Silence settled in the living room, and the atmosphere turned slightly awkward.
Hinata, naturally shy, wasn't good at social interactions.
Especially with such a strict father, which made her even more reserved.
Naruto, on the other hand, though naturally sociable, didn't seem intent on breaking the ice.
Kurama, watching the scene from within, understood one thing:
This little white-eyed human is already under his influence.
He didn't even need to make an effort to win her over.
Hinata: "Um… Naruto-kun…"
She gently set down the milk carton and raised her head slightly.
"The method I showed you last time… How's your chakra extraction going?"
Naruto: "It's fine."
His eyes still narrowed, he scratched his head, answering nonchalantly.
Hinata gave a small smile at his response.
Hinata: "Naruto-kun, this time I brought you a book…"
She pulled a children's reading manual from her pocket.
In this world, survival wasn't just about ninja skills.
Reading was essential.
Otherwise, even the Academy classes would be incomprehensible.
Hinata: "Let's learn together, okay?"
Her white eyes shone with hope.
Kurama: "Hmph…"
Lying behind the bars of his prison, he watched the scene with boredom.
This little Hinata was kind and thoughtful.
She obviously already knew how to read.
But she used this excuse not to humiliate Naruto.
How would he react?
Naruto: "Okay."
He agreed without hesitation.
The two children sat at the table and began the lesson.
But Kurama could feel that Naruto wouldn't stop there.
Something more cunning was at play.
...
Hokage's Office, at dusk.
Yūgao, kneeling, reported her mission with deep shame.
When Hiruzen heard that Kurama's chakra seemed to be leaking, his brows furrowed.
Minato's Eight Trigrams Seal was said to be foolproof.
Such an early leak was… unusual.
Just a small crack, probably.
Yūgao: "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama… I failed."
Her head bowed, her voice trembled with remorse.
Hiruzen left the window, thinking deeply.
According to Yūgao's account, Naruto had stopped attacking as soon as he realized she was ANBU.
So the boy knew about being a jinchūriki?
Rumors about the "Nine-Tailed Demon" had been circulating for years.
Naruto faced rejection from villagers and even some ninjas.
With Kurama constantly whispering to him…
A tragedy from the past might repeat itself.
Hiruzen: "Yūgao, from now on, you'll be responsible for delivering Naruto's monthly allowance."
Since Kakashi still refused to face his past…
Yūgao, who had already interacted with Naruto, was the ideal candidate.
Moreover, her wounded pride would drive her to fulfill the mission well.
And to discreetly monitor Naruto's condition.
Back when Kushina was alive, two ANBU had always watched over her.
But that method wasn't foolproof.
With Naruto, Konoha had opted for a different approach: supervised freedom.
But it was time to give him emotional bonds.
Close relationships would strengthen his ties to the village.
Hiruzen: "You may go, Yūgao."
Yūgao: "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Relieved, she left the office, determined to redeem herself.
Hiruzen removed his cape and hat, returning to being just an old man.
It was time to go see Naruto.
...
At Naruto's house.
Hinata: "Chara~."
Naruto: "Chara~."
Hinata: "Chara~."
Naruto: "Chara~."
Hinata: "…"
Kurama: "…"
Hinata, puzzled, didn't know what else to do.
Despite her repetitions, Naruto kept pronouncing "Chadora."
Did she teach it wrong?
She decided to ask the Hyūga servant, Aisha, when she got home.
Hinata: "Let's stop for today, Naruto-kun. It's getting late…"
She left the book on the table.
An excuse to come back.
Outside, night was falling.
If she didn't return soon, her father would worry.
Naruto: "Okay."
They stood up, and Hinata headed to the door.
Before leaving, she turned around.
Hinata: "Naruto-kun… On the 27th of this month… It's my birthday. Will you come?"
Her cheeks turned pink, her eyes avoiding his.
She secretly hoped to bind Naruto to her before someone else did.
Naruto: "No problem."
His neutral response still made Hinata beam with joy.
Hinata: "Great…"
She left with a light step, unable to hide her smile.
Kurama: "Is it fun tricking a little girl?"
He clearly knew how to pronounce "chakra."
But Naruto ignored him, lost in thought.
Naruto: "Hinata's birthday…"
If the story plays out as it did…
In the original, on that day:
— A Kumo delegation arrived to sign a peace treaty.
— The Hyūga boycotted the ceremony.
Because it was also the day when children of the branch family received the cursed mark: the Caged Bird Seal.
Neji, witnessing his father Hiashi tortured by the seal, developed hatred toward the main branch.
And that night…
A Kumo ninja tried to kidnap Hinata.
Hiashi chased and killed him, saving his daughter.
But Kumo turned the tables, demanding compensation.
Hiashi sacrificed his twin brother, Hizashi, to appease Kumo.
Kurama: "Hey, kid—"
Suddenly, he felt a change in Naruto.
A reversal of flow.
Kurama: "What?!"
The seal space darkened.
The walls rusted, the water turned black.
A nightmarish atmosphere.
Kurama: "This feeling…"
He recognized this phenomenon.
The last time was when Kushina had succumbed to her anger.
An opportunity to escape.
If Minato hadn't intervened, he would've succeeded.
Kurama: "This kid… Such immense darkness… After Hinata's invitation…"
He didn't know the reason, but the trigger was clear.
Naruto: "Alright, you damn fox, time to pay rent! Give me more chakra!"
Power.
Only power lets you control everything.
CLANG!
The seal shook violently.
Kurama's chakra surged through the bars, flooding into Naruto.