Naruto Uzumaki followed the Hyuga Clan ninja through a corridor and around a small courtyard, finally stopping before a half-open sliding door.
The clansman guiding him gestured for Naruto to enter, then turned and withdrew.
He scratched the back of his head and peeked inside.
The courtyard was spacious, paved with even blue-gray stone slabs. A small cherry tree grew in one corner, its shadow falling beside the wall.
Hinata stood in the center of the courtyard, her hands held before her in the opening stance of the Gentle Fist. A thin sheen of sweat beaded at her temples, and her long hair hung down her back.
She slowly struck a wooden training post with her palms, each blow carrying a faint, precise pulse of chakra.
"Hinata!"
Naruto jumped out from beside the door and waved at her.
Hinata's movements stopped abruptly. She turned her head, and when she saw Naruto, a faint blush immediately spread across her cheeks.
"Naruto-kun... what brings you here?"
She dropped her stance and hurried over, her steps visibly light with delight.
"I came to let you know I'm heading out on a mission."
Naruto stood before her and gestured. "Big Brother Naraku wants me to go to the Land of Rivers and meet up with Sasuke and the others to search for clues about the Ōtsutsuki Clan. I'll probably be away for a while."
The blush on Hinata's face faded a little. Her gaze settled on Naruto's face, a trace of worry entering her eyes.
"Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"
"Won't that be dangerous?"
Although she had great faith in Naruto's strength, whenever she thought of the fierce battle that had erupted when he faced Otsutsuki Toneri on the moon,
Hinata could not help worrying.
Because she knew very well that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki might be even stronger