Clack.
The front door opened, and Hinata stepped out.
Outside, night had fallen.
Stars twinkled above, and the yellow streetlights lit up the lively streets of Konoha.
With a light heart, Hinata walked with a joyful step.
Hinata (thought): "I have nothing more to say..."
All that was left was to go home and eagerly await Naruto's arrival for his birthday.
As she walked away, a cold breeze brushed against her back.
She stopped and turned around.
Naruto stood in the doorway, bathed in the warm glow from inside.
His squinting eyes gave him a soft and innocent look.
Everything seemed perfect.
But Hinata, blinded by love, did not notice the demonic shadow looming behind Naruto.
Twisted horns, sharp claws, a fox's tail swaying mischievously…
Hinata (blushing): "Good night, Naruto-kun..."
Without sensing anything wrong, she ran off.
Naruto watched her go, then slowly opened his eyes.
His slit pupils, glowing faintly, held a sinister light.
...
When the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, found Naruto, the boy was fishing in the mountains behind Konoha.
Splash!
With a swift motion, Naruto caught a wriggling fish.
He observed it closely, as if studying its reaction to death.
Naruto: "Still not enough."
Wearing rolled-up pants, he stood in the water.
He needed to test this new power.
Soon, he would face not a friendly opponent like Yūgao, but a far more dangerous ninja from Kumo.
Theory wasn't enough.
He needed practice.
Kyūbi: "Not enough for what?"
Though he could sense Naruto's emotions, he didn't know exactly what the boy was thinking.
But he knew the kid was preparing something monstrous.
Splash.
Naruto released the fish, which darted away.
Hiruzen: "Ahem..."
The old man emerged from the bushes, having watched everything.
Naruto: "Evening, old man."
They had met several times before, and a certain familiarity had formed.
Hiruzen: "You were fishing, Naruto?"
He had seen Naruto fish before and had even raised his allowance so he wouldn't lack food.
So why was he still fishing, even after receiving money today?
Naruto: "Yeah."
Hiruzen: "Why did you let the fish go?"
Naruto: "I suddenly felt sorry for it..."
He closed his eyes with a gentle look.
"I used to fish because I was hungry. But now that I have money, I'm starting to question things. Maybe killing to eat isn't always necessary..."
At the mention of Naruto's past hardships, Hiruzen felt a pang of guilt.
But the boy's compassionate words made him smile.
Such a noble child...
Kyūbi: "Is the Third Hokage senile?!"
Naruto had completely fooled him.
Naruto: "Have you eaten, old man? Come over, I'll treat you to some ramen."
He stepped out of the water and walked to the shore.
Hiruzen, amused, accepted.
They walked back toward the village, chatting.
Hiruzen: "How are you doing, Naruto?"
Naruto: "Great! I made some friends."
He mentioned Sako Uchiha, Yūgao from the ANBU, and a little girl with white eyes...
Hiruzen: "Ahem..."
"The eldest daughter of Hiashi..." he thought.
His own wife was pregnant.
Would it be a boy or a girl?
The fact that Naruto was befriending children from prestigious clans pleased him.
Maybe it was fate.
Naruto: "I want to become a Hokage as strong as the Fourth!"
Hiruzen (surprised): "Oh?"
Though touched, he grew worried.
And what about Kyūbi?
Naruto: "The Fourth sealed the Nine-Tails inside me. I won't let his sacrifice be in vain. As long as I live, I'll keep Kyūbi locked away!"
Kyūbi: "That's completely false..."
Hiruzen (moved): "Naruto..."
He decided to tell him something important.
Hiruzen: "You are a precious member of Konoha. I believe you'll become an even greater ninja than the Fourth."
Even if becoming Hokage would be hard for a jinchūriki.
Like Mito and Kushina before him.
But his determination was admirable.
Hiruzen: "You're not just a vessel for Kyūbi. You're also a hero who protects the village."
He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
Hiruzen: "I am the Third Hokage... but you, Naruto, are the true hero."
Naruto: "Old man...!"
Kyūbi: "I'm going to puke."
The exchange was disgustingly hypocritical.
Naruto (inwardly): "You don't get it, Kyūbi. This is the Will of Fire."
...
At Yūgao's place.
When she got home, she found a surprise.
Hayate had prepared a romantic candlelit dinner.
Hayate: "Welcome back, Yūgao."
She sat down, touched.
But looking at the food, her stomach twisted.
Why wasn't she hungry?
Then she remembered the "milk" Naruto had given her.
Yūgao: "Hayate, I..."
She forced herself to eat a bite, not wanting to hurt him.
But every mouthful was torture.
An hour later, the dinner was over and Hayate left.
As soon as he was gone, Yūgao ran to the bathroom and threw up.
Then she stepped into the shower, cold water running over her burning skin.
Yūgao: "What's happening to me...?"
Unaware that Naruto's "milk" contained far more than just nutrients...
She spent the night in an indescribable state.