think about were the words "My name is Hinata Hyuga." When he finally came to his senses and looked at Hinata, he saw that her face was still red. She was adorable. He shamelessly thought, No wonder she's my wife. She's already so charming at five.
While Naruto was still lost in endless daydreams, Hinata asked shyly, "I'm okay now. Could you let go of my hand?" Only then did Naruto realize he was still holding the girl's hand. He immediately let go. Hinata's face was still red, and Naruto felt a little embarrassed too. The atmosphere turned awkward.
Just as Naruto was wondering what to say to Hinata, the group of brats they'd forgotten about shouted angrily, "How dare you ignore us! Beat that freak to death!" They rushed over, ready to hit Naruto. His expression turned cold. Damn it, I'm already annoyed, and now you brats have to get in my way. I'll beat the crap out of you.
Naruto quickly formed a few hand seals, then slapped his palm forward. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" The powerful gust blew the brats ten meters away into a patch of bushes. They landed hard and started wailing. "Monster! Monster! Run, run!" Seeing them flee, Naruto merely said, "Pathetic," and paid them no more attention.
Turning back to Hinata, he said, "Hinata, where do you live? I can walk you home." Hinata found it strange that those people had called him a monster. Why would they call him that? He seemed so kind. And the way he'd casually chased off those bad kids showed how strong he was—nothing like her, so weak.
Just as Hinata was about to answer, a figure suddenly appeared beside her and shielded her. Then he said to Naruto, "Stay away from Lady Hinata. Do you understand?" Seeing the White-Eyed man appear out of nowhere, Naruto realized he was Hinata's bodyguard and didn't take offense. He smiled at Hinata and said, "Looks like I don't need to walk you home after all. Maybe I'll see you another time, Hinata."
Hinata paused, then replied, "Yes, Naruto-kun. I hope we meet again."
Naruto leaped away and disappeared from Hinata's sight. Her bodyguard crouched down beside her and said, "Lady Hinata, you should stay away from that boy."
Hinata didn't understand why she had to stay away from Naruto, so she asked, "Why?" The bodyguard replied, "Lady Hinata, you don't need to know. Just know that he's a monster."
Hinata didn't ask any more questions, but she decided she would secretly find out why Naruto was called a monster. After all, ordinary children called her a monster too.
Naruto went to his usual training spot and practiced Shuriken and Taijutsu for a while, but he couldn't focus. He kept thinking about Hinata.
He thought uneasily, Damn it, am I a lolicon? Hinata's only five, and here I am, an old man who's almost a hundred if you add up my three lifetimes, thinking about a five-year-old girl every so often. What's going on? Hmm, I must be hungry. Whatever, I'll go get a bowl of ramen.
Naruto wandered into a noodle shop and ordered a large bowl of ramen. After he finished eating and was about to pay, he realized his wallet was gone. He couldn't remember where he'd dropped it. Teuchi noticed Naruto standing there blankly, rummaging through his pockets as if looking for something, and asked, "What's wrong, Naruto? Forget your money?"
Naruto replied, "Sorry, I don't know where I dropped my wallet."
Teuchi smiled. "It's all right, it's all right. It's on me. But could you deliver some food for me? My daughter went to make a delivery and hasn't come back yet, and I can't leave."
Naruto replied, "Sure. I'm free right now anyway." Teuchi was delighted. "Thanks, Naruto. Please take this to the Uchiha Clan Head's home. Clan Head Fugaku said this morning to deliver it at noon. Please hurry." Naruto answered and picked up the delivery box beside him before heading out.
As he walked, Naruto thought, That's strange. I met Hinata Hyuga this morning, and now I'm going to meet Sasuke Uchiha this afternoon. Could it really be fate? In one day, I've met two of the most important people in Naruto Uzumaki's life. The corners of Naruto's mouth lifted slightly. He murmured, "The Uchiha Clan, huh? I hope they don't disappoint me. Looks like I can bring it forward."
Naruto arrived at the Uchiha Clan's compound. Looking at its prosperity, it was hard to believe the place would be in ruins two years later. When he got to Fugaku Uchiha's house, he saw a little boy practicing Shuriken.
The boy was a very handsome little cutie. He looked a bit young, but his eyes were firm and keen. He also had an air of arrogance about him. His skin was fair and smooth, almost as fair as Naruto's. Naruto knew this was Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke noticed someone had arrived. He turned around and saw a weirdo standing not far behind him. It was a hot day, yet the guy was wearing a black cloak and had even pulled up the hood. Wasn't he hot?
He'd come to someone's house without even greeting them. So rude. And now that I've seen him, he's just standing there like an idiot. Hmm, blank and stupid. Idiot. Sasuke's second judgment was: He's an idiot too.
If Naruto had known what he was thinking, he would have beaten him to death without hesitation. (Sasuke couldn't beat Naruto right now. Hmm, nothing wrong with that.)
The two of them stared coldly at each other for nearly a minute. Finally, Sasuke coolly asked, "Who are you? What are you here for?" He deliberately ignored the delivery box in Naruto's hands. Naruto raised the box slightly and said flatly, "I'm delivering food."
Before you continue