Warm Little Hinata

Elsewhere.

Kakashi and Sakura were still waiting.

But Sakura was quite displeased that Naruto only played with leaves instead of helping look for the cat, so she said indignantly,

"Naruto, as ninjas, we have to complete our missions. We need to work together to build trust. You can't keep fooling around."

"Haven't I been sitting here watching you do the mission? I even told you where the cat was." Naruto did not even raise his head.

"You've clearly just been playing here the whole time. Besides, there's no telling whether the cat is really by that lightning-struck tree." Sakura huffed angrily.

"Wait until Sasuke gets back, and you'll know."

"Fine, I'll wait. Don't tell me you're a sensory ninja too." Sakura did not believe him.

"You never know."

Naruto wore a faintly amused smile as he tossed the leaf in his hand to the ground. At the same time, he precisely controlled the Qi within his body, using it to develop more combat techniques.

Whoosh!

A sharp sound cut through the air as Sasuke's figure flashed past, stopping in front of everyone.

"I found the cat. It was exactly where Naruto said it would be."

Sasuke said coolly, then held the cat and leaned against a nearby tree. Unfortunately, the scratches on his face somewhat ruined the effect.

However—

No one paid attention to Sasuke's face. They swiftly turned toward Naruto with astonished looks, especially Sakura, who was left speechless by the answer.

[Experience Points +1]

"Naruto, did you become a sensory ninja?" Kakashi asked seriously.

"More or less." Naruto tossed aside the leaf in his hand and answered casually.

"Whew, so you really did become a sensory ninja. No wonder you always found me that day. So that was it."

Kakashi let out a breath and looked at Naruto approvingly. "Sensory ninjas are important at any time. Naruto, you're impressive. I have high hopes for you."

[Experience Points +2]

"I've always been impressive. You don't really need to have high hopes for me. Oh, right—the cat was found by me, so the mission reward is mine." Naruto stretched and rose to his feet.

"Hmph! Greedy."

Sakura snorted in dissatisfaction upon hearing that, though she did not reject the suggestion.

As for Sasuke—

After learning that Naruto had become a sensory ninja, he clenched his fists and silently encouraged himself, secretly swearing that he would become even stronger in the future.

"Alright, it's time to go turn in the mission. Once I have the money, I'll take my Hinata out for a meal. What should we eat?"

Naruto muttered as he spoke, quickly heading for the Hokage's Office. In no time, he had already gone far ahead.

"That Naruto, he doesn't even know to wait for us. All he thinks about is his Hinata."

Sakura muttered as she prepared to follow, but she soon noticed something was wrong.

Kakashi was crouching on the ground, his expression grave as he stared at the leaves scattered there.

"What's wrong, Kakashi-sensei? What's so special about those leaves?" Sakura asked in confusion. She remembered that Naruto had just thrown them away.

"There's no mistake. That Naruto... he's reached this point already. His future achievements will be limitless."

Kakashi spoke solemnly as he carefully examined the leaves one by one, even collecting some of them.

"What do you mean? Kakashi-sensei, what are you talking about? Aren't these just ordinary leaves?" Sakura asked doubtfully.

"No, these leaves are very different. You two, come over and take a close look."

Kakashi gestured for Sasuke and Sakura to come closer, then continued.

"Look at the marks on these leaves. Their cuts are completely identical. Clearly, Naruto is practicing Chakra Nature Transformation."

"Chakra Nature Transformation? What's that?" Sakura looked blank, completely confused.

"It's an advanced application of Chakra. Chakra has Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation. Usually, only Jonin can master two or more types of Nature Transformation. This kind of transformation can make ninjutsu much more powerful, like this..."

Kakashi raised his right hand. The next instant, the glow of Lightning Cutter began to shine, crackling with lightning and radiating immense destructive power.

"This is Lightning Cutter. It combines Chakra Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation, giving it greater destructive force. I had originally planned to teach you this in the future, but..."

Kakashi withdrew Lightning Cutter and continued, "But what surprises me is that Naruto achieved this step without a word. Many ninjas fail to do so their entire lives, yet Naruto is close to succeeding."

"Close to succeeding? This..."

After hearing Kakashi's explanation, Sasuke's expression worsened by the second. The suppressed feeling of being surpassed by Naruto was now covered in another layer of frost.

He tightly clenched his fist. "Kakashi-sensei, please teach me stronger ninjutsu. I'm begging you."

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei. Sasuke works very hard, so please help him." Sakura hurriedly pleaded on his behalf.

"Alright. I had intended to teach you after some time anyway. Since you want to learn, starting tomorrow, I'll teach you from the basics." Kakashi said seriously.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi gratefully. His heart finally warmed somewhat, and he gained more confidence when facing Naruto, as well as a chance to surpass him.

"Alright, let's go. To the Hokage's Office."

"Yes, sensei."

The three hurried away and soon arrived at the Hokage's Office.

Naruto was standing by the office window, listlessly gazing at the scenery outside, clearly distracted.

"Lord Hokage, this is the mission report."

After entering, Kakashi and the others gave a slight bow before beginning the mission handover.

The moment the mission reward was handed over, Naruto dashed forward and grabbed the money.

"This isn't much money, but whatever. It'll do." After counting it, Naruto turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Don't rush off. There's a new mission," Sakura hurriedly reminded him.

"We can talk about missions later. Right now, I'm taking my little Hinata out to eat."

Naruto replied before rushing home, leaving everyone behind speechless.

"That kid is this eager to treat a girl to dinner? How old is he?!" the Third Hokage grumbled before beginning to assign the new mission.

Leaving aside the situation in the Hokage's Office, the scene shifted to Naruto's doorstep.

At that moment, Hinata stood outside Naruto's home, holding five sets of clothes as she quietly waited for him to return.

These clothes had been specially tailored for Naruto. Although they had cost some money, she felt it was all worth it.

Because she felt very happy whenever she was with Naruto. Especially when she saw the warm smile Naruto showed only in front of her, she felt even happier.

"Naruto, I brought the oranges you like. I'm sure you'll be even happier when you come back and see them."

Hinata murmured softly, her beautiful eyes gradually curving into crescents.

But...