The very next morning, Naruto woke up to sunlight pressing through his window. He groaned. His body felt… sluggish. That alone was enough to make him frown. He wasn't used to waking up like this—not sore, not injured—just oddly heavy, as if his momentum had stalled overnight.
"Tch… annoying."
He forced himself upright anyway, rolling his shoulders as his joints popped lightly.
' What's next arc again? Oh yeah… Hidan and Kakuzu.' His expression darkened slightly. ' I hate both of those guys.
Mostly Hidan.'
An image of Asuma flashed through his mind—lazy grin, cigarette smoke curling into the air. ' Plus he kills Asuma-sensei…' Naruto paused mid-stretch.
'Should I stop it?'
"…Yeah. Why not."
He clenched his fist, resolve setting in just as easily as breathing.
' No kid deserves to grow up without a father. ' Decision made, he moved.
Naruto quickly pulled on his clothes, fastened his ankle and wrist weights, and stepped outside into the cool morning air. The village was already awake—vendors setting up stalls, shinobi moving across rooftops—but the streets were still calm.
Perfect.
He took off at a steady run,his stride carried him through familiar paths. The rhythm helped shake off the sluggishness, breath syncing with motion.
Then— He noticed movement ahead.
Someone rounded a corner… then immediately ducked back when they spotted him. Naruto slowed, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Classic. He walked up casually and peeked around the corner.
There she was.
Hinata Hyuga—hands clasped nervously in front of her, eyes wide like she'd been caught sneaking out past curfew.
Naruto grinned. "Yo, Hinata."
Just hearing his voice did it.
Her face flushed bright red instantly, eyes locking onto him—and then rolling back as she wobbled.
"Hinata—!"
She fainted.
Naruto lunged forward and caught her before she hit the ground, sighing as he steadied her in his arms.
"…Man i hate that, as cute as it is."
He glanced down at her unconscious face, soft and peaceful now instead of flustered.
'How am I even gonna get through to her if she's always like this when I'm around…'
Shaking his head, Naruto carried her over to a nearby bench. He gently laid her down, then sat beside her—immediately regretting it as the bench creaked ominously under the combined weight of him and his gear.
"…Yeah, bad idea."
He awkwardly shifted, perching on the edge like the bench might collapse at any second. A few minutes passed. Hinata stirred, blinking as she slowly sat up. Confusion crossed her face—then memory hit all at once.
Her eyes widened. Her face lit up crimson.
' I heard he had returned… He grew so tall and—'
Her thoughts cut off as her heart skipped several beats. Naruto tilted his head, watching her reaction. "What's got you happy?"
Hinata squeaked.
She noticed how he was sitting—stiff, awkward, clearly uncomfortable—and sprang to her feet, backing away slightly.
"O-Oh! Naruto-kun! Umm—hi!" she said, bowing far too fast.
Naruto stood too, dusting himself off. "Hey. How've you been?"
Hinata nodded rapidly. "I-I've been okay! W-Well! I—I need to be somewhere!"
Before he could say anything else, she turned and dashed away down the street.
Naruto watched her go, hands on his hips.
"…Yeah," he sighed as he resumed his run, "this is gonna take some time."
The morning sun continued its slow climb over Konoha as Naruto disappeared down the winding path, his footsteps steady, his mind already racing ahead to what needed to be done.
After finishing his run, he headed back to his apartment. A quick bath washed away the sweat and dust, steam filling the small room.
Once dressed, Naruto made his way through the village again, this time toward the hospital.
Kakashi Hatake's room was quiet when Naruto entered. The curtains were slightly drawn, letting in soft light, and the familiar scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. Kakashi lay back against his pillows, book in hand, one eye lazily scanning the page.
"Yo, Kakashi-sensu-bean," Naruto greeted casually as he pulled a chair over and dropped into it beside the bed. "What's happening?"
Kakashi's visible eye curved upward as he glanced over the top of his book. "Naruto," he said lightly. "I'm… okay. Well, getting there, I guess." He closed the book slightly. "How was the mission?"
Naruto leaned back, resting his elbows on the chair's arms. "Interesting," he said. "Sasuke's grown stronger. Still burning with hatred too."
Kakashi's expression softened, his gaze drifting toward the window.
"Well," he said after a moment, "I figured that would still be the case. What Itachi did to his clan is unforgivable. I never expected Sasuke to move on so easily." His tone darkened just slightly. "Not unless he kills his brother, at least."
He turned his eye back to Naruto then, studying him more carefully than before.
"I also heard you two fought," Kakashi continued. "And from what Yamato said…" A faint smile crept in. "You were holding back."
Naruto shrugged, a small grin on his face. "Maybe."
Kakashi hummed. "You sure you aren't stronger than me now?"
Naruto chuckled softly. "Not sure," he said. "Guess we'll have to test that—after you get better."
Kakashi laughed quietly, closing his book again as the room settled into a comfortable silence—teacher and student, both aware that the gap between them was closing faster than either had expected.
The quiet of the hospital room didn't last long.
The door slid open softly, and Sakura stepped in, Sai following just behind her.
"Naruto," Sakura said, her voice brightening the moment she saw him. A faint blush touched her cheeks before she quickly composed herself.
Naruto glanced over, then smirked lightly. "What's up?"
"Nothing really," Sakura replied, rubbing the back of her neck. "I just thought it'd be good to introduce Sai to Kakashi-sensei. So… here we are."
Naruto gave Sai a quick nod of acknowledgment, stepping up and tapping his shoulder once. "Behave," he said jokingly.
Sai tilted his head. "I always do."
"Uh-huh." Naruto chuckled, then turned toward the door. "I'll see you guys later."
As he stepped into the hallway, the door sliding shut behind him, the noise of the hospital returned—footsteps, distant voices, the soft echo of movement.
He had barely reached the stairwell when he turned a corner and—
Thump.
Naruto reacted on instinct.
His arm shot out, catching someone around the waist just before they tipped over. The sudden contact brought them chest to chest for a split second.
"Sorry," Naruto said automatically, steadying her as he looked down.
Blue eyes met his—wide at first, then slowly narrowing as recognition set in. A blush bloomed across Ino Yamanaka's face.
"N… Naruto?" she asked, clearly surprised.
"Yeah," he replied easily, offering a small smile. "Ino. How's it been?"
"I've been great," she said, still staring at him. Her eyes flicked over him, noticing his height, his broader shoulders. "Wow… you've really grown."
She hesitated, then glanced down pointedly. "Um… could you please…?"
Naruto followed her gaze and realized his arm was still wrapped firmly around her waist. He immediately stepped back, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Right—sorry," he said. "You look even prettier though."
Ino blinked, completely caught off guard.
"W-what—?" she started, but Naruto was already backing away.
"Well, I gotta go. See you sometime," he added casually before jogging down the stairs, leaving Ino standing there, face red and thoughts spinning.
At the bottom, Naruto nearly collided with another group—this time familiar voices greeted him.
"Asuma-sensei?" Naruto said, slowing to a stop.
Asuma Sarutobi laughed, cigarette tucked between his fingers as Shikamaru and Chōji stood beside him. After a brief exchange—light teasing, a few updates, and a rare smile from Shikamaru—they invited Naruto out to grab a meal.
Naruto didn't even hesitate.
"Food?" he said with a grin. "Yeah, I'm in."
TO BE CONTINUED