Intertwining convictions

"I'm sorry, Hinata..."

Naruto walked up to Hinata, intending to hide behind a deliberate air of coldness, but it finally gave way to tenderness and guilt.

Everyone thought Naruto was apologizing to Hinata for standing up to protect him during his battle with Pain. Hinata herself thought so too.

After all, their perspectives were different.

Naruto had lived through an entire lifetime. Hinata had been his devoted wife and the mother of their two children. Both his apology and the look in his eyes carried profound meaning.

But from Hinata's perspective, she had merely stepped forward to protect Naruto from Pain and summoned the courage to confess her love.

So she still did not understand Naruto's feelings for her, or the deeper meaning in his eyes at that moment.

Yet even without understanding, she could keenly feel his profound helplessness...

Hinata lifted her face and said with gentle grace, "Why are you apologizing? You've always stayed true to your ninja way, Naruto-kun. I'm sure you still are. Keeping your word and moving bravely forward-that's the Naruto-kun I know..."

Then why are you crying, Hinata?

Naruto's heart trembled. Beneath his sleeve, he clenched the hand that desperately wanted to reach out and wipe his beloved's tears.

Yes... why?

When she had learned of Naruto's defection, the pain had briefly engulfed her like a tide.

But the trust and attachment she had built since childhood convinced her that Naruto must have his reasons. She had desperately wanted to find him and ask him everything...

After seeing Naruto, Hinata understood a few things.

Naruto-kun wants to avoid those questions. He's trying to bear something alone. That's why he's deliberately distancing himself from us!

He can't hide that from my eyes.

I've watched every look in Naruto-kun's eyes, every movement he makes. That must be it!

Naruto-kun must be suffering so much, mustn't he?

Yes, Hinata was not crying because she was lost in her own sorrow. She was grieving for Naruto's sorrow!

"Hah, hah, hah..." Suddenly, the lack of oxygen to her brain brought on a violent wave of dizziness, and Hinata swayed on her feet!

"Hinata!!!" Everyone cried out anxiously, but Naruto's large hand had already steadied her shoulder. "Don't rush. Breathe slowly..."

Through Hinata's unfocused gaze, Naruto's face looked both familiar and strange. Though still young, it bore the weariness of someone who had weathered a lifetime of hardship.

She raised her hand and gently stroked his face, tears shimmering in eyes filled with tenderness. "Naruto-kun, I believe you must have your own difficulties. You don't have to tell us now. I just have one request..."

"Could you let me stay by your side?"

"Hey...!" Kiba Inuzuka's expression changed sharply at Hinata's words, but Shikamaru stopped him with a look.

Naruto quietly listened to Hinata's soft plea.

"Naruto-kun, I know I'm not strong enough, but I promise I'll behave. I won't cause you any trouble."

"So please don't bear all of this alone, okay?"

She had no idea what had happened to Naruto, yet she still put herself in his shoes and thought of him.

Naruto said with conflicted feelings, "It would be dangerous."

Hinata said firmly, "I'm not afraid..."

I understand how you feel.

And precisely because of that...

I can't let you stay by my side.

Stay safe in Konoha, and wait for me to come home.

Those were the words Naruto spoke deep within his heart.

Hinata's almost pleading eyes still shimmered before him.

Naruto feared that even one more look would shake his resolve.

He supported the back of Hinata's neck with his left hand and gently waved his right hand before her eyes.

It was a jutsu that could lull someone to sleep.

He had often used it to coax his daughter Himawari to sleep back then. It was a jutsu steeped in love and attachment...

"Naruto-kun..."

Hinata's eyelids gradually grew heavy. Calling out to the one she loved, she reluctantly drifted into sleep...

"Phew..." This was the most emotionally shaken Naruto had been since his return. He squeezed his eyes shut and steadied his heart.

Opening his eyes, he looked at Neji.

To Naruto, Neji was another deeply important person from his past...

He was a genius who had died young, never escaping the shackles of the Caged Bird Seal throughout his life. He had played a pivotal role in Naruto's growth.

Neji, I won't let that tragedy happen again. I swear...

Naruto made that vow in his heart.

He said solemnly, "Neji, please take good care of Hinata. Don't let her leave the village rashly. It would be dangerous."

"I will..." Neji supported Hinata against his shoulder. The question he had wanted to settle in his heart had already been answered.

Shino Aburame said, "Naruto, I only have one question. Did you kill Muta?"

Muta Aburame and Tokuma Hyuga had both belonged to Anko's squad. They had died in the woods, and Root members had brought their bodies back and pinned their deaths on Naruto.

Naruto was startled. "They're dead?"

Shino's dark sunglasses concealed his emotions. "Yes, they're dead. Anko left an intelligence scroll. You fought their squad in the forest outside Konoha, so you're the prime suspect...!"

Naruto said, "I did fight them, but I didn't kill them!"

After a moment of silence, Shino said, "That's hardly convincing. Even if we're willing to believe you, the people in the village won't..."

Naruto understood perfectly. It looks like Root still got there first after we left...

Just then, Shikamaru asked, "What about Miss Anko? Is she still alive?"

Naruto glanced at Sai out of the corner of his eye. In his previous life, Sai had only officially left Root after Danzo's death. Right now, however, he was still a member. Naruto deliberately avoided the subject. "Well, who knows..."

Looking thoughtful, Shikamaru took out a scroll he had prepared beforehand and handed it to Naruto. It read:

Danzo has already been slandering you extensively. The overall climate in the village is extremely unfavorable to you now.

Anko is the only person who knows what happened during that battle, and the only one who can prove your innocence. If you have her, you absolutely must not release her, because Danzo will surely silence her!

Likewise, if you ever intend to return to Konoha, you must protect Anko!

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. He picked up a brush and wrote on the scroll.

With Danzo in power, Konoha will inevitably go through a dark period. You and your father need to be careful and protect yourselves.

If things go as I expect, Sasuke will seek new, greater power and resolve to kill Danzo without my help. His hatred needs an outlet, so I won't interfere with him this time either. If Sasuke still intends to destroy Konoha after killing Danzo, I'll step in to stop him then!

Snap!

Shikamaru took the scroll back. After reading it, he looked intently at Naruto. "So what are you to us now-an ally or an enemy?"

Naruto straightened his rogue ninja forehead protector and flicked his robes. "If we meet on the battlefield someday, 'you' needn't hold back..."

Whoosh! He vanished from the spot with Flying Thunder God.

Shikamaru gave a helpless smile. "'We,' huh? This really couldn't be more troublesome..."

Whoosh!

In a mountain ravine outside the Land of Iron.

Naruto appeared before Konan and Orochimaru.

"You took a little while..."

"Yeah, I ran into my old companions and caught up with them for a bit..."

Konan asked, "Are we going back to Amegakure?"

Naruto surveyed the barren desert around them.

"I don't have a Flying Thunder God mark in Amegakure yet. Getting there on foot would take a while."

Naruto reached inside his clothes and took out the bottle containing Shisui's right eye. He said cautiously, "To be safe, let's find somewhere to transplant this right eye first..."