Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. Masashi Kishimoto owns all titles, names, and plots.
Author's Note:
In the last chapter, the focus was to present Karin in a new light. Her actions stem not just from ambition but from a deep-seated fear of losing everything she has fought to gain. This fear drives her to rely on the only methods she knows—manipulation and control—placing her in stark contrast to Naruto's approach, which is rooted in trust and loyalty. Through this contrast, I hoped to highlight the internal struggles that define Karin's character, showing how her fear and strength coexist and shape her decisions. I also wanted to reflect on how their differing paths to leadership reveal the emotional stakes they face as individuals and as partners. Let me know if this nuance came through clearly!
Understanding
The sun hung low in the sky as Naruto made his way to the Hyuga compound. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, but there was no escaping the one truth that gnawed at him: he had to face her.
Hinata.
He had spent the day playing with his children and teaching the older ones some of his more fun jutsu before Tayuya had found him. She had talked to Karin about their early morning conversation. In her mind, it was do or don't do—there was no thinking about it. You take what you want, or you never want it. Her scream of "Get the fuck out of my house and go fuck them!" had shaken the walls. Not one of the children had flinched at her volume, happily knowing that she, for once, wasn't yelling at them.
The village had changed, and grown, and yet the distance between them felt wider than ever. He had been absent when she needed him most. He had been absent during the devastation, during the chaos. And now, when he finally returned, he felt more like a stranger than the man she had once fought beside.
Naruto stopped at the gate, his fingers brushing against the cool metal. The compound was quiet, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. He hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before pushing open the gate. The two silent guards didn't turn their heads, even as they watched his every move. Their Byakugan were active, allowing them a clear view of the world.
Karin had sent a messenger bird ahead, alerting Hinata that Naruto would be coming, but he wasn't sure what to expect. He didn't know how Hinata would react, whether she would greet him with open arms or turn him away. The space between them had only grown since he left, and he couldn't help but feel the weight of the silence that had settled between them. He wasn't even sure if she still wanted him there after everything that had happened.
When he entered the courtyard, he saw her—a figure of grace and strength, standing under the shadows of a nearby tree. Her posture was poised, yet there was an undeniable tension in her stance. She had always been composed, but now, in the silence of the evening, it seemed as though something inside her was coiled tight, ready to snap.
Naruto didn't speak at first. He simply walked toward her, each step heavier than the last, as if the weight of their unspoken history was pressing down on him. As he approached, every member of the family seemed to vanish from sight, disappearing into the shadows or retreating quietly into the other rooms. It was as if the sight of him standing there with Hinata, so full of unresolved tension, would burn their eyes. The space between them felt charged, a heavy silence settling in the air, thick with emotions they hadn't shared in far too long.
Hinata's eyes flickered toward him, and for a moment, there was a flash of something, recognition, anger, maybe even pain, before her face turned cold, unreadable, the face of the Iron Fist.
"Naruto," she said softly, but the way she said his name held no warmth.
"I'm sorry," Naruto said, his voice low, the words heavy with sincerity. "I should have been here. I should've protected you, protected everyone. Stop it from happening."
Hinata didn't respond immediately. Instead, she took a slow step forward, her eyes narrowing slightly as she sized him up.
"You were gone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but the bite in her tone was unmistakable. "And I... I had to do it alone. I had to carry everything on my shoulders while you were away, while you… saved the world, again…"
Before she could finish, Naruto reached out, stepping closer, but Hinata was faster. Without warning, she slammed her palm into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. The force was enough to send him stumbling back, gasping for air.
Naruto straightened, wiping blood from his lip with a small, surprised grin. "Guess I deserved that."
Hinata didn't hesitate. She came at him again, this time landing a sharp punch to his chest, pushing him back even further. But Naruto didn't fight back. He let her.
He had earned this, he had earned all of this.
"Do you know what it was like?" Hinata asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and pain as she landed another blow, a sharp kick to his side. "Do you know what it was like when everything fell apart? When I had to hold my family together, clan against clan, elders against the untrained youth... and I couldn't even rely on you? You were supposed to be the one to save the day, Naruto. The one I could depend on. But you weren't there. You weren't here!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, each hit stinging not just his body, but his heart. But he didn't retreat. He stood his ground, enduring her pain.
"I know," he said, his voice hoarse. "I know, Hinata. And I'm sorry. I know nothing can make up for the time I've lost, but I'm here now. I'll never leave you again."
The fury in her eyes flickered, and for a moment, she stopped—just long enough for Naruto to think she might calm down. Her breath came heavy, her fists trembling at her sides, but the weight of her anger remained, simmering just beneath the surface.
"You shouldn't have left," she whispered, her voice cracking as though the words had been trapped inside her for years. "I needed you to be that hero you always claim to be."
In that instant, something shifted. The pain in her gaze hardened into something sharper, something fiery and unforgiving. Before Naruto could say a word, her Byakugan activated, the veins around her eyes bulging as her pale lavender irises burned with fire. She balled her hands into fists, letting out a scream that sent chills through him. Chakra erupted from her, shaping into the ghostly image of lion heads that roared silently around her fists. The Iron Lion jutsu, one of her creations roared to life.
"Uh, Hinata, maybe that's enough?" Naruto said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender as he instinctively backed away.
Her glare pierced him like a dagger. "I'll tell you when it's enough!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the courtyard.
Before he could react, she blurred forward, her glowing fist smashing into his crossed arms as he tried to block the blow. The impact was deafening, a shockwave rippling outward, cracking the very ground beneath them. Naruto's feet left the ground as the force of her strike sent him flying backward.
With a thunderous crash, he slammed into and through the wall of a nearby building, the sound of splintering wood and cracking plates filling the air.
Dazed, Naruto lay amidst the rubble, his arms hanging limply at his sides. Pain shot through him as he tried to move—his bones were definitely broken. He blinked, his vision swimming as he looked around the room he had landed in.
It was a tea room, now utterly destroyed, with shattered cups and overturned furniture scattered across the floor. Hot tea and the sticky remnants of someone's meal clung to his clothes and skin, a stray glob of sauce sliding down his face, leaving a gooey trail behind.
Naruto groaned, dropping his head back against the cracked floorboards. "Oh, man... I really pissed her off this time," he muttered before closing his eyes, letting out a resigned sigh.
….
The sound of their footsteps echoed softly through the cavern as Orochimaru led Naruto deeper into the cave. The air grew cooler with each step, and the walls began to smooth out, revealing faint marks where tools had been carved into the stone. Naruto glanced around, his unease flickering to curiosity as the tunnel opened into a wide, well-lit chamber.
The transformation was startling. The rough cave walls gave way to polished stone floors, lined with shelves packed with books, scrolls, and tools. Tables were scattered throughout the room, each covered with carefully labeled jars, strange contraptions, and various plants and minerals from the region. Despite his apprehension, Naruto couldn't help but be impressed.
"What is this place?" Naruto asked, his voice echoing in the stillness.
"My laboratory," Orochimaru said smoothly, gesturing to the room around them. "Though 'study' might be a better term these days. No sinister experiments here, I assure you. I've turned my focus to understanding the natural world, particularly the unique flora and fauna of this region."
Naruto's eyes landed on a nearby enclosure, where a large, brightly colored lizard sunned itself beneath a warm lamp. Its scales shimmered with a rainbow hue, and it watched him with an almost intelligent gaze. Nearby, another enclosure held a collection of small rodents, each moving with quick precision through a miniature maze.
"Animals, huh?" Naruto muttered, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Guess it's not as creepy as I thought it'd be."
Orochimaru chuckled, his tone light. "I've learned that there's much to be gained from studying life itself. Not just chakra and power, but the delicate balance of existence. But come to Naruto. This is not why I brought you here."
He walked toward a large desk at the far end of the chamber. Naruto followed, his gaze flicking from one strange artifact to another. On the desk sat an old, worn book. Its leather cover was cracked with age, the edges frayed, but the inked title was still legible: The Foundation of Seals.
Naruto froze, his breath catching as Orochimaru carefully picked up the book and turned to him.
"This," Orochimaru said, his voice reverent, "is one of the most valuable items I own. A gift from my late sensei, the Third Hokage. It was written during his youth as he documented everything he learned about seals from the old masters of Uzushiogakure. It is said that this very book was later studied by Jiraiya and eventually passed on to the Fourth Hokage himself. You may even find some notes in the margins, written by Kushina—the Fourth Hokage's wife."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his body tensing. "A gift? Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that? You stole it, didn't you? Just like everything else you took from the village!" His voice was sharp, but deep inside, he couldn't completely hide his surprise—or his curiosity. His mother had been involved with Orochimaru's training, even if only in some small way.
Orochimaru sighed, his expression faintly amused. "Naruto, must you always assume the worst of me? It was a gift. The Third trusted me once, just as Jiraiya and Tsunade trusted me. This book was given to me long before... things changed."
Naruto glared at him, his fists clenching. "Even if it was a gift, you don't deserve it. That's something that should be in Konoha, where it belongs!"
"And yet it is here," Orochimaru said calmly, his golden eyes locking onto Naruto's. "And perhaps it's exactly where it needs to be. Tell me, Naruto—how much do you truly understand about seals? How much do you know about the legacy of your father?"
Naruto's jaw tightened, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I know enough," he said defensively. "I've used seals before. I've got the Rasengan, don't I?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly, shaking his head. "The Rasengan is a jutsu—a brilliant one, yes, but it's not a seal. Seals are the foundation of so much more. They're the language of chakra, the key to controlling and manipulating it in ways you can't even imagine. Your father was a master of seals, Naruto. And you... you have barely scratched the surface."
Naruto's anger faltered, replaced by a flicker of doubt. He looked at the book again, its worn cover suddenly holding knowledge he couldn't ignore.
"This book," Orochimaru continued, "was not only studied by the Fourth Hokage but also by someone you know quite well—Karin. She used this very text to master the seals she employs today. And if she could learn from it, I imagine you could, too."
"Karin?" Naruto muttered, his brow furrowing. The idea of her poring over the same pages, mastering seals in ways he hadn't, stung more than he cared to admit.
Orochimaru extended the book toward him, his movements slow and deliberate. "Take it," he said. "Learn from it. If you want to protect your village, your clan, and yourself, you'll need more than raw power. You'll need knowledge. This book can give you that."
Naruto hesitated, his hand hovering over the book. Every instinct screamed at him not to trust Orochimaru, but he couldn't deny the pull of the book—the promise of answers, of something greater than what he already knew.
Finally, Naruto took the book, his fingers brushing against the cracked leather. It felt heavier than he expected, as though it carried not just knowledge, but the weight of generations.
"Good," Orochimaru said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Now, let's see if you're as much your father's son as everyone believes."
Naruto glared at him, tucking the book under his arm. "I'll prove it," he said firmly. "I'll learn this, and I'll show you—and everyone else—what I can do."
Orochimaru's smile deepened, but there was no malice in it—only a quiet, knowing amusement. "I look forward to it, Naruto. Truly."
As Naruto turned to leave, clutching the book tightly, Orochimaru's gaze lingered, his golden eyes glinting with something unreadable. Redemption, perhaps. Or hope.
The following weeks were key. Every day, Naruto poured over the pages of the book, his brow furrowed as he committed each complex diagram and formula to memory. Orochimaru was always there, watching with quiet patience, answering questions, and correcting the slightest errors with surgical precision. His guidance and his words were both a lifeline and a warning.
"One wrong stroke, Naruto," Orochimaru said during one session, his voice calm but firm, "and the seal will collapse. And with your unique... situation, a collapsed seal won't just hurt you—it'll dispel your existence entirely. Do you understand the stakes now?"
Naruto still unaware that he was just a clone swallowed hard, nodding as he carefully adjusted his inkbrush. "Yeah, I get it. No pressure or anything."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, a rare moment of levity. "Good. Then try again but this time hold the brush like this."
But the physical act of learning seals was only part of the process. Orochimaru understood that mastering the art of seals required not just technical skill, but a shift in perspective. And so, he worked on molding Naruto's mind just as carefully as he guided his hands.
At first, Naruto's view of the world clashed with Orochimaru's teachings. For Naruto, things were simple—good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark. But Orochimaru challenged that view at every turn, forcing him to see the shades of gray and the vibrant spectrum of colors that lay in between.
"Seals are not inherently good or bad," Orochimaru explained one day, gesturing to the intricate pattern Naruto had just completed. "They simply exist. Their purpose, their morality, comes from the one who wields them. That's the power of seals—they reflect the soul of their creator. Turning your will into form, your chakra and the chakra of nature around you into power."
Naruto frowned, his brush pausing mid-stroke. "So you're saying it's not about the seal, but about the intent behind it?"
Orochimaru nodded a hint of approval in his expression. "Exactly. And the same can be said of people, Naruto. Intent shapes action. Action shapes legacy. Even those of us who walk in the shadows have the potential to create something beautiful."
Naruto didn't respond immediately, his eyes drifting to the incomplete seal in front of him. For the first time, Orochimaru's words made him question his own rigid views. The world wasn't as black and white as he had always believed.
Each day, Naruto's progress was painstaking but undeniable. The lines of his seals grew more precise, his understanding of their mechanics deepened, and his questions became sharper, more insightful. Orochimaru watched with quiet satisfaction as the clone transformed—not just in skill, but in the way he approached the world around him.
Orochimaru, too, felt a subtle shift. As he poured his natural chakra into Naruto's clone each night to sustain its fragile existence, he found himself growing... invested. This wasn't just a task to balance his karmic scales; it was becoming something more. Naruto wasn't just a tool or a student. He was a reflection of everything Orochimaru had once sought for himself—a chance to create, to leave behind something enduring, something greater.
"One day, Naruto," Orochimaru murmured to himself as he watched the young shinobi perfect another intricate seal, "you'll realize that what I've given you isn't just knowledge. It's a path forward—one you must decide how to walk."
The nights in the cave grew longer, the days more intense, as Naruto continued to push himself. The once-clear lines of teacher and student began to blur, and with each passing day, the seal master in him began to awaken.
…..
Back at the village, Naruto stirred the cool sensation of a damp cloth on his forehead pulling him back to consciousness. He refused to believe he had blacked out—it wasn't like him to go down so easily. But how else could he explain finding himself in a soft bed, the pain in his arms gone, and the gentle touch of someone cleaning his face?
The fox's gruff voice echoed in his mind, amused and mocking. "Letting a girl beat you up, eh? L'll never let you hear the end of this, kit."
Naruto groaned inwardly, choosing to ignore the snarky remark. As his senses returned, he opened his eyes, expecting to see Hinata's sad and disappointed gaze. Instead, he was met with someone else entirely.
A younger face, softer but eerily familiar, leaned over him. The pale, featureless eyes were unmistakable, but the delicate lines of her face lacked the weight of years and leadership that Hinata carried. Hanabi.
"What?" Naruto mumbled, his voice hoarse with confusion. "What's going on?"
"Just be still," Hanabi said firmly, though her tone was calm, almost soothing. "You've broken enough for one day, and I don't need you undoing the work I've done to clean you up."
Naruto blinked, still trying to process the situation. Her presence was surprising; Hanabi wasn't someone he interacted with often. She moved with quiet efficiency, placing the cool cloth back on his forehead as if he were a fussy child.
"Where's Hinata?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hanabi hesitated for a fraction of a second, her expression flickering with something he couldn't quite read. "She's... resting," she said finally, her words measured. "You gave her enough trouble for one day. She didn't need to deal with you passed out, all covered in sticky buns, her favorite common sticky buns I might add."
Naruto winced. "She's mad, huh?"
Hanabi arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "What do you think? The beating pool had you dead, but I knew better. Won a small sum today." She patted a small bag of money in the pocket of her silks.
He let out a weak laugh, though it hurt to do so. "Guess I deserved that."
"You deserve a lot more," Hanabi said dryly, though there was no malice in her tone. She dipped the cloth in a nearby bowl of cool water, wrung it out, and pressed it back to his forehead. "But you're lucky my sister isn't the type to hold a grudge. She'll forgive you. Eventually."
Naruto watched her for a moment, noting how her movements mirrored Hinata's, yet lacked the same softness. Hanabi was sharper—her edges honed in a way that reminded him more of Neji than her sister. She had grown up believing she would be caged, just like the others, and that thought had shaped her in ways he hadn't fully realized—leaving scars both visible and hidden.
"Why are you here?" he asked finally, his curiosity outweighing his confusion.
"Because someone had to keep you from stumbling back out there and making things worse," Hanabi replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "So, I knocked you out and brought you here. And because I'm the only one in the family who doesn't feel awkward around you right now."
Naruto frowned, guilt gnawing at his chest. "I didn't mean to—"
Hanabi cut him off with a raised hand. "Save it for Hinata. She's the one who needs to hear it, not me. You not being here actually helped, though. It lets us see the elders for what they truly are." Her pale eyes softened slightly as she added, "Just... try not to make things harder than they already are. She's been through enough."
Naruto nodded, his throat tightening. He lay back, letting the weight of her words settle over him. For now, all he could do was wait.
It was then that Hanabi pulled down the sheets and began cleaning the sticky goo off his chest. It was only when the cold cloth ran over his skin, down his arms, that he realized she had removed all his clothes.
"Wait! Where am I, anyway?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion as the cold cloth moved over his body.
"My bedroom," Hanabi replied without missing a beat, her tone practical. "Where else was I supposed to take you? Now be still, you're covered in dirt."
She dipped the cloth back into the bowl, cleaning it before starting again, her movements calm and focused as she worked.
"You know, Konohamaru sure talks about you a lot," Hanabi remarked casually, her voice steady as she continued her task.
Naruto blinked, trying not to let his attention waver. "You know Konohamaru?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral, not wanting to acknowledge the heat of her touch.
Hanabi's hands paused for a brief moment, her expression tightening slightly. "Know him? I'm on his team," she replied with a touch of frustration in her voice. "After Moegi was hurt on that mission, I was her replacement." There was a brief flicker of irritation in her eyes, an undercurrent of frustration. "Those two boys... always touching when I least expect it."
Naruto's mind wandered for a moment, recalling what it had been like on his own Genin team. The best part had always been Sakura's touch—and the fact that Sasuke didn't seem to care for her. But now, as he looked at Hanabi, he realized she didn't have the same kind of protections Hinata had.
"I guess you had to take care of both of them, huh?" he asked, trying to shift the focus of the conversation. "Did you become a Chunin?"
Hanabi paused for a moment, her hands stilling on his chest, her expression tightening. "Chunin? That fool Udon almost got himself killed in the Chunin Exams. We have to wait until next year to try again," she added, her voice laced with frustration, a flash of anger crossing her features.
Naruto chuckled nervously, trying to steer the conversation away from her frustration. "I'm sure Udon will get it next time," he said, attempting a lighthearted tone.
But Hanabi didn't seem interested in small talk anymore. She paused for a moment, her gaze locking onto his, her fingers still lightly brushing against his chest the cloth she had been using dropped to the floor.
"You know," she said softly, her voice lowering, "I've heard a lot of things about you... about how good you are, Hinata brags about her time with you, did you know that?."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What are you talking about … she brags? "
Before he could finish his sentence, Hanabi leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear, her lips almost brushing the side of his face. "I want to see if it's true, Konohamaru and Udon are a joke, they can't last more than a minute" she whispered, her words heavy with intent.
Her hands slid from his chest to his sides, her touch gentle yet firm as she closed the space between them. Her pale eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, all the tension, all the awkwardness, melted away.
Naruto's pulse quickened, a mix of surprise and something else bubbling up inside him. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words never came. Instead, he felt her hands pulling him closer, her lips pressing against his, and all he could do was respond.
As their tongues danced together in a heated, passionate embrace, Naruto's mind flashed back to Tayuya's words—"Go fuck them," she had ordered. But the fox's laughter echoed in his mind, a reminder that Tayuya hadn't specified who.
At that moment, Naruto let go of all his doubts. His hands moved instinctively, pulling Hanabi down until she fell fully against his chest. The coolness of her slender body, wrapped in the delicate yellow kimono with its violet-painted textures, pressed against his warmth. Her B-cup breasts, noticeably smaller than her sister's, brushed against him as her red-orange obi shifted slightly. The light scent of her soft fragrance filled his senses as the warmth of her body flooded his, and with it, all of his inhibitions faded away.
She was different from Hinata but no less striking. The pink flower hair clip nestled in her left-side hair added a soft touch to her now noticeably taller and more slender frame. Hanabi's movements were graceful, her beauty subtly commanding in its own way.
The world around him blurred as his thoughts faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in the quiet pulse of shared desire. Hanabi's breath against his skin, her lips pressing against his—everything else became secondary.
Naruto's breath hitched as Hanabi sat up straddling his waist, her slender frame illuminated by the soft light filtering into the room. The girl he had once barely noticed had grown into a woman, striking in her beauty. Her yellow kimono slipped off her shoulders, revealing smooth skin that caught the light.
Her pale eyes—so much like Hinata's but sharper, more focused—met his, and for a moment, he forgot how to speak. The flower clip in her hair seemed out of place, almost too delicate for someone who was trained from birth to be a warrior.
Her hands pressed against his chest, her touch firm yet hesitant, as if she was testing her own boundaries. The faint rise and fall of her chest and the slight quiver in her fingers told him she wasn't as calm as she looked.
"God... is that you? You're so..." she wiggled her hips slightly, as if checking for herself, "...damn, you're big."
Having heard women say this to him many times before, Naruto just grinned up at her, waiting to see if she wanted to move on to something more or if this was just a test to see how he would react. When she let her kimono drop around her waist, he knew his answer.
Her perky breasts, uncovered by a bra, stood out prominently, capped with brown nipples that seemed to beckon to be touched. Before he had a chance to make a move, she slid farther down his body, taking the sheet with her, until he was bare to the world.
"You sure about this?" he asked as she stared down at him, taking in all of him. There wasn't an ounce of fat on his body, and his six-pack abs and toned physique told the story of endless hours of training.
To answer his question, she ran her fingers up his legs before capturing his manhood in both hands, unable to wrap just one around him.
"Oh, I'm sure," she said, locking eyes with him.
How she did it, he wasn't sure—some womanly skill he'd never been taught, or maybe it just came naturally. Without removing her hands, which she had started to slowly move, she managed to shed the rest of her clothes, kicking them off the bed with a swift flick of her leg. Her pale skin, a trait of her clan, glowed softly in the dim light, the smoothness of her body contrasting with the warmth of the room. Her long, dark hair, flowing to her waist, cascaded like a waterfall, framing her face and accentuating the delicate curve of her neck and hiding her breasts.
Moving her hands quickly to get a reaction out of him, she tightened her grip, saying, "You know, I can do this with one hand with Udon, and Konohamaru is only a little bigger. I can't wait to feel a real man." With that, she tightened her grip even more, forcing a moan out of his throat.
"I really didn't need to hear that," he said, a small moan escaping him despite the humor in his voice.
"Well, maybe you'll prefer this instead," she said, her voice laced with a teasing tone. Moving up, she carefully guided him, attempting to take him in, but quickly realized he was bigger than she expected. She ended up focusing on the tip, her fingers wrapping around him as she worked her way down.
Naruto quickly realized that while her skills as a shinobi were impressive, her experience in bed was lacking. He couldn't help but blame her teammates for that, and if he had the chance, he'd make sure they knew there was more to life than just honing ninja skills.
Pulling her away from him with a pop and a soft mewing sound, she allowed him to lay her on her back as he moved over her. She looked disappointed, and knowing her history, he sensed she expected him to not last long. Taking this as a challenge, he first kissed her lips, then her neck. As he moved lower, he paused to admire her breasts before giving each the attention they deserved.
Her cries of pleasure filled his ears as he moved from one breast to the other, taking his time to tease her in ways she had never been teased before. Satisfied with the reactions he was drawing from her, he kissed his way down, his lips grazing over the toned muscles of her belly, a testament to hours of training. As he continued, he discovered a ticklish spot just above her belly button, causing her to giggle uncontrollably. Her laughter was light and carefree, a stark contrast to the intensity of the moment, until he moved lower still, silencing her laughter with a deeper, more deliberate touch.
Finding the soft puff of light hair, he blew his hot breath into it causing her to squirm beneath him. He moved lower, his lips trailing along her skin, until he kissed his way up one of her inner thighs, then down the other. Gently, he placed both of her legs over his shoulders, deepening their connection.
The sound of her whining filled his ears as he dove down into her core, soft and wet, it filled his senses as he used the skill he had developed over the years to give her as much pleasure as she could stand. He then moved her over the edge to another level. Her soft cries turned into muffled screams as she covered her mouth with both hands, reaching her limit—not once, but several times in a row. Her breath was taken away, causing her lips to quiver like a leaf in a storm.
As he kneeled over her, looking down at her sweat-covered body, she met his gaze. Her eyes were wide, was it hero worship or something deeper it held an unspoken longing, a surrender that left her breathless. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her lips slightly parted as she struggled to catch her breath, the intensity of the moment etched across her face. There was a softness in her expression that seemed out of place, a quiet surrender to the emotions that had overtaken her, as though she was no longer in control but completely lost in the moment.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice low, almost rough, as he watched the dazed expression on her face. It was unlike anything he'd seen before—her usual composure shattered, replaced by something raw, unguarded, and entirely out of her control.
Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, her skin flushed, a sheen of sweat glistening under the dim light. She blinked up at him, her voice breaking as she managed to speak. "I've never… I didn't know… I never had that happen before" She swallowed hard, her words failing her as a trembling hand reached to touch his chest, as if grounding herself in reality.
"Never?" he asked, his voice softer now, though there was a fire in his gaze. Was this a challenge she was giving him?
Her laugh was bitter and short. "Not like this. They never… lasted more than a minute." She looked away for a moment, a hint of embarrassment creeping in, but the lingering pleasure made her bolder.
Naruto's lips curved into a grin, confident but warm. "Guess I'm not like those other guys," he said, leaning down to brush a kiss against her damp temple.
Her fingers reached for him, once again wrapping her small hand around his manhood as she pulled him closer. "No," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes locking onto his. "You're not."
"Come on," Hanabi said, smiling up at him, her pale eyes fluttering as she tried to be sexy for the first time in her life. "I want it..."
Naruto leaned forward, letting her guide his manhood to slide down her wet core, stopping as the tip pressed against her entrance. He looked into her eyes, and with a small nudge, Hanabi felt herself give in as he slid just the head inside.
She couldn't help herself, arching her back as a sharp sting hit her.
"Oh, fucking hell," she groaned loudly, wincing as her nails dug into his arms. Thankfully, he had enough restraint to stop, giving her time to adjust. She glanced down and noticed only a small portion of him was actually in her. With a dry snort, she muttered, "How did Hinata take this?"
Naruto chose not to answer, knowing full well that wasn't a question she truly wanted the answer to. Hinata had no problem taking all of him—and loving every moment of it.
Hanabi slowly moved her hips, testing the sensation and earning a satisfied groan from Naruto as she rode his cockhead with cautious movements.
Looking back up at his face, Hanabi saw his focused gaze on her, his lips curved into a grin. Letting out a small chuckle despite the lingering discomfort, she teased, "You really are big… way bigger than my—"
Naruto quickly placed a hand over her mouth, cutting her off. "We don't need to talk about them or anyone else. It's just us, here and now."
His grin widened, clearly enjoying her reaction, as he continued to watch the kunoichi beneath him. Her trained hips moved with deliberate precision, taking him in slowly, inch by inch.
"After all," Naruto said with a playful smirk, his tone teasing, "I always thought bigger was better, right?"
"That's what they say," she added, but before she could finish her thoughts, he pressed down, sliding more than halfway into her. The sudden shock of it caused her to tense up, her back arching again. This time, her hands found his hips and pulled him closer.
"Don't stop... more," she panted, her words barely audible between breaths as her legs joined her hands, wrapping tightly around his waist.
As he slid fully into her and started a rhythm they both enjoyed, the world outside ceased to exist. Soon, the sounds of their hips slapping together and her small cries of pleasure were all that Naruto could hear. She was as tight as he had expected, but it was clear to him that she was about to reach her climax. He sped up slightly, pushing her over the edge.
The scream she let out was surprising, and her whole body quivered in release. He didn't stop, continuing to move as her eyes grew wide. She gasped, "Oh God, don't stop... more, more," and then she tightened around him again. This time, her scream was silent as she reached her peak.
Her breathing was ragged and short now, but her eyes never left his as she used her heels on his back to make him move faster, harder.
"Cum, cum in me, please," she begged as if this would calm her newfound, flaming need.
He didn't need to be told twice, as he had been struggling to hold back. With a grunt of satisfaction, he released everything he had deep within her. Looking down, he could see she had joined him, her pale skin flushed, and her whole body trembling around him.
Her legs fell to the bed, and her arms dropped to her sides as he watched her pass out. He had seen this happen many times before with Sakura, though she would have lasted many more hours before reaching this point. Sliding to the edge of the bed, he looked around, finding the sheet. He picked it up and covered her.
Naruto carefully slid off the bed, making sure not to disturb Hanabi as she lay there, still lost in the aftermath of everything. Her breath was steady, her form relaxed, and though he could feel the weight of what had just happened, his feelings for her were nothing like what he had for Hinata. He knew he had to leave—no lingering, no hesitating. He couldn't afford to get caught here.
He grabbed his clothes from the floor and quickly began dressing. His orange tracksuit, a stark contrast to the dim light of the room, slid on with familiar ease. He pulled on the matching jacket, the fabric thick and warm against his skin, and slipped his sandals on.
Once dressed, he stood by the bed for a moment, his eyes flickering toward Hanabi's still figure. It wasn't that he didn't care, but his heart wasn't torn in the same way it had been when he thought of Hinata. He had no real ties to Hanabi—this was just a passing moment, a lapse in judgment. But with Hinata...
As he reached the door. He didn't even pause to look back this time. His mind was elsewhere—focused on finding Hinata. Making things right.
Quietly, he opened the door and stepped out, careful not to make a sound. Closing it softly behind him, he turned down the hallway, his orange tracksuit blending into the shadows as he made his way toward his next challenge: finding Hinata. The hallway felt colder than usual, his steps light and swift. With each passing moment, his pulse quickened. The Hyuga compound had changed since the battle, and he wasn't sure of the best way to leave the clan quarters and find Hinata.
Naruto stepped out into the cool night air, determined to find Hinata. The garden path stretched before him, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, but the peaceful surroundings did little to ease his restless mind. He was more focused than ever on finding Hinata and making things right.
But as he walked down the path, a figure stepped in his way.
Neji. His arms crossed, the calm expression on his face betraying the quiet strength he had carried for years. Naruto could see the tension in his posture. Neji's sharp eyes studied him—full of wariness, and something softer, almost reluctant.
"Going somewhere?" Neji asked, his voice low, but there was no mistaking he knew what had happened.
Naruto stopped, his heart skipping a beat. He hadn't expected Neji to be the one to stop him. "I need to talk to Hinata," Naruto said, his voice steady but betraying the urgency in his chest.
Neji's eyes narrowed. "She's been through enough, Naruto. I think she made that clear."
"I know," Naruto said, his gaze hardening. "But I'm the one she's mad at." His words came out in a low growl. "She deserves an apology. I need to fix this."
For a moment, Neji didn't respond. The night air hung heavy between them, the silence pressing down like a weight. Finally, Neji spoke again, softer this time. "Hinata has always been the one to bear the weight of this family's expectations. Do you think she doesn't know that your mission took you away from the village? Her anger is more about her own sense of failure than your leaving."
Naruto's chest tightened. "I don't care about the family's expectations. I just want to make sure she knows how much she means to me. I can't lose her."
Neji's expression softened slightly. He glanced down, his arms unfolding, as if the weight of the conversation was too much to hold. "Hinata is strong. She's always been strong," he said, his voice quieter now. "But that doesn't mean she doesn't need someone to depend on. You've hurt her, Naruto. I know you didn't mean to, but in her mind, you did. And I need to know you're ready to allow her to blame you before you just rush back into her life like you never left."
Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but Neji's words hung in the air, making him pause. Women— all women— were confusing to him. But one thing he had learned was to just go along with it.
"I care for Hinata," Neji continued, his voice firm now, though still holding an underlying softness. "I always have. But she's not just my cousin or my responsibility. She's someone I've grown to protect. I see now that she's family, and as head of the clan, I'll always protect her—even from herself."
Naruto nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I understand, Neji. I really do."
Neji's gaze was steady, but there was something in his eyes that softened. "It's about what she needs from you, and whether or not you can be that person. You have a clan of your own now. Understandably, you'll have to put them first, but she may just need to hear that from you. No games, no lies just the truth."
Naruto took a deep breath, looking at Neji with newfound understanding. "I'll do whatever it takes. I can't lose her friendship."
Neji finally stepped aside, but his gaze remained sharp. "Then make sure you don't make the same mistake twice. Don't make promises you can't keep."
Naruto gave him a silent nod before moving past him, his heart pounding with the weight of Neji's words. When he found Hinata, he knew he had to be there for her, but he also understood that they were no longer academy students—they were clan heads with their own responsibilities. That wouldn't stop him from being there for her when she needed him, though.
…..
The midday sun beat down on the vast, open plains. The air shimmered with heat, distorting the horizon in a way that made the world seem like a mirage. The dry earth beneath Naruto's feet seemed to pulse with the energy of the land, and the scent of dust filled his nose. It was a harsh, unforgiving landscape, just like the lessons Orochimaru had been teaching him.
Naruto stood at the edge of a rocky outcrop, looking out over the desolate expanse. The wind carried the sounds of the world—distant birds, the rustling of sagebrush—but everything felt distant. The world around him, so expansive and unforgiving, was nothing like the dense forests of Konoha. This was the wild, the untamed, a place where survival meant bending, even breaking, the rules.
Orochimaru stood beside him, his figure casting a long shadow on the dry earth, his golden eyes gleaming with something unreadable. With a slight gesture, he motioned to the open space in front of them. "This," he said, his voice calm, "is the land of opportunity. Where power isn't given, it's taken."
Naruto turned to him, a question lingering on his lips. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru didn't answer immediately. Instead, he motioned to a small, struggling creature—an animal barely recognizable as it staggered across the barren ground. Its body was twisted, its limbs out of proportion, as if nature itself had been forced into a shape that didn't belong.
Naruto watched, confused. "What's wrong with it?"
Orochimaru's voice was smooth, almost detached. "I changed it. With chakra, you can bend the rules of nature. Just as I showed you how to manipulate seals, you can do the same with life itself. This creature is not what it was meant to be. It is something... more."
Naruto's eyes widened. "You... changed it? Why?"
"To demonstrate," Orochimaru replied, his voice a calm whisper. "In this world, sometimes to survive, to protect, you have to break the rules. To bend the world to your will, you have to understand it—control it. This animal, like many others, can be shaped. With enough chakra, with enough will, anything is possible."
Naruto stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "But... it doesn't look right. It's not natural."
Orochimaru's smile twisted, but there was no malice in it. "Nature is not pure, Naruto. It is chaos, it is life and death without purpose. What we do is give it purpose. Sometimes, to save something, you must change it beyond recognition."
Naruto took another step back, shaking his head. "That's... that's not right. You can't just twist something into something else for your own gain."
Orochimaru's gaze hardened for a moment before softening again. "Tell me, Naruto, when you fight for your village, what is it that you're doing? Are you not shaping the world around you with every mission you take, and every decision you make? You, too, are bending nature to your will. Only in your case, you don't have the luxury of seeing the bigger picture."
Naruto clenched his fists, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling twisting in his gut. "I fight to protect people. I don't... I don't change them. I don't force them into something else."
"Does the end justify the means?" Orochimaru pressed, his voice low and compelling. "You think the world can be fixed with just the purest of intentions. But I have seen more than you know. I have walked the path of darkness to achieve what others could not. I have seen lives destroyed, families torn apart, villages razed—and in the end, the only thing that remains is the need to survive. And if survival means bending the natural order, then so be it."
Naruto's breath caught in his throat. The heat of the sun felt heavier now, suffocating. The air was thick with the weight of Orochimaru's words. And the creature in front of them, now still, its twisted form somehow both fascinating and horrifying, seemed to echo that sentiment.
Orochimaru took a step toward the creature, his hand raised. The animal's body twitched slightly, responding to his chakra, and Naruto's eyes widened as he realized the full extent of what Orochimaru was showing him. The creature had no free will, no life of its own—it was a puppet, bound by chakra, shaped by the whims of its creator.
"Understand this, Naruto," Orochimaru said, his voice quiet but insistent. "To protect your village, and your loved ones, you must become something more than what you are now. You must learn to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. And if that means manipulating nature itself... then so be it."
Naruto stood frozen, his mind reeling. The thought of controlling life, reshaping it at will, was alien to everything he had ever known. His gut churned at the thought of it, but deep down, he couldn't deny the power it promised.
And somewhere, deep inside, he felt a flicker of doubt. Was he ready to cross that line? To do what was necessary, no matter the cost?
As if sensing his hesitation, Orochimaru turned to him, his golden eyes glinting with something like satisfaction. "I can teach you how to change it back or make it more like it was, Naruto. The choice is yours. But remember, sometimes you must break the natural order to protect the things that matter most."
The desert wind howled, carrying the scent of the earth and the promise of more battles to come. As Naruto stood there, torn between the perverted sage he trusted and the power that seemed to call to him, he realized that his journey was far from over. The path forward would not be simple, and it would demand sacrifices. But for the sake of the village, for the sake of his family, he would have to decide: could he accept this power, and the price it came with?
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the earth, Naruto took a deep breath. He had made his decision. "Show me how to put it back the way it was," he demanded, knowing that he could at least do some good while learning what needed to be done.
Orochimaru stood silently beside Naruto, watching as the young shinobi focused intently on the creature before him—a lizard, once twisted by Orochimaru's earlier jutsu, now lying still on the ground. Its body was bent unnaturally, and its movements were sluggish, reflecting the damage done by the initial transformation. Naruto was ready for the challenge of not just reversing the damage but understanding the deeper mechanics of the seal.
"This is how you begin," Orochimaru said, his voice calm, almost too calm, as if he was waiting for Naruto to either succeed or fail. "The seal is the key to undoing the changes. It will return the creature to its natural state. But be cautious. A wrong move could cause irreversible damage."
Naruto nodded, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened the book Orochimaru had given him. The pages were filled with complex symbols, lines that seemed to shift and pulse under his gaze. Orochimaru leaned in, guiding his hand to the right page.
"Focus on the flow of the creature's chakra," Orochimaru continued. "This seal will realign the disrupted paths. You are not just changing its body, but its essence. You must bring it back into balance."
Naruto's hand hovered over the creature's body, his chakra flowing into his fingertips. The first stroke of the seal felt delicate, almost hesitant, as he inscribed the complex symbols across the creature's back. He could feel the creature's chakra shifting, responding to the seal's pull. Slowly, the lizard's body began to straighten, its limbs gaining strength, its skin smoothing out as the twisted form started to restore itself.
The air around them grew heavy with the intensity of the chakra, and as the last stroke of the seal was completed, Naruto stepped back, watching the lizard. It twitched once, twice, then its eyes blinked open, focused and sharp. The creature was restored—alive, natural, no longer malformed.
"It's done," Naruto said, a breath he didn't know he was holding escaping his chest. He stood back, his eyes wide with awe. "It's... perfect."
Orochimaru observed the lizard with a cool, calculating gaze. "Yes, you've restored it. But you see, Naruto, the seal can do more than just undo the damage. It can improve upon what was broken, elevate it."
Naruto looked at him, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru smiled slightly, his golden eyes narrowing. "Now that you understand the basics of the seal, you can alter it. You can make it stronger. Faster. Better than it was before. That is the true power of seals and the natural chakra all around us in shaping not just what is, but what could be."
Naruto's brow furrowed. The thought of improving the lizard, of pushing beyond just restoration, stirred something within him. "And how do I do that?"
Orochimaru stepped closer, guiding Naruto's hand once more. "You begin by altering the flow of the creature's chakra, speeding it up, strengthening it. The base form of the seal is a template. What you add to it determines what you can achieve. See, look here and here the seal was designed to allow you to add to the matrix."
Naruto focused again, his mind intent on the task at hand. He placed his hands on the lizard once more, channeling his chakra through the seal's lines. This time, he focused on enhancing its muscles and improving its agility. The creature began to twitch and writhe, its body growing more defined, and stronger with each passing moment.
Naruto's heart raced as he watched the transformation. The lizard's legs lengthened, its body grew larger, and its movements became faster and more controlled. Its scales shimmered in the light, reflecting a once absent strength.
"That's it," Orochimaru muttered, almost as if speaking to himself. "You're learning."
Naruto stepped back, breathless. The creature before him had changed from something weak and fragile into something powerful, something beyond what it had been before. A sense of pride washed over him. He had done it. Not only had he restored the creature, but he had made it stronger. It no longer looked twisted or out of place—it was beautiful, more vibrant than anything he had expected. Its scales shone with a rainbow of lights as the sun hit it at different angles.
Naruto looked at Orochimaru, his face reflecting a mix of pride and uncertainty. "It's... beautiful."
Orochimaru's gaze softened for a moment, but only for a moment. "You've done well, Naruto. But remember, the more you change, the more you control, the more you are bound to the consequences of those actions." He paused, his eyes flicking to the enhanced creature. "You've seen the result of pushing the limits. The question is: are you ready to accept what comes with that power?"
Naruto didn't respond immediately, his eyes focused on the creature. He had pushed beyond the boundaries of what was known, and for a moment, he felt invincible. But Orochimaru's words hung in the air, a reminder that every choice had its price.
"I'll be ready," Naruto said finally, his voice steady. He had made his decision. This path would lead him to the answers he needed, the power he desired to protect his clan, his family, and even the village.
Orochimaru smiled, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Good. Then let's continue."
As Naruto turned to leave, his heart pounding with the thrill of his success, the weight of Orochimaru's teachings pressed on him. He had crossed a line, taken the first steps toward power that might one day demand a greater sacrifice. But for now, he was content to have pushed the limits—to have made something better than it was before.
Naruto stood tall, the satisfaction of his recent success when the quiet was shattered. From the distant shadows, a sudden rustle cut through the air, followed by harsh, low voices. A group of bandits emerged from the rocks, their grimy faces twisted with greed.
Naruto immediately tensed, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. They were armed with crude weapons—knives, clubs, and a few rusty swords. But what bothered him was the way they moved, like predators circling their prey.
He turned to Orochimaru, expecting some kind of guidance or action, but the man stood with his arms folded, a cold smile on his face. He made no move to intervene.
Naruto's stomach churned with frustration. "You're just going to stand there?" he growled, but Orochimaru's only response was a faint chuckle.
"You've learned much, Naruto," Orochimaru said, his voice calm and detached. "It's time to see if you can handle the consequences of your power."
Naruto's frustration bubbled to the surface, but there was no time for arguments. The bandits were closing in.
"Come on, boy," one of them sneered. "Hand over your gold and no one gets hurt."
Naruto clenched his fists, feeling his chakra pulse beneath his skin. Did they want to test him? Fine. He was ready.
He focused, gathering his chakra into his hands, preparing to unleash his usual combination of speed and power. He wasn't a stranger to battle, but something about these bandits—something in the way they came at him—felt different. They weren't just trying to rob him. They were testing him. They were trying to provoke him.
The first bandit charged, but Naruto dodged, his body moving in a blur of orange. He countered with a sharp punch that sent the man sprawling to the ground, unconscious. Another lunged at him with a knife, but Naruto was quicker. With a swift twist, he disarmed him and sent him flying with a well-placed kick.
But even as he fought, the number of attackers seemed to multiply, their reckless attacks pushing him back. The more he struck, the more came at him as if they were growing out of the ground.
His breathing started to become labored. He needed a break—just a moment to regroup—but the bandits didn't give him the time. They closed in tighter.
Just as Naruto was about to take a defensive stance, he heard the heavy rustle of movement from the rocks behind him. The sound was different from the usual wind or animal noise. Something large was coming.
Out of the shadows, the creature emerged—the lizard he had transformed earlier, still small, but now full of aggression. It was no longer the docile reptile he had once restored. Its scales, though still small, caught the light, reflecting an eerie gleam in its eyes. The little creature hissed as it lunged at one of the bandits, claws extended, snapping at him with surprising speed and ferocity.
Naruto watched in disbelief as the lizard attacked, its tiny body no match for the group of bandits. His heart clenched as the creature struggled against the attackers, biting and clawing but unable to defend itself against the overwhelming numbers.
"No, you can't," Naruto yelled out, the helplessness of the situation settling in his chest.
Without thinking, Naruto reached for the seal he had just used, the seal he had perfected through hours of study. The image of the seal flashed in his mind as he focused all his chakra into it. He pushed the power out, sending a surge of energy into the lizard.
The creature let out a low, almost startled hiss as it began to grow before his eyes. Its body stretched, scales thickening, limbs lengthening, until it was the size of a horse. The transformation was swift and overwhelming, and the bandits, stunned at first, froze in fear.
The newly massive lizard roared, its powerful body now towering over the attackers. The bandits scrambled, their eyes wide with terror, but it was too late. The lizard was a force to be reckoned with. With a swipe of its massive tail, it knocked one of the bandits to the ground, then lunged, its sharp teeth sinking into another. The remaining attackers fled in panic, leaving behind only chaos and the overwhelming presence of the now enormous creature.
Orochimaru stood off to the side. Creating such a creature was easy, but making it loyal—making it brave, without the fear of pain to push it forward, that was something he had never been able to do. He looked at Naruto with new eyes, seeing that this student had within him the potential to become even more powerful than himself.
Naruto stared at the lizard, panting, as it stood there, breathing heavily, its eyes still locked onto him with a sense of loyalty. The creature, once small and fragile, was now something that could defend itself, something that could stand beside him.
Naruto realized, with a feeling of both pride and fear, that he had crossed another line. But at that moment, there was no turning back. He had created something powerful, and now, it was his responsibility to take care of it.
The lizard padded toward him, its massive form moving with an almost playful air, as though it recognized the bond they now shared. Naruto smiled weakly, his heart still racing from the chaos. "Good boy," he whispered, but even as he praised it, he couldn't shake the question that lingered in his mind: What had he just done?
He stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, as the lizard sat back on its haunches, still watching him with an intelligent gaze. The calm after the storm was settling in, and Naruto couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride.
But a part of him recoiled at what he had just done. He had pushed the creature to this point, he had used it. The power was intoxicating, but was it worth it? Had he crossed a line?
As the sun dipped behind the horizon, Naruto knew he would have to face the consequences of his actions. But for now, the creature would stay by his side, but he had to ask himself: was he willing to keep walking down this path, no matter where it led?
The choice, like always, was his to make.
…..