"No… never…" Naruto muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with determination. "I will never let Teacher Iruka die!"Before him, Sasuke's figure twisted and changed, seemingly transforming into the sinister, terrifying form of Mizuki from his past. The memory was vivid, the fear and anger it evoked like a flash flood in Naruto's chest.Naruto's eyes blazed, his body trembling with a barely contained ferocity. He could feel the boiling energy within him, a mix of fury, desperation, and resolve. His hands clenched into fists, and with a powerful roar that carried both rage and protection, he lunged forward. Every ounce of strength surged through him, and he struck with all his might, knocking Sasuke to the ground.Gasping for breath, Naruto's chest heaved as he knelt beside the boy, voice softening to a whisper. "Sasuke…"It wasn't the real Sasuke. Naruto realized this in his heart—it was the manifestation of his doubts, his fears, and even his dreams. Yet, despite that, he felt a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Sasuke," he whispered again. Though this Sasuke was but a shadow, he had guided Naruto toward understanding himself.With that weight lifted from his heart, Naruto felt a clarity he had never known before. The sentimental, overly merciful boy who would hesitate in the face of danger was gone. In its place stood someone ready to act with both compassion and ruthless efficiency when the situation demanded it. The lesson was clear: mercy when it mattered, but unwavering determination when needed.That night, Naruto slept deeply, more peacefully than he had in months, if not years.---The next morning came with the soft warmth of the early summer sun. Naruto awoke with a fluttering excitement and hurried to the window. He scanned the street below anxiously, looking for a familiar figure. After what felt like an eternity, a small, delicate figure finally emerged, the sunlight glinting off the brim of her sun hat. Naruto's face broke into a wide, joyful smile."Hey, Hinata!" he called out, waving energetically.Hinata's head tilted slightly as she adjusted the brim of her hat with a gentle hand. She looked up at the sunlight and then at Naruto, her own face blooming with a shy but radiant smile. In that moment, the golden rays of the morning sun seemed to settle around them, illuminating their figures like a scene pulled from a dream."Hinata, please sit," Naruto said casually, gesturing toward the two desks arranged neatly side by side.Hinata's cheeks flushed at the invitation. She nodded softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for helping me with my tutoring…"Naruto scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "My foundation wasn't great to begin with… and I missed a lot of classes. I really didn't know what to do."Hinata shook her head gently, lowering her gaze. "No, it's nothing… I already promised Naruto-kun before… but…"Naruto's brow furrowed. "But…?"Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Before… when Naruto-kun had that incident… I… I was really worried…"Naruto froze for a moment, the memory flickering through his mind. And then he understood. His chest tightened slightly as he looked at her downcast expression and the worry glimmering in her eyes. "Hinata… were you… very worried about me?"Her face turned a deep shade of crimson at his direct question, but she nodded bravely."Mhm…"Naruto's heart stuttered, a warm, electric sensation spreading through his chest. He stared at her, really stared, and Hinata felt the weight of his gaze. It was tender, sincere, and somehow reassuring. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and her heart beat faster as the distance between them seemed to shrink with every passing second."Na-Naruto-kun… what's wrong?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly.Naruto's eyes softened, a gentle smile forming. "Thank you, Hinata… I used to think only Teacher Iruka cared about me. Now… now I see that you care too."Hinata's heart swelled with warmth, her shyness battling with the joy that flooded her chest."Because… we're classmates… and… and…" Her voice faltered, unable to express the torrent of emotions she held inside.Naruto, understanding her completely, stepped in with a cheerful laugh. "Hinata, you don't need to say more. I understand exactly what you mean!"Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wh-what? Naruto-kun… you… you understand my feelings?""Of course!" he replied, scratching his head awkwardly. "You mean we're not just classmates… but also comrades of Konoha Village, right?"Hinata let out a small sigh of relief. Though she hadn't confessed fully, Naruto's words reassured her. She smiled softly, her shyness mingling with happiness."Yes…" she whispered.Naruto's laughter rang out, light and genuine. "Thank you for being willing to be my friend, Hinata! You not only helped me with my tutoring, but you also cared for me. I really don't know how to thank you enough.""No… there's no need," Hinata said softly, a faint blush painting her cheeks."Yes, there is!" Naruto insisted, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Today at noon, I've decided to cook for you myself!"Hinata's heart skipped a beat. "Na-Naruto-kun… is going to cook for me?""Yep! First time cooking for someone else!" Naruto exclaimed, puffing out his chest proudly.Her heart fluttered at his enthusiasm, and she murmured softly, "Th-that's too much of an honor…"Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Well… I did cook once for Lord Third Hokage… but that doesn't count, right?"Hinata shook her head gently, her smile soft and sweet. "Then I am honored indeed. Truly…"The thought that Naruto was cooking for her, a girl his age, filled her with an unexplainable warmth. She realized she had become the first person his age to receive such care from him. Her admiration for him deepened."Then let's get started, Naruto-kun," she said with renewed determination, opening her textbook. "Let's begin our tutoring.""Alright!" Naruto agreed enthusiastically. The two of them settled side by side, the sunlight streaming in through the window and reflecting off the clean, bright room around them.Time seemed to slip away effortlessly. Page after page, problem after problem, they worked together, their laughter and occasional teasing filling the space between the lessons. Hinata couldn't help but marvel at Naruto's rapid progress."Naruto-kun… you've improved so much, far beyond what I expected," she said, eyes wide with admiration. "All this… in just one or two weeks?"Naruto's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he masked them with a smug grin. "Of course! I, Uzumaki Naruto, am a true genius!"Hinata's heart swelled at his confident declaration. To her, he truly was a genius—not just in academics, but in courage, determination, and strength. She had witnessed his growth firsthand, from his struggles in class to his triumphant victories in training and even the battle against Teacher Mizuki. To her, he was nothing short of heroic.With their morning session complete, Naruto clapped his hands together. "Good! That's all for tutoring today. Now, you rest a bit, and I'll cook for you personally as a thank you!""Mhm," Hinata replied softly, her happiness evident even in her quiet tone.Naruto moved with ease, preparing the ingredients for his meal. The sunlight reflected off the clean kitchen surfaces as he worked, every motion precise yet filled with care.Hinata, however, couldn't remain idle. She fidgeted slightly, watching him with an anxious curiosity. "Na-Naruto-kun… can I help too?"Naruto shook his head with a gentle smile. "You're my guest, Hinata. How could I let you do any work?"Biting her lip nervously, she said, "I… I just feel a little awkward sitting here doing nothing…"Naruto scratched his head, considering for a moment. "Alright then… maybe you can help me with some simple tasks. Just little things. That's okay, right?"Hinata's face brightened slightly, grateful for the small role she could play. The morning sunlight continued to filter through the window, and in that warm, peaceful room, a bond deepened—a bond of trust, admiration, and perhaps the first stirrings of something far more tender.The day stretched on with shared laughter, diligent study, and the simple pleasure of companionship. For Naruto, every glance from Hinata, every soft-spoken word of encouragement, became fuel for his determination to grow stronger—not just for himself, but for the people he cared about.By the time the meal was ready, Naruto and Hinata had shared more than just lessons and cooking tasks. They had shared moments of understanding, admiration, and gentle warmth. And in those moments, the future felt brighter, filled with possibility.
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