A Guess

Naruto opened his eyes and saw Hinata. He hurriedly explained, "Hinata, let me explain. That was all the other guy's doing, not mine. I only love you, Hinata. Really! It was that guy, not me."

Hinata found Naruto's panicked expression amusing, but deliberately put on a stern face. "Oh? Wasn't that you just now, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto was at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer. If he said it wasn't him, that would be a lie—it had been him, even if it was another personality. But if he said it was him, then it hadn't been his usual self.

Seeing Naruto struggle to explain himself, Hinata couldn't help laughing. When Naruto saw her smile, he asked in surprise, "Hinata, you're not angry anymore?"

Hinata said to Naruto, "You really are such a dummy, Naruto-kun. I don't know exactly what happened to you, but I know that definitely wasn't what you wanted. And even though you were acting very flirtatious, I could still feel that you loved me. That's what matters."

Moved by Hinata's words, Naruto hugged her happily. "Thank you, Hinata." Hinata said nothing, simply enjoying Naruto's embrace for a quiet moment.

Their companions were happy to see Naruto and Hinata embracing. Ino said enviously, "That's so beautiful. I wonder when I'll get to do that with Sasuke."

Once Naruto and Hinata had parted, Ino was about to ask what had happened to him earlier, but Shikamaru cut her off before she could speak. "Naruto, now that Sasuke's all right, we'll be heading off." With that, he led Ino and Choji away.

Seeing Shikamaru leave, the others also said their goodbyes. Hinata told Naruto, "We should go too, Naruto-kun. Good luck with the exam."

Naruto smiled. "You too."

Reluctantly, Hinata replied, "Well, we're off." Then she left with Kiba and Shino.

After everyone had left, Naruto said to Sakura, "Sakura, hurry and take Sasuke with you. We need to find somewhere hidden to lie low." As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto nearly collapsed. Luckily, Sakura caught him in time.

Sakura asked with concern, "Naruto, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

Naruto managed to steady himself and replied, "I'm fine. Don't ask so many questions. Hurry up and go." Then he staggered toward the woods, while Sakura carried Sasuke and followed behind him.

After they had left, Ino looked at Shikamaru in puzzlement. "Shikamaru, why did you interrupt me just now? I wanted to know what was going on with Naruto earlier. Aren't you curious?"

Shikamaru replied, "I am curious, but that was obviously Naruto's biggest secret. He doesn't want to talk about it, so we'd better not ask."

Choji asked in confusion, "Naruto's biggest secret?"

"That's right. Think about it: we've grown up with Naruto. He tells us everything, even about Kurama, his White Eye, Sharingan, and Sage Body.

"He even told us that his White Eye had a space inside it. But this is the one thing he didn't explain, so we can be sure it's the biggest secret Naruto doesn't want anyone to know."

Choji asked curiously, "What could it be?"

Shikamaru smiled. "I don't know, but today's incident did reveal a few things about Naruto."

Ino asked curiously, "What did you figure out, Shikamaru?"

"Heh. Naruto isn't just one person. No, I mean, there's more to him than the side we know. He must have another side, maybe even more than one." Shikamaru's explanation only left Ino and Choji more confused.

They exchanged glances. "Another side?"

Shikamaru knew there was no way he could explain it clearly to his two friends, so he said, "Anyway, just pay attention to Naruto's eyes."

Choji was even more puzzled. "What's wrong with Naruto's eyes?"

Shikamaru replied, "If Naruto's eyes are sky blue, then he's the Naruto we've always known. If they're crimson, then it might be Kurama. If they're that icy black, then it's the alluring, wicked Naruto we just saw."

Ino asked in surprise, "Is that how it works? But that naughty Naruto was so cool! I wish he'd always be like that."

Shikamaru warned her, "Ino, you'd better stay away from that Naruto. He's dangerous."

Ino replied, "But he's so handsome and cool! If Naruto were always like that, I'm sure girls would love him."

Choji asked curiously, "Ino, don't you like Sasuke? Why do you like Naruto now?"

Ino replied, "I never said I liked Naruto! I just said that naughty Naruto was handsome and cool, and that girls would love him. Naruto as he is now is great too—he makes you feel warm—but right now, all he sees is Hinata.

"But that naughty Naruto feels like an addictive drug. He draws you in deeply and sets your heartstrings trembling." As she spoke, stars appeared in her eyes.

Shikamaru shook his head, one hand pressed to his forehead. "Sigh. I'll never understand girls. All I know is that Naruto is dangerous."

Ino snapped at Shikamaru, "Of course you don't understand. You're so boring!"

Shikamaru replied helplessly, "Sure, sure, whatever you say." Then he stopped paying attention to Ino.

He really couldn't understand what Ino was thinking. Even with an IQ of 200, he still couldn't make sense of it, so he decided to leave it alone.

Meanwhile, Lee and Tenten were asking Neji about Naruto, but Neji didn't know much either. He only said, "I just hope that dummy Naruto doesn't hurt Hinata." (What a siscon.)

Hinata and the others were also discussing Naruto. Kiba asked her, "Hinata, you really don't know why Naruto became so strange?"

Hinata nodded. "I really don't, but I'm sure the Naruto-kun from before wasn't the one we usually see."

Shino added, "Mm, Naruto definitely felt different earlier. His chakra was filled with an evil aura."

Kiba asked in surprise, "How do you know?" Shino showed Kiba and Hinata some of his insects. They were biting one another.

Kiba looked at them and said, "These bugs are vicious."

Shino nodded. "These are insects I've been breeding recently. They're usually very docile. They can absorb the chakra people release into the air after using ninjutsu.

"They only became like this after absorbing that Naruto's chakra. That Naruto felt evil and dangerous to me, so you have to be careful, Hinata. If he turns into that Naruto again, make sure you stay away from him."

Kiba also said anxiously, "That's right, Hinata. You need to be careful around Naruto."

Hinata smiled. "You don't need to worry about me. Naruto-kun did seem dangerous earlier, but I could also feel how deeply he loves me. That side of him is just a little unruly, that's all. No matter what he turns into, he's still Naruto-kun, the person I love and your best friend, isn't he?"

Kiba replied, "You're right. Whatever happens, he's still Naruto—that big dummy."

Shino nodded too. "You're right, Hinata. No matter what, he's still our best friend."

Hinata smiled. "Then let's hurry. We still need to collect the scrolls." With that, she quickened her pace and activated her White Eye as she ran ahead. Kiba and Shino nodded and followed her.

Meanwhile, Naruto and Sakura struggled to reach a concealed thicket. Naruto sank to the ground, and after setting Sasuke down, Sakura asked, "Naruto, what's wrong with you? Are you all right?"

Naruto shook his head. "I'm fine. I just need to rest for a day or two. Sasuke may stay unconscious for another three days. You'll have to look after Sasuke and me for the next two days."

Sakura said firmly, "I will." As soon as she finished speaking, Naruto passed out. Sakura helped him lie down beside Sasuke.

She told herself, Sasuke and Naruto have always protected me. Now it's my turn to protect them.

At Orochimaru's temporary base in the Forest of Death, Kabuto Yakushi placed Orochimaru inside a container filled with medicinal fluid to treat him.

Just then, the masked boy walked in and said to Kabuto, "Kabuto Yakushi, we've found Naruto Uzumaki and the others. Following Orochimaru's instructions, we can send those three now."

Kabuto replied, "But with Naruto Uzumaki there, what good will those three do?"

The boy smiled. "Naruto Uzumaki is unconscious. Now's the perfect time to go."

Kabuto asked in surprise, "Naruto Uzumaki is unconscious? How did you get that information?"

The boy replied, "You don't need to worry about that. I have my own sources. Just hurry and make arrangements. Here's where they are."

The boy took out a sheet of paper and handed it to Kabuto. Kabuto looked it over, then nodded. "I'll notify them right away."

After Kabuto left, the boy muttered, "My main body's an idiot. I hope this doesn't cause any major problems." Then he vanished.

After receiving their orders, the Sound Ninja Trio also headed for Naruto and Sasuke's location. Sakura had been guarding Naruto and Sasuke for two days when she suddenly sensed someone approaching and went on alert.

Before long, Kin, Dosu, and Zaku reached their hiding place. Zaku said, "There's no point hiding. I know you're in there." Then he hurled several Kunai toward Naruto and Sasuke.

Sakura hurriedly knocked the Kunai aside. "Who are you? How did you find our hiding place?"

Dosu sneered. "We're Lord Orochimaru's subordinates. If we kill Sasuke, we'll get Lord Orochimaru's Cursed Seal. So hand Sasuke over, unless you want to die."

Kin said impatiently, "Why waste time talking to her? Just take her out too."

"Fine," Zaku replied. The battle was about to begin.