Tenten held the large cloth bag and took a few steps before remembering something. She turned around and jogged back, her face filled with excitement and gratitude.
"Oh, Hinata! I almost forgot the most important thing!" Tenten's eyes sparkled as she temporarily placed the bag by her feet and gestured with her free hands.
"That sword you gave me is really, really, really amazing!"
Her tone was excited.
"On this Border Mission, those guys' armor and ninja tools were like paper in front of it! It's super useful!"
Hinata watched Tenten's heartfelt joy.
"I'm glad it's useful. In your hands, it's more valuable than it would be sitting with me."
"This is practically a Divine Artifact!" Tenten nodded vigorously, then scratched her face a bit sheepishly.
"Um... how did the dessert I made before taste? Was it too sweet? I'm actually not very good at making sweets..."
"No, it was delicious. The shape was very cute, I liked it."
"Really? That's good!" Tenten breathed a sigh of relief and smiled even more happily.
"I'll try something else next time! I'm off then, I still have to put these things back."
Watching Tenten pick up the cloth bag again and run off with light steps, Hinata continued walking forward.
After turning down two streets, near the edge of the Village by a Training Forest, Uzumaki Naruto was undergoing high-intensity Cultivate in an open space.
At this moment, his figure flickered rapidly through the forest, leaving several afterimages. His main body and Shadow Clone coordinated perfectly, performing complex tactical drills and releasing Ninjutsu.
His expression was focused and determined, a clear fire burning in his azure eyes. It was no longer just the stubbornness of "wanting to be recognized," but the responsibility and realization of "I must become stronger, I must protect."
Sweat soaked his Orange training suit, and his blond hair clung to his forehead, but he showed no intention of stopping.
Beside him, a Shadow Clone was holding a scroll, seemingly studying some complex Technique formula.
Hinata didn't step forward immediately, instead standing at the edge of the forest and watching for a moment.
Naruto's progress was visible to the naked eye, not just in his mastery of Ninjutsu, but in a transformation of his spirit.
Learning about his origins was like a light illuminating the path ahead, making him truly understand the weight and responsibility of the title "Hokage."
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Naruto's main body paused, dispersed the unstable Chakra ball in his palm, and turned to look.
When he saw Hinata, a bright, cloudless smile immediately broke out on his face, and he waved vigorously.
"Hinata? What are you doing here?"
He jumped to the edge of the forest in a few bounds, and his Shadow Clone vanished with a "poof."
"Just out for a walk. You seem to be in a good mood," Hinata said.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to you!" Naruto wiped his sweat with his wristband, his smile hearty.
"Kakashi-sensei told me a lot about my dad and taught me quite a bit. Now that the situation in the Village is so tense, and that guy Sasuke..."
He paused, his smile fading slightly, but his gaze became even more determined.
"I have to get stronger! Strong enough to protect everyone, strong enough to pull back a comrade who's lost their way!"
There was no confusion in his words, only an indomitable determination.
"I believe you can, Naruto. How much do you know about Uchiha Sasuke's situation?"
Naruto was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming serious.
"I know he killed an old woman, apparently some big shot. It feels like he's really changed. Kakashi-sensei told me a bit too. Do you know something?"
Hinata looked around; the Training Forest was remote, and there was no one else there at the moment.
"Do you want to see your dad again?"
"Huh?"
Before he could react, Hinata made her move.
Naruto only felt very sleepy. When he opened his eyes again, the scene before him had changed.
The surface of the water rippled slightly as a figure slowly condensed and appeared.
Blond hair, a handsome and gentle face, and a white cloak embroidered with the words "Fourth Hokage."
Sensing Hinata enter again, he appeared immediately.
"Dad!" Naruto said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Minato Namikaze looked at his son with a smile, his gaze full of gratification and pride.
"Naruto, it looks like you've grown quite a bit more." His voice was gentle as he turned to Hinata and nodded slightly.
"Hinata, thank you for bringing Naruto to see me, but I still cannot allow you to undo the Seal."
"That's a separate matter. First of all, something big happened in the Village. Uchiha Sasuke assassinated Utatane Koharu. Konoha is on high alert, and the situation is very complex."
Hinata told him about the Village's affairs and the bond between Sasuke and Naruto.
Minato's smile faded, his expression turning solemn.
"The worst-case scenario has happened after all." He looked at Naruto.
"Naruto, the matter with Sasuke is more serious than you imagine. This isn't just his personal revenge; it could evolve into an assault on Konoha's Foundation."
Naruto clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "I know! That's why I have to get stronger! I'm going to bring Sasuke back! No matter what method I use!"
"Bringing back his body is easy, but bringing back his heart is hard," Minato sighed.
"Especially when he is convinced his path is 'correct.' Hatred, obsession, plus the induction of external forces..."
"Then what should I do?" Naruto asked urgently. "Am I supposed to just watch him walk all the way into the darkness?"
"No, Naruto. You possess something I don't—the bond you've had with Sasuke since childhood, and the power to break fate."
"I..." Naruto took a deep breath, his gaze becoming determined once again.
"I won't give up on Sasuke! But I understand the current situation now. I'll get stronger—strong enough to change all this! Strong enough to pull Sasuke back from the darkness!"
Seeing the fire in his son's eyes, more mature and determined than before, a gratified smile appeared on Minato's face. "That's my son, Minato Namikaze's son."
"Alright, we've finished discussing the first matter. It's time for the second."
Hinata looked at Minato and spoke slowly.
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