Hinata-chan, I Love You!

## One Year Later—Naruto, Age 7 ##

Naruto had changed into a new outfit. He now wore dark green pants, a blue T-shirt, and an orange sleeveless jacket over it.

A few weeks ago, an event had shocked Konoha Village. Itachi Uchiha had slaughtered his entire clan, leaving only his younger brother alive.

Though the Uchiha Clan had been arrogant, they had been a powerful and respected family in Konoha Village. The funeral had been grand, and everyone in the village attended to offer their condolences. The Hokage delivered the eulogy. Naruto watched from afar, sadness on his face.

He might not have liked the Uchiha Clan, but in a sense, they had been family. He was also somewhat glad he had never told anyone that he belonged to the Uchiha Clan. Otherwise, he might have been dead too.

Konoha Village's Academy accepted students at the age of eight.

This year's classes went smoothly. The Nine-Tails advised Naruto to hide his strength.

He chose to rank last in the class so as not to arouse suspicion.

He was always sleeping in class.

## One Year Later—Naruto, Age 8 ##

Thanks to his mature Sharingan, he successfully copied an incredibly useful technique—the Shadow Clone Technique—while watching two jonin spar.

At present, Naruto's limit was around a thousand clones. If anyone saw him create that many clones, they would likely think he was a monster. After all, it was an A-rank forbidden technique, since its immense chakra consumption was enough to kill most ninja.

Naruto was heading toward the Hokage Building. After the Uchiha Clan massacre, he had decided to tell the Hokage that he possessed the Sharingan.

## Hokage Building ##

"Hey."

"Oh, Naruto. Long time no see. How has training been?" the Hokage asked.

"Very well. I learned several great ninjutsu. I might even be able to challenge you, old man."

"I'm not that old yet, Naruto. What brings you here?" the Hokage asked.

"I decided to tell you something, but you have to promise not to reveal it until I'm ready." Naruto looked serious.

Curious about what it was, the Hokage motioned for the Anbu to leave.

Naruto formed several hand seals and said:

"Sealing Technique—Silent Domain."

The Hokage stared in shock as Naruto used a C-rank sealing technique.

"Remarkable, Naruto. You learned sealing techniques at eight years old," the Hokage said, impressed.

"Actually, I could do it when I was six." Naruto smiled.

"Now, watch carefully." He closed his eyes and began channeling chakra into them. Slowly opening them, he showed the Hokage his Sharingan.

The Hokage's heart skipped a beat.

"How is this possible?"

"I'm from the Uchiha Clan," he replied.

"How could that be? Minato never had the Sharingan," the Hokage asked in confusion.

"I'll tell you this: my grandfather is Madara Uchiha."

Upon hearing that, the Hokage's eyes widened and he fainted.

"And you said you weren't old," Naruto muttered, carrying the Hokage over to the sofa.

A few minutes later, the Hokage woke up.

"You're awake? Honestly." Naruto handed him a cup of tea.

"Sorry, Naruto, I still can't believe it. How is this possible?" the Hokage asked.

Naruto began explaining everything his father had told him.

"So Madara is still alive. Who would have thought Madara had a son?" the Hokage said. "All right, Naruto. I'll keep this secret."

The Hokage continued:

"Naruto, I want to ask you something. How did you obtain a mature Sharingan at such a young age? That's rare."

"I awakened the Sharingan when I was five, when a chunin tried to attack me. I killed that chunin and saved Hinata."

The Hokage nodded. It made sense; the Sharingan could only be awakened and evolve in life-or-death situations.

"I'm leaving, old man." Naruto left the Hokage's office.

One day, he'll take my hat, the Hokage thought with a smile.

Naruto walked quietly until he heard someone crying.

He saw Hinata crying with her knees hugged to her chest. Naruto hurried to her side.

"Hinata-chan, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

When Hinata saw Naruto, she quickly hugged him and cried even harder.

Naruto began comforting her softly, but to his surprise, Hinata passed out as she cried.

Naruto picked her up and brought her back to his place. He laid her on the bed, then sat in a chair beside it, tightly holding her hand. A few minutes later, he fell asleep as well.

Around two in the morning, Hinata began to wake up. She opened her eyes, not knowing where she was, and panicked. Naruto woke up too; he had been keeping watch by her side. Seeing him beside her, she could not help blushing, until she remembered everything that had happened yesterday.

"Hinata-chan, what happened? You can tell me. I'll help."

Hinata looked at the floor and spoke sadly. Then she began untying the cloth around her forehead. When she removed it, a green mark was revealed—the Caged Bird Seal.

"M-my father said I was too weak and unworthy of being the clan's heir, so he branded me with this seal and cast me out of the family." She lowered her head.

Naruto was furious.

"It's okay, Hinata-chan. You're not weak, and... you have me." His face reddened slightly.

"But I really am weak. I was almost kidnapped. At the same age, you were able to save me. I'm nothing but trash," she cried in rebuttal.

"No, Hinata, you're not weak. You're a kind, beautiful girl." His words made her blush.

"Look at me." He placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted her head until their eyes met.

"Everyone in the village hates me. They call me a monster, try to hurt me, and see me as nothing but trash without even the right to live. But I didn't give up. That's my ninja way. One day, I'll prove to them how strong I am," he said passionately.

Hinata smiled.

"Is that because of the Nine-Tails?" she asked.

"How do you know?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"My Byakugan can see the red chakra in your stomach. Father told me to stay away from you, and the villagers call you a demon," she said.

"Then do you hate me?" Naruto asked.

"No, of course not. I know you aren't the Nine-Tails. You're a kind person." She hugged him.

"Hinata, let's prove it to them together. Letting you go will be the worst decision they ever made. If you want, I'll help you," he said.

"Really?"

"Of course. I'll take care of the people I care about and... love." Naruto blushed, leaned forward gently, and kissed her on the lips.

Hinata had never been so happy. The boy she had secretly loved was kissing her and telling her he loved her.

After the kiss, both of them blushed.

Hinata quickly hugged him, tears in her eyes as she said:

"Naruto-kun, thank you. I love you too."

"I promise, Hinata-chan. One day, I'll remove that seal."