Naruto Uzumaki walked through the snowy streets of Konoha, breath misting in the cold afternoon air. His muscles ached from relentless physical training, and sweat still clung to his skin despite the freezing weather. Unlike the carefree Naruto from canon, this one pushed himself far harder.
Because he was not truly born here.
At first, he had believed he had killed Naruto and taken over his body. The guilt had nearly broken him. But later he learned the truth—this was an AU, a world where Naruto Uzumaki should not have existed at all.
A world destined for destruction.
He had been given a chance to save it, and he had accepted without hesitation. If this world was meant to fall, then he would rewrite fate with his own hands.
"Man… physical training sucks," Naruto complained aloud, stretching his sore shoulders as he trudged through the snow-covered road.
A pause followed, then a softer mutter slipped out. "And seriously… when will Hinata stop being so shy?"
His thoughts were interrupted by faint shouting nearby. Naruto's expression sharpened instantly. With a subtle breath, he activated a fraction of his Six Eyes.
The world shifted.
Walls dissolved in his vision as chakra signatures lit up like lanterns in the dark. There it was—Hinata, surrounded by several kids in a narrow alley.
A vein pulsed on Naruto's forehead.
"You bastards… dare to touch my wife?"
Inside the alley, little Hinata Hyuga stood surrounded. Her small hands trembled at her sides, pale lavender eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She refused to cry, biting her lip stubbornly.
That silence only emboldened the bullies.
"Hey, monster eyes, look here!" one boy jeered.
"She really has monster eyes."
"They're creepy!"
Laughter echoed against the cold walls. Hinata lowered her head further, her shoulders shaking slightly.
'Please stop… please stop…' she repeated in her heart.
One boy reached forward to grab her hair—
Thud!
A snowball slammed into his face with perfect accuracy.
"Who is it—?!" the boy shouted, turning around, only to freeze.
Naruto stood at the alley entrance, eyes calm yet dangerously cold.
"D-demon fox…"
"Run! It's the demon fox!"
"He's attacking!"
They screamed and scattered, slipping in the snow as Naruto's snowballs struck precisely where he aimed. Each hit knocked them down without causing real harm.
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Tch. Can't injure them too much."
He knew the old monkey—Hiruzen—was probably watching through his crystal ball. That creepy old man would come knocking if he crossed the line. ANBU shadows were likely monitoring him as well.
Control was everything.
After the bullies fled, Naruto dusted off his gloves and muttered, "Only know how to bully when ganging up. Pathetic."
He turned toward Hinata, his expression softening immediately.
"Yo, Hinata. You okay?"
Hinata hurriedly wiped the tears threatening to fall. "I-I'm fine, Naruto-kun," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Naruto crouched slightly to meet her eye level. "You didn't cry."
She blinked. "W-what?"
"You didn't cry," he repeated with a small grin. "That's brave. If it were someone else, they'd already be bawling."
Hinata's fingers tightened in her coat. "N-no… I'm not brave. I couldn't do anything. I'm weak. My eyes…"
"Hey." Naruto interrupted gently.
She looked up at him, startled.
"Don't listen to what others say," Naruto said firmly. "They call me demon fox. Do you think I'm one?"
"N-no! I-I don't!" Hinata replied quickly, panic flashing across her face.
Naruto smiled. "See? And I don't think your eyes are monsters either."
Her breath caught.
"I think they're beautiful," he said casually. "Believe me."
Hinata's entire face turned red.
"N-Naruto-kun…!"
"And stop hesitating so much," Naruto continued, poking her forehead lightly. "I know you'll become strong. I believe in you. So believe in my belief."
Hinata stared at him, heart pounding loudly in her ears. "You… believe in me?"
"Of course I do," Naruto replied without a trace of doubt. "You've got more courage than you think."
She swallowed and nodded timidly. "Y-yes…"
Naruto's Six Eyes flickered faintly again.
"Looks like your guards are here," he said with a teasing smirk. "So what? Miss Princess ran away from her castle?"
"N-Naruto-kun! It's not like that—" Hinata flustered, waving her hands desperately.
Naruto laughed softly. "Well, I'm fine with becoming a prince who comes to save the princess."
"S-stop it…" she stammered, looking like she might faint on the spot.
But Naruto's tone shifted slightly, becoming serious.
"Listen, Hinata," he said. "You're not a weak princess who needs saving."
She froze.
"Show the world you can become strong too," he continued. "I'll be waiting for you to walk with your head held high."
Hinata's trembling stopped.
"I will, Naruto-kun," she whispered, but this time there was determination beneath the softness.
Naruto turned to leave, snow crunching beneath his sandals.
"And I believe you will, Hinata," he said without looking back.
Behind him, Hinata clutched her chest, warmth spreading through her heart despite the cold.
In the distance, hidden eyes watched.
Naruto's smile faded slightly as he stepped back onto the main road.
"This world is destined for destruction…" he murmured quietly. "But I won't let it fall."
His blue eyes sharpened, glowing faintly with the power of the Six Eyes.
"Not while I'm here."