Naruto chatted with Ichiro for a long time as they walked.
During their conversation, Naruto told him about his childhood, his growth, and especially about Hinata.
When Ichiro heard everything, his eyes were full of envy.
"That's amazing, Naruto," Ichiro said sincerely. "You actually have such a gentle and kind wife."
When Hinata was mentioned, Naruto's eyes softened unconsciously, filled with tenderness.
"Yes," Naruto replied with a smile. "At the beginning, I didn't even realize it. I just treated her like a little sister."
"Back then, I was really stupid."
He scratched his head and laughed.
"It wasn't until Pain attacked Konoha that I truly understood her feelings. She stood in front of me without hesitation. But even then, I still didn't confess properly."
"It was only later, when Toneri tried to attack Earth and kidnapped Hinata, that I finally made everything clear. Looking back now… I really was a jerk, haha."
Naruto laughed at himself.
Then he looked seriously at Ichiro.
"Although you watched Keiko grow up, you're not related by blood. And the way she looks at you… it's exactly the same as how Hinata looked at me back then. I'm sure about that."
"So instead of rejecting her and feeling awkward all the time, maybe you should try to accept her."
"True love doesn't always come immediately. Sometimes, it takes time."
"Besides, didn't you say that Grandpa has never made a wrong decision? Since he arranged this, maybe there's a reason."
Ichiro wanted to argue.
But after thinking carefully, he realized that Naruto's words made sense.
In the end, he nodded silently.
"…Alright," Ichiro sighed. "I'll try."
Then he stood up.
"Let's go. I'll take you to where you'll be staying."
Ichiro led Naruto through the bustling streets of the city. They passed markets, houses, and small shops until they reached a quiet residential area.
Finally, Ichiro stopped in front of a wooden house.
"It should be this one."
He pushed open the wooden gate, then opened the door to the house.
Naruto was surprised.
"There's no lock?"
Ichiro looked at him strangely.
"Why would we need one? Isn't there a latch?"
Naruto laughed.
"Oh, right… I forgot. Everyone here belongs to the same clan. There's no stealing."
After entering, Ichiro pressed a switch, and the lights turned on.
Naruto was slightly surprised.
"Electric lights?"
Ichiro nodded.
"These were invented hundreds of years ago by clan members who mastered Lightning-type dark matter. We've been using them ever since."
Naruto smiled.
"Not bad. But honestly, they're pretty dim."
Ichiro looked curious.
"Are the lights on your planet brighter?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah. When I was Hokage in my previous life, technology was very advanced. We had all kinds of lighting systems, much brighter than this."
Ichiro's eyes lit up.
"Then you should help us upgrade ours!"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry… I don't know how."
"…Then why did you brag about it?" Ichiro complained.
He waved his hand.
"Anyway, everything here is prepared for you. From now on, this is your place."
Ichiro yawned.
"It's late. I'm going back to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I'll come find you."
"Don't wander around alone, okay?"
Naruto nodded.
"I won't."
Ichiro walked out.
"Don't bother seeing me off!"
Naruto waved as he watched him leave.
After Ichiro left, Naruto stood quietly in front of the wooden house.
All the houses here looked simple and plain. Only the elder's palace on the mountain looked magnificent.
Color and decoration didn't seem important in this world.
Naruto looked up at the vast starry sky.
The stars were deep and distant.
Standing on this unfamiliar planet, Naruto suddenly felt lonely.
How is Earth now?
How is Konoha?
After sighing softly, Naruto walked back inside.
The house was simple but complete: a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and even a kitchen behind the house.
The kitchen was very primitive.
There was firewood stacked beside it.
Naruto laughed.
"So we still cook with firewood…"
It reminded him of traveling with Jiraiya when he was young.
Naruto went to his room, turned on the light, and saw a bed and a set of clothes neatly placed on it.
There was also a desk and a chair.
"I'll take a bath first."
He walked into the bathroom.
After searching for a while, his face stiffened.
"…No water heater?"
"…No faucet either?!"
Naruto held his head.
"Are you kidding me…"
Then he looked at the huge bathtub and understood.
I have to boil water myself…
Sighing, Naruto went to the kitchen.
Sure enough, there was a large water vat.
After opening it, he found it full.
Next to it was a water scoop made from a dried gourd.
Naruto laughed.
"Haha… this is really like traveling with Jiraiya."
He filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove.
Nearby, he found firewood and flint.
"No fire starter?"
He searched around and found dry grass.
"It must be this."
He piled it up, struck the flint—
Clack! Clack!
Finally, sparks ignited the grass.
"Yes!"
Naruto carefully added firewood.
Soon, the stove was burning steadily.
After the water boiled, Naruto poured it into the tub and finally took a comfortable bath.
After bathing, Naruto dried himself and changed into the clothes on the bed.
They were a little loose, but at least he had underwear now.
The fabric was rough, but acceptable.
"Better than nothing."
He lay down.
Perhaps because he was exhausted, Naruto fell asleep almost instantly.
That night, in his dreams, he kept murmuring softly:
"Hinata… Hinata… Hinata…"
In this distant universe, under a foreign sky, Naruto slept peacefully for the first time in a long while.
Tomorrow—
A new path would begin.
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