Warmth

These words read: Konoha's Ten Most Beautiful Women.

"Hm?"

Through the crystal ball, the Third Hokage saw the words Naruto had written on the paper and frowned slightly.

"Konoha's beautiful women? Naruto was studying this at such a young age. Kakashi needs to educate him more," the Third Hokage muttered.

But he was also curious about Konoha's Ten Most Beautiful Women, so the Third Hokage continued watching the crystal ball while puffing on his pipe.

Soon, a new line appeared, but it read: One of the ten most beautiful women, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Cough, cough!

The Third Hokage had only taken half a puff when he saw Naruto write his name and nearly choked to death. He had never imagined that the first of the ten most beautiful women would be himself.

"Damn it, what is this brat writing?"

The Third Hokage's face darkened. He felt that his reputation was about to be ruined, yet he still wanted to know what Naruto would write next, so he looked into the crystal ball again.

But the longer he watched, the darker the Third Hokage's face became, until it was nearly as black as the bottom of a pot. What was written was simply infuriating.

[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Possesses immense strength, a seductive aura, a flirtatious voice, a bewitching demeanor, a curvaceous figure, enchanting eyes...]

Line after line, paragraph after paragraph—the Third Hokage nearly wanted to curse after reading them.

"What kind of nonsense was Naruto thinking about all day? Wait..."

The Third Hokage suddenly thought of those vices among high society. Then he looked at Naruto in the crystal ball, then at his own name on the paper, and instantly felt a chill run down his back.

"Could Naruto's preferences be... problematic?"

The Third Hokage muttered doubtfully. But when he thought of Naruto's relationship with Hinata, he shook his head, though he still felt rather creeped out.

To figure out the reason, he looked back into the crystal ball and happened to see Naruto put pen to paper again.

"What did this line say?" the Third Hokage wondered, focusing intently.

[Hiruzen Sarutobi's greatest flaw, and the reason he failed to become the foremost of the ten most beautiful women, is that Hiruzen Sarutobi has a mouthful of huge yellow teeth. They stink like hell.]

Pfft!

Seeing this, the Third Hokage nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He was so angry that he almost smashed the table.

"Damn it, what kind of nonsense is that? How could I possibly have huge yellow teeth?"

The Third Hokage paused slightly as he spoke. Remembering that he smoked all the time and really did have a mouthful of yellow teeth, he immediately felt stifled and miserable.

"Forget it. I'm not watching anymore. If I keep watching, I'll die of anger."

The Third Hokage angrily canceled his ninjutsu, then strode into the washroom, picked up a toothbrush, and began brushing his teeth with all his might.

"Grandpa, why are you brushing your teeth now? Aren't you supposed to brush before bed and in the morning?" Konohamaru asked doubtfully, finding his behavior strange.

"Konohamaru, let me ask you something," the Third Hokage suddenly said.

"What is it?"

"Are Grandpa's teeth very ugly?"

As the Third Hokage spoke, he hoped Konohamaru would say something reassuring. After all, he was his grandson.

"Of course they're ugly, and they stink terribly. I could smell them from far away," Konohamaru replied without hesitation.

"Is that any way to talk about your own grandfather?" The Third Hokage nearly exploded with rage upon hearing that.

"You told me to say it."

"Get out!"

Elsewhere.

Through his senses, Qian Yu discovered that the Third Hokage was no longer monitoring him. He could not be bothered watching an old man either, so he set down the paper and pen and went back to work.

Not long after.

Hinata arrived near Naruto's house carrying some things. When she was almost at the door, her delicate little nose twitched, and her eyes immediately lit up.

Overjoyed, Hinata hurried toward Naruto's door on her little feet. When she saw that it was open, a smile instantly appeared on her lovely face.

"Naruto."

Hinata hurried into the house and looked toward the kitchen. Her beautiful eyes brimmed with delight as she said, "You're back."

"Yeah. Go wash your hands and come help me cook," Naruto said as though it were only natural.

"Okay."

Hinata hurriedly put away the ingredients, washed her hands, and ran to Naruto's side to help. "Naruto, when did you get back?"

"This afternoon. What about you? How have your recent missions been?" Naruto asked while working.

"They've been pretty good. They were all simple missions, like pulling weeds, finding small animals, finding people, and things like that."

Hinata told him everything in detail, recounting all that had happened over the past few days.

She did not speak very quickly, and since she was standing so close to Naruto, her shy voice inevitably came out a little soft.

But she still bravely told him everything and shared it all with Naruto.

"Yeah, it's fine if the missions are easy. The important thing is to protect yourself," Naruto reminded her.

"Mm-hm."

Hinata nodded her little head, feeling that Naruto's attitude toward her had become even better than before.

The innocent Hinata did not know that because she had missed Naruto so much these past few days, Naruto's attitude toward her had improved.

"By the way, Hinata, help me prepare another set of weighted gear. As long as it can be worn on the body without affecting my clothes, the heavier the better," Naruto suddenly said.

"Okay."

"Do you still have enough money? I have plenty if you need some," Naruto asked.

"I do. Father gave me a lot of money on the day you went on your mission."

"Why did your father give you so much money?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Well... Father wanted to eat Braised Pork Belly. He didn't know you were leaving for a mission that day." Hinata spoke awkwardly, feeling that her father was even greedier for food than she was.

"I see. Then take some extra home today and let your father and the others satisfy their cravings," Naruto said with a smile in his eyes.

"Okay."

Hinata licked her soft lips and looked with her large eyes toward the big pot beside them, where a generous amount of Braised Pork Belly was simmering.

She had absolutely no resistance to Braised Pork Belly, so when Naruto said that, she nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"What a little foodie."

Naruto smiled and shook his head, then continued working.

Not long after, the food was ready. The two enjoyed a delicious feast together, and the wide variety of dishes left Hinata especially happy.

After eating and drinking their fill, Naruto and Hinata sat on the sofa to rest, chatting about amusing things from their lives.

"Oh, right, Naruto. I brought the oranges you like."

Remembering the oranges, Hinata quickly took them from the bag of ingredients and handed them to Naruto.

"Peel one for me," Naruto suddenly said, looking directly at Hinata.

"Ah? Oh, okay."

Hinata froze for two seconds, then obediently nodded. With her fair, slender hands, she slowly peeled the orange.

"Thank you, Hinata."

Naruto accepted the orange and casually squeezed Hinata's little hand, instantly making her face flush crimson.

"Um... I'm going home." Hinata stood up at a loss, then hurried nervously toward the door.

"Wait."

Naruto picked up the food container from the table and handed it to Hinata. "Take the Braised Pork Belly, and remember to come early tomorrow."

"Okay."

Hinata nodded her little head and hurriedly ran outside. She was afraid that if she did not leave soon, she would faint right there.

[Experience Points +1]

"She's getting cuter and cuter."

Naruto looked in the direction Hinata had left and sighed, considering when he should officially win Hinata over.

"No rush. I should improve my bloodline first. I hadn't seen Hinata in so long, but she gave me quite a few Experience Points." Naruto glanced at his Experience Points and walked back into the house.

Elsewhere, in the Hyuga Clan compound, inside the Patriarch's residence.

A solemn atmosphere filled the living room. Hyuga Hiashi looked at the clan's Great Elder before him and asked, "Great Elder, is something the matter?"

"Of course there is. I heard that Hinata has been spending a great deal of time with Uzumaki Naruto," the Great Elder of the Hyuga Clan said indifferently.

"Yes. Why?" Hyuga Hiashi asked.