Because he was the hero who ended the ninja world war, Naruto and Sasuke's fame had also reached its peak right now. Of course, Sakura was too, since she had once saved the whole Konoha. Team 7 instantly became the most famous class in all of Konoha.
Naruto got a new house, right in the center of Konoha. Although it looked like a simple two-story little villa from the outside, that didn't even include the yard around it.
Sasuke took back the home base of the Uchiha Clan. Tsunade returned all the scrolls and secret ninjutsu that once belonged to the Uchiha to Sasuke. At that moment, Sasuke was so touched looking at these things. In the end, he still smiled and said he wanted to donate them to Konoha, letting Tsunade spread them far and wide.
Then he heard Tsunade say this: "You got it wrong. In fact, we have copies of these things. What we're giving you is the originals. We've already made copies a long time ago, so if you don't want them, I'll just take them back and burn them, since they take up space."
Sasuke: "..."
He was so touched.
Sakura's situation was simpler. After this battle, she got full recommendations from all jonin and became a Konoha jonin. She also passed the medical ninja exam and became a medical jonin. Plus, because her medical ninjutsu was so outstanding, she led her own team by herself and became the youngest medical ninja captain at Konoha Hospital.
And Tsunade raised her pay several times over, then gave her a house too. It was also a two-story little villa, just without the yard around it.
It seemed like time just kept flowing on like this, with the whole Konoha thriving and full of life.
This day, Naruto sat up in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He felt a strange presence flash by. It seemed really familiar, but he couldn't catch it.
He got out of bed. To be honest, if he turned on his sensing, he could figure out right away what that familiar presence was about. But Tsunade had strictly forbidden large-scale sensing inside Konoha.
"Whatever, anyway, the barrier team has been upgraded by Great-Grandma Mito and Mom. No matter what weird thing there is, it can't escape the barrier's detection." Naruto yawned, pushed open the door, and walked out of the room.
He came to the living room, where Hinata had already made breakfast.
"Good morning, Naruto-kun." Hinata said, her face red as she looked at Naruto, especially that pajamas of his. She shyly bowed her head for a moment.
Even though she had lived with Naruto for a long time now, she still couldn't help but get shy every time she saw him.
She wasn't wearing ninja clothes, but dressed like a regular girl, with
a light purple top, a long skirt on the bottom, a pair of cute red sandals, and an apron wrapped around the outside. It was a sight that really caught the eye.
Naruto was long used to Hinata's shyness, so he just smiled and walked up, reaching out to pull Hinata into his arms: "Good morning, Hinata."
"Mm~" Hinata lay on Naruto's chest like a cute little bunny, the blush on her face getting even more obvious.
If it wasn't for all the hugs they'd shared over this long time, she might have fainted right now.
After holding her for a bit, Hinata gently tapped Naruto's chest and said softly: "Naruto-kun, let's eat first. You have Iruka-sensei's class this morning."
Naruto, who had been all happy, instantly pulled a long face.
No way around it, he had to rank up to chunin.
"Who came up with the idea that chunin need exams? I really want to punch him!" Naruto said angrily, waving his fist. "This is ridiculous. My strength is enough to hang Tsunade Granny up and beat her, so why do I still have to take the chunin exams?"
Hinata covered her mouth and smiled lightly, her face red: "If Tsunade-sama hears you say that, she'll get mad again."
"So she won't hear it." Naruto puffed out his chest proudly.
Hinata smiled as she looked at Naruto, her eyes full of love.
Anyway, they still had to eat first.
After breakfast, Naruto got dressed. Hinata came out from her own room and stood at the door, helping Naruto fix his clothes.
Naruto had the exam today, but she didn't have any missions. For this period, she just needed to rest well and prepare for the jonin exam later.
So the day was supposed to pass just like that, all calm and normal.
It should have been.
Naruto and Hinata, who were about to head out, looked at the somewhat out-of-breath Sakura in front of them. They exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit puzzled.
Hinata reached out to support Sakura, her face showing concern: "What happened, Sakura?"
"It's a small thing... but not really small." Sakura caught her breath, her face serious as she looked at the two of them. "Hanabi got kidnapped."
Hinata's face changed, and she got all anxious: "What? Hanabi was kidnapped? Who did it? When?"
Naruto stepped forward and hugged Hinata: "Don't worry. Sakura said it's not a big deal, so it shouldn't be anything serious."
Hinata pressed her lips together, her face full of worry.
Sakura kept explaining: "It's a descendant of Otsutsuki Hamura, a guy named Otsutsuki Toneri. He injured a bunch of Hyuga clan members. Not only did he take Hanabi, but he also left behind a message..."
When she got to this part, Sakura's mouth twitched a little, not too obviously: "That guy said... he's waiting on the moon for Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. He'll trade Hinata for Hanabi. If you don't go, he'll kill her..."
Naruto: "..."
Hinata: "..."
Well, well, from the end of the ninja world war a year ago until now, this is the first guy brave enough to do this. Provoking Sasuke is one thing, but daring to provoke me too?
Provoking is one thing, but thinking about touching my wife?
A vein popped on Naruto's forehead, and his eyes turned deep blue.
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he looked at Sakura: "Can I blow up the moon right now? Anyway, after that, Sasuke can just use Chibaku Tensei to make a new one."
I, Uzumaki Naruto, respect your courage, and then... take that courage up to heaven and play with the Buddha!
Sakura spread her hands helplessly: "No way. Grandpa Six Paths told me before to make sure I stop you and Kurama from blowing up the moon... and from killing Toneri. Otherwise, why do you think I'm rushing over here like this?"
Of course, it was to stop Naruto from blowing up the moon the second he heard the news.
It couldn't be just to tell him about it, right?
She wasn't that free.
Hinata, who had been full of worry, let out a sigh of relief. She still had a bit of concern, but it was much better now.
After all, the enemy not only left his name but also his location. With Naruto and Sasuke's strength, forget a descendant of Hamura—even if Hamura himself showed up, he couldn't kill Hanabi right under their noses.
The only thing to worry about was if it dragged on too long, whether that guy would do something to hurt Hanabi.
Naruto noticed Hinata's worry and pulled her into his arms: "It's fine. With me here, some lowly Otsutsuki Toneri—give me ten minutes... no, give me a day. I'll go tie that guy to a meteor and launch him off."
"Mm." Hinata nodded, her face red.
Sakura watched from the side and rolled her eyes.
She glared at Naruto and said grumpily: "Tsunade-sensei already said this job is mine. Don't even think about sneaking off and skipping your chunin exam training."
Sakura's strength might not match Naruto and Sasuke's, but she was someone who got the power of the Six Paths too. Even if Toneri had the Tenseigan, she could handle him—it might just be a tough fight. But dealing with a Toneri without the Tenseigan? That would be like beating him senseless.
That's right, tie him to a meteor and shoot him off.
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