Naruto-kun, When Did You Get Here?

Naruto grinned, seeing right through the Nine-Tails.

"You can leave on your own while I'm out, if you want."

"The world's a big place. You should go out and see it for yourself."

"But if someone catches you again, you'll have to be their dog and do whatever they tell you, living under their thumb."

"Oh... right, there's also that Masked Man with the Sharingan. Seems like he can control you whenever he wants."

The Nine-Tails had hit a sore spot.

Just as Naruto had said,

it had thought about it before.

If it went out, someone would definitely capture it.

Some ninjas were weak.

But there were a lot of them!

A human wave tactic might not wear it down to death,

but it could still give it a hard time.

If it ran into a powerful ninja,

a Tailed Beast like it would be done for.

Thinking about it, nowhere outside was safe.

It was better to stay put with Naruto. It felt more comfortable here.

It didn't have to be dragged out to fight every day like some hotheaded fool.

It could take it easy.

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

and the Anbu in Konoha didn't find out,

what couldn't the Nine-Tails do?

The most dangerous place was the safest place.

Damn it!

I, the Nine-Tails, am not leaving!

"Master, as long as you don't abandon me, I swear to follow you to my death!"

The Nine-Tails spoke sincerely.

"Fine. You stay home and keep an eye on the place. I'm heading out."

Naruto waved.

Then he left.

Leaving the Nine-Tails alone, utterly bewildered.

What the hell!

Master, you could've taken me out to have some fun, too.

Sigh...

I'd better just stay home and keep watch.

Today, Hinata wore a white hoodie.

She had her Forehead Protector around her neck,

wearing it like a necklace.

After Kurenai had finished giving them their instructions that morning,

she let them do as they pleased.

They could spend the rest of the day however they wanted.

They could go wherever they liked.

Their actual training wouldn't start until tomorrow.

After all, Kurenai had something to take care of that afternoon.

When Hinata got home, the atmosphere felt oppressive.

She didn't want to stay there,

so she went out to clear her head with the time she had left.

"Mom, cotton candy is so yummy~"

A young child's voice rang out.

A mother and daughter were buying cotton candy.

The mother gently rubbed the little girl's head.

"If you like it, eat up~ If you're a good girl and listen to Mom, I promise you'll get yummy cotton candy every day."

"Yay~ Mom's the best~"

"It's getting late. Let's go home."

"Okay..."

How warm and loving.

Hinata watched the mother and daughter.

Their family life was nothing like hers.

From the moment she was born,

she had carried a heavy burden and responsibility on her shoulders!

As a girl, she had to take on the duty of ensuring the Hyuga Clan's future prosperity!

Affection and family bonds—

they were distant things.

Hinata could see it, and she could feel it.

Her father didn't care for her timid personality.

Maybe it was because of her personality, or maybe because she was a girl.

Probably both...

After all, the Hyuga Clan's future head was a girl.

The other capable members of the clan would inevitably feel a little displeased.

But she was who she was...

Every day, she lived for other people.

Not once had she lived for herself.

What a dull life...

Like a puppet.

"I kind of want some cotton candy all of a sudden."

Envy showed in Hinata's eyes as she murmured to herself.

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

for living happily with both her parents.

She didn't have a burden so heavy it could leave her gasping for breath.

She could live without a care in the world.

Something so ordinary,

yet to Hinata, it seemed like a distant dream.

At that moment, she wished more than anything that she hadn't been born into the Hyuga Clan.

"If you want some, then have some."

A gentle, melodious voice sounded beside her.

Hinata's delicate frame trembled slightly.

Her pale eyes followed the sound.

A handsome, blond boy

was standing beside her, though she hadn't noticed when he arrived.

Hinata's pretty face slowly turned red. She looked away and spoke timidly.

"...Naruto-kun... when did you get here?"

"I was wandering around, and I happened to run into you. Don't you think that's fate?"

Naruto smiled.

Thump, thump...

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

Hinata's heartbeat quickened.

Her heart fluttered.

"Two cotton candies, please."

Naruto said.

The vendor glanced at Naruto, his eyes widening in recognition.

"Well, if it isn't young Naruto! Two large cotton candies coming right up. Just wait a moment."

Naruto used to get plenty of dirty looks.

But things were different now.

Ever since Naruto's identity had been revealed in Konoha,

the attitudes of ordinary villagers who knew who he was had completely changed.

No one treated Naruto like a monster anymore.

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

Their orphaned son was a hero's child.

He deserved to be treated like one!

Hinata was a little surprised.

In the past, whenever Naruto passed one of these street vendors,

he would inevitably get dirty looks.

Sometimes they even picked up stones from the ground and threw them at him, telling him to go away.

But... now everyone seemed to treat Naruto completely differently...