[One more time, since many people missed it: after careful consideration, Naruto's son, "Uzumaki Buqiuren," has been renamed "Tōjin Uzumaki."]
Late that night, Naruto returned home.
Kushina and her husband had already returned to the moon.
Nayuta and her niece Himawari had fallen asleep together in a little bed after listening to Hinata read them a story.
Hinata was waiting in the living room. Seeing Naruto return alone, she asked, "Where's Tōjin?"
Naruto said, "He's entering the Grand Martial Arts Tournament, and he seems determined to win. I taught him Purple Electricity, and now he's practicing hard. He probably won't be coming home for the next few days."
Hinata said, "Purple Electricity... isn't it a little too early for Tōjin?"
Naruto said, "Maybe, but I believe he can do it. He is our son, after all!"
"Mm." Hinata nodded, then asked, "Is everyone in Konoha doing well?"
Naruto said, "They're doing great. They've all settled into the way things should be."
Hinata looked relieved. "I see..."
What Hinata truly cared about was how the people of Konoha treated Naruto now.
Ever since Isshiki's attack on Konoha all those years ago, the villagers' attitude toward Naruto had begun to improve.
But some reservations remained.
A few people believed that if Naruto truly cared about Konoha, he should have returned after clearing his name and served as a Konoha Ninja again.
But Naruto had put down roots in Amegakure. How could he simply walk away?
As time passed, those prejudices deepened. Many Konoha villagers already regarded Naruto as an "outsider," and whenever he returned, sarcastic remarks were all but inevitable.
Hinata knew this, so aside from visiting relatives during the holidays, she had practically stopped having anything to do with Konoha.
Naruto also knew what was on Hinata's mind, so he never