Naruto, When Did You Get Here?

Naruto grinned, having seen right through the Nine-Tails' heart.

"If you want to take advantage of me going out to run away yourself, that's fine too."

"The world is so big, it's about time you went out to see it for yourself."

"But if you get caught by someone else again, you'll have to honestly be their dog, doing whatever they tell you to do, constrained at every turn."

"Oh... right, there's also a Masked Man with a Sharingan, that guy seems to be able to control you at will."

The Nine-Tails was struck where it hurt.

It was exactly as Naruto said.

It wasn't as if it hadn't thought about it itself.

Once it got out, it would definitely be captured by someone.

Some ninjas might be weaklings.

But there were so many of them!

Even if human-wave tactics couldn't wear it to death.

It would still be a real pain.

If it ran into a powerful ninja.

A Tailed Beast like it would just be a sitting duck.

Thinking about it this way, nowhere outside was safe.

It was better to honestly keep staying here with Naruto, which was much more comfortable.

It didn't have to be dragged out to fight like a hothead every day.

It was leisurely and carefree.

As long as it didn't do anything too outrageous.

And didn't get discovered by the Anbu in Konoha.

What couldn't it, the Nine-Tails, do?

The most dangerous place is the safest place.

Damn it!

I, the Nine-Tails, am not leaving!

"Master, as long as you don't abandon me, I will surely follow you to the death!"

The Nine-Tails' tone was sincere.

"Fine, then you watch the house well, I'm heading out."

Naruto waved his hand.

Then he walked out the door.

Leaving the Nine-Tails alone in the wind, feeling utterly bewildered.

What the hell!

Master should have just taken me out to have some fun.

Sigh...

Better just honestly watch the house.

Today, Hinata was wearing a white hoodie.

Her Konoha headband was placed around her neck.

She wore it like a necklace.

After Kurenai Yuhi finished giving instructions in the morning.

She let them move about freely.

They could manage the remaining time themselves.

They could go wherever they liked.

As for the real training, it wouldn't start until tomorrow.

After all, Kurenai Yuhi had some temporary business to attend to in the afternoon.

Back at home, Hinata felt the atmosphere was very oppressive.

She didn't like staying at home.

So she used the remaining time to come out and clear her head.

"Mommy, the cotton candy is so delicious~"

A tender, childish voice rang out.

It was a mother and daughter buying cotton candy to eat.

The mother gently stroked the little girl's head.

"If it's delicious, eat more~ If you listen to Mommy from now on, I promise you'll have delicious cotton candy every single day."

"Yay~ Mommy is the best to me~"

"It's getting late, let's head back."

"Mm..."

How heartwarming.

Hinata kept her gaze fixed on the mother and daughter.

It was so different from the family environment she lived in.

From the moment she was born.

She had carried immense pressure and responsibility on her shoulders!

As a daughter, she had to shoulder the heavy burden of the future prosperity and development of the Hyuga Clan!

Affection and the like.

It was very indifferent.

Hinata could see it, and she could feel it.

Her father did not like her weak personality.

Perhaps it was because of her personality, or perhaps it was because she was a girl.

It was likely both...

After all, for the future head of the Hyuga Clan to be a girl.

Other capable clansmen would, to some extent, feel a bit displeased.

But she was who she was...

Every day was lived for others.

Never once had she lived for herself.

Such a life was so dull...

Like a puppet.

"Suddenly, I feel like eating some cotton candy."

Hinata's eyes revealed envy as she spoke to herself.

She envied that little girl for being born into an ordinary family.

Living happily and harmoniously with both parents.

Without a burden on her shoulders so heavy it could make one unable to breathe.

Living a carefree life.

Something so ordinary.

Had become a luxury in Hinata's eyes.

At this moment, how she wished she hadn't been born into the Hyuga Clan.

"If you want to eat it, then eat it."

A voice as gentle as jade rang out beside her ear.

Hinata's delicate body gave a slight jolt.

Her pale, clear eyes followed the direction of the voice.

She saw a handsome blond boy.

He had appeared beside her without her even noticing.

Hinata's pretty face gradually turned red, her gaze shifted away, and her tone was weak.

"...Naruto, when did you come over?"

"I was just wandering around outside, didn't expect to run into you. Wouldn't you say this is a kind of fate?"

Naruto smiled slightly.

Thump-thump,

The boy she had a crush on was smiling at her.

Hinata's heartbeat quickened.

Her heart was racing like a deer.

"Boss, two cotton candies, please."

Naruto said.

The boss took one look at Naruto, his pupils instantly widening and brightening.

"Yo... isn't this little brother Naruto? Two large cotton candies coming right up, just wait a moment."

In the past, Naruto could not avoid being met with cold glares.

But things were different now.

Ever since Naruto's identity was exposed in Konoha.

The attitude of every commoner who knew who he was had undergone a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change.

No one looked at Naruto as a monster anymore.

The Fourth Hokage and his wife had sacrificed themselves for the village.

Their orphaned son was the son of a hero.

He deserved to be treated like a hero!

Hinata was slightly surprised.

Whenever Naruto had passed by these street vendors in the past.

He would inevitably be met with cold glares.

They would even pick up stones from the ground to throw at him, driving him away.

But... it seems everyone's attitude toward Naruto has undergone a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change now...