Early the next morning, soft morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, spilling into the room.
Naruto woke up naturally from his deep sleep. The first sensation as his consciousness returned was the warm feeling on his hand, which was still being held tightly.
Karin's hand was still firmly clutching several of his fingers, not letting go even in her sleep.
On the other side, a furry sensation rubbed against his cheek.
Dahuang had slipped in from the living room at some point and was affectionately nuzzling him with its head, letting out a satisfied purr from its throat.
"Mm..."
Naruto blinked, adjusting to the light, and gently moved his somewhat numb arm.
He didn't pull his hand away immediately, afraid of disturbing Karin's rare peaceful sleep; he simply used his other hand to pet Dahuang's head.
Just then, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.
Wearing a plain apron, Inoichi Yamanaka walked in carrying a plate of perfectly fried bacon and eggs, a habitual, gentle smile on his face.
He had clearly been back for a while and had prepared breakfast.
"You're awake. Get ready to eat, Naruto."
Inoichi's voice carried the characteristic freshness of the morning. His gaze fell on the newly awakened Naruto, and he gave a knowing smile.
It was probably because Naruto had rarely slept in like this.
This child must have been so exhausted that he fell asleep the moment he hit the ground.
This is exactly how a hardworking Ninja should be.
However, that gentle smile of his—the moment his gaze inadvertently swept over the floor mat beneath Naruto, the bulging bedding on that bed, and... the slender hand belonging to a girl extending from the edge of the covers, tightly holding Naruto's hand...
It froze instantly!
The smile on Inoichi's face melted and faded away with visible speed, like ice and snow under the sun.
Those eyes, usually calm and gentle, suddenly contracted, as if a storm were brewing deep within his pupils.
The image of the gentle uncle vanished in the blink of an eye.
In its place was a complex expression mixing shock, bewilderment, disbelief, and a certain Raging Fire of feeling 'betrayed'.
His knuckles turned slightly white from the force of gripping the breakfast tray.
His gaze was locked dead on those two intertwined hands, then he abruptly looked up, staring intently at Naruto, who was still lying on the floor mat with a dazed, just-woken-up expression.
The air solidified.
A second later, Inoichi Yamanaka's voice, which was usually smooth and pleasant, suddenly rose in pitch. It exploded in the small room with a gnashing anger that almost threatened to blow the roof off:
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Every word seemed squeezed out from between his teeth, full of the turbulence of an impending storm.
Taking advantage of my absence to bring another girl home behind my daughter's back, are we?!
"Drop dead!"
Inoichi, attempting to suppress Naruto and demand an explanation, 'accidentally' got elbowed by Naruto, causing his chin to slam into the bedroom doorframe.
After a bout of chaotic commotion, the atmosphere in the living room finally eased slightly, though it remained tense.
Inoichi Yamanaka sat by the dining table, clutching his aching chin with a livid face. His eyes were as sharp as knives, staring intently at Naruto and Karin, who were sitting side by side opposite him.
Naruto sat upright and proper, while Karin kept her head down, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, occasionally stealing a glance at the terrifying uncle across from her.
Under Naruto's rapid-fire explanation, interspersed with gestures, he emphasized the points: "Uzumaki Survivor," "Abuse in Kusagakure," and "Sandaime Grandpa already knows and allowed her to stay here temporarily."
Inoichi finally understood the general situation. Most of his anger subsided, replaced by shock and sympathy for Karin's ordeal, as well as disdain for Kusagakure's actions.
He released his chin and let out a long, heavy breath. The anger on his face was gradually replaced by a complex heaviness.
The way he looked at Karin also became a bit gentler, carrying the scrutiny and pity of an elder.
"So she is... a child of the Uzumaki Clan."
Inoichi's voice regained its usual composure, though it was still a bit dry.
"To have suffered through such things... child, you've had it hard. Just now... I was too impulsive and misunderstood you. My apologies."
Karin shook her head hurriedly and said in a small voice, "It's... it's okay..."
She seemed to hesitate for a moment, then raised her purplish-red eyes to look timidly at Inoichi, gathering the courage to ask the question that had been circling in her mind for a while:
"Um... Uncle, are you... Naruto-kun's father?"
As soon as this question was asked, the air in the living room froze subtly for a moment.
The corner of Naruto's mouth twitched. He wanted to explain, but Inoichi raised a hand to stop him.
When Inoichi heard the title "Naruto-kun's father," his face, which had just softened, instantly turned cold again, even more somber than when he had misunderstood earlier.
The temperature in his gaze plummeted, as if a taboo subject he didn't want to discuss had been touched upon.
He fell silent for a few seconds, moved his gaze from Karin's face to the window, and said in a flat voice, yet one carrying an unquestionable distance and a resolute denial:
"No."
Karin didn't quite understand why the two of them were living together if they weren't father and son.
"Is Naruto home?"
The voice coming from outside was calm and familiar, carrying the steady quality of someone long accustomed to a high position. Yet, it made Inoichi Yamanaka, who had just settled down in the living room, snap his back straight as if by reflex!
This voice... is it Hyuga Hiashi?
Wasn't he away on a long-term mission?
According to the original plan, he wasn't supposed to be back for at least another two or three days.
How could he... appear at Naruto's doorstep so soon?
"I'm home."
Naruto didn't think much of it. Hearing Hiashi's voice, he immediately responded, stood up, and walked over to open the door.
Outside the door was indeed Hyuga Hiashi.
He was wearing a dark kimono and looked slightly tired, but those pure white eyes were still sharp and spirited, and the aura around him was settled and stable.
Beside him stood Hyuga Neji. Neji was also in casual clothes, his face even more serene than usual, though a trace of a yet-to-be-fully-calmed ripple seemed to remain deep in his eyes.
"Uncle Hiashi, you're back?"
Naruto looked very pleasantly surprised and stepped aside to clear the doorway.
"Did the mission go well? Please, come in!"
"Yes, I returned early."
Hiashi nodded, stepped into the entryway, and Neji followed closely behind.
Hiashi's gaze quickly swept over the living room, seeing Inoichi sitting on the sofa with a somewhat tense expression, and a red-haired stranger girl sitting opposite Inoichi, looking rather ill at ease.
His gaze paused subtly on Karin's red hair for less than half a second before naturally moving away, as if it were just a casual glance.
When he was reporting the Hidden Mist trip to the Sandaime just now, Hiashi had heard about this girl's situation from him.
It really hasn't been easy for her.
The Sandaime even wanted Hinata to get closer to her and build a good relationship.
It was indeed necessary, since she was an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan.
Speaking of Uzumaki Survivors... Hiashi's gaze fell back onto Naruto.
"I took a brief rest at home and came over right after reporting the mission to the Sandaime."
Hiashi's voice was as steady as ever, betraying no particular emotion.
"Where are Hinata and Hanabi?"
"Oh, they're at the Yamanaka house with Ino,"
Naruto replied.
"Lately, they've been training together often to prepare for the Chunin Exams.
Since Uncle Inoichi is living with me now, they come over here sometimes too."
"I see."
Hiashi nodded slightly in understanding.
His gaze turned back to Inoichi Yamanaka. This time, a meaningful light seemed to flash through those pure white eyes.
He turned to Naruto and instructed in an unquestionable tone: "Naruto, take Neji and go find Hinata and Hanabi first. I have something I need to... talk about privately with your Uncle Inoichi."