While the Akatsuki quietly began carrying out their tailed beast capture plan, outside Konoha Village, Naruto stood at the gates together with Jiraiya and Nono Yakush, reflecting on the passage of ti.
"Ti really flies," Jiraiya's wife, Nono, said with a sigh as she held the hand of her child with Jiraiya. "In the blink of an eye, three years have passed."
Standing beside her, Naruto grinned broadly.
"Right? It feels like I only left Konoha a couple of days ago… I can't wait to show Sasuke how strong I've beco."
Jiraiya lightly poked Naruto, wearing an expression of disappointnt mixed with frustration.
"You've been away from Konoha for three years, and the first person you want to see when you get back is Sasuke? And you call yourself the disciple of the great Jiraiya?"
As he spoke, Jiraiya put on a lecherous grin and whispered to Naruto:
"I'm telling you, girls at this age are hitting the fast track of developnt. When you see little Hinata again, you might notice her, uh—"
Before he could finish, Nono twisted the soft flesh at Jiraiya's waist and spun it a full three hundred and sixty degrees.
"Ah—! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Easy there! The kid is watching!"
Jiraiya nearly jumped from the pain.
After scolding her shaless husband, Nono turned to Naruto and said:
"Even though Jiraiya isn't very reliable, what he said does make so sense. If Hinata finds out that after three years away, you ca back to Konoha without thinking of her first, she'd be very hurt."
Naruto nodded blankly. From the look on his face, it was clear that the unfinished part of Jiraiya's words had left quite an impact on his young—though not entirely pure—heart.
"Uh… um… Auntie Nono, I'll go see Hinata first, then. I'll co visit you in a couple of days."
With that, Naruto bolted off in a flash, leaving Nono to poke Jiraiya's forehead helplessly.
"If Kushina ever finds out you're filling Naruto's head with this kind of nonsense, you're really going to be in trouble."
...
Hinata's developnt truly ca as a shock to Naruto. Even though she wore a slightly loose jacket, the curves beneath it were still faintly visible.
After being apart for three years, the young couple naturally had countless things they wanted to talk about. Hiashi held Naruto in high regard as a prospective son-in-law, so he naturally didn't stop them from going out on a date.
And so, the two left the Hyūga compound together, whispering sweetly to each other. Behind them, a certain little girl puffed out her cheeks as she watched them leave—she had been promised training together today, and it was all that stupid Naruto's fault.
Yet as Hanabi watched Naruto and Hinata's retreating figures, a thought quietly surfaced in her heart:
If only Ryūshin and I could be like that too…
Naruto and Hinata wandered aimlessly through Konoha's streets, sharing stories of everything they had experienced over the past three years.
Just as their conversation reached its most animated point, an uncertain voice suddenly sounded from behind them:
"Naruto?"
The two turned around to see Sakura carefully looking them over.
Once she confird that it really was Naruto and Hinata, Sakura imdiately broke into a smile.
"You're finally back in Konoha! That's so unfair—you ca back and didn't even tell anyone."
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I just got here myself. I was planning to take a walk with Hinata first, then go see you and Sasuke. I didn't expect to run into you here.
So how have things been these past three years? How are things going between you and Sasuke?"
At the ntion of Sasuke, a faint blush flashed across Sakura's face, but it quickly turned into a look of frustration.
"It's been… so-so. You know how Sasuke is—training, training, training every day. And since Lady Tsunade took in as her final disciple, I don't have much free ti to see him either. So there hasn't really been much progress between us."
At that mont, Hinata spoke up softly:
"Hang in there, Sakura. I think you and Sasuke are a great match—I'm really rooting for you."
Naruto smiled and spoke up as well:
"Since we're already here, why wait for another day? How about we go find Sasuke right now? The four of us can go grab a al together, and I'll even help play matchmaker for you and Sasuke—how does that sound?"
Sakura glanced at Naruto and Hinata, who were holding hands, and said a little shyly:
"Wouldn't that be kind of inappropriate? I don't want to interrupt your ti together…"
She said that, but her eyes were practically screaming tempted.
Naruto turned to look at Hinata. Naturally, Hinata nodded gently with a warm smile, signaling her agreent.
Gossip is humanity's sixth instinct—Hinata was no exception.
Even though she and Naruto had been apart for three years and still had many private things to talk about, they would have plenty of ti together in the future. There was no need to rush right now.
Since Hinata had agreed, there was nothing more to discuss. Led by Sakura, the three headed to Training Ground Seven, where Sasuke often trained.
Sure enough, Sasuke was training there. Kakashi wasn't around—he seed to be away on a mission. Training with Sasuke was his older brother, Itachi.
The two were going back and forth in a lively sparring match.
After three years apart, Sasuke's strength had improved significantly. Whether it was Fire Release or Lightning Release, his mastery had increased by leaps and bounds.
Watching from the side, Naruto's hands itched with excitent. Just as he was debating whether to jump in, Itachi noticed their presence.
As a classic doting older brother, Itachi paid close attention to his little brother's teammates. Upon seeing Naruto and the others, he tactfully stopped the sparring.
"That's enough for today, Sasuke. Let's end the training here."
Sasuke frowned slightly.
"That's it? We've barely ward up. It's rare that you don't have a mission today—let's go another round."
Itachi shook his head helplessly and pointed behind him.
"Take a look at who's here."
Sasuke followed his gaze and saw Naruto grinning widely and waving at him. A smile tugged at the corner of Sasuke's mouth, but instead of greeting him, he simply beckoned with his hand.
"Co on, Naruto. It's been three years. Let see how much you've improved."
At those words, Sakura—who had been smiling brightly—instantly looked crestfallen. Itachi caught this subtle change imdiately and sighed in mild exasperation.
"What have I taught you? Naruto's been training outside the village for three years and just got back. And the first thing you want to do is fight him? What's the rush? We can spar anyti—go grab a al first."
Hearing that, Sakura's eyes lit up instantly.
Big Brother Itachi, you are such a wonderful person!
Sasuke frowned a little but still followed his brother's advice. He turned to Itachi and asked:
"Then, Brother, are you coming with us?"
Itachi was completely at a loss with his younger brother. In this situation, he told a lie that was barely a lie at all.
"No. Izumi asked out on a date. I'm going to et her. You go with them."
Sakura was so touched she was almost in tears.
They were brothers—so how could Itachi be this perceptive, while Sasuke was so dense?
...
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon/c/ReadJin
~ Every 100 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]
User Comments
0 comments from readers