"Hey Sakura, hey Sakura, what's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"
Seeing Sakura lost in thought, Naruto waved his hand in front of her face.
Sakura snapped back to reality and looked at Naruto with a sorrowful gaze. "At this time, Sasuke should be training in the experimental battlefield of the Scientific Research Division under Orochimaru-sama."
Naruto said excitedly, "Oh, then let's first go see Shindai, and then stop by to check on Sasuke!"
Sakura pouted so hard that it looked like she could hang a bottle from her lips. Stop by to check on Sasuke? That's clearly just an excuse to see Sasuke! Otherwise why would you ask about him first!
Inside the Scientific Research Division.
Sasuke had just finished a round of training and was sitting on a chair resting.
Sasuke held a towel wiping sweat off his face. The towel was yellow—just the sight of it sent Sasuke into a reverie, reminding him of someone's spiky golden hair.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke heard a familiar voice calling his name.
For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating.
When he saw the now-grown-up but very familiar figure appearing in his field of vision, Sasuke excitedly wanted to stand up, but immediately restrained himself.
Sasuke replied coolly, "Hn. You're back."
Seeing Sasuke's expression, Sakura inwardly roared—Sasuke's tsundere attitude was too obvious. Couldn't he even suppress that upturned corner of his mouth a bit? Anyone could tell he was clearly happy right now; she'd never seen him wear such an expression before.
So unfair—yet she couldn't say a word.
Naruto walked over and casually slung an arm around Sasuke's shoulders, smiling brightly. "It's been so long since we last met. Why so cold? I've really missed you, you know!"
Sasuke huffed, "I haven't missed you even a little, idiot!"
Internally, Sakura had already given up trying to comment. So who kept asking her 'Has Naruto come back yet?' all the time? That wasn't Sasuke, right?
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at Shindai's research room.
Shindai looked at Naruto in surprise. "New outfit? Makes you look smarter now."
"I was always smart!" Naruto retorted.
Sasuke snorted mockingly.
Naruto glared at Sasuke furiously. "What are you laughing at!"
Watching Naruto and Sasuke bicker, Sakura felt this scene was all too familiar. How wonderful it was for Team 7 to reunite, yet something inside her felt sour.
Naruto told many stories about his adventures traveling with Jiraiya. After speaking nonstop for an hour, Shindai interrupted him with a darkened face.
"Hey, enough already. You don't have to describe every single meal you had each day, right?"
"You should go find Minato Namikaze-dono and Sister Kushina. You haven't seen them yet since coming back, right? And don't forget Hinata either — she really missed you."
Naruto asked puzzled, "Hinata missed me? What for?"
Dense as ever, Naruto simply regarded Hinata as a good friend without thinking anything else.
Sasuke muttered under his breath, "Idiot."
Sakura's mind started racing.
Everyone knew about Hinata's crush on Naruto — except the idiot himself who never noticed anything.
If she could hook up Naruto and Hinata, then Naruto wouldn't be competing with her for Sasuke anymore!
Yes, that's exactly what she'd do!
But still, Sakura felt awkward about this decision — how come her romantic rival was a guy? Was she really that unattractive, not even comparable to Naruto?
Naruto originally wanted to visit Minato Namikaze first, but under Sakura's strong suggestion, he went to the Hyuga Clan Compound to see Hinata.
On their way there, Sakura kept telling Naruto how much Hinata had missed him.
After talking nonstop until her mouth went dry, Sakura felt confident that even this dense guy should have gotten some hint by now.
But she overestimated Naruto. After all her efforts, he simply came back with "Why?" which almost made Sakura's head spin from frustration.
Even Sasuke couldn't help rolling his eyes this time. Naruto truly hadn't changed at all.
No longer holding back, Sakura snapped, "Because Hinata likes you! She's liked you for a long time, you big idiot!"
Naruto's eyes widened, "Eh! Really?"
"Of course it's true!" Sakura insisted. "Don't you think Hinata treats you differently from others? You can verify it yourself later!"
Thinking about it, Naruto did recall something — while Hinata appeared perfectly normal chatting with others, she always avoided direct eye contact whenever they talked.
Seeing Naruto deep in thought, Sakura sensed an opportunity and immediately pressed her advantage.
The trio arrived at the Hyuga Clan Compound.
Security at the Hyuga Clan Compound had become more relaxed compared to before. The two Hyuga ninjas guarding the gate recognized Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura — after all, as pupils of the Konoha Sannin, they were quite famous.
Inside the compound, at Hinata's family estate, they found Hinata in a sparring session with Hanabi.
"Hinata!"
Naruto waved energetically while calling out to her.
Hinata stopped mid-motion, looking pleasantly surprised toward Naruto.
She rushed over to stand before him. "Naruto, when did you come back?"
"Just today, Hinata..."
As Naruto met her gaze directly, Hinata suddenly felt her cheeks heating up.
Sakura and Sasuke watched Naruto with slight surprise. Could it be...?
Naruto locked eyes with Hinata and suddenly asked, "Hey Hinata, do you like me?"
Sakura and Sasuke almost stumbled and fell.
Hinata and nearby Hanabi gaped at Naruto in disbelief.
Unable to take it anymore, Sakura grabbed Naruto's ear and shouted, "You idiot! I told you to double-check, not ask so bluntly!"
Sasuke rubbed his forehead. He'd actually thought Naruto had finally figured it out.
Hinata's face turned bright red, as if ready to burst into steam, and she swayed unsteadily like she was about to collapse.
"Hinata!"
Naruto took a step forward and caught Hinata before she could fall.
Naruto asked with concern, "Hinata, are you okay?"
The moment Hinata saw Naruto right in front of her, she passed out instantly.
"Eh? Hinata! Hinata!"
Naruto kept shaking Hinata, trying to wake her up.
Hanabi's mouth twitched slightly. She knew her sister liked Naruto—after all, Hinata would always mention him without realizing it and then wear a blissful expression. But she didn't expect her to react so strongly around him.
Sakura smacked Naruto on the head. "Stop shaking her! Can't you see Hinata's unconscious?"
"Leave my sister to me."
Hanabi took Hinata from Naruto's arms.
Rubbing the bump on his head, Naruto muttered unhappily, "I didn't even do anything! Why did Hinata suddenly pass out like that?"
Sakura suddenly felt overwhelmed with frustration. How could someone be this stupid!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>