Return to the Village

Three days later

Thanks to the habits he had developed through training during this time, Naruto woke up very early. He had no plans to keep training today, since he was returning to Konoha.

He reviewed what he had accomplished. He was becoming more and more proficient with the Flying Thunder God, though he was still far from being able to use it without Hand Seals. He had learned all the Sealing Jutsu, made some progress on the second form of Mad Demon Leg, and broken through to the second level of the Supreme Demon Sutra. The spiritual energy in the vortex in his dantian had all turned into liquid.

Spiritual energy turning into liquid meant that he could hold more of it and use more when performing martial arts, making them even more powerful.

When he had learned the Sealing Jutsu, Minato had also taught him the Rasengan. With his incredible talent, Naruto learned it quickly. Since he used his own spiritual energy to perform the Rasengan, it wasn't sky blue like the original. Instead, it was a strange, eerie purple. The Rasengan glowed purple and was even more powerful and destructive.

Those were all the results of Naruto's training during this time. Satisfied, he smiled as he finished reviewing them, then let his consciousness sink into the Sealing Space.

As soon as he arrived on the island, he saw Minato, Kushina, and Kurama playing cards on the other side of the massive iron gate. Because of Naruto, Minato and Kushina had set aside their grievances with Kurama. Kurama, for his part, knew that the couple were just a pair of rather airheaded fools.

After spending this time together, Minato and Kushina both knew that Kurama wasn't like the rumors claimed. He was just a prideful fox who wanted his freedom and liked to fight.

Once they understood one another, the three of them quickly became friends. As they grew more familiar with each other, whenever Naruto wasn't around after training, the three of them started playing Dou Dizhu. (Where had the cards come from? Naturally, Kurama had formed them from spiritual energy.)

Since Kurama was so large, he created a clone about the size of a human and attached his consciousness to it. (Think of Kurama as he appeared sitting on the ground with the other Tailed Beasts before the Sage of Six Paths died.)

When Naruto saw the three of them playing Dou Dizhu, a few dark lines appeared above his head. He walked over and said to Minato, "Dad, we can take a break from training for now. I want to go back today."

"Sure, it's about time you went back. A pair of twos." Minato played a card as he spoke.

"A pair of threes. Two cards left." That was Kurama.

"Pass."

"Pass." Minato and Kushina said it together.

"Rocket. I win!" Kurama played his last two cards.

"Darn it, Kurama! Are you cheating? You win almost every time!" Seeing Kurama win again, Kushina sat cross-legged on the ground and shouted at him.

"Damn it, why would I need to cheat? You two are just unlucky!" Kurama shot back, refusing to be outdone.

Seeing them start up again, Minato led Naruto away. "If you want to go back to the village, go ahead. We'll have to wait until next time to undo Kurama's seal. The key to releasing it is with Jiraiya. We'll have to find him before we can remove the seal completely."

"Yeah, I know. Pervy Sage left the key on a toad at Mount Myoboku," Naruto replied.

When Minato heard that the key was on a toad, he said, "Then we'll have to look for Jiraiya next time. I can't use the Summoning Technique in my current state. To become a summoner of Mount Myoboku, you have to sign a contract with them, and Jiraiya should have the contract scroll right now."

"Also, Naruto, why do you keep calling Jiraiya Pervy Sage?"

"Dad, you should know why," Naruto replied.

Hearing that, Minato thought of something and gave an awkward smile. He said nothing more. The two of them turned around and saw that Kurama and Kushina had stopped arguing. The fox and the woman both gave a huff and turned away from each other, ignoring one another.

Minato and Naruto went over and told them they planned to return to Konoha. They also told Kurama they would have to wait until next time to undo the seal. Once they explained why, Kurama said he understood. He had been sealed away for so long; waiting a few more days was no big deal. With that, Naruto's consciousness returned to his body, and he left the Sealing Space.

He opened his eyes and looked around the valley where he had been staying. Naruto went to the entrance of the cave and left a Flying Thunder God Mark. That way, he wouldn't have to disguise himself as someone else the next time he came out. The Flying Thunder God was the only Space-Time Ninjutsu in the Shinobi World that could ignore any barrier. If he used it to leave, Konoha's Sensory Barrier wouldn't detect him.

Naruto hadn't brought anything with him, so there was nothing to pack. He simply turned and walked out of the valley.

Naruto kept God Moon Mind's Eye active. He had also told Kushina about his Uzumaki bloodline during this time. After learning about Naruto's situation, Kushina had said,

"Your God Moon Mind's Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains are different from mine. Your God Moon Mind's Eye has a wider range, and you can see things more clearly. Yours is more like the spiritual perception described in the Soul Gathering Art."

When Kushina mentioned spiritual perception, Naruto thought back to when he had first merged with—or rather, devoured—that unconscious remnant soul. Afterward, he had been able to see the things around him, though not from very far away. Through his training in the Supreme Demon Sutra, his range had grown farther and farther. It seemed that his spiritual perception had merged with his God Moon Mind's Eye.

When he was nearing the outskirts of Konoha's territory, he swept the area with his senses. There was no one nearby, and he didn't feel as though anyone was watching him. Naruto used the Transformation Technique to take on the appearance he had worn when leaving the village, suppressed all his spiritual energy, and kept walking.

Before long, he could see the gates of Konoha. Naruto didn't feel much about returning. His only real ties to Konoha now were Hinata, Teuchi and his daughter, and Iruka—and even Iruka barely counted.

As for Hinata, it wasn't just the influence of his memories. His interactions with her had made him appreciate her. She had never been hostile toward him and was always so gentle.

Teuchi and his daughter had been the first people he'd met who weren't hostile toward him and treated him like an ordinary child. That bowl of ramen had also been like a lifeline to Naruto back then.

Missing them, Naruto quickened his pace. After registering at the gate, he headed toward the back hills. The person the Anbu had captured was currently hidden in a cave there, guarded by Tian'er, another Anbu under Naruto's control.

When he reached the cave entrance, he sensed no one nearby and didn't feel watched. Naruto dispelled the Transformation Technique and returned to his original appearance. Seeing that the visitor was Naruto, the Anbu on guard came forward and respectfully greeted him. "Sir, you're back."

"Yeah, I'm back." Naruto walked into the cave and stopped in front of the prisoner. He placed his right hand on the man's head and used the Memory Erasure Technique. (Minato had taught it to him after they bumped fists and Minato learned how he had left the village.) Of course, he only erased the man's memories from after he had been captured.

Once the Memory Erasure Technique was complete, the man quickly fell asleep. When he woke up, he wouldn't remember anything that had happened during this time.

It was time for the Ninja Academy to let out. Instead of offering to walk Hinata home as usual, Naruto told her to go on ahead and wait for him. He would find her later and take her out for a stroll.

Hinata didn't think much of it and headed home alone. Once she was gone, Naruto's Shadow Clone quickly ran toward the back hills. It soon reached the cave where his main body was. Tianyi, who was assigned to watch him, went inside the cave with the Shadow Clone. Then Naruto dispelled it.

When the Shadow Clone was dispelled, all its memories were imprinted in Naruto's mind. He carefully went over every detail. Kurama told him about what the Shadow Clone did each day, but Naruto still needed to check the finer details himself.

After making sure there were no problems, Naruto turned to the two Anbu and asked, "Is Tianyi reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi today?"

"Yes, sir." Tianyi answered respectfully, kneeling on one knee.

Hearing Tianyi's reply, Naruto took out a stone marked with a fox and handed it to him. "Put this stone in the Hokage Office Building, as close to the Hokage's office as you can. Don't let anyone notice."

Tianyi accepted the stone. "Yes, sir. I'll take my leave." Then he turned and headed toward the Hokage Office Building.

After Tianyi left, Naruto didn't linger. He hurried home because he had made plans with Hinata.

When Naruto got home, he quickly washed up, changed clothes, took all the money from his piggy bank, and headed out toward the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Ignoring the people who pointed at him and whispered, Naruto walked along with his hands behind his head and a carefree smile. But inside the Sealing Space, Minato and Kushina were very different. They had already seen similar scenes in the glowing spheres, but seeing them again still made them tremble with anger.

By the time Naruto reached the Hyuga residence, Hinata was already waiting for him at the gate. He hurried over and waved. "Hey, Hinata! Sorry for the wait."

"It's okay, Naruto-kun. I just came out," Hinata replied.

"Hehe, then let's go. We'll start at Ichiraku Ramen, and after we've eaten, we can go shopping." He took Hinata's hand and led her away from the gate.

Although the two of them had been seeing each other often, and Naruto walked her home from school every day while holding her hand, this time was different. It was the first time Naruto had asked her to go out shopping, so Hinata was a little embarrassed.

After Naruto and Hinata left, Hiashi sighed from inside the gate and returned to the living room. "The Third Hokage hasn't interfered with the two of them seeing each other. And given Naruto's identity, perhaps this is for the best." With Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, showing such talent, Hiashi had focused most of his efforts on training Hanabi. He wasn't as strict with Hinata as he had once been. That was why Naruto had been able to ask her out shopping.

Soon, Naruto led Hinata to Ichiraku Ramen. When Teuchi saw Naruto come in with Hinata, he greeted him warmly. "Hey, Naruto! It's been a few days since you last came by."

"Hehe, Uncle Teuchi, I've been busy training, so I haven't had time to come out. Two bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen, please." Naruto scratched his head and answered with a grin.

"Sure thing. Just a moment, it'll be ready soon." Before long, Teuchi placed the ramen in front of them.

Looking at the generous bowls of ramen, Naruto couldn't help swallowing. During his training in the valley, all he had eaten was grilled fish or wild fruit. He had been craving ramen for ages.

After saying, "Let's eat," Naruto and Hinata started on their ramen. Naruto ate and kept saying how delicious it was.

In the end, Naruto ate two bowls, while Hinata ate five, just like last time. After paying, Naruto took Hinata shopping. As soon as they stepped outside, he used the Transformation Technique to change his appearance. Otherwise, no one would buy him anything while they were out.

When Hinata saw him use the Transformation Technique, she said, "Naruto-kun, those people are so mean. They don't understand how kind you are."

Hearing Hinata say that, Naruto smiled happily. "Are you complimenting me, Hinata? Hehe, I don't care what they think of me."

"But, but..." Hinata wanted to say something more, but for a moment she didn't know how to put it.

Seeing her like that, Naruto took her hand and said, "They don't have anything to do with me, so I won't feel bad because of what they say. As long as you stay with me, that's all I need. Hinata, would you?"

When Hinata heard Naruto ask if she would stay with him, her face turned red again. She lowered her head and quietly said, "As long as Naruto-kun wants me to, I'll stay with you."

After hearing Hinata's answer, Naruto laughed and said nothing more. Seeing how happy he was, Hinata started laughing too. Then they continued their shopping trip.

They soon arrived at the night market, where it was bustling with activity. Naruto bought a few snacks and fed them to Hinata as they walked. When they reached a small stall selling accessories, Naruto stopped and picked up two woven bracelets. He asked Hinata if she liked them.

Of course, Hinata said she did. "I like anything Naruto-kun gives me."

So Naruto paid for the two bracelets. Just like that, they each had a bracelet around their wrist.

Time passed quickly. When they felt they had walked around enough, Naruto and Hinata left the night market, and he walked her to the gate of the Hyuga residence.

When they reached the gate, neither of them spoke. Seeing how reluctant Hinata looked, Naruto stepped forward, hugged her, and said softly, "It's late, Hinata. You should go get some rest. You have class tomorrow."

"Mm, you should go home and get some rest too, Naruto-kun." Hinata blushed again when he suddenly hugged her. It was the first time Naruto-kun had ever hugged her.

"Hehe, that's it for today. We'll go on another date next time." Without waiting for Hinata to reply, Naruto hurried away.

"Next time? Hehe." Once Naruto was out of sight, Hinata murmured to herself and went inside.