Huh? Is this your girlfriend? So cute

"Here... have some cotton candy, it'll make you feel better."

Naruto held out the cotton candy.

Hinata didn't hesitate this time, choosing to take it.

"Thank you..."

Her voice was soft and sweet.

Extraordinarily pleasant to the ear.

It made one want to cradle her in the palms of their hands.

Little Hinata began to eat it slowly, one small bite at a time.

The cotton candy... was very sweet, very comforting.

Although Hinata ate slowly, she took large bites.

So, it looked like she was eating quite quickly.

When she finally reached the part where Naruto had bitten, she hesitated slightly.

With a shy face, she snuck a glance at Naruto.

Checking to see if he had any reaction.

Just as Hinata looked over, Naruto turned his head back as well.

Locking eyes with the little girl.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

Hinata replied.

Then she cast aside those messy, distracting thoughts.

Wasting food is wrong.

I... I didn't mean to eat from where Naruto-kun ate.

I just don't want to waste food.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Hinata found an excuse for herself in her heart.

In a few quick bites, she finished the cotton candy.

That last little bit of cotton candy

tasted sweeter to Hinata than anything she had ever eaten before.

She didn't know if it was just a psychological effect.

"It's about time for lunch, Hinata, have you eaten yet?"

Naruto asked.

Hinata clutched the hem of her clothes with her small hands and answered honestly, "N-not yet."

"That's perfect, come eat with me. My treat today!"

"N-no, that won't do."

Hinata shook her head like a rattle.

"Why?" Naruto asked curiously.

Hinata shyly turned her little face away.

"Because, I..."

I usually eat a lot.

I'm afraid Naruto-kun will distance yourself from me because of it.

Besides, eating that much costs a lot of money.

I don't want to make Naruto-kun spend so much.

"You haven't eaten anything, right?"

"Y-yes."

"Then that's easy to solve, let's go! Let's go get Ichiraku Ramen. Oh, do you want to eat ramen first, or a super feast? You can choose either."

"Ichiraku Ramen, please. Wait... Naruto-kun, I... I..."

Naruto grinned and, without further ado, took Hinata's small hand in his.

He walked her towards Ichiraku Ramen.

He had to admit.

Hinata's small hand was boneless and soft, feeling so tender and yielding.

It felt very comfortable.

Her hands were nice, and her legs were too...

Cough, cough, cough.

Naruto suddenly took her hand.

Bang!

Hinata's face turned bright red, her head felt dizzy, and her mind went blank.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

The questions of "like, comment, and subscribe" popped into her head instantly.

Naruto-kun... he actually took my hand on his own accord...

Don't be nervous!

Hinata Hyuga, you absolutely must not be nervous!

You can't make Naruto-kun uncomfortable.

Ahhh... I can't do it.

Her palms kept sweating.

Feeling the warmth from her palm.

Hiss...

Naruto took a sharp intake of breath.

Little Hinata is clearly incredibly nervous.

Otherwise, her palms wouldn't be sweating so much.

Her small, sweaty hand.

Reminded Naruto of a very fitting advertising slogan for his current situation.

"Like a chocolate, enjoy the silky smoothness."

After a while.

The two finally arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

As a ramen shop with generous portions, honest prices, and great value for money.

It was deeply loved by the public.

The ramen shop was very crowded today.

But fortunately, there were still empty seats.

Otsutsuki Ichiraku, the man who was the strongest ramen king in the ninja world.

He emerged unscathed from the Fourth Great Ninja War.

While others fought themselves to exhaustion.

This shop remained untouched.

Even during Pain's attack.

Ichiraku Ramen was still open for business, as if nothing had happened.

From this, one could see that the real big boss was Uncle Otsutsuki Ichiraku!

Cough...

The above were Naruto's random thoughts, as this was how people played when watching Bilibili's parody videos.

It was just a meme.

The main purpose was to provide a place for the protagonists to eat.

That's why the Ichiraku Ramen designed by a certain author remained untouched.

Even when Pain came out to cause trouble, it was the same, with no risk.

But this was reality, and what would happen later.

Was still hard to say.

"Yo... it's Naruto... What do you want to eat today?"

"Huh? Is this your girlfriend? She's so cute."

Ayame, the daughter of Uncle Ichiraku, greeted Naruto.

Normally, Naruto came alone to eat ramen.

Sometimes he would even come over with Iruka.

He had never brought a girl over before.

This was the first time.

"Yaha~ I never expected little Naruto would finally open his heart one day."

Hinata's delicate body gave a slight tremble.

Girlfriend?

Th-that big sister, is she talking about me?

I am Naruto's girlfriend.

Although I am very happy to be called that.

But I still cannot be sure what Naruto's feelings are toward me---

Hinata's jade-like hands, hidden beneath the table, had nowhere to rest.

She stole glances at Naruto from time to time.

She wanted to see what he was thinking.

The Hyuga clan had regulations!

To ensure the purity of the Byakugan bloodline among their kin.

They were only permitted to marry within the clan.

No one in the clan was allowed to marry out, nor were they allowed to marry anyone from outside the clan.

Especially as the future heir to the Hyuga clan.

Hinata's choice in marriage was entirely subject to her parents' decisions!

Even though Naruto's father was the Fourth Hokage.

It would be very difficult to change the views of her father and uncle's generation.

Thinking of this.

A trace of profound disappointment flashed through Hinata's eyes.

Lovers eventually becoming spouses.

That only happens in novels.

But this is reality.

"Ayame, you have a great eye; I also think my girlfriend is truly very cute."

Naruto replied with a smile.

Not just a girlfriend.

But also a future little wife.

How could she not be cute?

Hinata at thirteen was one concept.

At seventeen or eighteen, she would be an entirely new concept.

Take that time when Pain came to the village to cause trouble; when Naruto returned.

Hinata had already grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman.

Her figure and appearance.

Were both excellent.

Especially that long, flowing hair.

And those beautiful legs.

Men, you know how it is.

Eh????

He... he actually admitted it.

A wave of joy surged within Hinata, and her heart skipped a beat.

Her little face flushed red, like a ripe red apple.

ps. A few more chapters of daily life, then the real missions will begin.

Getting ready to head out; I'll explain the situation with the Hyuga clan next, then quickly get Naruto out of the starter village.