The weather was mild that day.
In the traditional Hyūga garden, a shishi-odoshi (bamboo water fountain) struck rhythmically.
Yet Aoba, accompanying Hyūga Uzuki, was lost in thought.
Everyone had noticed the clan leader's sudden respect for… the "Nine-Tails demon."
She had tried to question other clan members,
but only the ignorant answered. The others deflected with: "You'll know in due time."
One thing was certain: something now bound that boy to the Hyūga.
Since the previous night, Naruto had been treated like an honored guest.
And now… the clan leader's wife herself was receiving him!
Aoba's concerns grew.
If Naruto became a protégé of the clan…
All her past behavior could come back to haunt her.
"And here is…"
Feigning innocence, Naruto looked up at the beautiful woman in the doorway.
Hyūga Uzuki, Hinata's mother, didn't look her age.
In this world where early marriages were common, and chakra preserved youth…
Her almond-shaped eyes, as gentle as her daughter's, shone with untouched innocence.
Her delicate nose, her full lips… everything about her exuded traditional Japanese grace.
Wearing a wide kimono due to her pregnancy, her generous curves were still visible.
Unlike Mikoto Uchiha, who was more athletic,
Uzuki seemed less trained.
Unaccustomed to physical exertion, her porcelain skin betrayed a sheltered life.
A clear lineage, judging by the beauty of her daughters.
"Mom, this is Naruto-kun," Hinata said happily.
Uzuki stepped forward, supported by Aoba.
"Nice to meet you, Naruto-kun. You can call me Aunt Uzuki."
Her scrutinizing gaze never left the boy.
While Aoba served tea, Naruto discreetly let his gaze slide down Uzuki's neck...
Kyūbi sensed something.
But he still underestimated human boldness.
Catching a glimpse of what her slightly open collar revealed...
Naruto suddenly understood the origin of Hinata and Hanabi's "generosity."
"A stupid, naive human," grumbled Kyūbi.
Proud and confident, Uzuki already seemed to see Naruto as an ideal son-in-law.
A hero, loyal, strong... he ticked all the boxes.
"Kyūbi, don't be so mean… Aunt Uzuki has a pure heart, unlike you."
The fox growled.
Unlike Aoba, Uzuki knew Naruto's true identity.
Son of the Fourth Hokage... in her eyes, it was Hinata who wasn't worthy of him!
"They make such a lovely couple," she whispered, touched.
When Aoba returned with breakfast, Naruto asked:
"Aren't you eating, Aunt Uzuki?"
He thinks of others before himself…
She smiled inwardly.
Just like his father.
That smile radiated a beauty both innocent and sensual.
"Hinata's mother is… very beautiful," Naruto thought.
Kyūbi was speechless.
While mother and daughter watched Naruto eat…
Aoba shifted uncomfortably.
Even the clan leader's wife…
If Naruto became close to the Hyūga…
What would become of her?
---
Two days passed.
With the diplomatic crisis, Hiashi no longer had time to teach jūken to his daughter.
While the adults dealt with the situation…
Naruto enjoyed the Hyūga's hospitality.
He explored their historic estate, miraculously spared during the Nine-Tails attack.
Uzuki, wanting to gift him new clothes for the New Year, asked Aoba to accompany them into town.
"We're leaving, Mom," Hinata said affectionately.
Sitting in her room, Uzuki caressed her round belly.
Even though her health was declining…
Seeing those two children walk off hand in hand, she felt fulfilled.
The commercial street, during New Year's, was bustling with people.
Most villagers were unaware of the ongoing conflicts.
Still, the palpable tension among the village's shinobi began to affect them, however slightly.
Add to that the arrival of the first "tourists" from the Land of Fire, the rumors… Gossip about a looming war at the borders had spread like wildfire, and a sense of unease… had subtly crept in.
In the streets of Konoha, the crowd surged.
A woman clad in coarse fabric watched everything around her carefully.
She looked to be about 25 or 26 years old, and the divine compassion in her expression gave her the aura of a saint from a legend.
Even her modest clothing couldn't hide her natural beauty, nor… her generous curves.
Her deep blond hair, slightly curled at the ends, spilled out from under her hood.
Scanning a Konoha that felt both familiar and foreign, she passed discreetly…
"Naruto-kun~? Naruto-kun…?"
Hinata called him twice.
Only then did Naruto tear his gaze away from the curvy figure that had just passed.
Hyūga Natsu, standing beside him, scanned the area but saw nothing.
The woman had already vanished into the sea of passersby.
Unable to guess anything relevant, she felt a faint sense of irritation.
---
The dark entrance to the underground opened before her.
Upon seeing the staircase plunged into shadow, nono couldn't help but frown slightly.
It had been several years since she'd left the orphanage.
During all that time, she had traveled across different lands, gathering intelligence for Konoha.
All of it… just to be able to keep an eye on her adoptive son, Kabuto.
He had been the first to leave the orphanage and join Konoha, and now he was a full-fledged ninja.
Seeing photos of him growing up day after day brought nono deep comfort. It proved her sacrifices hadn't been in vain.
But this time, Danzō had suddenly summoned her back to Konoha.
And that filled her with a troubling sense of foreboding.