The stars seem dimmer tonight. Their light flickers weakly against a canopy of black, clouds swallowing the moon as if conspiring to keep the village in darkness. Konoha, alive even in late hours, feels subdued. Lanterns burn low, their golden glow trembling in the cool breeze. The streets wind like veins through the silent village, a far cry from the bustling life they usually carry.

Naruto Uzumaki walks alone, his strides steady but heavy. His jacket is zipped to his chin, the orange dulled by the dim light. His head tilts slightly forward, blonde hair catching the occasional gleam as he passes under swaying lanterns. His hands are stuffed into his pockets, but tension radiates from him like heat.

Ahead looms the Hokage Tower, its spire disappearing into the gloom. He looks up for a moment, his steps slowing. The window of the debriefing room glows faintly, shadowed figures moving behind the glass. A sigh escapes his lips, visible in the chill air.

Inside the Hyuuga compound, Hinata is in the center of a grand chamber. The air feels stifling, the weight of countless years of relentless tradition pressing down on her. The walls are adorned with murals depicting Hyuuga history, each line meticulous, as if reminding her of her place.

The elders sit in a semicircle on raised cushions. Their robes are pristine, their eyes sharper than steel. Hiashi Hyuuga occupies the central position, his posture immaculate but his brow furrowed.

"Lady Hinata," one of the elders begins, her voice as cold and cutting as winter air, "we have tolerated much for the sake of peace. But this… oversight cannot continue."

Hinata's hands are clasped in front of her. Her nails dig into her palms, but her face remains serene. She bows slightly, a gesture that feels more forced with each passing moment. "What oversight do you mean?" she asks, her voice soft but steady.

The elder clicks her tongue, a faint sound that carries contempt. "Your son. Akihiro may carry the Byakugan, but he does not carry the Hyuuga name. That is unacceptable for an heir."

Hiashi's lips press into a thin line. His eyes flicker to Hinata but quickly return to the elder. He remains silent.

Hinata straightens, her back impossibly rigid. "Akihiro is my son as much as he is Naruto's. His name reflects both of us. That will not change."

The elder's eyes narrow. Another speaks, his voice deeper, carrying a weight of authority. "Do you not understand the significance of this? Your son is the first in generations to unite the Byakugan with the blood of a jinchuuriki. The clan's future depends on him, and yet you deny him his rightful place?"

Hinata's nails bite deeper into her palms. She forces her voice to remain calm. "What I do not understand is why you continue to see my family as tools. Akihiro is not a pawn for your ambitions."

Another elder leans forward, her gaze piercing. "You misunderstand, Lady Hinata. This is not about ambition. This is about survival. The Hyuuga must remain strong. You were chosen to marry Uzumaki for this reason. Your son is an asset to the clan—"

"Stop." Hinata's voice cuts through the air, sharper than any blade. Her hands unclench, falling to her sides. "Akihiro is not an asset. He is a child. My child. And you will not speak of him like this again."

The room grows colder. Hiashi's gaze flickers between Hinata and the elders. He clears his throat, his voice measured. "That is enough."

The elders turn to him, their expressions ranging from defiance to reluctant obedience. Hiashi's tone is unyielding. "Hinata's decision is final. The boy is hers, and his future will be decided by his parents—not the council."

Hinata glances at her father, surprise flashing in her pale eyes. The elders murmur among themselves, their words indistinct but heavy with discontent.

Hiashi continues, his hardened gaze fixed on the elders. "This discussion is over."

Naruto sits in the Hokage Tower's debriefing room, the space suffused with low light. Around him, the room hums with tension, the air thick with unease. Kakashi stands at the head of the table, his face half-shadowed by the faint glow of the lanterns. His single visible eye scans the room, taking in the gathered jounin and clan heads.

Naruto slouches slightly, his elbows on the table, but his expression is serious. Beside him, Shikamaru leans back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. Sai sits perfectly straight, his face neutral but his gaze sharp. Ino, her hair tied back neatly, fidgets with a kunai in her hand, her brows knit together in concentration.

Kakashi clears his throat, the sound pulling everyone's attention. "We received the latest report from Kirigakure this morning." His tone is calm, but his words carry weight. "Another village was destroyed near their southern coast. A fishing settlement. This marks the fifth attack in the last two months."

The room grows colder. Naruto's hand clenches into a fist on the table, his knuckles white.

"The village was small," Kakashi continues, his voice steady, "but its destruction has disrupted Kiri's market. Their daimyo is… unhappy, to put it lightly. And it's not just Kiri. The other nations are growing restless. They're demanding answers, and right now, we don't have any."

Takeru Akimichi, broad-shouldered and imposing, is subbing in due to Choji's absence, crosses his arms. His voice rumbles like distant thunder. "What's the status on missions? We've been flooded with escort requests. Even chuunin teams are stretched thin."

Michiko Aburame, seated beside him, adjusts her glasses. "The Land of Fire's daimyo has restricted overseas missions for anyone below jounin rank. They're worried about sending shinobi into unknown danger."

Shikamaru sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now they think of safeguarding the shinobi? Look, this is only going to get worse. If the attacks keep up, the alliance will be compromised. No one's going to trust each other if they think their neighbors aren't pulling their weight."

Naruto speaks, his voice low but firm. "Kakashi-sensei, what do we know about the attackers?"

Kakashi's gaze lingers on Naruto, his expression unreadable. "Not much. That's why we need answers. And quickly."

The air inside Ichiraku is warm, almost cocooning, compared to the chill that grips the rest of Konoha. The soft clinking of chopsticks and bowls fills the space, mingling with the murmured conversations of the group seated at the counter. The familiar smell of broth, soy, and freshly made noodles weaves through the quiet tension, as if trying to erase the weight of the debriefing from their minds.

Naruto sits between Shikamaru and Sai, his elbows propped on the counter, a slight furrow in his brow. Across from him, Ino idly twirls her chopsticks, though her bowl remains untouched for now. The lanterns hanging overhead cast a golden hue, softening their features but doing little to mask the unease written on their faces.

Teuchi works quietly behind the counter, occasionally casting a glance at the group. His daughter Ayame moves with practiced efficiency, refilling tea and clearing empty bowls.

Shikamaru twirls his chopsticks lazily. "Choji's in Kumo right now, visiting his in-laws. Karui wanted to show Chocho the village."

Ino laughs softly. "I can't imagine Choji fitting in with the Kumo crowd. They're so… intense."

Sai tilts his head towards Naruto. "I've been meaning to ask, Inojin keeps wanting to visit Akihiro. Something about a video game."

Naruto grins, a flicker of warmth breaking through his fatigue. "Yeah, Akihiro has been obsessed with those. Hiashi got him about twenty new ones for his birthday. That old man is a real softie, you know? Hinata went off when she saw the amount of money he spent."

"And now Inojin wants to permanently move into your house and sit in front of a computer all day," Ino stresses. "Back in our days we used to play outside and dream of getting our hitai-ate at soon as possible."

"You say that like that was centuries ago. Finally admitting that you're getting old?" Shikamaru asks with a smirk, only to wince at the blow to his head.

Sai is unbothered by his wife's ire and only places more meat into her bowl. "You should learn to watch your tongue, Shikamaru," he states in an even tone making Naruto roar with laughter.

"Aha, I thought I heard familiar voices," someone says from behind them.

Kakashi leans against the wall near the counter, arms crossed. His masked face betrays little emotion, but the slight crinkle of his visible eye hints at fatigue.

"Sensei!" Naruto greets him, gesturing to the seat next to his. "Come join us. Shikamaru's paying."

"Oi, you get paid twice as much as me," the Hokage's advisor pipes up in refusal.

"I sensed your chakra signature nearby," Ino admits teasingly. "Then I thought, oh, how could the busy old Hokage get free time for ramen?"

Kakashi clicks his tongue, placing his order, "Old? That's preposterous. Busy? Definitely. Sitting through meetings with the Daimyo is almost more dangerous than being on the field. I might get bored to death."

The light atmosphere dwindles a little, all of them falling silent at the reminder of the debriefs. More frequent and fruitless than ever before.

Naruto has been to more villages in one year than in his previous twenty-two of living. Still, all they ever come across is the same— no signs of struggle yet entire villages massacred. Tsunade had concluded it was due to chakra poisoning but even that is a stretch. What chakra poisoning is so bad that the reserves in someone's own body blows up?

"Five villages," Shikamaru mutters, breaking the silence. He stares into his bowl, the steam rising and curling in the air like phantoms. "And we still don't know who's behind the attacks."

Naruto exhales heavily, his hand curling into a fist on the counter. "The Mizukage is fuming. They just barely got rid of the Bloody Mist identity and everyone is jumping to conclusions. It could seriously affect the peace treaty."

Sai, ever calm, speaks evenly, "It already has. Our merchants have been complaining about delays in shipments from the Land of Water. The fishing village's destruction has disrupted trade routes."

Ino sets her chopsticks down, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It's not just about trade. People are scared. These attacks… they're too precise, too targeted. Whoever's behind this knows exactly where to hit to cause the most damage."

Kakashi steps forward, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "It's worse than that." His tone is soft, measured, but it carries a weight that silences the group. "Sasuke and Sakura sent word from their last mission. They've uncovered evidence that these attacks aren't random."

Naruto's head snaps up, his blue eyes narrowing. "What kind of evidence?"

Kakashi pauses, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Sakura's message was brief, but she mentioned traces of an unfamiliar chakra signature at the sites of the attacks. Something… otherworldly."

The word hangs in the air, heavy and foreign. Ino frowns, her brows knitting together. "Otherworldly? What does that even mean?"

"We don't know yet," Kakashi admits, his voice tinged with frustration. "But Sasuke's investigating further. And…" His eye crinkles slightly, this time with a different emotion—something softer. "Before I forget, they also wanted me to let you know—Sakura gave birth."

The group collectively blinks, the somber mood briefly disrupted by the unexpected news.

"Twins," Kakashi continues, a faint smile in his voice. "A boy and a girl. Souta and Sarada."

Naruto's eyes widen, his mouth dropping open. "Wait—what?!" His voice is loud enough to draw a chuckle from Ayame, who's wiping down the counter nearby.

Ino's face lights up, her earlier tension melting away. "Twins? That's amazing! I can't believe Sasuke didn't tell us himself."

Sai tilts his head, his expression as neutral as ever. "Perhaps he's too busy adjusting to fatherhood."

Shikamaru smirks, though there's a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Say that to his twelve-year-old self; he'd be mortified, that grouch. Sasuke as a dad? I can't picture it."

"Tell me about it," the bijuu's voice inside his head is a deep rumble, imitating a small earthquake that shakes rusted doors on its hinges. "Uchiha giving up his quiet life to play family man? Unbelievable." Kurama lets out a huff, settling his head down on one of his behemoth-like paws once more.

Naruto laughs, the sound breaking through the lingering tension like sunlight through clouds. "I can't believe it either! But I bet he's already teaching them how to glare at people." He mimics Sasuke's signature brooding look, earning a few chuckles.

Ino shakes her head, a fond smile playing on her lips. "Poor Sakura. She's going to have her hands full with three Sasuke clones in the house."

Shikamaru leans back slightly, his chopsticks tapping against the edge of his bowl. "Still, good for them. It's about time we had some good news."

The mood lightens for a moment, but it doesn't take long for the weight of reality to settle back in. Naruto's laughter fades, replaced by a contemplative silence.

"You okay, Naruto?" Ino asks gently, her voice cutting through the quiet.

He hesitates, his gaze dropping to his hands. "Yeah… just thinking about Hinata. She's with the Hyuuga council tonight."

Shikamaru raises an eyebrow. "The elders again? What's the issue this time?"

Naruto exhales slowly, his fingers drumming against the counter. "Same as always. They're pushing for Akihiro to take the Hyuuga name. They don't care about anything else—as long as they can tie him to their clan."

Ino's expression hardens, her hands balling into fists. "That's awful. He's just a kid."

Naruto nods, his jaw tightening. "Yeah. And they're already talking about training him to be the heir, since Hanabi doesn't have kids yet. They want him to be their golden ticket."

Sai, uncharacteristically, frowns. "And you don't want that for him."

Naruto shakes his head firmly. Damn him if he lets the village control his life again saying they know better. "No fucking way. I don't want my kid being used as a pawn. He's not a weapon."

Shikamaru's voice is quiet but resolute. "You're doing the right thing, Naruto. It's not easy standing up to the elders, but you're protecting your family. That's what matters."

Ino reaches out, placing a comforting hand on Naruto's arm. "You and Hinata are strong. You'll get through this."

Naruto offers a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, guys. I just… I wish things were simpler. For Hinata. For Akihiro."

Naruto walks through the dimly lit corridors of the Hyuuga compound, his pace steady but purposeful. The lanterns hanging along the walls sway slightly in the night breeze, casting fleeting shadows that ripple across the smooth stone floors. It's quiet here, but not the kind of comforting quiet he's used to. It's stifling, heavy, like the weight of tradition and expectation is carved into the very walls.

He exhales softly, running a hand through his messy blond hair. His other hand tightens into a fist. He hates coming here—hates seeing the way the elder clansmen look at his son. Like a prize to be won but also as though he were some morbid catharsis to their plans. Naruto is no stranger to those looks.

As he reaches the courtyard, he spots them. Hinata sits on the stone steps, her back straight, though he can see the tension in her shoulders. Her hair falls like a curtain around her face, but even from a distance, he can tell her expression is far away.

Beside her, Akihiro is curled up, his small frame leaning heavily against her. His little hands clutch the hem of her robe, and his head bobs slightly, caught between sleep and wakefulness.

Naruto's chest tightens.

Hinata cranes her neck up as he approaches, her lavender eyes meeting his. For a moment, the worry etched into her face softens. "Naruto-kun..."

He kneels beside her, the clear distress in her expression being one of his most disliked things in the world. "You okay?"

She hesitates before nodding, though he can tell it's forced. "I'm fine. Just… tired."

Naruto reaches out, his fingers brushing away the strands of midnight black falling from her complicated updo. "How did it go?"

Hinata's eyes lower, and her voice comes out quieter than a whisper. "They're relentless. They keep saying Akihiro belongs to the clan. That he needs to be trained, to be prepared for the future."

Naruto's jaw clenches. He glances at their son, his sleeping face peaceful in the glow of the courtyard lanterns. "What did your dad say?"

Hinata looks dejected. "Father supported me. He told them Akihiro is our child first and foremost. But," Her voice falters. "He's still the clan head. He can't openly defy them."

Naruto exhales sharply, shaking his head. "They don't see him the way we do. To them, he's just a tool. But to us," his voice softens as he looks at Akihiro again, his expression tender. "He's everything."

Hinata leans against Naruto, her head resting on his shoulder. The warmth of her presence is like a salve on the day's fatigue. "I love our family. I don't care what they say. Akihiro will grow up loved. That's all that matters."

Naruto wraps an arm around her, pulling her closer. "We'll protect him, Hinata. No matter what it takes."

Akihiro stirs then, his small hands stretching toward Naruto even as his eyes remain half-closed. "Dad?"

Naruto smiles, scooping him up and holding him close. His son's blond hair splays out like a halo; he brushes it to lay flat and not resemble an untamed porcupine. "Yeah, buddy. I'm here."

Akihiro's head lolls against Naruto's shoulder, and his small fingers clutch at his father's jacket. His voice is a sleepy mumble, words slurring together. "Dad… I'm strong now. I know eight katas." He lets out a soft yawn. "I can beat you… tomorrow. Promise."

Naruto chuckles, the sound quiet but warm. "Oh yeah? You're that strong, huh?"

Akihiro nods slowly, his head bobbing against Naruto's chest. "Mm-hmm. I have to beat you... 'cause you're the best, Dad. I wanna be just like you."

Naruto freezes for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. The words hit him harder than any punch he's ever taken.

Hinata watches him, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. She places a hand on Naruto's arm, grounding him, and he gives her a faint, grateful smile.

"You're already better than me, Hiro," Naruto murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "Way better."

The thing is, when it comes to his village Naruto knows he would lay down his life. That reckless abandon he's been capable of since he was a kid is still burning like an inferno.

But now there's a part of him that dares to go beyond any semblance of rationality. More than glory or honor, it's that blind trust, that pure admiration in Akihiro's gaze that makes him want to defy the world to protect him.

The life of a shinobi is not forgiving or merciful. But Naruto thinks he's found a piece of safe haven here with his wife and son, surrounded by genuine wellwishers and comrades.

For once in his life he wants to fight selfishly, to keep what he has earned with everything he has.

As they prepare to leave, Hiashi appears in the courtyard, his formal robes flowing behind him. His expression is stern, as always, but there's a flicker of something softer in his eyes as he looks at his grandson, now soundly asleep in Naruto's arms.

"Naruto," Hiashi begins, his voice measured. "A word."

Hinata glances between them before stepping forward. "Father—"

Hiashi raises a hand, silencing her. "I only wish to speak with him briefly."

Naruto nods to Hinata, offering her a reassuring look. "It's okay."

Hinata hesitates before stepping back, watching as Naruto and Hiashi move a few paces away.

The older man studies Naruto for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. "You care deeply for my daughter and grandson. That much is clear."

Naruto raises an eyebrow. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Hiashi's lips press into a thin line. "Not from me. But the elders… they are stubborn. They cling to tradition, even when it blinds them to what truly matters."

Naruto shifts Akihiro slightly, adjusting the boy's weight in his arms. "Hinata told me what they said. About Akihiro." His voice is calm, but there's an edge to it. "I'm not letting them use him like that."

Hiashi nods slowly. "Nor am I. But as long as I am the clan head, I must navigate these matters carefully. Hundreds of years of unyielding customs are not easily overturned."

Naruto looks down at his son, his expression softening. "I get it. But Akihiro's not just an heir. He's my son. Hinata's son. He deserves better than to be treated like a tool."

Hiashi's gaze softens, just slightly. He seems to contemplate before speaking, "You remind me of her mother."

Naruto blinks, caught off guard. "What?"

"She was just as fierce when it came to protecting her family," Hiashi says, his voice quieter now. "And just as determined to challenge the elders when they overstepped."

Naruto smiles faintly. "Guess Hinata takes after her, then."

Hiashi doesn't respond, but there's a flicker of pride in his eyes as he watches Naruto hold Akihiro close.

The village is quiet as Naruto and Hinata make their way home, the soft glow of the streetlights guiding their path. Akihiro snores gently against Naruto's shoulder, his small fingers still clutching his father's jacket.

Hinata walks beside them, her hand brushing against Naruto's arm. "You're quiet," she says softly.

Naruto glances at her, his expression thoughtful. "Just… thinking about everything. About Akihiro. About us."

Hinata leans into him slightly, her voice gentle. "What about us?"

He hesitates, then lets out a small sigh. "I just… I want him to have a better childhood than we did. No wars. No stupid traditions trying to control him. I want him to grow up free."

Hinata's eyes glisten, and she nods. "Me too. That's all I've ever wanted for him."

Naruto stops walking for a moment, turning to face her, determination evident in his gaze and tone. "We'll make it happen, Hinata. No matter what the elders say, no matter what the village expects. Akihiro's going to grow up happy. I promise."

It's quiet then, for a little while.

Finally Hinata speaks, beaming up at Naruto like he had gifted her the moon and the stars, "I admire this about you. You always give your everything to protect."

Naruto leans down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, fingers brushing the apple of her cheek. "I'll do anything, you know. To keep you safe. Both of you."

As they continue walking, Akihiro stirs again, mumbling something unintelligible. Naruto chuckles, adjusting his grip on the boy.

"Guess he's dreaming about kicking my butt again," He says, his tone lighter now.

Hinata chuckles softly, her hand slipping into his. "I've been training him. He can really give you hard time," she says with her chin turned up cheekily.

"In that case, I bet he can," Naruto laughs.

And for a moment, despite the weight of the world pressing down on them, it feels like everything might just be okay.

— Author's Notes. Hello, everyone! This is my version of a Boruto rewrite of sorts. That being said, many different things are going to be completely changed to fit the narrative better. This work isn't in any shape or form meant to disregard the canon universe and just an idea that I have been developing for over two years.

If any of you want to reach out and discuss more about this story or just the Naruto/Boruto universe in general, here is my tumblr: @kkuramochi.

Thanks for reading! The next chapter will be out soon, look forward to it!