Inside the Hyuga Compound.
Naruto pulled Hinata along as he, Uzumaki Menma, Shikamaru, and Choji ran toward the courtyard exit.
But just as they reached the gate, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly appeared before them and asked sternly, "Hinata, where are you going?"
The moment Hinata saw Hyuga Hiashi, her whole body stiffened, and she froze in place.
"Father..."
Uzumaki Menma, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji all turned to look at Hyuga Hiashi. They had not expected the uncle who had brought them here to be Hinata's father.
"So you're Hinata's dad, Uncle? Why didn't you say so earlier? Uncle, Hinata's just going out to play with us for a while. We'll bring her back later, so don't worry. We'll be going now—you don't need to see us off."
After saying that, Uzumaki Menma quietly reminded Naruto, "Naruto, grab Hinata, climb over the wall, and run!"
Though he did not know why they had to run, Naruto trusted Uzumaki Menma. He grabbed Hinata, vaulted over the wall, and took off at full speed.
Uzumaki Menma patted Shikamaru on the shoulder. "We need to run too!"
Shikamaru carried Uzumaki Menma on his back, while Choji followed close behind Naruto and Hinata. Once they climbed over the wall, they vanished in a flash.
Hyuga Hiashi's eye twitched slightly. What a bunch of little rascals!
He had not said Hinata was not allowed to go out!
A faint worry suddenly rose in Hyuga Hiashi's heart.
He had hoped that spending time with them would help Hinata change her personality, but would she change too much because of it?
Probably not.
Uzumaki Menma and the others had already run out of the Hyuga Clan's grounds.
Naruto panted heavily. "Menma, why did we run? Wasn't that Hinata's dad?"
Uzumaki Menma explained, "You have to learn to read the situation. Hinata's dad looked so serious that he didn't seem like he'd agree to let her leave with us, so running first was the best choice. Got it?"
"Oh! So that's how it is."
Hinata's mind was a complete mess. It felt like a dream—she had actually run away right in front of her father.
Hinata was terrified now, afraid of how Hyuga Hiashi would punish her when she returned home.
But aside from fear, she also felt a little thrill.
As a girl who had always been obedient, this was the first time Hinata had ever done something so rebellious.
Shikamaru, who had been carrying Uzumaki Menma, was already exhausted.
He set Uzumaki Menma down, dropped onto the ground beside him, and asked, "What do we do next?"
Shikamaru's question stumped everyone.
Going to find Hinata had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. They had never thought about what they would do after finding her.
Shikamaru sighed and lay on the ground as though life had lost all meaning.
He... gave up.
Naruto suddenly had an idea. "I know what we can play!"
Uzumaki Menma and Choji perked up and waited for Naruto to explain, while Shikamaru sat back up.
With a mischievous grin, Naruto said, "I know Hokage Grandpa has a Crystal Ball that can see every place in Konoha. We can sneak in and steal it. It can see everywhere in Konoha—doesn't that sound fun?"
Uzumaki Menma immediately supported Naruto's suggestion. "I agree!"
Having played with Uzumaki Menma and Naruto lately, Shikamaru and Choji had become much bolder too. It was not like they had never pulled pranks in the Hokage Building before, so they also agreed with Naruto's idea.
Hinata stared at the four of them in a daze.
What? Had she heard them correctly?
They were going to steal something from the Hokage?
This had to be a joke, right?
But judging from their expressions, they did not seem to be joking.
Hinata suddenly missed home.
Uzumaki Menma had recovered quite a bit already and no longer needed Shikamaru to carry him.
The four boys put their hands on one another's shoulders and set off toward the Hokage Building, singing as they went.
After only a few steps, they realized Hinata had not followed.
Naruto turned to look at Hinata. "Hinata, hurry up and catch up. We're heading out to play together."
Hinata forced a smile. "Um... can I not go?"
Uzumaki Menma and Naruto exchanged a glance, then stood on either side of Hinata in perfect unspoken agreement, placing their hands on her shoulders.
"What are you talking about? We're good partners! Good partners do things together. How could we possibly leave you behind? Let's go!"
With Uzumaki Menma and Naruto's arms around her shoulders as they practically carried her along, Hinata's little face instantly turned bright red, and her brain stopped working.
By the time Hinata regained the ability to think, the five of them had already arrived at the entrance to the Hokage Building.
The Hokage Building was bustling with people at the moment.
The five little ones gathered together and began planning how to steal the Crystal Ball.
As the smartest among them, Shikamaru naturally took charge of making 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. "There's a good chance the Crystal Ball is in the office. Now we need to decide who will lure the Hokage away."
"I'll lure Hokage Grandpa away!" Naruto volunteered eagerly.
Shikamaru nodded and continued, "Alright. Naruto will lure the Hokage away. The four of us will enter the office and look for the Crystal Ball. Once we get it, we retreat. Understand? If you understand, we move out!"
Hinata felt like crying without tears. She did not want to understand, much less take action.
But... Hinata did not want her friends to be disappointed in her either.
So Hinata forced herself to follow behind Uzumaki Menma and the others into the Hokage Building.
The moment they entered the Hokage Building, several ninjas all turned to look at them.
Hinata shrank slightly behind Naruto and whispered worriedly, "Have they already found us out?"
Naruto reassured her, "Relax, don't worry. We've pulled pranks here several times before, so they're probably just worried we'll do it again."
Hinata was stunned.
So they were repeat offenders!
The five little ones made it to the second floor without any trouble.
Shikamaru instructed, "Naruto, we'll hide now. You go lure the Hokage out."
"Leave it to me! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
Other than Naruto, Uzumaki Menma and the other three hid in a corner of the corridor, waiting for their chance.
Naruto walked to the door of the Hokage Office. Without even knocking, he opened it and walked straight in.
"Hokage Grandpa!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto kindly. Other than Danzo, Naruto was the only one who would enter his office without knocking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and asked, "Naruto, why do you have time to come here today? Aren't you playing with your friends?"
Naruto trotted over on his short little legs, grabbed Hiruzen Sarutobi's sleeve, and said, "Hokage Grandpa, I have something to tell you. Let's go outside and talk!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed Naruto's little head. "What can't be said here? It's just the two of us. No one will know."
Naruto's eyes darted around as he made something up. "I want to show Hokage Grandpa something, but I left it outside. Come with me, Hokage Grandpa. It'll be quick!"
Naruto tugged on Hiruzen Sarutobi's sleeve, urging him along.
"Alright, alright. I'll go out and take a look with you."
With a helpless sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his smoking pipe, rose to his feet, and left the office with Naruto.
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