Chapter 42: Homecoming Part 2
The Hyuuga compound buzzed with a sense of urgency as Kumo's delegation huddled together, exchanging worried glances. A group of Konoha shinobi had arrived, and the air was thick with anxiety.
Hiashi stood at the forefront, his brow furrowed. "What's happening? Why are we under lockdown?"
One of the Konoha shinobi, a Jonin stepped forward, his face tense. "The village is under attack. We received reports that Naruto Uzumaki is the one leading the assault. For your safety, we can't allow you to leave until the situation stabilizes."
Hinata, who had been quietly observing, felt her heart drop at the mention of Naruto's name. "Why is he here?" she thought, her mind racing with worry. "What is he planning?"
Gyotaru, slammed his fist against the wooden table. "This is outrageous! You can't keep us here like prisoners! Konoha should have controlled their own rogue ninja!"
Hiashi's expression hardened. "This is for your protection, Gyotaru. Naruto's actions may put everyone in the village at risk. It's best to stay put."
Gyotaru shot him a glare, his temper flaring. "You think I care about your pathetic excuses? We came here for a diplomatic marriage proposal, not to be trapped in this hellhole while your village is ravaged by one of your own!"
"Mr. Gyotaru, please," Neji intervened, stepping forward. "If you leave now, you could endanger yourselves even more. The situation is unpredictable."
But Gyotaru was undeterred. "I don't trust Konoha to handle this situation. They've failed to keep their precious jinchuriki in check. I demand to be escorted out of the village immediately!"
Hiashi's voice grew firm. "I cannot allow you to leave. The safety of your delegation is my responsibility."
The Kumo delegation began to murmur amongst themselves, unease settling over them like a heavy fog.
Hinata watched the proceedings in silence, her heart a turmoil of conflicting emotions. She felt a sense of dread creeping in. What was Naruto doing? What had happened to him?
Gyotaru's voice cut through her thoughts. "I won't be a pawn in Konoha's game. If they can't control their own ninja, I have no reason to stay."
"Gyotaru, this isn't just about you," Neji pressed, his tone more forceful. "This is about everyone's safety, including your own. You can't just run away!"
"Enough!" Gyotaru barked, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I'm not going to sit idle while Konoha is falling apart! Prepare to leave, now!"
The Kumo delegation began gathering their belongings, tension crackling in the air. Hiashi and Neji exchanged worried glances, the situation spiraling out of their control.
Hinata stepped forward, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Please, can't we just wait and see what happens? Naru...the jinchuriki, he wouldn't hurt anyone here without reason. There must be a misunderstanding."
Gyotaru rounded on her, his face twisted in anger. "Your loyalty to that monster is sickening, Hyuuga! He's a danger to everyone!"
"Stop!" Hiashi commanded, his voice echoing in the chamber. "We need to think rationally. This is not the time for accusations."
The tension thickened, a palpable fear settling over them as they realized the danger lurking outside the compound.
As the Kumo delegation prepared to leave, Hinata's heart raced. She needed to find out what was happening with Naruto.
"Hinata," Neji said, his voice softening. "Are you okay? You look pale."
She nodded, though uncertainty clouded her eyes. "I'm… I'm fine. I just need to know what's happening."
Before Neji could respond, Gyotaru shouted, "We're leaving now!" He motioned to his men, who hesitated, caught between loyalty to their leader and concern for their safety.
"Gyotaru!" Hiashi said sharply. "You will not leave without my permission. It's too dangerous."
But Gyotaru was already moving toward the exit, his determination unyielding. "We'll take our chances. I'm not staying here any longer!"
With the Kumo delegation in disarray and emotions running high, Hinata stood torn between her family's duty and her concern for Naruto. As the situation escalated, she realized she had to act quickly. The safety of everyone involved, including Naruto, hung in the balance.
But with each passing moment, the tension crackled louder, like the distant rumble of thunder—a harbinger of the chaos soon to come.
The alarm blared all throughout Konoha, as the once busy streets emptied in a hurry, leaving only strong military presence behind. Naruto stood at the center of the chaos, the sights of his former village swirling around him. He could feel the tension build up in him as he faced several Konoha shinobi at once, their expressions a mixture of confusion, anger, and betrayal. The air was thick with tension, and the scent of smoke and dust filled his nostrils.
Naruto focused his chakra, the familiar rush surging through him. He could hear Kurama's voice echoing in the back of his mind, urging him to push forward. His sage chakra pulsed, filling him with strength and clarity. With a deep breath, he formed the Rasengan, its spiraling blue energy glowing brightly in his palm.
"Get him!" one of the chunin yelled, launching himself at Naruto with a kunai. But Naruto was faster, his senses heightened by Sage Mode. He pivoted, spinning on his heel, and with a swift motion, he slammed the Rasengan into the chunin's torso, sending him crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.
Before he could catch his breath, a fireball erupted toward him from behind, launched by another shinobi. Naruto's instincts kicked in, and he evaded just in time, leaping sideways while forming a Rasenshuriken. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it at the attacker, the shuriken spinning violently as it tore through the air. The shinobi barely had time to react before it engulfed him in a burst of wind and energy, scattering debris in every direction.
Three shadow clones popped into existence around him, flanking his position as they engaged the next wave of attackers. The clones parried thrown shuriken and kunai, their movements synchronized and fluid. Naruto dashed forward, leaping onto the side of a building, his chakra fueling him with strength and speed. As he ran along the vertical wall, he spotted an archer on a rooftop, aiming at him with deadly intent.
With a swift motion, he snatched a kunai from mid-air and threw it at the archer, the weapon embedding itself into the shinobi's shoulder, sending him tumbling backward. The Konoha shinobi below began to rally themselves, determined to contain the rogue jinchuriki, but Naruto could feel their resolve waning in the face of his overwhelming power.
"Push forward! We can't let him escape!" one of the leaders shouted, but Naruto was relentless. He cleared the street, the sound of clashing metal and the cries of his former comrades fading behind him. As he advanced, he could feel Kurama's presence, urging him to remember his purpose.
"What's your plan once you reach Hinata?" Kurama asked, his voice cutting through Naruto's thoughts like a knife.
Naruto hesitated. "I—"
Before he could respond, he heard a voice call out, cutting through the din of battle. "Naruto!" The familiarity of it stopped him in his tracks. He turned slowly, his heart sinking as he faced Shisui and Sasuke, weapons drawn and ready.
"Stand aside," Naruto pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Not a chance," Shisui replied, determination etched into his features. "Whatever you're doing, it ends here."
Naruto felt their stares bore into his soul, and for a moment, doubt flickered in his heart. "You don't understand…" he began, but Sasuke cut him off.
"Why are you attacking the village, Naruto?" Sasuke challenged, frustration and hurt woven into his tone.
"I'm doing what's necessary," Naruto said, his voice firm but strained.
Sasuke's expression hardened. "I don't know what's come over you Naruto, why you've chosen this path. But regardless of what we may share, we won't let you have your way with our home."
"I understand," Naruto replied, remorse flooding through him as he looked at them, memories flashing of their shared laughter and battles fought side by side.
Shisui nodded to Sasuke, and together, they advanced slowly. In a blur, Shisui lunged forward with his sword, but Naruto was ready. He evaded the slashes, fluid and graceful, channeling his sage training. Sasuke followed close behind, launching a barrage of shuriken as he joined the fray.
Naruto's clones engaged, but as the three of them clashed, he held back, torn between his past and the present. Shisui's sword glinted in the fading light as he slashed toward Naruto again, but Naruto sidestepped, spinning low to evade.
[Chidori lance]
Sasuke, using the opening, attacked with his jutsu, its crackling energy slicing through the air.
Naruto leaped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Shisui's speed was incredible. With a sudden thrust, Shisui managed to cut deep into Naruto's side. Pain exploded through him as blood poured from the wound. Reacting quickly, Naruto called upon Kurama's chakra, the Nine-Tails' power flooding his system and stitching the wound together even as he fought.
Sasuke and Shisui hesitated, caught off guard by the transformation, but they pressed on. Naruto, despite the blood loss, maintained his defensive stance. He disarmed Sasuke with a swift kick, sending the sword flying from his grip. But before he could capitalize, Shisui attacked from behind, their earlier bond now a bitter rivalry.
"Let's end this!" Shisui shouted, his sword aiming for Naruto's heart. Sasuke, fueled by anger, charged him with a Chidori once more. The two moved in sync, determined to subdue the rogue shinobi.
Naruto dodged Sasuke's strike, using his momentum against him. He flung Sasuke toward Shisui with all his might, the two crashing into a building under construction in a whirlwind of rubble.
This is my chance...
Breathing heavily, Naruto seized the moment to escape, turning to make his way through the chaos.
Sasuke groaned in pain, picking himself up from the rubble of the building. He noticed that Naruto had escaped, and cursed under his breath. "Shisui!" he called out, looking for his friend. A pained groan not far from him drew Sasuke's attention to a pile of rubble nearby, and he scrambled towards it, determined to free Shisui.
As he reached the pile, the sight that greeted him struck him like a bolt of lightning. Shisui was pinned beneath rebar, his chest punctured through, blood pooling around him. Panic surged within Sasuke as he rushed to his fallen comrade.
"Shisui! No!" Sasuke screamed, kneeling by his side, shaking him in desperation. Shisui's eyes were closing, the light fading from them.
"Tell… the others…" Shisui gasped, blood bubbling from his lips. "I—"
Sasuke's expression twisted in anguish as he cradled Shisui's head, tears welling in his eyes. "Don't you dare die on me!" he cried, his voice breaking.
But it was too late. Shisui's eyes fluttered closed, lifeless beneath Sasuke's trembling hands. The world around Sasuke blurred as his grief ignited a fire within him. The Sharingan in his eyes shifted, morphing into the mangekyō Sharingan, the raw power coursing through him.
Sasuke, grief-stricken and furious, grabbed Shisui's body in his arms, shaking with his sobs. "NARUTO!" he called out, channeling the growing chasm of remorse in his heart.
The echoes of battle faded as Sasuke's resolve crumbled, leaving him standing at the edge of a precipice.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a crimson glow over Konoha's southern gate. Gyotaru and his entourage of aides and guards stood impatiently near their convoy of vehicles, fidgeting with the discomfort of the heat and the tension in the air. The convoy had just been cleared through the checkpoint, but the atmosphere was anything but relaxed. Gyotaru, a man of imposing stature with a reputation for ruthlessness, leaned against one of the trucks, his expression dark as he regarded the village he was leaving behind.
"Are we really doing this?" one of his aides asked hesitantly. "I mean, we could have stayed a bit longer. The manner in which we left..."
Gyotaru shot him a sharp glare. "We're not sticking around until that nine-tailed monster decides to show up. I'd rather be anywhere but here right now."
He turned his gaze to the horizon, still vexed at the interruption to their arrangements. The Raikage's promise of the Hyuuga girl had been tantalizing. The rumors of her beauty were true; she would have made an exquisite concubine. For now, however, Kumogakure would have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the Byakugan.
Gyotaru adjusted his seatbelt as he settled into the back of the vehicle, surrounded by his entourage. As the convoy rolled out of Konoha's southern gate, the rumble of engines blended with the crisp morning air, a stark contrast to the chaos he felt simmering beneath the surface. He glanced at the lead vehicle, the tension palpable.
"Let's get moving," he ordered, his voice steady, but his mind raced with the events leading up to their departure. The abruptness of their exit had left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn't care about the ruckus they had caused; all that mattered was distance between himself and the Nine-Tails.
The convoy continued down the dirt road, the trees lining the path beginning to thin. Suddenly, a loud noise erupted, shaking the occupants of the vehicle violently.
"What was that?" Gyotaru barked into the radio, his heart racing.
The voice from the lead vehicle crackled through the static. "Lead vehicle reporting! Tires blown out by what appears to be a kunai!" came the frantic response, crackling with static.
Panic set in as the aides exchanged worried glances. Gyotaru felt his heart race, a primal instinct kicking in as he listened to the commotion outside.
"Get out there! Find out what's happening!" he shouted, his voice rising in urgency.
Before he could even react, the radio erupted with chaos. "Movement! Movement!" the voice on the radio shouted before it cut off abruptly, replaced by screams and the sounds of struggle. The guards in the other vehicles scrambled out, weapons drawn, searching for the unseen assailant.
"What's going on?" Gyotaru demanded, his voice trembling now.
A blur of orange swept past their vehicles, striking with deadly precision, dispatching guards one by one. The air thickened with tension as Gyotaru's heart pounded in his chest, the fear palpable.
"Nine tails!" a panicked voice echoed over the radio just before it went dead.
Gyotaru felt a cold sweat break out across his brow. The very mention of the infamous jinchuriki sent shivers down his spine. He heard soft, purposeful footsteps approaching their vehicle ominously.
"Get ready!" he hissed to his guards, but they could only sit frozen, weapons trembling in their grip.
The footsteps stopped at the back of the truck, and Gyotaru felt a lump form in his throat. He barely had time to brace himself before the metal gate began to bend under tremendous pressure, the hinges screeching as they were forcibly ripped away.
"Stay back!" one of his guards shouted, lunging forward with a kunai, but a swirling mass of blue energy sent him crashing back into the truck, motionless.
Gyotaru's heart dropped as he beheld the figure before him. Orange chakra flickered like flames, illuminating the shadowy interior of the truck. The infamous Nine-Tails jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki, stood with an intense gaze locked onto him.
"Please," Gyotaru stammered, desperation creeping into his voice. "What do you want? I can give you anything! Money? Jewelry? The third vehicle has three chests full of valuables—just take it and go!"
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his expression impassive. Slowly, he raised an arm, pointing directly at Gyotaru. "You're the one that wanted a concubine from Konoha aren't you? To use her as a means to provide your nation the Byakugan?"
Gyotaru's eyes widened in shock. "Wait! You're angry because I wanted to wed that Hyuuga girl? I didn't know—"
"I want nothing from you," Naruto interrupted, his tone icy.
One of Gyotaru's aides blurted out, "We didn't know Hinata Hyuuga was with the nine-tails! We wouldn't have gone for her if we'd known!"
Naruto didn't respond, merely fixing him with a piercing glare that sent chills down Gyotaru's spine.
"Spare us!" Gyotaru pleaded, panic overtaking him. "We meant no disrespect. Just take the money!"
Naruto's expression hardened. "I've already made my mind." He raised his arm, a swirling mass of dark chakra coalescing in his palm.
[Tailed beast bomb]
Gyotaru's heart sank as the realization hit him like a sledgehammer. "No! Wait—!"
With a swift motion, Naruto launched the orb of energy at the truck, its force rippling through the air as it barreled toward them, the world around them spinning into chaos.
"Get down!" Gyotaru screamed, but it was too late. The tailed beast bomb detonated with cataclysmic force, engulfing the truck in a blinding explosion.
Flames erupted into the sky, smoke billowing as the ground shook beneath them. The last thing Gyotaru saw was the expressionless face of Naruto before everything went dark.
Naruto slipped through the shadowy streets of Konoha, his heart racing with each silent step. The village felt eerily quiet in the aftermath of his chaotic confrontation with Gyotaru, but the thrill of the fight still buzzed in his veins. He focused on the lingering memories of his dispelled clone he left at the south gate, feeling the satisfaction swell within him at the thought of Gyotaru's demise. Rest in peace, bastard, he thought, determination igniting his pace as he honed in on Hinata's chakra signature.
Back at the Hyuuga compound, an atmosphere of tension and urgency prevailed. Neji stood resolutely in the main hall, his arms crossed and expression hardened, while Hiashi paced anxiously nearby.
"Neji, have you confirmed the safety of Hanabi and Hinata?" Hiashi asked, his voice strained with concern. The elder Hyuuga's normally calm demeanor was cracked by the escalating situation outside.
Neji nodded, his brow furrowing. "They're secure, Father. We've reinforced the main entrances, and I've stationed guards on the perimeter. If Naruto tries to breach this place, we'll be ready."
Hiashi stopped pacing and turned to face Neji, his expression somber. "I can only hope it doesn't come to that. Naruto was once a hero in this village. How did it come to this?"
"It's the war," Neji replied. "It has twisted him, just like it has twisted many others. But we can't underestimate him. He's dangerous now."
The sound of rustling from outside drew their attention, and Hiashi moved to the window, peering out into the night. "I just wish we had more information. Gyotaru's departure only complicates things."
Neji stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the darkness. "We need to prepare for anything. If Naruto truly is as they say he is, he will not hesitate to fight us."
"Indeed," Hiashi said, his voice firm. "We fight for our clan. We will not let him harm any of us. We'll protect this family with our lives if we must."
Neji clenched his fists, a fire igniting in his chest. "If Naruto comes here, I will stop him. He may have been a comrade once, but he's crossed a line. I will do what is necessary to keep our family safe."
"Be careful, Neji," Hiashi cautioned, a hint of worry threading through his tone. "This isn't the same Naruto we once knew. His ideals may be clouded by anger, but we must remember—he still has a good heart somewhere beneath that rage."
"Good hearts don't destroy the village they once protected," Neji retorted sharply. "He has become a danger, Father. And we need to be ready for the consequences."
Meanwhile, Naruto was drawing closer, his heart pounding with the anticipation of seeing Hinata again. He could feel her chakra pulsing like a beacon, guiding him through the alleys and streets of Konoha. The memories of his past flashed before him—every moment they had shared, every smile, and every challenge they faced together.
"I'm coming, Hinata. I'll make everything right again," he thought fervently as he sped up, determination surging within him.
As he neared the Hyuuga compound, he sensed the tension in the air, a palpable weight that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He halted at the edge of the compound, blending into the shadows as he studied the perimeter.
The sight of guards moving about confirmed his suspicion. "They're prepared for a fight," he mused, the familiar warmth of nostalgia mingling with the cold, sharp edge of resolve. He couldn't afford to hesitate now.
Back inside the compound, Neji and Hiashi exchanged looks, feeling the atmosphere shift. A low rumble echoed through the air, and Neji narrowed his eyes.
"What was that?" he asked, his senses on high alert.
Hiashi's expression darkened. "I sense chakra... strong chakra. He's close."
Neji's fists tightened. "Then we must act now. Prepare for anything!"
As they readied themselves, Naruto crouched low, the memories of his clone's sacrifice urging him forward. *Hinata, just hold on,* he thought, steeling himself for what lay ahead. The resolve in his heart burned brighter than ever as he took a deep breath and prepared to make his move.
"Whatever happens," Hiashi said, breaking the silence. "We will protect our family, no matter the cost."
"Agreed," Neji affirmed, his expression fierce. "Let's be ready."
The tension thickened, and a stillness fell over the compound, each side bracing for the inevitable clash. Naruto's heart raced, determined to reach Hinata and confront the fears that loomed ahead. As he edged closer to the heart of the Hyuuga estate, a storm was brewing—one that would change everything for him and those he held dear.
Hinata paced anxiously in her room, her heart racing with each echoing footstep in the distance. Her father, Hiashi, had ordered her to remain inside, away from the chaos that was unfolding in Konoha. The words of her cousin Neji rang in her ears—"You could be a liability." They were meant to protect her, but they only fueled her frustration. She felt trapped in a gilded cage while outside, her world was crumbling.
Naruto was attacking the village.
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. How could this be happening? Her heart twisted in a strange mix of hope and dread. A part of her dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, he had come all this way for her. She clung to that possibility, even as guilt gnawed at her. But the memory of his departure, the way he had abandoned them all, stirred a storm of anger within her. How could he just leave?
Yet, in that same breath, she felt the flutter of something else—a longing that refused to be silenced. Despite everything, her heart raced at the thought of seeing him again, of understanding the choices he had made, the burden he carried. She shook her head violently, trying to dispel the conflicting emotions. He's a criminal now. He's dangerous.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that his actions were a consequence of something much larger, that there was a reason behind the chaos he had embraced. A part of her clung to the hope that the accusations against him were exaggerated, that the Naruto she had known still existed beneath the surface of this fugitive. She was fully aware of how delusional it sounded, yet the thought offered her a flicker of comfort amidst the dread.
Hinata stopped pacing and stood at her window, staring out at the village she had grown up in, a place that had always felt like home. But the cries of battle that echoed through the air that day felt closer all of a sudden, terrifying. She murmured to herself, the words barely escaping her lips, "What's happening out there?"
The sounds seemed to grow louder and closer, a cacophony of shouts and clashes, and with each moment, her heart beat faster as realization dawned on her.
He was likely in the compound.
What if he was fighting for something—fighting to reach her? That thought sent a bolt of adrenaline through her. She was lost in the chaos of her emotions when suddenly, the tumult outside began to die down.
Her heart raced with panic as she realized that the guards stationed near her section of the compound had likely fallen. In a rush of determination, she channeled her chakra, activating her Twin Lion Fists, the familiar energy coursing through her hands. She took deep breaths, focusing her Byakugan to detect any incoming threats.
Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate, sending waves of uncertainty through her. She could see the chakra signature drawing nearer, a presence she was all too familiar with. As the curtain to her window lifted, her breath hitched in her throat.
And there he was.
Blonde hair tousled and wild, his clothes torn and stained from battle, chest heaving with adrenaline, stood Naruto. For a moment, everything around her faded into nothingness. The chaos of the village, the sounds of combat, the turmoil in her heart—all fell away as she locked eyes with him.
"Naruto…" she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.
His gaze met hers, filled with a wild intensity that sent her heart racing even faster. In that brief moment, the world outside ceased to exist. All that mattered was the boy she had once loved, standing before her now as a man marked by conflict, uncertainty, and a desperate hope.
Naruto approached Hinata's window, his heart racing in tandem with his feet. His clones were keeping the nearby Hyuuga guards occupied, but a wave of doubt crashed over him as he neared the window, feeling the warm chakra signature he had missed so much emanating from inside. Just one wall stood between him and the warmth of Hinata. A stupid wall, he thought bitterly.
As he neared her window, he hesitated. Doubt washed over him like a tidal wave. He was about to barge into her room after abandoning her for an entire year, after attacking her village. What was he supposed to say? Hi? What's up? A knot twisted in his stomach. "Am I really ready for this?"
He hesitated, a knot of anxiety twisting in his gut. The wall separating them felt monumental, a barrier forged not just from stone, but from all the hurt and confusion he'd caused. Still, he had to do this. No matter what her reaction was, it would likely be justified. But even if she pushed him away, he owed it to her to apologize for all he did in person before he left. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, climbed through the window, and lifted the curtain.
The first thing that struck him was her.
Hinata stood in her room, her hands glowing with burning chakra, as if she had been expecting him. The sight of her took his breath away. Somehow, she looked even more beautiful than he remembered. She wore a simple yet elegant outfit, her hair cascading around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made his heart melt.
Her expression softened as their eyes met, and he could feel the warmth of her reaching out to him, pulling him closer. "Naruto…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet full of emotion. He took a step closer, entranced, ready to hold her in his arms, But as he moved, a sudden burst of pain hit his cheek, and he stumbled back, realizing she had slapped him.
"Hinata…" he murmured, holding his cheek in shock, the pain a stark reminder of the reality he'd created. He couldn't blame her. He had deserved it.
Hinata's anger exploded forth, and she began to vent all her frustrations, her voice rising with each word. "You deserve worse than that!" she snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "You just… You just left us! Left everything behind overnight, and you come back like nothing happened? You turned yourself into a wanted criminal! Do you know how much pain you caused?! How much I've suffered knowing you abandoned me? Abandoned everyone?!"
Her voice trembled, and he could see the tears welling in her eyes as she continued to vent her frustrations. Every word struck him like a physical blow, each accusation another reminder of the pain he had inflicted. "You think this was easy for me?" she cried, her voice cracking. "Do you know what it's like to see you labeled a criminal? To know you chose this life over us?"
Naruto's heart sank, guilt flooding through him. "I—"
A tear rolled down her cheek, and his resolve faltered. The anger on her face began to wane, replaced by a deep sadness. She bowed her head, wiping her eyes as her voice softened. "Why are you here, Naruto? What do you want?"
Her voice cracked, piercing through his heart like a kunai. He stepped closer, his instincts urging him to comfort her, but he hesitated, acutely aware of how much he had hurt her.
"Why are you here, knowing you're not welcome?"
"I came for you," he replied, his voice steady, though his heart raced.
Her silence was deafening. He pressed on, "I came as soon as I found out what was supposed to happen to you. They were going to ship you off to a life of misery… and I couldn't let that happen."
Hinata scoffed, the bitterness in her voice cutting deep. "Oh Now you care? After everything?"
"I failed you," he admitted, his heart aching as he looked at her. "I failed everyone. I should have been there. I'm so sorry, Hinata. I was such a coward, a fool for leaving you like that. All the time we spent apart... I felt like shit, especially knowing I was the one who caused it because I was being a massive idiot." Naruto paused to catch his breath, the guilt weighing heavy on him. "I'm a garbage human being aren't I?" he chuckled, though his voice was laced with defeat. " You deserve...you deserve better than me Hinata. You don't have to forgive me, but I just wanted to tell you that in person."
Her anger slowly melted away, and she bowed her head again, biting her lip as she fought back fresh tears. "You should leave. It's not safe for you here, Naruto. You know that."
"I'm not going anywhere." His voice rang with determination. The tension in the air shifted, pulling at her heartstrings.
"You have to!" she insisted, but there was a quiver in her voice. "If my clansmen find you...Naruto, please. They'll attack you for breaking into our home. They'll see you as a threat."
"I already came to terms with that before coming to see you," he assured her, the warmth of his resolve pushing away the coldness of doubt. "I made sure I didn't hurt any of your clan members. I'm not just leaving after finally finding you again."
Hinata faltered, her breath hitching as a tear rolled down her cheek again. As if in a trance, he reached up, wiping it away with his thumb. The simple touch sent a jolt of electricity between them. "I'm not abandoning you again, Hinata."
Overcome with emotion, she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with longing. The room felt charged, the distance between them electric. She cupped his face with trembling hands, her heart racing as she found his gaze unwavering. Despite everything, despite the pain and the anger, she still loved him.
Then, surrendering to her longing, she kissed him.
The moment their lips touched, a spark ignited between them. Naruto held her by the waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her back. Every ounce of pent-up longing from their year apart poured into that embrace, and it felt as if time stood still.
Hinata's soft gasp encouraged him to deepen the kiss, igniting a fire within him. His hand glided across her back, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her clothing. Her fingers tangled in his hair, gently guiding him as their kiss became more passionate, more desperate. Each sigh, each soft moan that escaped her lips fueled him further, urging him to explore the depths of their connection.
As their kisses grew more fervent, he felt the world around them fade into oblivion. Nothing mattered except the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of their shared feelings. He lost himself in the sweetness of her lips, the softness of her touch, and the familiarity of her presence.
When he finally pulled back, he was breathless, gazing into her eyes, both of them still caught in the whirlwind of emotions. "Hinata," he whispered against her lips, his voice low and earnest. "Come with me. We can leave this place together."
But before she could respond, a new presence appeared in the compound outside, in the fraction of a second, cold and unmistakable.
Naruto froze. The chakra signature outside was all too familiar to him. It's presence sent a wave of emotions through him, anger mingled with uncertainty. But above all, fear.
"Naruto, you can come out now." The voice called out calmly.
The sound of his name being called from outside shattered the moment, and Naruto's body responded to the voice of the man he had grown up obeying.
Minato Namikaze. The Fourth Hokage.
[Author's note]
I wanted to merge chapter 41 and 42 but I felt it would be too lengthy.