Konoha, Root Headquarters.
Danzō leaned on his cane, his eyes narrowed as he listened to his subordinates report on Naruto's situation.
"So you're saying Jiraiya's intervention stopped the Nine-Tails from possibly breaking loose?"
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Danzō tapped his cane as he paced, the only exposed eye gleaming with a strange light.
"Leave me."
"Yes, sir."
With several sharp whooshes, the Root operatives vanished.
Left alone, Danzō brooded. Right now, Jiraiya had lost an arm, his strength greatly diminished. With Tsunade as Hokage, her support was cut in half.
As for Kakashi—just a few tricks would take care of him.
The greatest problem was that he had no legitimate opportunity to rise.
Danzō's hand covered his right eye, while his left eye shone with ruthless ambition.
His plan had been simple: if the Nine-Tails went berserk again, Tsunade and Jiraiya would surely try to suppress it. Once they had exhausted themselves, he could step in, kill Naruto, and seize the Nine-Tails for himself.
Then, using Tsunade's "failure" and "incompetence" in letting the Nine-Tails run wild, he could force her to step down.
At that point, whether she agreed or not would no longer matter.
Once he wielded that power, Konoha would bow beneath him. If Tsunade refused to step down, he would personally remove her.
And as for those who resisted? They would all be killed.
If the Uchiha clan could be wiped out, then what was Tsunade's paltry faction?
With so many Sharingan sealed within his body, Danzō's confidence only grew.
Hmph!
Once he became the strongest Hokage, under his schemes and guidance, given time—even the entire shinobi world could be his to conquer.
He smiled to himself, savoring the vision.
But little did he know, this dream of his would soon dissolve into nothing.
The next morning, Naruto washed up, ate breakfast, tidied his house, set Flying Thunder God markers, and left behind a shadow clone to sit cross-legged, quietly drawing in natural energy.
After securing everything, he locked the door, leapt to the top of the water tower in front of his house, and looked back at it one last time. He sighed, then took off.
At the gates of the Hyūga compound, Hinata came running out excitedly.
"Naruto-kun, I heard you were looking for me?"
Naruto smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, Hinata."
Giggling, Hinata grabbed his arm, about to pull him inside. But Naruto waved his hand.
"Better not. Wouldn't that be… inconvenient?"
Guessing his concern, Hinata reassured him with a smile.
"It's fine! Father and Hanabi are out, and Neji-niisan went on a mission with Guy-sensei. For now, I'm the master of the house!"
She even puffed out her chest proudly after saying it.
Naruto laughed softly and brushed a finger across her nose.
"Listen to you, huh?"
That one little gesture turned Hinata's face scarlet.
"W-what are you doing, teasing me like that…"
Flustered, Hinata didn't know where to look. Then, without another word, she tugged Naruto into the side alley next to the compound gate—and threw herself into his arms.
Naruto blinked in surprise, then smiled gently, wrapping his arms around her and breathing in the fragrance of her hair.
That scent etched itself deep into his soul.
To someone as lonely as Naruto, it was the greatest comfort.
All his panic, his fears, his unease—at this moment, they all melted away.
"That day at the Hokage Tower… there were too many people. I couldn't hug you then. So I'm making up for it now, hehe."
Hinata rubbed her head affectionately against his chest as she spoke.
Naruto smiled with pure happiness. Stroking her hair, he said softly,
"Hinata, there's something I need to tell you in advance."
Hinata lifted her face with a cheerful smile.
"What is it?"
But when she saw how serious he looked, worry crept into her expression.
"Did something happen, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto gazed at her. She really was his future wife—just one look at his face and she already sensed something.
He placed both hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye.
"Listen carefully. No matter what happens in the future, remember these three things.
First: no matter how my stance may change, my dream to protect Konoha and become Hokage will never change.
Second: whatever I do, my purpose will always be for the sake of the entire ninja world.
And third—and most important of all…"
Naruto drew in a deep breath, locking eyes with her.
"No matter what I become, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will only ever love one woman in this life—Hyūga Hinata."
Hearing his solemn words, especially that last sentence, Hinata threw herself into his arms once more, hugging him tightly.
"Naruto-kun! Thank you for loving me so much. I, Hyūga Hinata, also… will only ever love you, Naruto-kun!"
"But I want you to promise me one thing—if you face difficulties, don't shoulder them alone. At least let me come with you, to face them together."
Naruto stroked her silky hair, raised his head to the sky, and let out a long breath. Tears welled at the corners of his eyes.
This road was far too dangerous.
He would not allow the tragedy of his past life to repeat itself.
He would not endure again the pain of feeling the warmth fade from his beloved's body in his arms.
Forgive me, Hinata.
He gently pushed her back, cupping her face in his hands, pressing his forehead against hers, and looking at her with infinite tenderness.
"Alright, alright. Just remember what I said. I won't keep you—time for me to head to the Hokage's office."
"Oh, wait."
Naruto rolled up Hinata's sleeve, and placed a Flying Thunder God marker on her arm.
Hinata tilted her head.
"What's this?"
Naruto smiled faintly.
"With this mark, I can appear by your side anytime, anywhere, to protect you."
Hearing that, Hinata's smile bloomed with joy.
"But remember," Naruto reminded, "this is our secret. Don't tell anyone I left a mark on you."
Hinata nodded firmly.
"And if you're ever in danger, try to gather chakra at this mark. I'll sense it—and I'll come."
Hinata's eyes shone with delight. Her Naruto-kun was amazing—able to use such incredible techniques.
Naruto chuckled, patting her head. His wife was truly gentle, truly obedient. Such a cute girl—he would cherish her for life.
For this reason, he had even modified his father's Flying Thunder God: when chakra was infused into the marked object, the caster could sense it and instantly teleport over for rescue.
After explaining everything, Naruto turned to leave.
"Naruto-kun!"
He glanced back.
Hinata stood there, cupping her hands around her mouth and calling out:
"After you're done at the Hokage's office, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen together tonight!"
Seeing her silly smile, Naruto's heart wavered—but he forced himself to nod.
"Yeah. Once I'm done, I'll come."
Hinata tilted her head with a sweet smile.
"Then it's a date! Six o'clock tonight. Don't be late. Bye-bye!"
She waved, and Naruto raised a hand in return.
"Bye-bye."
Then he turned and leapt away.
In midair, two tears slid from Naruto's eyes.
Forgive me, Hinata.
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