It was early morning, the sun just beginning to rise.
The main gate of the Hyuga family's main house stood open. Yesterday, Hyuga Hiashi had received a message from the ANBU. Today, he stood at the entrance with his daughters, Hinata and Hanabi, ready to welcome Naruto Uzumaki, soon to be Konoha's Fifth Hokage.
Though the Hyuga clan was large and influential, this was the first time they had truly received goodwill from a Hokage—at least, that's what Hiashi believed.
This was a sharp contrast to past leaders. The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had essentially forced the Hyuga clan to join Konoha. The Second, Tobirama Senju, had actively suppressed the village's powerful clans. And the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had used political schemes that nearly drove Hiashi himself to his death.
But Naruto Uzumaki, the man about to become the Fifth Hokage, was undoubtedly friendly toward the Hyuga. After all, he had personally returned a lost Byakugan and healed the injuries of the main family's eldest daughter.
Hinata Hyuga's face was slightly flushed as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers. "Is Naruto-kun... really going to become the Hokage?"
"Yes," Hiashi nodded, his expression serious. "Both Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade intend for him to succeed. Based on the strength he showed in the Chunin Exams, if nothing unexpected happens, Naruto will be the village's Fifth Hokage."
"..."
Hinata slowly lowered her head. The boy who, at the start of their time in the Ninja Academy, had loudly declared to the whole class that he would become Hokage had finally achieved his dream. Everyone had thought it was a joke, but in just a few short years, he was set to become the youngest Hokage in Konoha's history.
Hanabi Hyuga muttered under her breath, "That guy..."
As a child, Hanabi had seen Naruto once. She remembered the blond-haired boy being thrown out of a mask shop, the owner shouting that he was forbidden from ever coming back, all because he was the "demon fox." A crowd of villagers had just watched indifferently as the lonely boy walked away.
Who would have thought that the boy, so despised by the villagers, was now about to become their Hokage? The timeline was so short it felt unbelievable.
A short while later, Hiashi saw the blond boy approaching with a team of guard ninjas. He stood up straight to welcome them, his face showing a new level of respect. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga main family."
Some people who achieve success at a young age do not appreciate defiance. Of course, even if Naruto wasn't the Hokage, the act of returning the Hyuga's lost Byakugan was enough to earn Hiashi's gratitude.
"Naruto Uzumaki." The blond boy extended his hand and gave Hiashi's a brief, formal shake. The Hyuga head then presented his two daughters. The great clans of the ninja world paid close attention to etiquette.
Though Hinata and Naruto had spoken many times, she now had to wait for her father's introduction. "This is my eldest daughter, Hyuga Hinata, and my second daughter, Hyuga Hanabi..."
"Naruto-kun..."
"Senior Naruto..."
"..."
Naruto glanced at the young Hanabi, but his gaze lingered on Hinata, who was dressed in a kimono. He smiled and praised her, "Ha, Hinata, you look really beautiful today!"
"Thank you." Hinata's face turned an even deeper shade of red. Her head and her voice lowered at the same time, the last few words almost inaudible. "You also look very... handsome today, Naruto-kun."
Hanabi's eyes went a little blank. "..."
What's going on? Shouldn't a normal person praise both of us?
"Hinata, shall we go in together?" Naruto extended his arm toward her, gesturing for her to take it. But as soon as he made the gesture, the boy froze.
Wait, why was that so natural? It was as if he and Hinata had rehearsed such a scene countless times.
A sharp, needle-like pain shot through his brain. An image of a woman with the Byakugan, wearing an apron, flashed relentlessly in his mind. In his memory, the woman was gentle and charming one moment, then hot-tempered the next. Sometimes she was firm, other times her eyes held a dazed, distant look...
Naruto pressed his fingers hard against his forehead, hissing in pain as he tried to suppress the resurfacing memory.
But he couldn't stop it.
Inside the sealing space...
A wave of life-filled Yang Power flowed into Naruto's mind, bringing a cool sensation that slightly eased his pain.
The Nine-Tails' face was grim, his expression full of disbelief. "What kind of joke is this? Naruto has seen Hinata plenty of times. Why is this happening today?"
"No, it's more accurate to say the seal has been weakening ever since we knew we were coming to the Hyuga clan. My subconscious is demanding that I recover my memories," a giant figure wearing the Hokage's robe appeared and said softly. "It's because I once promised Neji—in the future—that I would change the fate of the branch family after becoming Hokage. But I failed to do so."
"Naruto, what should we do?" Worry filled the Nine-Tails' eyes. "If this continues, your brain will probably collapse before the day is over. Hurry up and seal your power back!"
"It's better to guide it than to block it," the tall Naruto shook his head, his voice deep. "As soon as I handle the Hyuga clan's issue, it should be fine..."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
The giant in the Hokage robe vanished from the sealing space.
As Naruto's memories fully returned, a terrifying chakra erupted from his body before being slowly drawn back into him.
But just for that instant, a violent shockwave swept over everything nearby.
Hiashi hurriedly reached out, shielding his two daughters behind him as he stared in alarm at the center of the chakra surge. Although the blond boy's figure was still short, in his Byakugan's vision, he appeared abnormally powerful—as if he could crush the entire Hyuga clan with a mere flick of his finger.
How can he be so powerful? At the Chunin Exams, Hiashi had seen Naruto's astonishing power when fighting one against three, but he never imagined that the boy's body contained something even more terrifying.
Hinata refused to hide behind her father. She peeked her head out and asked with concern, "Naruto-kun?"
"Lord Hokage!" The members of the Hokage's Guard Platoon brushed away the dust and surrounded him in a panic, afraid their new leader might do something unexpected.
"I'm fine." Naruto retracted his imposing aura, a smile forming on his lips. He slowly swept his gaze over everyone present and said casually, "Don't worry. It's just that my power is so strong, my body can't perfectly control it yet."
The Hokage's Guard Platoon was speechless. So was Hiashi. What kind of nonsense is he talking about?
However, the moment they met Naruto's eyes, they felt an incredible depth, as if they were being involuntarily drawn in. No, there was also a sense of dignity—the unique presence of a superior. Even though he was smiling, everyone present felt that distinct authority.
The Naruto standing before them now was different. Even in a crowd of ninja, he would naturally draw every eye.
Hiashi's expression grew more and more serious. He took a deep breath and thought, "He was only designated as the Fifth Hokage a few days ago, and he already carries himself like this?"
Is this boy a natural-born leader?
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Bonus Scene:
Neji: Naruto, I died so miserably...
Naruto: Neji, don't be like this...
Neji: Naruto, I died so miserably...
Naruto: I burn plenty of paper money for you every year...
Neji: Naruto, I died so miserably...
Naruto: I know, I know! Fine, I'll go deal with my father-in-law right now, okay?
Neji: Good night.
Naruto: ...