Through the lush forests of Konoha, the bushes parted as they passed, the breeze whispering against their cheeks. Hinata felt as if she were floating, light and unmoored, until the dappled sunlight gradually faded.
After a turn in the forest path, the view suddenly opened up. The rush of water filled the air, a white noise drowning out all else.
Before them, a great waterfall cascaded into a roaring stream below.
"Where… is this?" Hinata blinked in surprise.
"By the river." Naruto released her hand and hefted the large bundle on his back toward a shaded spot near the water.
The afternoon sun burned harshly through the treetops, the cicadas chirped, and the waterfall thundered — yet Hinata's heartbeat pounded louder still, quick and restless.
From the shadows, she watched Naruto busily unpack. Cloth spread across the grass, a fire pit dug, a grill propped, seasonings laid out — even a pot.
Hinata covered her mouth in amazement.
Dora-A-Naruto?
"Hinata!" Naruto waved her over.
She quickly responded, stepping closer with hesitant curiosity. She had never seen anything like this.
As the eldest daughter of the Hyūga clan, the biggest obstacle in her life had always been her father — an immovable mountain she could never overcome. She had never faced hardship like Naruto, who had grown up scrabbling in the dirt. Her clothes were always spotless, her steps always sheltered.
Now, standing here, it felt almost unreal.
"Naruto-kun, what are you… doing?" she asked softly.
"A riverside barbecue," he grinned. "The stream below this waterfall runs strong, so the fish here are fresh and delicious."
Hinata nodded nervously. "Father and the others like sashimi… but I don't. So I rarely eat fish."
"Sashimi?" Naruto tilted his head. "I can only roast fish or make fish soup."
"That's enough. I… I've never eaten fish Naruto-kun made."
Her face turned crimson. She frantically waved her hands. "Wait! That's not what I meant—"
"It's fine." Naruto smiled as he stepped closer. "No need to explain so much. Come on, I'll teach you how to fish."
"Hinata, have you ever tried fishing before?"
"No…" she admitted, lowering her head shyly. "Whenever I went near the river, I was pulled away. I only ever saw others fishing from afar."
Of course. To the Hyūga, proud Konoha nobility, fishing was a pastime of commoners — far beneath the "princess of the clan."
"No worries, I'll show you." Naruto took her hand again and led her into the trees.
Not far away, an ANBU operative and a Hyūga guard stood perched on distant branches, watching.
Hyūga guard: "What's that brat doing, taking the young lady there?"ANBU: "Looks like… into the woods.""….""Why don't you use Byakugan to check?" the ANBU suggested."That would disturb the young lady. Why don't you go yourself?""If I'm discovered, I'll be punished. My paycheck's too small for that risk.""What if she's in danger? What if that brat tries—" the Hyūga guard cut himself short."Your responsibility, not mine. If something happens, worst case I lose my job." The ANBU smirked lazily. "But if I get caught snooping? I definitely lose it. Better to watch from here.""You—!" The Hyūga seethed. "Restraining the Jinchūriki is your duty!""Not really." The ANBU yawned. "As long as he doesn't leave the village, the rest isn't my problem. Thanks to the Jinchūriki, I actually get an easy post. Beats fighting missions and dying young.""Unbelievable!""Easy for you clan kids. Retired by thirty with pensions. I'll be lucky to survive that long. Speaking of which… my shift's over."
And with that, the ANBU vanished in a flicker, leaving the Hyūga guard stunned. Shift? In broad daylight?
About fifteen minutes later, Naruto emerged from the trees with Hinata, carrying a long wooden pole. He had carefully crafted it with a kunai, since bamboo was too fragile — the river's fish were large and strong.
He handed it to her.
"Me? I… I can't…" Hinata stammered, retreating a step.
"It's fine. I'll guide you." Naruto pressed the rod into her hands and stepped behind her, his arms nearly wrapping around her.
Hinata froze, her face burning red, as if she might faint. Her mind spun in a haze, heart pounding.
Luckily, Naruto no longer smelled of sweat — he had a new washing machine now. Hinata, lost in the moment, could think of nothing else, her mind gone blank.
"N-Naruto-kun… there's no bait," she whispered.
"No need." Naruto chuckled. "Here, just flick the hook like this. The fish here bite anyway."
With practiced ease, he guided her hands and cast the line.
Far off, the Hyūga guard nearly ground his teeth to dust.
"No bait? And you expect to catch fish?! If that works, I'll rip my eyes out myself!"
[Nine-Tails' Approval: 4.5%][Nine-Tails' Approval: 6.7%]
Suddenly, the familiar system chime rang in Naruto's mind.
[Option 1: Tell Hinata you dislike gentle girls, because they're gentle to everyone. She only admires heroes, like every princess does, and you are not one. Reward: Water Release – Water Dragon Bullet Technique.]
[Option 2: Tell Hinata she's already wonderful, and will surely become a gentle wife one day. Reward: Mind Transmission Technique (creates a non-existent puppet capable of acting without suspicion; words spoken through it are remembered within a set range).]
Naruto skimmed the first option without hesitation and dismissed it. But when he saw the second reward, his eyes widened slightly.
The Yamanaka clan's secret art… Mind Transmission Technique? Anonymous speech within a set range?