The Next Day
By around 3 p.m., Kakashi led Team 7 to complete a mission and promptly declared dismissal. As usual, Naruto was the first to turn and walk off. However, Sasuke stayed behind today. Seeing this, Sakura also stayed.
After Naruto's figure vanished, Kakashi lowered his gaze to look at Sasuke and Sakura. "You two need something?"
"Well…"
Sakura sneaked a glance at Sasuke, then quickly looked away, her voice timid and uncertain. "Kakashi-sensei… I had some questions about my training and was hoping you could guide me…"
"I have the same request."
Sasuke nodded with a serious expression. Then he raised his head slightly, and his dark pupils instantly turned crimson—his Sharingan had awakened, with two tomoe in each eye.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Your eyes evolved again so soon?"
"My eyes? Evolved?"
Sakura was stunned. Looking up, she cried out, "Sasuke-kun! You activated your Sharingan!"
Her shout instantly drew the attention of nearby passersby. Sasuke quickly deactivated his Sharingan, but it was already too late—he'd become the center of attention. People around them began whispering, most of it about the Uchiha Clan.
"Ah—sorry, Sasuke-kun! I didn't mean to—"
Sakura realized her mistake and rushed to apologize.
"It's fine."
Sasuke's reply was cold, but he truly didn't blame her. After all, this was exactly what Naruto intended—to have him activate his dual-tomoe Sharingan in public so the entire village would know: Uchiha Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan.
"Follow me."
Seeing more and more people gathering, Kakashi called the two of them and led them away immediately.
—
Meanwhile, Naruto—disguised using the Transformation Technique—walked down a few streets and suddenly stopped.
At a small lottery booth running a public activity, he spotted Hinata and her two teammates working as booth assistants. It was just a simple D-rank mission, with a reward of only a few hundred ryo.
From the shadows, Yamato found the scene amusing. He had just finished reporting to the Hokage's office via clone when he saw Naruto form several Shadow Clones, each transformed into a different appearance. Naruto even handed each clone some cash.
This kid's gonna get busted for sure, Yamato thought. Team 8 is a search-specialized unit—especially that Kiba Inuzuka and his ninken, Akamaru. They've known Naruto since academy days, and those two never got along. Kiba definitely remembers Naruto's scent.
Sure enough, as soon as Naruto and his clones approached, Akamaru began barking wildly.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Kiba calmed Akamaru and, acting like he hadn't recognized Naruto, accepted the payment. Team 8 quickly finished their mission quota and left to report completion.
This brat really just scammed Naruto to finish his mission?
Hiding in the shadows, Yamato chuckled internally and shifted positions, watching as Naruto walked into an alley and dispelled all his Shadow Clones. Dropping the Transformation Technique, Naruto pulled out a book from his pouch and flipped through it while quietly tailing Team 8.
Soon enough, Yamato saw something even more interesting.
After Team 8 turned in their mission and split up, Naruto managed to "accidentally" bump into Hinata on a path she always took home.
Thirty Minutes Later – Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage listened attentively to another of Yamato's reports, nodding frequently. Soon, he laughed warmly. "It's been so long since graduation—this is Naruto's first time approaching that little girl, right?"
"Yes."
Yamato nodded. "But Naruto burned through three D-rank rewards to do it."
"Hahaha~"
The Third Hokage opened a drawer and pulled out a book. "Looks like Naruto is following this book's advice word for word. Where are they now?"
Yamato touched his earpiece, then blinked in surprise. "Hokage-sama… they've gone to the training grounds. And Naruto… he's guiding Hinata in her training!"
"Oh?"
The Third's expression shifted. "He can teach Hinata?"
"He actually can."
Yamato's tone turned odd. "Just now, Naruto broke through the Hyūga Clan's absolute defense technique—Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation—and even inspired Hinata to consider a new path for her defense training."
The Third nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like he pushed the Shadow Clone tactic to its limits."
"Well, not entirely."
Yamato shook his head. "Yes, he made a lot of Shadow Clones, but he didn't engage Hinata directly. Instead, he used a rather shameless tactic to force her to surrender."
The Third's eyes sharpened. "Describe the method in detail."
Yamato chuckled. "Here's what happened…"
Not long after, the Third Hokage was laughing aloud. But then Yamato's expression suddenly changed. "Hokage-sama! When Naruto escorted Hinata home… he actually entered the Hyūga clan's main house!"
"What did you say?"
The Third's gaze turned grim. "No one stopped him?"
"They tried."
Yamato replied seriously. "Hiashi-sama and the guards signaled Hinata to stop—but after she explained Naruto's help with her training, Hiashi personally invited Naruto inside."
"I see…"
The Third stood up, pipe in hand, and walked to the window, silent for a long while. Then he said, "Once Naruto leaves—"
"Ah—Hokage-sama! He just left!"
Yamato interrupted. "And… his mood doesn't seem good. He used the Transformation Technique the moment he stepped out of the Hyūga compound."
"I understand."
The Third's expression softened a little. He returned to his chair and said, "When Naruto gets home, tell him to come see me."
Meanwhile – Hyūga Clan Main Compound
Inside a spacious tea room, Naruto sat across from Hyūga Hiashi, head of the Hyūga Clan, separated by a low table.
But Hiashi looked tense.
"Hiashi-senpai, there's no need to be so nervous."
Naruto sipped his tea. "The people watching me won't realize that was a Shadow Clone."
"Hinata has already been sent away."
Hiashi spoke gravely. "No one will interrupt us without my permission. Say what you came to say."
Naruto smiled faintly. "No wonder the Hyūga Clan has remained unshaken in Konoha all these years."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Hiashi frowned. Something about this Uzumaki Naruto felt off.
"Because of Hinata… I've decided to offer you a chance."
Naruto stood up and extended his hand across the table.
"Will you seize this opportunity?"
"A chance?"
Hiashi's eyes narrowed. When Naruto and Hinata entered the compound earlier, the guards immediately informed him. Before they reached the door, Hiashi had already used his Byakugan and noticed someone tailing Naruto.
Had Hinata not mentioned that Naruto helped her discover a new path in training, he would've never let Naruto inside. But soon after they entered, things grew strange.
Naruto said he had to handle something and created a Shadow Clone to go do it. Once the clone left, Hinata excitedly shared what she had learned. Hiashi, intrigued, sent Hinata to discuss it with the clan elders.
Then, reactivating his Byakugan, he saw the surveillance ninja outside had followed Naruto's clone.
In that moment, Hiashi realized: Naruto knew he was being watched.
And Hiashi regretted it. I should've turned him away at the door.
But it was too late now.
There is no medicine for regret.
After countless thoughts flashed through his mind, he finally stood and shook Naruto's hand.
And then… everything changed before his eyes.
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