Last Time:
"Ah, that's right." Naruto sucked his teeth as he removed his cufflinks, "Who owns it? The Nakamura Group, right?"
"Yeah," Sasuke answered. "Don't forget, we orientation tomorrow morning. Set your alarm for seven."
"Roger that," Naruto said as he placed his cufflinks into a cushioned case. "Good night."
"Good night."
Naruto hung up and dropped his phone onto the island in the center of his closet. "As Oji-chan would say, 'it seems it's time to start yet another chapter in this seemingly boundless realm of possibilities we call life.'" Naruto chuckled as his grandfather's quote, "Honestly."
Opposites Attract: Chapter 50 – Time Goes By
Towards the back of the dining room on the second floor of The Brewery, Naruto was set up in a booth with his laptop out, a notebook beside him, and an annoyingly large textbook. Hinata sat beside him, still in her school uniform and reading something for her Japanese Literature class.
Across the room, Sasuke sat in his own booth with his own study materials and headphones over his head with one ear covered and the other free. Across from him, Sakura was in the middle of reading from her own textbook and taking notes on her laptop.
"This way," Deidara said as he headed up the stairs with an unfamiliar man sauntering and slouching just behind him, and Sasori behind him. "He's sitting just over there."
The unfamiliar man looked over the nearly vacant second floor before seeing Naruto. He sucked his teeth and made his way over, "A kid?"
"Have a seat," Naruto requested without even looking away from his laptop's screen. "I'm hoping this doesn't take too long since I'm sure you would much rather be anywhere else but here."
The man didn't move, "I'll stand."
"Enomoto Fuyuki," Hinata spoke up as she closed her book. "Thirty-seven years old, leader of the Enomoto Yakuza. Your wife, Enomoto Hiroe, is a former member of Phoenix, recently released on parole and you're in the middle of trying to regain custody of your three children from her parents."
"How the hell…" Fuyuki looked back and forth between Naruto and Hinata.
"Have a seat," Naruto requested again and watched as Fuyuki took a seat. "You've been quite the nuisance for Whirlwind lately, Fuyuki-san," Naruto began with a friendly smile. "Now, I will say this, I have great respect for the Enomoto Yakuza. My mother used to tell me stories of the Enomoto Yakuza when they were in their prime. Even though the Enomoto Yakuza and The Eternal Flame were enemies for decades, my mother admired the tenacity of your family's yakuza, and I'm sure you admired the tenacity of the Uzumaki."
Fuyuki didn't say a word.
"But, I get it," Naruto assured Fuyuki. "With Whirlwind being in control of all of Konoha, I don't blame you for feeling desperate. You're not the first, and you most certainly won't be the last. It's the human condition. We as living, breathing, people feel the constant need to fight to survive, especially when we're in positions such as ours."
"What do you want?" Fuyuki asked.
"We want you to cease and desists," Hinata spoke up. "As Naruto-kun said a moment ago, your yakuza has become a nuisance for Whirlwind, and though we're tolerant, that tolerance runs out. I'm sure you're stuck in your ways of being a yakuza and acting as if you're in a yakuza, but your activities are going to be the fuel your in-laws need to keep custody of your children. And don't even get me started on your wife's track record."
"You expect to let my family's legacy die because a bunch of kids tells me to do so?" Fuyuki questioned.
Naruto let out a heavy sigh, "Enomoto-san, I understand that you want nothing more than to preserve our family's legacy, but if you continue to go against my family, then I can guarantee that there won't be anyone left to carry on your family's legacy. Now, as an incentive to give up this conquest to conquer Whirlwind – which, allow me to assure you now that you will fail miserably – we can help you get your children back."
"What power do you have to meddle in my affairs like that?" Fuyuki questioned.
Hinata smiled. "You've been trying for a few weeks now to get a lawyer to fight your case, yes? And we know you've been seeking at a lawyer by the name of," she pulled out her phone and checked her screen, "Hyuuga Kotomi."
Fuyuki clenched his fist.
"She's quite the talented family lawyer, and I'm sure with enough time, she can help you get your children back," Hinata commented. "If you haven't figured it out yet, Hyuuga Kotomi is my cousin, and with a simple phone call, I can get her to take on your case free of charge. Enomoto-san, I know you love your children very much, and I know that you and your wife are desperate to get them back because of the hardships your wife faced while living under her parents care."
"So, Enomoto-san," Naruto leaned his on the table, a more confident look in his eyes, "do we have a deal?"
Fuyuki simply nodded. "We'll stop…"
"Great," Naruto held out his hand, and Fuyuki shook it. "Ah," Naruto pulled Fuyuki in, his eyes harsher and colder than they were a moment ago, "and don't think for a minute that once you have your children again, you can go about your previous activities. I meant what I said a moment ago when I told you that you will fail miserably if you try to conquer Whirlwind. And I meant what I said about leaving no one behind to preserve your legacy, understood?"
Fuyuki nodded, "Y-yes sir."
Naruto released Fuyuki and watched as he scurried out of the booth, "Enjoy the rest of your day, Enomoto-san."
"Th-thank you," Fuyuki bowed towards them before running off the second floor.
Hinata let out a heavy sigh, "How many has that been?"
"That makes twenty-five in the last five months," Naruto answered with a heavy sigh. He looked over towards Hinata and carefully brushed his fingers against her cheek. He smiled at the way Hinata looked at him. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said in return, a sweet smile on her lips and a slight blush on her cheeks.
Over the last five months, Naruto and Hinata had spent more time together than they had the previous six months. Despite Naruto being busy as a student of Konoha City University in their School of Business, and Hinata replacing Sasuke as the star pupil at Konoha City Academy, they still managed to find time for one another. Neither of them had realized how little time they spent together until they finally had what felt like all the time in the world.
When Hinata started her training with Kushina, Naruto made sure to be there with her. Despite Kushina getting upset with Naruto for intruding on their bonding time, Naruto made sure to leave them alone plenty of times. However, when it came to Hinata's first, he was there. He taught her how to load a pistol and how to shoot. Surprisingly, Hinata was almost as good a shot as Naruto in just a week.
And as for Hinata's want to be there alongside Naruto for anything regarding Whirlwind, he brought her along as promised, and Hinata excelled. Naruto was worried that Hinata wouldn't have the stomach for some of the things he had to go through, but she held her own and stayed strong through everything. So, when it came to bargaining and negotiating with people like Enomoto Fuyuki, she was right there alongside Naruto negotiating terms. And Naruto couldn't be prouder.
After that, Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, and Sakura packed up their belongings and headed out of the café. Naruto graciously thanked the café owner for accommodating them, and after Sasori passed along a thick envelope, the owner happily entered back into The Brewery.
Deidara and Sasori headed off on their own while everyone else climbed into Sasuke's car. Naruto sat in the passenger side seat while Sakura and Hinata sat in the back, despite Sasuke and Sakura protesting to Naruto sitting in the front.
"It's just one after another," Sakura complained from the backseat. "How many more yakuzas are we going to have to shut down before people finally get the memo that Whirlwind isn't to be messed with?"
"They're just determined," Naruto said from the front as he typed something on his phone. "They've all been small though, so I guess it isn't so much of a hassle as it is a nuisance. Even Otou-san and Okaa-chan are getting annoyed with how many yakuzas keep popping up and trying to hit Whirlwind."
"Well, whatever the motivation, I'm sure they'll slow down soon enough," Sasuke mentioned.
From the back seat, Hinata squeaked. Sakura looked at her and saw Hinata was completely red in the face with her phone facedown in her lap, "Hinata?"
"It's nothing!" Hinata said a little too loudly.
Sasuke glanced over at Naruto and saw he was steady looking out the window. He rolled his eyes and continued driving towards their apartment building. As they drove, Sakura complained about how they only had a week left of summer vacation, while Naruto and Sasuke complained about the supplementary lessons they decided to take. Hinata confessed to being stuck in lessons most days whether they be violin lessons or training with Kushina.
"Did you want to meet up for dinner?" Sasuke asked as he walked into the lobby of their building with Sakura on his arm. "We can probably go out to eat or order something in?"
"Probably," Naruto said as he held Hinata's hand.
"Huh? Sasuke?"
Sasuke looked over towards the lobby's counter and saw a young woman with spiky blue hair that flowed down her back and stunning silver eyes. She skipped over to Sasuke, and she wore a cheery grin on her face, "Long time no see!"
"Ah, Nakamura-san." Sasuke remained calmed and kept his cool with Sakura violently squeezed his arm. "Sakura-chan, this is my old classmate Nozomi Nakamura. Nakamura-san, this is my girlfriend, Haruno Sakura."
"Ah, so this is the famous Haruno Sakura-chan," Nozomi said excitedly as she grabbed Sakura's hand. "I was on Konoha City Academy's volleyball team. I heard a lot about you when I was playing last year, but unfortunately, when our two schools faced each other, I was on the bench with a busted knee. I really wanted to meet you then."
"Oh," Sakura felt a little embarrassed, and she scratched her cheek, "well, it's nice to finally meet you."
"I barely see you on campus," Nozomi complained as she looked at Sasuke. "We used to see each other all the time in high school, but now it's nearly impossible to see anyone you know. We're even in the same department."
Sasuke shrugged, "I guess it just happens. Oh, but you've probably seen Naruto."
Nozomi blinked a few times before looking at Naruto. "Ah no, I can't say I have. Sorry."
"It's fine," Naruto assured her. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I'm also in the Business Department. I might've seen you in passing a few times."
"Ah, Uzumaki Naruto?" Nozomi repeated. "Then your dad is Namikaze Minato, Vice Chairman of The Sannin Group?"
"And since you're a Nakamura, I'm going to assume your father is Nakamura Naoharu?" Naruto questioned and saw Nozomi nod. "I guess we have that in common."
"Looks like it," Nozomi giggled. "But I'm surprised you're staying in one of our apartment buildings. Doesn't TSG have some residential properties?"
"We focus primarily on commercial real estate and developments," Naruto informed her.
"Ah, I see." Nozomi looked beside him and noticed Hinata, "Hinata-chan! It's so good to see you. And you're still just as gorgeous as ever. I envy you so much."
"It's good to see you too, Nakamura-senpai," Hinata said.
"Wait, you're holding hands?" Nozomi pointed out and saw the way Hinata blushed while Naruto simply smiled at her. "I had heard you had a boyfriend, but I always assumed it was Toneri. He did pursue you quite relentlessly while in school."
"Yeah, he did," Hinata said with an unconvincing chuckle.
"Well, I'm sure you're eager to head back up to your apartments," Nozomi mentioned. "I just got back from my vacation, but since we have some time left before classes start back up, let's get a drink together?"
"Sounds like fun," Naruto said. "But if that doesn't work, then we'll see you at the next department mixer."
Nozomi nodded, "Yeah. Well, enjoy the rest of your afternoon." Nozomi waved as the four of them headed towards the elevators. Once the doors closed, she stopped waving and clutched her hand against her chest, her cheeks a bright red, "I talked to him."
"She seems sweet," Sakura mentioned.
"That's usually what I've heard," Sasuke said.
"What do you mean?" Sakura looked up at Sasuke.
"Hm? Well, Nakamura-san didn't really speak to anybody in high school," Sasuke explained. "I actually didn't recognize her until she spoke up. I guess she went through some cosmetic changes before we started college."
"That's interesting," Sakura mentioned. "It's rare for you to know the names of people you don't speak to regularly though. But I'm sure I can't blame you, she does have a pretty amazing figure."
Hinata and Naruto took a synchronized step to the right, distancing themselves from Sasuke and Sakura.
"Of course I remember who she is," Sasuke argued. "She's associated with the Nakamura Group, and the Nakamura Group buys from Uchiha Incorporated. They usually install Uchiha Inc products and technology in their new property developments. I've seen her a few times at business functions, and I've spoken to her in passing."
Naruto and Hinata let out a joint sigh of relief, but then looked away when Sakura shot them a dirty look. Luckily, the elevator doors opened on their floor, and Naruto and Hinata stepped out first.
"We'll see you at dinner!" Naruto called as he hurried down the hall with Hinata.
Before either of them could hear Sasuke and Sakura call back, Naruto entered in the keycode to his apartment, and they hurried in. Naruto let out another sigh of relief as he turned the lock, and he chuckled when Hinata took a seat in the apartment's entryway.
"I guess Sakura-chan is worried about Sasuke-kun being around a lot of college girls," Hinata mentioned and saw the way Naruto looked at her. "What?"
"Are you worried about that with me?" Naruto asked.
Hinata shook her head, "No."
Naruto wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or disappointed. Hinata noticed the conflicted look on his face, and she giggled. He poked out his bottom lip and pouted, "What's funny?"
"I'm not worried about you because I know you," Hinata told him.
Naruto smiled at her, "Hinata." He moved so that he was just in front of her and he squatted down. He eyed her for a moment, and Hinata met his eyes and looked back at him. "Say, I promised you something, didn't I?"
Hinata's face flushed red. She pressed her legs together and averted her gaze.
To Be Continued…