Compared to Naruto's era, the villages and towns of the Warring States Era had not changed much at all. Uchiha Hikari had changed into a new outfit, a black set with a red lining that somewhat matched Naruto's Hokage cloak.
Her messy black hair had also been combed up with the hairband Naruto bought for her. It fell to her waist and looked much smoother, giving her the delicate air of a sheltered young lady.
Uchiha Hikari sniffed herself. Once she confirmed that smell was gone, her face filled with delight. She spun around before Naruto, shy yet expectant.
"Do I look good?"
Naruto gave her a thumbs-up and smiled. "Beautiful. No matter how nice clothes are, they're just decorations. Hikari herself is incredibly pretty, so she looks good in anything."
Mm!
Uchiha Hikari's face turned so red it seemed ready to steam. Such a miraculous sight would never have appeared in Awen's world.
Naruto and Uchiha Hikari walked side by side through the town streets. According to records from Naruto's time, this area should have belonged to the Land of Fire, but it was now the Land of Pines, a country with no recorded existence.
Something must have happened in the future for the Land of Pines to become territory of the Land of Fire, Naruto pondered inwardly.
As they walked, Uchiha Hikari tightly gripped her sleeves with both hands. From time to time, she secretly glanced at Naruto. Each time she reached out a hand, she hastily pulled it back, her heart full of shyness.
I really want to hold Naruto's hand, but... would he hate me for it? Naruto has been searching for Hanabi, and he's so worried. Shouldn't I be comforting him properly?
Suddenly, more than a dozen people appeared ahead and blocked their path.
The