"Is that... the Nine-Tails?!"
"The demon fox is here!!!"
The two younger boys shrieked in panic.
Just moments ago, they were full of arrogance—three little bullies strutting around like kings. But the moment they caught sight of Naruto Uzumaki, the so-called "demon fox"…
They nearly wet themselves.
Naruto stood there, briefly stunned by their reaction, then burst out laughing.
But his grin soon twisted into something more feral. He darted forward, playfully snarling like a fox ready to pounce.
The three kids screamed and fled, tripping over themselves as they scrambled away.
Naruto stopped and shook his head. Brats. So easy to scare.
Still, he couldn't ignore the truth behind their fear. Even the children of the village saw him as nothing more than the Kyuubi.
Just like the adults.
Just like the whole village of Konoha.
The lies. The prejudice. The hatred.
He had long since stopped trying to change their minds.
One day—when he was strong enough—he would change everything. Or burn it down trying.
Just wait.
Turning away, Naruto walked over to the little girl the boys had been bullying.
Only now did he get a proper look at her face.
Wait… this is—
Hinata. Hyuga Hinata.
Even as a child, he couldn't mistake her for anyone else. That pale lavender gaze. The soft features. The gentle aura.
Hinata had always been the most adorable little Hakimi.
She sat on the ground, big eyes red with tears, her small, delicate nose tinged pink. She looked up at him with a mixture of awe and confusion.
And the moment her gaze met Naruto's clear, sky-blue eyes…
Blush.
Hinata's pale cheeks turned crimson. Her whole face flushed in an instant.
Naruto tilted his head, a little amused by how quickly she turned red. Cute.
Without hesitation, he offered her a hand and gently helped her up.
As he brushed the dust off her clothes, he noticed some on the back of her coat and instinctively patted it away.
That was his mistake.
Hinata's entire body went stiff the moment his hand touched her backside. Her face turned an even deeper red. Steam practically poured from her ears.
She's going to boil over!
Naruto quickly pulled his hand back. "Oops."
So, even little Hinata really does have this shy reaction. That hasn't changed.
Trying to break the awkwardness, Naruto smiled and said, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. What's your name?"
Hinata blinked, frozen in place. Then she slowly looked down, her hands fidgeting nervously as she whispered in a voice so soft it almost vanished in the wind:
"…Hyuga Hinata."
Even with her head down, her fingers twirling and poking at her sleeves, Naruto caught it.
"Hyuga Hinata, huh?"
"Alright then—I'll call you Hinata-chan!"
Naruto decided without asking.
Hinata opened her mouth, as if to say something… but the words never came out.
Naruto continued with a grin, "C'mon, Hinata-chan. I'll take you home. Where do you live?"
Before she could reply, he reached out and gently took her hand.
So small. So soft.
What kind of lotion does she use?
Her hand was like fine porcelain—tiny, warm, and impossibly smooth.
Hinata let herself be led, eyes fixed on Naruto's back, cheeks red the whole way.
But strangely… she didn't resist.
She didn't want to.
With a sack of discounted food in one hand and Hinata's hand in the other, Naruto walked through Konoha toward the Hyuga compound.
Hidden in the shadows, the ANBU assigned to monitor Naruto nearly choked on their own envy.
What the hell?!
Even this brat's pulling off this kind of move?!
Unbelievable!
They ground their molars in frustration.
Damn it! At this rate, even the kids will start dating before us!
They clenched their fists. The bitterness. The despair. The jealousy.
Truly unbearable.
Meanwhile, guided by Hinata, Naruto finally arrived at the Hyuga clan compound.
He casually glanced around and realized the entire district around them was Hyuga territory.
As expected of a noble clan. These guys own half the neighborhood.
He escorted Hinata to the gate.
Behind the thick wooden doors stood a grand mansion, stately and traditional.
So this is what money and power looks like in Konoha, Naruto thought.
But the feeling passed quickly.
So what?
Strength is what really matters.
Everything else—money, bloodlines, respect—meant nothing without power to back it up.
"Alright, Hinata-chan. You're home."
Naruto released her hand and gave her a gentle smile.
Hinata lowered her gaze, replying with a soft hum.
Naruto didn't mind the silence.
As he turned to leave, something occurred to him. He looked back at her and said:
"Hinata-chan, next time someone bullies you…"
"…If you're brave, you can beat them."
He smiled again and gently patted her head.
Hinata felt Naruto's hand on her head.
Her cheeks flushed a deeper red.
But…
Even with her face burning, little Hinata still heard what Naruto said.
If I could just be brave…
Could I really stand up to those bullies?
The thought stirred in her heart. She didn't quite believe it—did she really have the strength?
Just then—
Naruto spoke again, and his next words struck straight into her heart like a well-aimed kunai.
"I believe in you, Hinata."
"You can do anything you set your mind to!"
That simple declaration…
Left Hinata speechless.
At home…
Even though she was still young,
And though no one had said it aloud,
She had always known.
Because of her gentle nature—her hesitance and quiet ways—
Her father, Hiashi, didn't believe she had what it took to lead the Hyuga Clan.
As the clan's heiress, she was expected to be strong, firm, a true successor.
But so far, her performance…
Had disappointed everyone.
Yet—
Naruto believed in her.
He believed she could do it.
Hyuga Hinata looked up at him, dazed,
Watching as Naruto gave her a grin and waved goodbye.
In that moment—
In Hinata's eyes and heart, Uzumaki Naruto's figure was the only thing that existed.
—
Naruto turned to leave,
Carrying a bag full of wild game from his latest "hunt."
He walked home with a light step.
Along the way…
Even when villagers threw him the usual dirty looks,
Even when someone muttered "demon fox" under their breath—
Naruto didn't care anymore.
Not today.
He walked calmly, head held high, humming a cheerful tune to himself.
His mood? As bright as the afternoon sun.
—
At the same time…
Hokage's Office —
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had just begun sorting his afternoon documents.
He hadn't even picked up his pen yet—
When the door swung open with force.
A familiar figure strode in without knocking.
"Hiruzen!"
It was Shimura Danzo, head of Root and long-time rival—and former comrade—of the Third Hokage.
"You saw it too, didn't you?!"
"That brat—the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki—his talent is terrifying!"
Danzo's voice was sharp, brimming with urgency.
"I monitored his training. He extracted chakra for the first time—and it was already massive."
"The amount he refined in a single attempt equals what a Chūnin produces at full power!"
"This level of chakra output, combined with the fact that he's the host of the Nine-Tails…"
"If he loses control—"
"It would be a disaster, Hiruzen!"
Danzo's face twisted into a frown, concern painted across his features.
"You haven't forgotten the destruction from the Nine-Tails' attack, have you?"
"You saw the cost we paid!"
He leaned forward, pressing the urgency of his words.
A moment of silence lingered in the Hokage's office.
Danzo's tone was heavy with "loyalty," as if everything he said came from pure concern for the safety of Konoha.
But Hiruzen knew Danzo too well…
Behind the concern lay something more calculating.
Still, the issue of Naruto's rapid growth—and the latent threat of the Kyūbi—was no small matter.
...
For Supporting me & 20+ Advance Chapters: P-com/LordMerlin