Early the next morning, soft morning light filtered into the room through the gaps in the curtains.
Naruto woke up naturally from a deep sleep, and the first feeling when his consciousness returned was the warm touch from his hand, which was still being held tightly.
Karin's hand still held several of his fingers firmly, and did not let go even in his sleep.
On the other side, the furry touch rubbed against his cheek.
It was Big Yellow who slipped in from the living room at some point and was nudging him with her head affectionately, purring contentedly from her throat.
"Well..."
Naruto blinked, adjusted to the light, and gently moved his numb arms.
He didn't take out his hand immediately, for fear of disturbing Karin's rare sleep, he just touched Big Yellow's head with his other hand.
At this moment, the door was gently pushed open.
Inoichi Yamanaka, wearing a plain apron, walked in with a plate of perfectly fried bacon and fried eggs, with his usual gentle smile on his face.
He had obviously been back for a while and had breakfast ready.
"You've woken up and are ready to eat, Naruto."
Inoichi's voice was refreshing in the morning. His eyes fell on Naruto who had just woken up, and he smiled knowingly.
Probably because Naruto rarely slept in.
The child was so tired that he fell to the ground and fell asleep.
This is what the progressive Ninja should look like.
However, with his gentle smile, his eyes inadvertently swept across the floor beneath Naruto, the raised quilt on the bed, and...
When the slender hand of Girl stretched out from the edge of the quilt and held Naruto's hand tightly.
Instant freeze!
The smile on Inoichi's face is like ice and snow under the sun, melting and fading rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The pair of eyes that were always calm and gentle suddenly shrank, and there seemed to be a storm brewing deep in the pupils.
The image of the gentle uncle disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Instead, there was a complex expression that mixed shock, astonishment, disbelief, and some kind of raging anger at being "betrayed."
The knuckles of his hand holding the breakfast tray were slightly white from exertion.
His eyes were locked firmly on the two intertwined hands, and then he suddenly raised them up, staring intently at Naruto, who was still lying on the floor with a confused look on his face as he had just woken up.
The air solidified.
The next second, Inoichi Yamanaka's usually gentle and melodious voice suddenly rose in pitch, and exploded in the small room with a teeth-gnashing anger that almost broke through the roof:
"Naruto Uzumaki!"
Every word seemed to be squeezed out from the gaps in the teeth, full of the violence that was about to come.
Taking advantage of my absence to carry my daughter home with other Girl, right?
"Go to hell!"
Inoichi, who was trying to suppress Naruto and ask questions clearly, was 'accidentally' elbowed by Naruto, and his chin hit the bedroom door frame.
After a period of turmoil, the atmosphere in the living room finally relaxed slightly, but it was still tense.
Inoichi Yamanaka covered his aching chin and sat at the dining table with a pale face. His eyes were as sharp as knives and he stared at Naruto and Karin who were sitting side by side opposite.
Naruto sat upright, while Karin lowered his head, nervously twisting his clothes with his hands, and occasionally glanced up secretly at the intimidating uncle opposite him.
In Naruto's explanation, which he spoke quickly and mixed with gestures, he emphasized "Uzumaki orphans", "Kusagakure abuse", and "Grandpa Third has been informed and allowed to stay temporarily".
Inoichi finally understood the general situation, and most of his anger subsided, turning into shock and sympathy for Karin's experience, and contempt for Kusagakure's actions.
He let go of the hand covering his chin and let out a long, depressed breath. The angry look on his face was gradually replaced by a complex heaviness.
The look he looked at Karin became a little gentler, with the scrutiny and pity of an elder.
"It turns out to be...Uzumaki Clan's child."
Inoichi's voice returned to its usual calmness, but it was still a little dry.
"What happened to me... my child, I suffered a lot. Just now... I was too impulsive and misunderstood you. I'm sorry."
Karin shook his head quickly and whispered, "No, it's okay..."
She seemed to hesitate for a moment, raised her purple Red Eyes eyes, looked at Inoichi timidly, and mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been lingering in her heart for a while:
"Excuse me... uncle, are you...Naruto-kun's father?"
As soon as this question came out, the air in the living room subtly froze for a moment.
Naruto's mouth twitched and he wanted to explain, but Inoichi raised his hand to stop him.
When Inoichi heard the title "Naruto-kun's father", his face that had just softened suddenly turned cold again, and was even a bit gloomier than when he had just misunderstood.
The temperature in his eyes dropped sharply, as if he had touched a taboo area that he didn't want to talk about.
He was silent for a few seconds, looking away from Karin's face and looking out the window. His voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable sense of alienation and categorical denial:
"No."
Karin I don't understand why the two of them, father and son, still live together.
"Naruto is at home?"
The voice coming from outside the door was calm and familiar, with a calm quality that had been in a superior position for a long time, but it made Inoichi Yamanaka, who had just sat firmly in the living room, straighten his back instantly like a conditioned reflex!
This voice... is Hyuga Hiashi?
Didn't he go on a long-term mission?
According to the original plan, it would take at least two or three days to come back.
How could... show up at Naruto's doorstep so quickly?
"At home."
Naruto didn't think too much. When he heard the voice of Hiashi, he immediately responded, stood up, walked over quickly and opened the door.
Outside the door, it turned out to be Hyuga Hiashi.
He was wearing dark Kimono, and his expression looked slightly tired, but his pure white eyes were still sharp and lively, and his aura was settled and stable.
Standing next to him were Neji Hyuga and Neji, who were also wearing casual clothes. Their faces were calmer than usual, and there seemed to be a trace of waves that had not completely calmed down deep in their eyes.
"Uncle Hiashi is back?"
Naruto was very surprised, turned sideways and asked Gate of Opening to mouth.
"Did the mission go well? Come in quickly!"
"Well, I came back early."
Hiashi nodded and stepped into the entrance hall, followed closely by Neji.
Hiashi's eyes quickly swept across the living room and saw Inoichi sitting on the sofa, looking a little nervous, and the red-haired stranger Girl sitting opposite Inoichi, looking a little uneasy.
His gaze subtly paused on Karin's red hair for less than half a second, and then moved away naturally, as if it was just a casual glance.
When Third was reporting Kirigakure's trip just now, Hiashi heard about Girl's situation from Third's mouth.
It's really not easy.
Third also wants Hinata to get closer to the other person and build a better relationship.
It is indeed necessary, after all, the other party is the orphan of Uzumaki.
Speaking of Uzumaki's orphan...
Hiashi's eyes fell on Naruto again.
"I took a short rest after returning home, and then came over after reporting the mission to Third."
Hiashi's voice was as smooth as ever, with no special emotion audible.
"Where are Hinata and Hanabi?"
"Oh, they are at the Yamanaka Clan, with Ino."
Naruto replied.
"Recently, in order to prepare for Chunin Ninja Exams, they often train together.
Uncle Inoichi now lives with me, and they come over sometimes."
"That's it."
Hiashi nodded slightly to express understanding.
His eyes turned to Inoichi Yamanaka again. This time, a meaningful light seemed to flash through those pure white eyes.
He turned to Naruto and ordered in an unquestionable tone, "Naruto, take Neji and go find Hinata and Hanabi first. I have something to do and I want to talk to your uncle Inoichi... alone."