Returning to the Village

Three days later.

Due to the habits formed during this period of cultivation, Naruto woke up from his sleep very early. He did not intend to continue training, as he was returning to Konoha today.

He reviewed the results of his recent cultivation. His Flying Thunder God was becoming increasingly proficient, though he was still a long way from using it without hand seals. He had mastered all the sealing techniques, made small achievements in the second form of the Mad Demon Leg, and the Supreme Demon Sutra had broken through to the second level, where all the spiritual energy in his dantian's vortex had liquefied.

Liquefied spiritual energy meant he could store more, use more when executing martial arts, and unleash greater power.

When he learned the sealing techniques, Minato Namikaze also taught him the Rasengan. Thanks to his powerful talent, Naruto learned it quickly. Because the Rasengan he manifested used his own spiritual energy, it was not sky-blue, but an eerie purple. The purple-glowing Rasengan possessed greater power and destructive force.

These were all of Naruto's cultivation results for this period. After reviewing them, he smiled with satisfaction and sank his consciousness into the Sealing Space.

Upon arriving at the island, he saw Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Kurama playing poker across the large iron gate. Because of Naruto, Minato and Kushina had let go of their grudges against Kurama, while Kurama knew that the couple before him were just a pair of slightly airheaded fools.

After spending this time together, Minato and Kushina both knew that Kurama was not at all like the rumors suggested; he was just a tsundere fox who craved freedom and loved to fight.

Once they understood each other, the three of them quickly became friends. As they grew more familiar, whenever Naruto was away training, the three would start playing "Fight the Landlord." (Where did the cards come from? Naturally, Kurama manifested them using spiritual energy.)

Considering his massive size, Kurama had created a clone about the size of a human and attached his consciousness to it (similar to how the nine tailed beasts sat on the ground before the Sage of Six Paths passed away).

Seeing the three of them playing cards, a few black lines appeared on Naruto's head. He walked up to Minato and said, "Dad, my training can come to an end for now. I want to go back today."

"Hmm, it is time to go back for a bit. A pair of Queens," Minato said while playing his cards.

"A pair of twos, two cards left," said Kurama.

"Can't beat that."

"Can't beat that," said Minato and Kushina.

"King bomb, I win!" Kurama played his last two cards.

"Stupid Kurama, are you cheating? You win almost every time!" Seeing Kurama win again, Kushina sat on the ground and shouted at him.

"You jerk, why would I need to cheat? It's clearly just your bad luck," Kurama retorted, starting a shouting match with Kushina.

Seeing them at it again, Minato pulled Naruto aside. "Since you want to return to the village, go ahead. Kurama's seal can only be broken next time. The key to the seal is with Jiraiya. We can only fully break the seal after finding him."

"I know. The perverted sage left the key with a toad on Mount Myoboku," Naruto replied.

Hearing that the key was with a toad, Minato said, "Then we'll have to find Jiraiya next time. I can't use the Summoning Technique right now. To become a contractor of Mount Myoboku, one must sign a contract with them, and the scroll should be with Jiraiya."

"Also, Naruto, why do you always call Jiraiya the 'perverted sage'?"

"Dad should know why, right?" Naruto answered.

Hearing Naruto's words, Minato thought of something, smiled awkwardly, and said nothing more. The two turned to see that the argument between Kurama and Kushina had ended; both the man and the fox huffed and turned their heads away, ignoring each other.

Minato and Naruto walked over to tell them they were leaving for Konoha and explained that the seal would have to wait. Kurama expressed his understanding; he had been sealed for so long that a few more days didn't matter. With that, Naruto's consciousness returned, and he exited the Sealing Space.

He opened his eyes and looked at the valley where he had lived for this time. Naruto walked to the cave entrance and left a Flying Thunder God mark so he wouldn't have to disguise himself next time. The Flying Thunder God was the only space-time ninjutsu in the ninja world that could ignore any barrier; by using it, Konoha's sensory barrier would not detect him.

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

Naruto kept his God Moon Mind's Eye active. He had told Kushina about his Uzumaki Clan bloodline during this time, and after understanding his situation, she 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 sees more clearly; it's more like the 'primordial spirit perception' mentioned in the Soul Gathering Art."

Hearing Kushina mention primordial spirit perception, Naruto recalled that after he first merged with—or rather, devoured—that unconscious remnant soul, he could see his surroundings, though not as far. Through his cultivation of the Supreme Demon Sutra, his sensory range had grown, so it seemed his primordial spirit perception and the God Moon Mind's Eye had merged.

As he approached the territory of Konoha, he scanned with his senses. There was no one nearby, and he felt no sense of being watched. Naruto used the Transformation Technique to return to the appearance he had when he left the village, suppressed all his spiritual energy, and continued forward.

Slowly, the gates of Konoha came into view. Naruto felt nothing about returning; the only bonds he had in Konoha now were Hinata and the father-daughter duo at Teuchi's shop; Iruka didn't even count anymore.

As for Hinata, beyond the influence of his memories, he truly acknowledged her through their interactions. She had never shown him malice and was always so gentle.

The father and daughter at Teuchi's were the first people Naruto had met who didn't harbor malice toward him and treated him like a normal child. Moreover, that bowl of ramen back then was like charcoal in the snow for him.

Lost in thought, Naruto quickened his pace. After registering at the gate, he headed toward the back hills. The person the Anbu had captured was hidden in a cave there, guarded by Tian'er (another Anbu controlled by Naruto).

Reaching the cave entrance and sensing no one around, he dispelled his transformation and returned to his original appearance. The guarding Anbu saw it was Naruto and greeted him respectfully, "My Lord, you have returned."

"Yes, I'm back." He walked into the cave, placed his right hand on the man's head, and performed the Memory Erasure Technique (which Minato had taught him after they bumped fists and he learned how Naruto had left the village). Naturally, he only erased the memories from after the man had been captured.

As the technique ended, the man quickly fell into a deep sleep; when he woke up, he would not remember what had happened during this time.

It was now time for the Ninja Academy to let out. Naruto didn't say he would walk Hinata home as usual; instead, he asked her to go home first and wait for him, promising to take her out later.

Hinata didn't think much of it and walked home alone. Seeing her leave, Naruto's shadow clone ran quickly toward the back hills and soon arrived at the cave where his main body was. Tianyi, who was responsible for surveillance, followed the shadow clone into the cave, and Naruto dispelled the clone.

Upon dispelling the shadow clone, all its memories imprinted onto Naruto's mind. He carefully recalled every detail. Although Kurama told Naruto about the shadow clone's activities every day, he still needed to see the details for himself.

After confirming there were no issues, Naruto turned to the two Anbu. "Is it Tianyi's turn to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi today?"

"Yes, my Lord," Tianyi replied, kneeling on one knee.

Hearing this, Naruto took out a stone marked with a fox seal and handed it to Tianyi. "Place this stone in the Hokage Office Building, as close to the Hokage's office as possible. Don't let anyone see you."

Tianyi took the stone. "Yes, my Lord. This subordinate will take his leave." He turned and headed toward the Hokage Office Building.

After Tianyi left, Naruto didn't linger and hurried home, as he had an appointment with Hinata.

Back home, Naruto washed up, changed his clothes, took all the money from his piggy bank, and headed toward the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Ignoring the pointing and whispering of the villagers, Naruto walked with his hands behind his head, grinning. However, inside the Sealing Space, Minato and Kushina were different. Although they had seen similar scenes from those light orbs, seeing it again still made them tremble with anger.

He soon arrived at the Hyuga gate, where Hinata was already waiting. Naruto ran up to her and waved. "Hi, Hinata! Sorry for the wait."

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

"Hehe, let's get going then. First stop is Ichiraku Ramen, and after we're full, we'll go shopping." With that, he took Hinata's hand and left the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Although the two had been in constant contact and Naruto Uzumaki walked her home every day after school—always holding hands—this time was different. This was the first time Naruto Uzumaki had asked her out on a date, so Hinata still felt a little shy.

Just after Naruto Uzumaki led Hinata away, Hyuga Hiashi sighed from inside the gate and returned to the living room. "The Third Hokage hasn't questioned their interactions, and given Naruto Uzumaki's status, perhaps this isn't a bad thing." With the talent shown by Hinata's sister, Hanabi, Hyuga Hiashi had shifted his primary focus to training her, making his discipline of Hinata less severe than before. This was the reason Naruto Uzumaki was able to take Hinata out shopping.

Soon, Naruto Uzumaki pulled Hinata into the Ichiraku Ramen shop. Seeing Naruto Uzumaki walk in with Hinata, Ichiraku greeted them warmly, "Yo, Naruto Uzumaki, haven't seen you around for a few days."

"Hehe, Uncle Ichiraku, I've been busy training lately, so I haven't had time to come out. Two bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen, please," Naruto Uzumaki replied with a grin, scratching his head.

"Coming right up, just a moment, it'll be ready soon." Before long, Ichiraku placed the ramen in front of them.

Looking at the hearty ramen before him, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but swallow his saliva. During his time training in the valley, he had only eaten grilled fish or wild fruits; he had long missed the taste of ramen.

After saying "Itadakimasu," both Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata began to eat. Naruto Uzumaki kept saying how delicious it was as he ate.

In the end, Naruto Uzumaki finished two bowls, while Hinata, just like last time, ate five. After paying the bill, Naruto Uzumaki took Hinata out to shop. As soon as they stepped outside, Naruto Uzumaki used the Transformation Technique to change his appearance, knowing that if he didn't, no one would sell him anything.

Seeing Naruto Uzumaki use the Transformation Technique, Hinata said, "Naruto Uzumaki-kun, those people are too much. They don't know how kind you really are."

Hearing Hinata say this, Naruto Uzumaki laughed happily and said, "Is Hinata complimenting me? Hehe, I don't care what they think of me."

"But, but..." Hinata wanted to say something more, but she didn't know how to express it.

Seeing Hinata like this, Naruto Uzumaki took her hand and said, "They have nothing to do with me, so I won't feel hurt by what they say. As long as Hinata stays by my side, that's all that matters. Will you, Hinata?"

Hearing Naruto Uzumaki ask if she was willing to stay by his side forever, Hinata began to blush again. She lowered her head and whispered, "As long as it's you, Naruto Uzumaki-kun, I am willing to stay by your side forever."

After hearing Hinata's answer, Naruto Uzumaki laughed heartily and said nothing more. Seeing him so happy, Hinata followed suit, and the two continued their shopping trip.

They soon reached the night market, which was very lively. Naruto Uzumaki bought some snacks and fed them to Hinata as they walked. When they reached a small stall selling accessories, Naruto Uzumaki stopped and picked up two wristbands, asking Hinata if she liked them.

Hinata, of course, said she liked them. "As long as it's a gift from you, Naruto Uzumaki-kun, I like it."

So, Naruto Uzumaki paid for the two wristbands, and just like that, both of them had a new accessory on their wrists.

Time passed quickly. Feeling that they had shopped enough, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata left the night market and walked back to the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Arriving at the gate, neither of them spoke. Seeing Hinata's reluctance to part, Naruto Uzumaki stepped forward, hugged her, and whispered, "It's late, Hinata. You should go back and rest; we have class tomorrow."

"Mm, you should go back and rest early too, Naruto Uzumaki-kun." Being suddenly hugged, Hinata grew shy again. This was the first time Naruto Uzumaki-kun had ever hugged her.

"Hehe, that's it for today. Let's go on another date next time." Without waiting for Hinata to respond, Naruto Uzumaki walked away quickly.

"Next time, huh? Hehe." Watching Naruto Uzumaki walk away, Hinata murmured to herself before stepping through the gate.