章節 3: Chapter 3 Hinata-chan

"I guess so." Iruka hesitated for a moment before replying, then asked as gently as possible, "But what I really want to know is, why you gave up on your dream?"

"No reason, that kind of thing isn't my dream." Naruto shrugged, "Iruka-sensei, you said the Hokage is the strongest in the village, right?"

"Yes, I did say that." Iruka nodded.

"They're right; I'm just a dead-last. There is no way I can become Hokage, right?" Naruto asked back.

"You can't say that. As long as you are willing to work hard…" Iruka trailed off, feeling a bit at a loss. He roughly knew Naruto's situation, but due to the ban of the Sandaime Hokage, he couldn't say it clearly.

Naruto tilted his head and looked at Iruka with a confused look on his face.

"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to be the Hokage anymore. I want a more reachable dream."

"What dream?" Iruka's forehead broke into a cold sweat. He didn't know why he was getting wrapped up in a conversation with a child.

"Maybe getting married to a kind wife and living like a normal adult." Naruto said while scratching his head.

Iruka was both surprised and a little frightened. For Naruto, a simple dream like that was far more unattainable than becoming the Hokage.

'Naruto, it is impossible for you to get married and have children in an ordinary way.'

These words got stuck in Iruka's throat. When he thought of all the cold stares and exclusion aimed at the orphan, Iruka just felt uncomfortable.

After all, the Kyubi is sealed in Naruto's body. It can be said that Naruto made a great contribution by becoming the Jinchuriki for the rest of his life. Yet, Naruto, despite his contribution, was treated like an outcast.

Iruka's parents had died in the Kyubi's attack, but he couldn't bring himself to hate the parentless boy in front of him.

After all, it wasn't Naruto who was wrong, it was Kyubi.

Naruto was turned into the container of the Kyubi when he was born, living a life of resentment and ostracism until now.

Suddenly, Iruka realized that Naruto might have grown up enough to understand the villagers' disdain and hatred. When this thought formed in his mind, Iruka suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

'Once the seeds of hatred are planted in the heart of a Jinchuriki, the consequences will be disastrous!' For a moment, Naruto's face was shadowed, but when Iruka looked again, he saw Naruto's bright smile.

"Naruto, your dream…"

"What about it? It's great, right, Iruka-sensei? " Naruto's smile was still bright, " Iruka-sensei, you're so old and still don't have a girlfriend. You must have a lot of savings, right?"

"Hey!" Iruka's thought shattered upon hearing this, and he yelled with clenched fists, "Naruto!"

"Help!" Naruto screamed and ran away.

As the two played around, Hinata, who had been blushing furiously the whole time, stood to the side. Her hands were tangled together, and she was mumbling something.

"Alright, that's enough." Iruka said sternly, "Make sure you come to school tomorrow! Naruto!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei." Naruto lowered his head, looking obedient.

Both of them then looked towards Hinata, who was silent with her head lowered. She uttered an 'ah' and her face quickly turned red again.

"Naruto, you should go home on your own. I'll take Hinata home first. Will you be okay on your own?" Iruka said, holding his forehead.

Just as Naruto was about to agree, the system interface suddenly popped up again.

[Option 1: Pursue Sakura. Reward: S-Rank Ninjutsu.]

[Option 2: Pursue Hinata, avoid ten years of detours. Reward: Kyubi's approval (you can use Kyubi's Chakra at will)]

[Note: Option 1 will grant you immediate mastery of a random S-Rank Ninjutsu (with a certain probability of obtaining a rare Wood Release Ninjutsu), while Option 2 offers progressive rewards based on the pursuit's progress.]

'Do I even need to think about this? The power of the Kyubi is not comparable to an S-Rank Ninjutsu at all.'

'Besides, even if there is no reward, if I had to choose between Sakura and Hinata, of course I would pick Hinata without hesitation.'

'If nothing else, I should let my future children eat the soft one, right? Big is the truth after all!'

'Choose the second option!'

[Task successfully initiated. Please prioritize completion.]

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly interrupted, "Let me walk Hinata home!"

"Ah!" Hinata turned beet red upon hearing this and immediately turned away.

"Huh?" Iruka looked at Naruto with some confusion.

"I know where Hinata's home is. I've sent her there before." Naruto explained with a smile, "Iruka-sensei, it's not on your way and would be too much trouble for you, right?"

"This…" Iruka hesitated, but thinking about the cold demeanor of the Hyuga Clan's members, he agreed.

"Alright then, Naruto, make sure you protect Hinata and act like a true gentleman!" Iruka said with a smile.

"Yes! I'll take good care of Hinata!" Naruto responded with a bright smile.

After Iruka left, Naruto patted Hinata on the shoulder. She was startled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's okay, I'll walk you home, Hinata." Naruto smiled gently and his voice became much softer.

"Thank you, N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata's voice was very quiet.

"Then, give me your hand."

"W-why?" Hinata was startled, her face turning even redder, stuttering as she spoke.

"It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night. Holding hands will make us both feel safer, right?"

"That's true, but... Naruto-kun's hand…" Hinata hesitated.

"What's wrong? Does it bother you? I'm sorry."

"No! It's not!" Hinata shook her head like a rattle, then carefully extended her hand, her heart pounding.

When she felt the warmth of Naruto's hand, a sense of comfort washed over her, instantly calming her anxious emotions.

'Naruto-kun didn't lie. It does feel more reassuring.'

'But this is already considered holding hands, right?'

'What on earth was I thinking? Naruto-kun probably doesn't see it that way.'

Looking at Naruto walking ahead of her, Hinata suddenly felt a wave of panic, 'Naruto-kun is truly a kind person at heart.'

Naruto, who was walking in front while holding Hinata's hand, was completely unaware of Hinata's thoughts. Feeling the Kyubi's Chakra overflowing from his body and constantly circulating in his Chakra Pathway System, he couldn't help but feel delighted.

'Sure enough, it succeeded.'

Naruto sent Hinata to the gate of the Hyuga Clan's compound and stopped. Without a necessary reason, the Hyuga Clan didn't welcome outsiders, especially not him.

"Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun." Hinata bowed to Naruto, her ears red, her slender neck flushed.

"I should be thanking you. After all, Hinata, you were looking for me." Naruto waved at Hinata, "Have a good night's sleep, Hinata-chan!"

After saying that, Naruto turned and ran off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the night.

Hinata lost herself in the calls of 'Hinata-chan' and whispered softly while clinging to the wooden door.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun."