Crystal Ball Operation

Inside the Hyuga Compound.

Naruto, pulling Hinata along, ran towards the courtyard exit with Uzumaki Menma, Shikamaru, and Choji.

However, just as they reached the gate, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly appeared, asking with a stern expression, "Hinata, where are you going?"

Hinata froze on the spot, her entire body stiffening at the sight of Hyuga Hiashi.

"Father..."

Uzumaki Menma, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji all looked at Hyuga Hiashi, surprised that the uncle who brought them here was Hinata's father.

"So, you're Hinata's dad, old man? Why didn't you say so earlier? Hinata's just coming out to play with us for a bit. We'll bring her back later, so don't worry. We're off, no need to see us out."

After saying that, Uzumaki Menma whispered to Naruto, "Naruto, grab Hinata and let's jump the wall and run!"

Although he didn't know why they were running, Naruto, trusting Uzumaki Menma, grabbed Hinata and scrambled over the wall, running as fast as their legs could carry them.

Uzumaki Menma patted Shikamaru on the shoulder, "Let's get out of here too!"

Shikamaru, carrying Uzumaki Menma on his back, and Choji followed closely behind Naruto and Hinata, jumping over the wall and disappearing in a flash.

Hyuga Hiashi's eyes twitched slightly. A bunch of little rascals!

It's not like he said Hinata couldn't go out!

A faint worry suddenly arose in Hyuga Hiashi's heart.

He had hoped that Hinata's personality would change through spending time with them, but what if it changed too much?

It shouldn't, right?

Uzumaki Menma and his group had already run out of the Hyuga Clan grounds.

Naruto gasped for breath, "Menma, why did we run? Isn't that Hinata's dad?"

Uzumaki Menma explained, "You need to learn to read the room. Hinata's dad looked like he wouldn't agree to Hinata leaving with us, so it's best to make a quick escape, got it?"

"Oh! I see."

Hinata's mind was in complete chaos, as if she were dreaming. She had actually run away in front of her father.

Hinata was now very afraid in her heart, afraid of how Hyuga Hiashi would punish her when she returned home later.

But besides fear, Hinata also felt a bit of excitement.

Having always been a good girl, this was the first time Hinata had done something so rebellious.

Shikamaru, who was carrying Uzumaki Menma on his back, was exhausted.

Putting Uzumaki Menma down, Shikamaru plopped down next to him, then asked, "What are we going to do next?"

Shikamaru's question stumped everyone.

Going to find Hinata was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and they hadn't thought about what to do after finding her.

Shikamaru sighed and lay down on the ground, utterly defeated.

He... gave up.

Naruto suddenly had an idea, "I know what we can do!"

Uzumaki Menma and Choji perked up their ears, waiting for Naruto to explain, and Shikamaru also sat up again.

Naruto said with a mischievous grin, "I know Hokage Grandpa has a Crystal Ball that can see all over Konoha. We can sneak in and steal it! It can see all over Konoha, isn't that fun?"

Uzumaki Menma immediately responded to Naruto's suggestion, "I'm in!"

Shikamaru and Choji had been playing with Uzumaki Menma and Naruto recently, and their courage had grown a lot. After all, it wasn't like they hadn't pranked the Hokage Building before, so they also agreed to Naruto's suggestion.

Hinata looked at the four of them in confusion.

What? Did she hear correctly?

They were going to steal something from the Hokage?

Was this a joke?

But looking at the four of them, it didn't seem like they were joking.

Hinata suddenly missed home.

Uzumaki Menma had recovered a lot and didn't need Shikamaru to carry him anymore.

The four of them put their hands on each other's shoulders, singing as they prepared to head to the Hokage Building.

After taking a few steps, they noticed that Hinata hadn't followed.

Naruto turned around to look at Hinata, "Hinata, hurry up and follow us. We're going to go play together."

Hinata forced a smile and said, "Um... can I not go?"

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto exchanged glances, then tacitly stood on either side of Hinata, placing their hands on her shoulders.

"What are you saying! We're good friends, and good friends should be together. How could we leave you behind? Let's go!"

With Uzumaki Menma and Naruto's arms around her shoulders, Hinata's face instantly turned red, and her brain lost its ability to think.

When Hinata regained her ability to think, the five of them were already at the entrance of the Hokage Building.

At this time, the Hokage Building was bustling with people coming and going.

The five kids huddled together and began to plan how to steal the Crystal Ball.

As the smartest of the group, Shikamaru was naturally the one to devise the plan.

Shikamaru first asked Naruto, "Naruto, do you know where the Hokage's Crystal Ball is kept?"

Naruto recalled, "I've seen Hokage Grandpa use the Crystal Ball in his office, but I don't know where he keeps it."

Shikamaru nodded and said, "It's highly likely the Crystal Ball is in the office. So now we need to decide who will distract the Hokage."

"I'll distract Hokage Grandpa!" Naruto eagerly volunteered.

Shikamaru nodded and continued, "Alright, Naruto will distract the Hokage, and the four of us will enter the office, find the Crystal Ball, and then retreat once we have it. Understood? If you understand, let's start!"

Hinata was on the verge of tears. She didn't want to understand, and she certainly didn't want to act.

But... Hinata didn't want to disappoint her friends even more.

So, Hinata braced herself and followed behind Uzumaki Menma and the other three as they entered the Hokage Building.

As soon as they entered the Hokage Building, several Ninja turned to look at them.

Hinata shrank behind Naruto, a little scared, and whispered worriedly, "Do you think we've been discovered?"

Naruto reassured her, "Relax, don't worry. It's just that we've played a few pranks here before, so they're probably worried we'll do it again."

Hinata was stunned.

So they were repeat offenders!

The five kids made their way unhindered to the second floor.

Shikamaru instructed, "Naruto, we'll hide now. You go and lure the Hokage out."

"Leave it to me! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Except for Naruto, Uzumaki Menma and the other three hid in the corner of the corridor, waiting for their chance to act.

Naruto walked to the door of the Hokage's office, didn't bother to knock, and directly opened the door and entered the office.

"Hokage Grandpa!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto with a kind smile. Besides Danzo, Naruto was the only one who could enter his office without knocking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile, "Naruto, what brings you here today? Aren't you playing with your friends?"

Naruto ran to Hiruzen Sarutobi on his short legs and tugged at Hiruzen Sarutobi's sleeve, saying, "Hokage Grandpa, I have something to tell you. Let's go outside to talk!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed Naruto's little head, "Is there anything you can't say here? It's just the two of us here, no one will know."

Naruto rolled his eyes and coaxed, "I want to show Hokage Grandpa something, but I left it outside. Hokage Grandpa, come with me, it'll be quick!"

Naruto urged, pulling on Hiruzen Sarutobi's sleeve.

"Alright, alright, I'll go out with you to see it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi helplessly put down the pipe in his hand, got up, and left the office with Naruto.