Chapter 2: First Meeting with Hanabi Hyuga
"Can't you guys have a little backbone? I haven't even shown you why flowers are so red yet."
Naruto grinned with a mocking smile.
In an instant, the three brats felt like they were staring at the devil himself.
They burst into even louder sobs.
"Wahhh… help! Help! He's gonna kill us!"
"I don't wanna die… please don't kill me!"
"We were wrong! We'll never do it again!"
Nothing was more annoying than the sound of kids crying and wailing.
Naruto waved his hand impatiently.
"Get lost right now! I don't want to see you anywhere near her again."
"If I catch you even once more, I'll beat you every single time!"
The three kids felt like they'd been granted amnesty.
Enduring the pain racking their bodies, they scrambled up from the ground and scurried away like frightened rabbits.
Hinata's little face was flushed bright red.
She had thought today was doomed—she'd be bullied for sure, and no one would come to save her.
But Naruto had appeared.
Just like that time when they were little!
Maybe he didn't even remember it anymore.
But for Hinata, the memory was crystal clear, as if it had happened yesterday.
"You're not hurt, are you, Hinata?"
Naruto flashed a big grin.
Puff—
A puff of white steam rose from Hinata's head.
Her whole face turned as red as a boiled lobster.
No way…?
Naruto actually remembered her name!
"N-No… I'm fine. Th-Thank you for saving me… again."
Hinata's voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz.
If not for the boost from half of the Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto wouldn't have heard her at all.
Looking at the adorably shy little Hinata, Naruto felt a mischievous urge to tease her.
"Hinata, your voice is so soft—I didn't catch that. Could you say it again?"
To prove he really "couldn't hear," Naruto leaned in closer toward her.
Their bodies weren't touching, but the distance was already intimate.
He could clearly smell the unique, gentle fragrance coming from her.
Being this close to the person she liked… Hinata didn't hate it at all.
In fact, she secretly enjoyed it a little.
But right now, her face was burning up.
Her beautiful eyes looked like they were circled by glowing mosquito coils.
Her little head spun dizzily.
"T-Too… too close…"
"Huh?? Too what?"
Naruto pretended not to understand, leaning in even closer.
He acted like a perfectly innocent guy.
It was just that little Hinata was too shy and cute… cough cough cough…
"N-Naruto-kun… you're too close…"
After mumbling for a long while, Hinata finally managed to get the words out, her breath sweet like orchids.
Man… she smells amazing!
"Oh, sorry, sorry! My bad—I wasn't paying attention."
Naruto stepped back a bit.
They now had a proper distance between them.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Hinata's eyes—gone in an instant.
The little girl hid it well, but Naruto caught the tiny detail.
"Hinata, where do you live? If you don't mind, I'll walk you home. Just to make sure those three brats don't come back to bother you."
Naruto said it with a straight face.
You already beat them so bad they wet themselves—do they really dare come back and risk their lives?
Hinata couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.
Her smile was incredibly sweet.
She was definitely going to grow into a stunning beauty!
Naruto's caring words warmed her heart—he was so thoughtful!
"O-Okay… thank you, then."
After a moment of inner hesitation and shyness, little Hinata finally agreed.
"No trouble at all. Lead the way." Naruto grinned widely.
Behind them, in the trees, several watchful eyes were monitoring.
The moment Naruto received half of the Nine-Tails' power, he had sensed them!
But he kept up the act of knowing nothing.
A Tailed Beast was like a nuclear weapon to the village in his previous life's terms.
It was only natural they'd protect the Jinchuriki's life at all costs.
"What just happened? I swear I felt that guy's terrifying aura—was the seal weakening?"
One ANBU member was drenched in cold sweat.
Memories of the Nine-Tails' rampage years ago flooded back, making his legs tremble.
The others weren't much better—they were scared stiff.
"I thought I was the only one who sensed it… We need to report this to Lord Third immediately!"
"Leave two here to keep watching the Jinchuriki. If anything happens—even the slightest movement—send someone back right away. The rest of you, come with me to report to the Third Hokage!"
"Yes, sir!!!"
Being the daughter of a major clan sure was different.
Wealthy family, massive assets.
Unlike in later years when the clan declined.
By today's standards, Hinata was basically a little rich girl.
Living off her wouldn't be bad at all.
But this era only looked peaceful on the surface—dark currents were swirling underneath.
You never knew when your life might end.
You had to forge yourself strong.
A strong fist was the real truth!!!
"Would you… like to come in for a glass of water?"
Hinata asked, blushing furiously.
This was the decision she'd mustered all her courage to make!
Although she was the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter, the family wasn't hers to command alone.
She had the title but no real power.
The clan members disliked Naruto intensely.
They always told her to keep her distance from him.
If she brought him home…
She'd probably get scolded!
But even so…
Hinata wasn't afraid at all!!!
This was the first time she'd resolved to become stronger.
Naruto knew about Hinata's difficult situation.
Besides, he was currently broke and not yet Hokage.
What right did he have to meet his future father-in-law?
"Nah, I'll just walk you to the gate…"
"Hinata-neechan, you're back!!!"
An extremely cute, super-adorable little loli came running over in a hurry.
With a thump, she jumped straight into Hinata's arms.
The Chunin Exams were still a long way off.
The sisters' relationship hadn't soured yet.
"Second Miss, please slow down! If you fall, the clan head will blame us!"
A servant called out anxiously from behind.
"Huh? Hinata-neechan, who's he?"
Little Hanabi tilted her head cutely and asked.
Holy crap! It's my future little sister-in-law!!
She was already a tiny beauty in the making.
"He's Uzumaki Naruto."
Hinata couldn't meet Naruto's eyes, introducing him shyly.
"Oh?" Hanabi tilted her head again, curiously sizing up Naruto.
The strange whisker marks on Naruto's face had vanished when he transmigrated.
Right now, his looks were top-tier.
Blond hair, blue eyes.
Like a super handsome boy-next-door!
Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki were both good-looking to begin with.
He had perfectly inherited the best from both parents.
Wow… such a handsome big brother!
Little Hanabi's cheeks turned slightly pink as she stared.
"Ah! Young Miss! Second Miss! Stay away from that boy right now!"
The servant shouted in alarm.
Her Byakugan activated.
She had no intention of hurting Naruto.
She just wanted to protect her young mistresses' safety.
"Hinata, see you next time. And you too, cute little sister—see ya!"
Naruto waved casually and walked off with swagger.
Even with half the Nine-Tails' chakra now, Naruto felt it still wasn't enough.
Besides, he wasn't here to cause trouble.
How could he fight with people who'd eventually be his family?