Just as Hinata had anticipated, the most surreal scene in the diplomatic history of the shinobi world unfolded at the negotiation table between Konohagakure and Kumogakure.
The Kumogakure side aggressively accused Konoha of assassinating their diplomatic envoys.
In response, the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, directly slammed three corpses and the official on-site chakra analysis report right into their faces.
“Your village’s envoys, instead of sleeping in the middle of the night, sneaked under the Kyūbi Jinchūriki’s bed to dig a tunnel.
This startled the Jinchūriki into a rampage, resulting in them being shredded to pieces by the Kyūbi’s chakra.
How does Kumogakure explain this?”
Staring at the report detailing the pure, unadulterated remnants of the Kyūbi’s chakra, the Kumogakure envoys flushed red all the way to their ears.
Not a single word of rebuttal could squeeze out of their throats.
After all, if the charge of coveting Konoha’s Jinchūriki were to stick, Kumogakure would be entirely in the wrong!
In the end, not only did Kumogakure fail to reap any benefits, but they also had to hold their noses and sign the peace treaty before scurrying back to Kaminari no Kuni like beaten dogs.
As for the Hyūga Clan, they not only protected the Byakugan, but Hizashi didn’t have to go off to die as a scapegoat either.
Upon hearing this news, Hinata downed thirty bowls of rice in the courtyard back-to-back, inwardly praising how absolute perfection this maneuver was.
One year later.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the winter of Konoha Year 52 arrived right on schedule.
Outside Dojo No.
1, Hinata stretched lazily, wearing a padded, pure-white training uniform.
[First Template: Gojo Satoru (Progress: 25%)]
Looking at the floating blue screen on her retina that only she could see, the corners of Hinata’s lips curled up wildly.
Inside, she was laughing like a two-hundred-pound fat guy.
‘25%!
Over this entire year, getting rubbed into the dirt by the old man every single day and doing extra training at night, I finally ground the progress bar up to a quarter!’
Hinata clenched her fair, tender little fist, feeling the deep, boundless chakra within her body—vast as the ocean—along with the absolute mastery granted by the Rikugan (Six Eyes).
Currently, not only could she maintain the Mukagen (Limitless) technique whenever she wanted, but she could even reluctantly form a small-scale “Jutsu Shiki Junzen: Ao” (Technique Lapse: Blue)!
‘Strong!
So terrifyingly strong!’
An extremely dangerous light flickered within Hinata’s sky-blue eyes.
‘At this rate, once I reach six years old, develop a slightly stronger body, and double or triple my chakra reserves…’
‘Who knows?
My battle power might be enough to charge straight into the Jōdo (Pure Land), grab Uchiha Madara by the throat with one hand, slap his face blue with the other, and roar at him: Old man, you still wanna dance or what?!’
Thinking of that picture, Hinata couldn’t help but let out an exceptionally filthy “hehe” chuckle.
“Hinata!
Hinata!”
A wave of energetic, almost cracking cheers interrupted Hinata’s daydreaming.
A streak of bright, glittering yellow vaulted over the wall outside the Hyūga compound like a small cannonball, landing on the snow with a soft thud.
The four-year-old Uzumaki Naruto was wearing a brand-new orange winter coat gifted to him by Hinata.
His nose was red from the cold, but his azure eyes sparkled like stars in the sky.
“Little Blonde, how many times have I told you not to scale the walls?!
If the Hyūga Barrier Team changes shifts one day, they’ll shoot you into a hedgehog thinking you’re an assassin!”
Hinata rolled her eyes dramatically, putting her hands on her hips to preach like a proper mob boss.
“Hehe, because if I go through the main gate, that ice-faced uncle of a dad you have will glare at me with his Byakugan again!”
Naruto scratched the back of his head, breaking into a brainless, brilliant smile.
He then trotted over to Hinata’s side like a dog wagging its tail, looking up at her expectantly.
“Hinata, what are we eating today?
Ichiraku Ramen, or barbecue from the Akimichi Clan?”
Over the past year, Hinata had become the sole light in Naruto’s life, as well as his only friend.
To sustain the high consumption rate of the Gojo Satoru template, Hinata required a massive amount of calories every day.
And since eating alone was too boring, she simply took Naruto out to dine all over the village every single day.
Either way, her mom Karin was a super-wealthy lady, providing pocket money so vast it was impossible to spend it all.
“No ramen today.
I…
this young lady is taking you to eat something good!
Let’s go—we’re eating the most expensive, top-tier Wagyu Sukiyaki in Konoha!”
Hinata waved her tiny hand with grand magnanimity.
“Woah! This story is hosted at g.com.
Hinata, you’re the best!”
Naruto jumped three feet high in excitement, instinctively reaching out to hold Hinata’s hand.
However, halfway through reaching out, as if remembering something, he snapped his hand back like he’d been electrocuted.
Instead, he carefully tugged on a corner of Hinata’s fox-fur cape.
Hinata noticed this subtle detail, raising an eyebrow slightly.
‘This kid…
ever since that bowl of ramen a year ago, he’s become super clingy.
Even though he acts like a loud idiot on the surface, he’s as obedient as a Golden Retriever in front of me.’
The two walked side by side down the streets of Konoha.
Passing villagers still cast disgusted glances toward Naruto.
However, because the eldest young lady of the Hyūga Main House was by his side—and due to the Hyūga Clan’s subtle protection over Naruto over the past year (since he was someone Lady Hinata personally covered)—the villagers no longer dared to throw stones or hurl insults out in the open.
“Eat up!
You’re as skinny as a monkey—how are you gonna become Hokage later?”
Inside the Sukiyaki restaurant, Hinata expertly stuffed a large piece of top-grade Wagyu beef, soaked in sweet soy sauce, straight into Naruto’s bowl.
“Mm!
Delicious!
So good!”
Grease dripping down his mouth, Naruto wolfed down his food, speaking indistinctly through stuffed cheeks:
“Hinata, don’t worry!
When I become Hokage in the future, I’ll definitely treat you to the best food in all of Konoha every single day!
I’ll protect you well and never let anyone bully you!”
Hearing these words, Hinata’s chopsticks froze mid-air.
She raised her head, looking at Naruto’s serious, slightly flushed little face.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
‘Wait…
is something going horribly wrong with this art style?’
After finishing their meal, the two arrived at the park’s swing set.
“Here, Little Blonde.”
Hinata pulled a beautifully wrapped small box from her pocket and handed it to Naruto.
“Here, open it up.”
“Is…
is this for me?!”
Naruto’s eyes widened, his breathing turning rapid.
He carefully unwrapped the box.
Lying inside was a brand-new pair of wind-and-snow-proof goggles.
“That old pair of yours is beat to hell—aren’t you ashamed to wear it around?
This pair is custom-made, so try running your nose a bit less from now on!”
Hinata curled her lip, putting on a front of disgust.
“Hinata…”
Naruto cupped the goggles with both hands, his eyes instant turning red.
He snapped his head up.
Within those azure eyes flashed an intensely fiery, singularly focused light that made Hinata’s skin crawl!
“Thank you, Hinata!
This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten!”
Dancing with joy, Naruto suddenly stepped forward, his small face bright red and his voice trembling:
“Hinata, y-you’re the best person in the whole world to me!
I…
I’m definitely going to marry you in the future!
I want to be with you for the rest of my life!”
Dead silence.
Only the rustling of leaves blown by the cold wind echoed through the park.
‘Marry…
MARRY ME?!’
Hinata’s brain suffered a complete system crash.
The chakra flowing smoothly within her body almost went wild right then and there.
‘HOLY SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!’
Hinata let out a heart-wrenching, inner groundhog screech.
‘I treated you like a brother!
Like a potential stock for early investment!
You fucking want to sleep with me?!’
‘My soul is a genuine, pure-blooded man!
Last life, my dreams were full of cute girls and busty older ladies!
And you, a little blond kid, are telling me you wanna marry me?!’
Looking at Naruto in front of her—full of anticipation, even nervously rubbing his fingers together—Hinata felt her scalp go numb while goosebumps broke out all over her body.
‘It’s over!
I played myself!’
‘I just wanted to fix this kid’s miserable childhood.
But because this shell of mine looks too deceivingly cute, I accidentally bent his romantic storyline completely out of shape!’
‘What if…
what if he doesn’t like Sakura in the future?!’
‘What if he sticks with me for the rest of his life and refuses to marry anyone else?!’
‘I don’t want to be some Hokage’s wife!
I wouldn’t even be a simp for a blonde, let alone get pushed around by one!’
Hinata took a deep breath, forcefully pushing down the stormy waves crashing through her heart.
No, she had to rein this in immediately!
She could not let this kid’s twisted crush continue to sprout!
“Ahem!”
Hinata straightened her face, intentionally putting on a rough, bro-like tone:
“Little Blonde, stop talking nonsense!
We are brothers!
We are homies!
Have you ever seen homies talk about getting married?!”
“But…
but Hinata, you’re a girl…”
Naruto pouted his lips, feeling wronged.
“What about being a girl?!
This young lady’s fists are hit harder than yours!
In the future, I’m going to be the woman of the strongest big brother in the shinobi world…
wait, no, I’m going to BE the strongest big brother!”
Hinata brandished her tiny fist incoherently, threatening aggressively:
“Anyway, don’t you dare bring up marriage ever again!
If you dare mention it again, I’ll…
this young lady will…
beat you up every single time I see you!”
Naruto shrank his neck at the roar, but the stubbornness in his eyes didn’t decrease in the slightest.
Instead, it looked as though he was making a quiet vow deep down inside.
‘Looks like I can only let nature take its course for now…’
Staring at Naruto’s expression, Hinata lamented inwardly.
‘Once we get to the Ninja Academy, I’ll find every way possible to shove Haruno Sakura right into his face!
Even if I have to drug him, I’m bending this kid’s first love back onto the right track!
Defending straight-male dignity starts with rejecting the Little Blonde!’