Naruto was still Naruto.
He looked down on Hinata, thought she was useless and felt she didn't fit in with everyone in the Forest of Death.
But when he saw her being bullied, a fire flared inside him. He charged over and sent her bully flying with one punch.
"Wah..."
"Murder!"
"Mom! Dad!"
The other children saw Naruto send someone flying several meters with a single punch. They scattered and ran home to their mothers.
"What..." Naruto stared at his fist, surprised.
In the Forest of Death, he was always the one getting beaten until he howled. Kazan beat him, big sisters Hikari and Kurenai scolded him, and Sasuke looked down on him.
How had he suddenly become so strong the moment he left the Forest of Death?
"Um, Naruto..."
Hinata's voice reached him as he was lost in thought.
He snapped, "Why are you alone today? Where's Neji?"
"Neji has important training. I'm going home by myself today."
"Oh. Then I'll take you home." Naruto looked impatient. "But seriously, you're from the Hyuga Clan. How are you so far behind Neji? You should train harder once in a while."
When he saw Hinata hadn't followed, he turned back. "What are you standing there for? Come on."
"Okay..."
Hinata followed obediently behind Naruto, her heart fluttering wildly.
She had always thought Naruto was brave. No matter how many times he was knocked down in the Forest of Death, he got back up to fight again.
She envied that about him.
The next day, in the Forest of Death.
Hinata brought Naruto a packed lunch to thank him for helping her the day before.
Without a care in the world, Naruto thanked her, took it and started eating.
Right in front of Sasuke!
Hikari and Kurenai were curious. After asking