Because of Hinata's sudden lie, Hiashi Hyūga and Kushina Uzumaki quickly set a wedding date.
After the date was confirmed, Hiashi said he would personally report to the Fifth Hokage. After all, Naruto Uzumaki's marriage was no small event — it was something that would shake the entire shinobi world.
Minato Namikaze, who was standing nearby, gave no objections. His expression was calm, though a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. Kushina, on the other hand, couldn't hold back her happiness. She was practically glowing, smiling ear to ear, and already reaching out as if she wanted to hug her future grandson.
She had originally thought that after Naruto's marriage was properly settled, she and Minato could release their lingering seals and return to the Pure Land to continue guarding the spiritual altar. But now, with the way things were unfolding, it seemed her eldest grandson wanted them to stay just a little longer.
After the discussion concluded, Minato and Kushina returned first, leaving Naruto behind at the Hyūga compound. They deliberately told him to stay and spend time with Hinata.
Hinata immediately clung to Naruto's arm, refusing to let him leave. Since the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, her time with him had been rare and fleeting. Now that she had finally seized such a precious opportunity, there was no way she would let him slip away. Not to mention, there was something else she needed his help with… something she couldn't delay any longer.
Just then, Neji Hyūga walked over. He gave Naruto a firm pat on the shoulder and said in his calm but slightly softened voice:
"Stay with Lady Hinata. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll leave the two of you here."
Without waiting for a reply, Neji turned and began walking away.
Almost immediately, a voice called out from outside the courtyard gates:
"Neji! Are you in there? Neji!"
Neji's brows twitched as his usual stoic expression faltered. He muttered in slight irritation:
"Persistent as always… tch. Coming!"
It turned out to be Tenten, who had come looking for Neji again.
Naruto tilted his head, frowning as he watched Neji leave. "Why does it feel like his personality's changed?"
Hinata blinked, then nodded thoughtfully. "Yes… Neji-nii's personality has softened a little. He's more talkative now… and he even takes the initiative to speak with others."
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way… that quiet, brooding guy? Really?"
Hinata smiled faintly, her Byakugan eyes softening with warmth. "I think… I suspect my brother might be in love."
Naruto nearly choked on his own breath. "With who?!"
Hinata's gaze shifted toward the gate, where Neji had just disappeared with Tenten chasing after him. "After the war ended, Tenten started visiting him almost every day. Sometimes they even spend entire afternoons together… occasionally even a whole day."
Naruto gave a slow nod, his expression turning contemplative.
He remembered… in his previous life.
Back then, Tenten had opened a weapons shop and lived alone for years. She never married, never started a family. And during the final Ōtsutsuki invasion, she had died in battle.
But Naruto also remembered that one night — during a gathering, Rock Lee had gotten drunk and let something slip. He had revealed that Tenten's heart had secretly always belonged to Neji. She had carried those feelings silently, even after Neji's death.
Thinking of this, Naruto couldn't help but smile slightly.
Maybe this time… in this life… Tenten wouldn't be left alone anymore.
Hinata noticed his absentminded smile and lightly tugged on his sleeve with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Naruto… follow me."
Naruto blinked, puzzled. "Eh? Where are you pulling me? Why so secretive?"
Hinata only gave a mysterious chuckle and tightened her grip, pulling him through the Hyūga corridors until they reached the inner courtyard. Naruto's confusion grew when he realized where they had arrived.
"Wait a sec— this is your room. Why did you drag me in here?"
Hinata pressed a finger to her lips and whispered, "Shhh. Just come inside."
Without waiting for his protests, she slid the door shut behind them, locked it, and even pulled the curtains closed.
Naruto frowned, scratching his head. "Hinata… why are you closing the curtains in the middle of the day?"
Hinata ignored his question, moving quickly and methodically. She opened her wooden cabinet, pulled out a mattress, spread it neatly on the floor, then laid a quilt over it. Once everything was ready, she sat down gracefully, crossed her legs, and patted the space beside her with a teasing smile.
"Sit."
Naruto's heartbeat stuttered. Despite his confusion, he walked over and sat next to her.
"…This is kinda weird, y'know. It feels way too ambiguous."
Hinata leaned forward suddenly, looping her arms around his neck. Her warm breath tickled his ear as she whispered with a sly smile:
"Just now… I lied to everyone. I told them I was pregnant. And now, Naruto… I need your help to make that lie real."
Naruto's heartbeat exploded in his chest. For a moment, his connection with Kurama inside him flickered, and the fox's gruff voice echoed in his subconscious:
"…Huh? Why did it suddenly go dark?"
But Naruto wasn't listening. His focus was entirely on Hinata, whose pale face was flushed crimson yet determined.
Hinata pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "Last night… we almost crossed the line. We were just one step away. So tell me, Naruto… weren't you the one who said you were skilled at handling things like this?"
Naruto gulped hard, trying to play dumb. "I—I don't know what you're talking about, Hinata."
Hinata narrowed her eyes playfully, her voice lowering. "Don't act stupid with me. I know you remember."
Her tone was final. She wasn't going to let him dodge this anymore.
The truth was, the previous night they had already shared an intimacy deeper than ever before. They had touched each other's hearts and bodies, only stopping before the final step. That was why, when Neji had accidentally implied she was pregnant, Hinata had been so flustered. She had wanted to correct him… but when she saw Naruto's nervous, helpless face, she couldn't bring herself to deny it.
We're getting married anyway, she thought. Maybe now is the perfect time to make that lie come true.
And so, Hinata decided to take the initiative.
Ten minutes later.
The room was silent except for the sound of ragged breaths. Naruto and Hinata lay side by side on the mattress, both drenched in sweat and panting for air.
Hinata's face was glowing with satisfaction. She smiled softly, her chest rising and falling as she whispered:
"Finally… Naruto-kun… finally, we're truly together."
Naruto lay there, staring at the ceiling, his emotions swirling.
In his previous life, he and Hinata had shared countless nights like this. He had memorized the warmth of her body, the gentleness of her smile, the unyielding devotion in her eyes. But here, in this reborn life, this was the first time he had truly consummated his love with her.
And in that moment, Naruto realized something.
Sure enough… people really are different when they're young.
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