Beside the small grove...
Naruto carefully applied Medical Ninjutsu, weaving chakra into Hinata's body until her injuries were fully healed.
As he finished, he looked at her with a troubled expression. Deep down, Naruto didn't like the idea of Hinata becoming a shinobi—or at least, not the kind who specialized in combat.
That was why he hadn't pushed to help her grow stronger. In his eyes, the ninja world didn't need more weapons—it needed people who could use power in different ways.
For a girl with a heart as gentle as Hinata's, forcing her into the role of a fighter felt cruel.
And yet, here she was—injured.
Naruto clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to storm into the Hyūga compound and confront Hiashi and the rest of Hinata's family. But if he did that, he would expose himself—and Hinata.
After thinking it through, Naruto realized he couldn't always be at Hinata's side. She needed strength of her own.
He gently took her hand, pretending not to notice the deep blush that spread across her face. Hinata's heartbeat quickened, and a nervous sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.
"H-Hinata," Naruto said softly, "I know you don't want to hurt Hanabi. But you can't go on like this. As the heir of the main family, you need to have real strength."
His words struck true. Among the Hyūga, Hinata's gentle nature and lack of combat ability were seen as weaknesses. Even her younger sister Hanabi—five years her junior—was already considered stronger.
Hiashi's sternness came from pressure within the clan. Some elders had even whispered about naming a new heir. Those rumors never left the main branch, but Naruto knew enough to understand the weight on Hinata's shoulders.
Still, none of that gave anyone the right to treat her harshly. She was only ten years old!
Hinata's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Naruto quickly raised his hands, flustered.
"Wait, wait—I didn't mean it like that! Don't cry, Hinata!"
He smiled warmly. "What I mean is… I'll train you myself."
Hinata blinked, startled.
"It's not that you lack talent," Naruto continued, "it's that you're kind. Fighting and killing might not suit you, but power isn't only for battle. Power can protect the people you love. Just like how I want to protect you."
Hinata's sadness melted away, her face blooming red at his words.
"Mm… I-I also want to protect Naruto-kun…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Naruto grinned. "See? That's the kind of strength I mean. Power isn't just about fighting—it's about protecting. A shinobi doesn't have to be a weapon on the battlefield. Their strength can also heal, shield, and give hope. But right now, too many people only see ninja as tools of war."
He looked at her seriously. "Remember this—Ninjutsu comes from life, from struggle, from belief. That's its real meaning."
Hinata didn't fully understand, but she felt the weight in Naruto's words. Weren't shinobi meant to fight and kill? That was the belief drilled into every clan. Ordinary people paid for protection. Ninja fought. The daimyō ruled. Villages survived on missions. That was the system.
And yet… Naruto's words shook that foundation.
He gently patted her head. "It's okay if you don't get it now. You will, someday. I'll train you, Hinata. And when the time comes, you'll see—"
His blue eyes burned with conviction.
"—the power of protection is the strongest."
Wasn't that the truth?
If anyone dared to lay a hand on Hinata, Naruto wouldn't hesitate to unleash the Nine-Tails' power and show them what it truly meant to rely on a fox's strength. A human-shaped cannon—unstoppable and absolute.
After all, truth only existed within the range of overwhelming power.
The two fell silent after that, simply sitting close together. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, wrapping them in a rare moment of peace.
Time seemed to slow…
"Good morning, Naruto—Lady Hinata! What are you doing here?"
A startled voice cut through the stillness.
"Oh! Brother-in-law, you're here."
Neji froze. "…."
He had always known Naruto and Hinata were close, but he never expected Hinata to actually skip her lessons just to spend time with him. Still, after a moment's pause, Neji's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
If anyone else dared to harass Hinata, Neji would've beaten them half to death.
But if it was Naruto… Neji could only approve wholeheartedly.
"Alright, Neji," Naruto said, seizing the moment, "since you're here, I'll be straight with you. I want you to take Hinata and train with her today. You know better than anyone how things are in the Hyūga clan. Hinata's gentle nature doesn't fit the world of fighting and killing…"
Neji's brows rose slightly. He couldn't deny Naruto's words. More than unsuited—Hinata was timid. Saying it aloud felt cruel, but it was the truth.
Naruto, noticing Neji's expression, added firmly, "I know that. But I can't just stand by and watch Hinata get pushed around. So, I'm asking you to help me for a few days. After that, I'll find another way to help her grow stronger. Just… don't push her too hard. And if you hurt her…"
He cracked his knuckles loudly, his eyes narrowing in mock threat.
Neji swallowed. He had no doubt about the strength behind Naruto's fists. "…Understood."
Naruto turned back to Hinata, his voice softening.
"Hear me out, Hinata. Learning ninjutsu and taijutsu isn't about hurting people. It's about making sure fewer people get hurt. One day… if I'm ever injured, I'll need you to be the one protecting me."
He knew the key to Hinata's growth wasn't just training—it was reshaping how she saw power. To her, strength had always been a burden. He wanted her to see it as a shield, not a weapon.
Hinata's eyes widened. For the first time, she felt something stir deep inside her. No one had ever told her that power could be used to protect.
All she had ever heard was: "As the heir of the main family, you must shoulder its responsibility. Don't disappoint us!"
Or: "Strength is everything. You are too weak… too disappointing."
Strict demands. Cold words. Endless scolding.
But Naruto-kun… Naruto was different. He was the only one who cared about her feelings. Tears blurred her vision as her chest tightened.
"Little crybaby," Naruto teased lightly, "if you keep crying, your face won't look pretty. And if you don't look good, I might stop liking you."
Hinata gasped, her face turning crimson. "Th-then… then who does Naruto-kun like?"
Naruto almost laughed, rubbing his forehead. "Silly girl, I was only joking."
At that, Hinata sniffled, then broke into a small, shy smile.
...
TN:
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