Young Naruto knew nothing about Adult Naruto's affairs. He was still reassuring Hinata.
Naruto did not know his own future, and his future self would not let him learn what lay ahead, either.
For a spirited young man, an uncertain future ought to be called-a future of limitless possibilities.
After finally persuading Hinata, Naruto set Hanabi, who was pretending to be asleep, to one side and pressed his advantage. He cupped Hinata's slightly warm cheek with his left hand.
"Let's make a pinky promise."
The boy's voice was clear and firm.
Hinata froze as she looked at Naruto's outstretched, slightly curled pinky, then at the unprecedented seriousness on his face.
A trace of bewilderment flashed through her pure white eyes, only to be replaced by even greater fluster.
"A... pinky promise?"
She repeated it instinctively, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Her little hand trembled at her side. She wanted to raise it, yet some invisible force seemed to hold it back. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind: Why a pinky promise? What would it mean?
Hesitantly, she raised her right hand. Her fingers curled inward, their tips turning slightly pale.
Seeing her look as though she were facing a formidable enemy, yet still trying so hard to respond to him, Naruto felt even more tenderness toward her.
He did not hurry her. He simply watched her patiently with encouraging eyes, waiting for her to complete the gesture herself.
At last, Hinata raised her trembling right hand level with Naruto's. Her slender, fair pinky tentatively approached his right hand.
Once their pinkies hooked together, Naruto spoke again.
"Do you remember what I told you before?"
His gaze held Hinata's eyes, refusing to let her look away.
"Keeping my word-that's my ninja way."
Hinata's heart gave a sudden leap