The next morning.
Naruto woke up in Hinata's house, the faint sunlight filtering through the paper windows of the Hyūga compound. He turned his head slightly and saw Hinata still sleeping soundly in his arms, her breath steady and calm. A soft smile appeared on Naruto's face. He gently leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
The "battle" from the night before still lingered fresh in his mind. It had been fierce—too fierce—and as always, Naruto ended up losing to Hinata in the end.
No wonder.
No matter how much strength Naruto had, even with all his training, all his power as a Jinchūriki and hero of the Fourth Shinobi World War, there was still no way for his Sage Mode to withstand the rhythm of Hinata's Kaiten (Rotation).
Smiling wryly at the memory, Naruto carefully got out of bed, put on his clothes, and prepared to leave.
Hinata stirred as the futon shifted. She sat up slightly, her long dark hair falling softly around her shoulders, and looked at him with half-awake eyes.
"Naruto-kun… are you leaving already?" she asked softly.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I've got a lot to take care of. I need to check on Jiraiya-sensei's wedding arrangements, and ours too. I also need to look into what's happening with Sasuke… and Obito. There's just… a lot of things piling up."
Hinata stretched, her pale eyes reflecting the morning light, and gave a small smile. "I see… Then go and do your work."
Naruto looked at her and couldn't help but sigh under his breath, his cheeks heating slightly. "So… so white… and so…"
Hinata immediately noticed his gaze and chuckled softly, tilting her head with a playful look. "Does it look good?"
Naruto quickly nodded, almost too eagerly. "Yeah…"
Hinata giggled and said with a hint of boldness, "Then you'll still want to come see me again tonight, won't you?"
Naruto's heart skipped. After the "fight" last night, his body had recovered, his chakra fully restored, and he was already nodding before his mind caught up. "No problem!"
Hinata's lips curved in satisfaction.
Naruto gave her one last look before jumping out of the window into the courtyard below, heading off toward the village.
What he didn't realize was that the entire scene had been witnessed by none other than Hyūga Hiashi, Hinata's father, and his brother Hyūga Hizashi.
Hiashi let out a long sigh.
Hizashi, on the other hand, burst into hearty laughter, slapping his elder brother on the shoulder. "Come now, brother, don't look so depressed. This was bound to happen sooner or later! Why act as if the sky just fell?"
Hiashi shot him a sharp glance. "Easy for you to say. You're raising a son. Of course you don't feel the same way!"
He looked toward Hinata's room, a complicated expression on his face. "Naruto may be a fine young man, more than worthy even… but you don't understand the feeling of giving away your daughter. No matter how much you tell yourself it's fine, your heart feels… empty."
Hiashi shook his head again, exhaling his melancholy, and motioned for Hizashi to follow him. "Let's go. The river's calm today. We'll fish."
For men in middle age, finding small hobbies like fishing was often the only way to soothe the heaviness that weighed on the heart.
By the riverside.
The sound of water flowing gently filled the silence as Hiashi and Hizashi cast their lines. For a while, they said nothing. Then Hiashi finally spoke.
"Brother… I've been thinking about something," Hiashi said quietly.
Hizashi raised his rod slightly, watching the ripples. "Go ahead."
Hiashi's face grew serious. "Hinata is the eldest daughter of the Hyūga clan. Tradition dictates she is the future head of the family. That's true. But at the end of the day, she's still a girl—and now she'll marry Naruto. As much as I respect her strength and character, she'll be burdened. Because Naruto won't just be an ordinary shinobi. We both know he's destined to become Hokage."
Hizashi nodded slowly. "That much is certain. Even the Daimyō of the Land of Fire has mentioned it repeatedly—Naruto is the most suitable candidate for Hokage. The whole world sees it that way."
He tilted his head, studying Hiashi. "But what are you getting at, brother?"
Hiashi sighed deeply. "I may be able to serve another ten years at most. After that, when Naruto is Hokage, his duties will overwhelm him. Hinata, as his wife, will also have responsibilities beyond the clan. If she shoulders both the Hokage's wife's role and the headship of the Hyūga clan… how exhausting will that be for her?"
Hizashi frowned in thought, then suggested, "What about Hanabi? She's talented too. She's not weaker than her sister."
Hiashi shook his head firmly. "No. Hanabi has a different temperament—far more impulsive, far less suited for leadership. Hinata has the patience and grace of a leader, but… she shouldn't bear this weight. Besides, truth be told, I think it's better for a man to inherit the clan's leadership."
Hizashi immediately countered, "And yet, the current Hokage is a woman. Tsunade-sama leads the entire village, and Konoha thrives under her."
Hiashi waved dismissively. "Don't overestimate Tsunade's political ability. If she weren't the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the student of the Third, she never could have suppressed the old guard of Sarutobi's era. When she first took office, the Akatsuki still existed, the Third had just died, and most of the village elders were against her. Even we, the Hyūga, were watching cautiously."
Hizashi fell silent, remembering. Indeed, back then Danzo's influence had been suffocating. Even the Hyūga clan had tread carefully around him.
Hiashi continued, "The truth is, it was Naruto who stabilized Tsunade's position. Without him, the Akatsuki would have targeted Konoha directly. Instead, his presence within Akatsuki restrained them. And because of Naruto, Jiraiya remained alive and returned, offering Tsunade powerful support in the village. Without Naruto, Danzo would have continued unchecked. But Naruto crippled him—cut off his stolen Sharingan arm, removed Shisui's eye, and eventually paved the way for his death. That eliminated the greatest political obstacle in Tsunade's path."
Hiashi's voice hardened. "So yes, Tsunade rules Konoha smoothly now—but the foundation of that stability is Naruto."
Hizashi listened quietly, nodding as his brother laid it all out.
Hiashi then turned to him, eyes sharp. "That's why I've made a decision. Neji. He will inherit the clan."
Hizashi's eyes widened. "What? But… Neji is from the branch family. The elders will never accept it!"
Hiashi's expression didn't waver. "The so-called 'rules' of the Hyūga clan can be rewritten. Neji once drowned in the despair of the Caged Bird Seal, but it was Naruto who shattered that despair. Naruto freed his heart, allowed him to grow. Neji is no longer shackled by those chains. He has the intelligence, the strength, and the heart to lead. And with Naruto's influence, the elders won't be able to oppose us."
Hiashi allowed himself a small, sly smile. "After all, even Raikage was forced to yield once Naruto appeared. Who among our clan elders dares to stand taller than the Raikage?"
Hizashi's lips tightened. "…You really mean this."
"I do," Hiashi answered firmly. "I will guide Neji myself. He is brilliant. In a few short years, he'll master every responsibility of the clan. And with Naruto as Hokage, and Hinata as his wife, our clan will stand at the very center of Konoha."
Hizashi sighed, finally lowering his rod. "Very well. If that's your resolve, I won't oppose it. I only hope Neji is ready for the burden you plan to place on his shoulders."
Hiashi gazed at the river, his voice quiet but resolute. "He will be. I'll make sure of it."
Hokage's Office.
Later that day, Hatake Kakashi walked through the doors of the Hokage's office, guided by Shizune.
"Lady Hokage, Kakashi has arrived," Shizune announced respectfully.
Tsunade, seated behind her massive desk, cupped her chin in her hands, her golden eyes sharp yet warm. When she saw Kakashi enter, she smiled faintly and gestured. "Kakashi, come. Sit."
Different from before, a chair had been placed directly across from her desk, prepared specifically for him.
Kakashi blinked behind his mask, a little puzzled, but said nothing. He quietly sat down.
The moment he did, Tsunade straightened, her expression turning serious.
"Kakashi," she said, her tone firm, "I have decided. I am going to appoint you as the Sixth Hokage."
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