Later.
The ANBU kunoichi slowly regained consciousness.
Yūgao: "Mmm..."
She opened her eyes, her head throbbing painfully.
As soon as awareness returned, she instinctively tried to get up, to defend herself—
But something stopped her.
Yūgao: "Ropes?"
Simple hemp ropes bound her torso, keeping her on the ground.
Her legs, however, were free.
She gave a bitter smile.
Then she looked up and saw the blond boy with delicate features.
Naruto: "Don't be nervous, ANBU big sister. It was my fault, I acted too fast."
He raised a hand in a calming gesture.
Now, Yūgao had been moved from the basement to the living room.
She examined the boy, his eyes squinting with an innocent expression.
A stark contrast to the scarlet demon she had fought earlier.
Was it because of the Kyūbi's chakra?
Naruto: "I thought a thief had broken into my house..."
He pointed to his stomach.
"He's the one who told me you were ANBU..."
Yūgao immediately understood he was referring to Kyūbi.
After decades in Konoha, the beast knew the village's inner workings all too well.
Naruto untied the ropes, allowing Yūgao to sit up.
She checked her injuries:
— A mild concussion.
— A sprained wrist.
And also...
Yūgao: "..."
She pressed her lips together, tasting something strange in her mouth.
What did he do to me?
Naruto: "Oh, I gave you some milk while you were unconscious."
His innocent face only half convinced her.
Still, her cheeks flushed.
Despite being a jinchūriki, he was just a child.
And she, an elite ANBU, had been taken down in an instant.
Shame and humiliation overwhelmed her.
Yūgao (in a mechanical voice): "Uzumaki Naruto... The Hokage sent me to deliver your monthly allowance."
Without another word, she turned on her heels.
She couldn't stay here a second longer.
As she passed Naruto, her gaze briefly dropped to his pants.
Flat. As if what she had seen earlier had just been an illusion.
Naruto: "..."
He watched Yūgao walk away, his eyes slowly opening.
His crimson pupils glowed with a sinister light...
...
Outside, Yūgao suddenly realized it was already dusk.
The crushing failure of her mission twisted her gut.
A simple delivery... and I spent the entire day?
Her evaluation would be disastrous.
She gripped her sword handle, seeking comfort in her weapon.
Yūgao: "It was just a misunderstanding..."
She reassured herself.
I didn't even use my techniques or kenjutsu... Just a careless mistake.
After checking, nothing was missing.
Whew.
If the jinchūriki had stolen her weapons, the shame would have been even worse.
Yūgao: "I must report to the Hokage..."
Even late, the mission had to be completed.
As for her future in the ANBU...
Let fate decide.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice the small figure slipping toward Naruto's house.
Hinata: "Naruto-kun~..."
The young Hyuga, with milky white eyes, smiled shyly.
She couldn't wait to see her hero again—the one who had saved her in the woods.
...
Naruto: "Gulp... gulp... gulp..."
He opened the fridge, chugging a whole carton of milk.
Naruto: "Finally, the swelling's gone..."
No one had ever used Kyūbi's chakra 24/7.
No one knew what it would do.
Kyūbi's chakra brimmed with overflowing vitality.
In Kyūbi Chakra Mode, he could even revive dead trees.
Even the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers, after eating Kyūbi's flesh, had gained phenomenal power.
Using that power constantly altered the body.
For Naruto, the side effect was... that.
An excessive growth in a very specific place.
Thanks to Yūgao, the problem had been temporarily resolved.
But long-term?
Giving up Kyūbi's power wasn't an option.
Naruto: "We'll see."
He tossed the empty carton in the trash.
Then grabbed the money left by Yūgao and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Usually, the old Hokage brings the money himself... He must be busy," he thought.
He checked the time.
A good bowl of ramen to celebrate.
But as he opened the door, he came face to face with a small silhouette.
Hinata: "Naruto-kun~..."
Her short hair, delicate face, gentle gaze...
Her white eyes sparkled with a unique glow.
Dressed in a white kimono, she looked like a traditional doll.
Twilight wrapped around her shy smile.
Apparently, she had prepared a speech... but the sudden opening of the door had thrown her off.
Naruto: "Hinata! Come in."
Ignoring her embarrassment, he welcomed her enthusiastically.
Hinata: "Thank you... Naruto-kun~..."
She stepped in, her movements filled with the grace of the Hyuga clan.
The first noble family of Konoha.
Known for their Byakugan and Jūken.
And for the beauty of their members.
— Just like the Uchiha.
Hinata: "It's been a while... Naruto-kun~..."
Sitting in seiza, she watched Naruto head to the fridge.
Her eyes flickered, torn between watching him and looking away shyly.
Her blushing cheeks betrayed her feelings.
In the world of ninjas, children grew up fast.
Age wasn't an obstacle to love.
Since Naruto had saved her in the woods, Hinata had been in love.
A love at first sight.
Click.
The fridge opened, revealing liters of milk.
Proof of considerable wealth.
Naruto reached for a carton at the back.
The one with the oldest expiration date.
The one that was... expired.
Kyūbi: "That milk's expired, kid."
After the scene with Yūgao, Kyūbi had understood.
Naruto was a demon.
His actions were unpredictable.
Every harmless gesture could hide a manipulation.
Naruto: "..."
Pretending not to hear, he handed the carton to Hinata.
Naruto: "Here, Hinata. Drink this."
Click.
He placed the expired milk in front of her.
Hinata: "Thank you... Naruto-kun~..."
Delighted, she took the carton with delicate hands.
Then began to drink, under Naruto's watchful gaze.
Kyūbi: "..."
Stunned, Kyūbi realized the extent of Naruto's cunning.
This demon knew exactly what he was doing.
Hinata was so in love she'd drink anything he gave her.
Even expired milk.
Hinata (blushing): "Naruto-kun... is watching me..."
She sipped the milk, heart pounding.
Naruto wore an ultra-naïve smile.
But to Hinata, he was the most beautiful man in the world.