Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

Konoha.

The Hyūga Clan Estate.

Although she had trained late into the night before finally going to bed...

Hinata still woke up early as usual.

Ever since the incident with her eyes—and from the time Naruto left until now—nothing unusual had happened again.

The clan had also stopped assigning people to watch over her day and night.

Even though she knew one of the household maids would come later to tidy her room...

Hinata carefully folded her bedding herself.

She opened the window.

Warm morning sunlight poured into the room.

As the crisp, refreshing air of dawn drifted inside, she stretched lazily before smiling to herself.

After changing out of her pajamas and finishing her morning wash...

She headed toward the kitchen.

The Hyūga Clan was one of Konoha's most prestigious noble families.

Every aspect of daily life—from meals to housekeeping—was handled by dedicated servants.

As the eldest daughter of the Main House...

Hinata never needed to cook for herself.

Whatever she wanted...

She only had to ask.

Yet the kitchen staff weren't surprised in the slightest to see her.

They had long since grown accustomed to it.

"Oh!"

"There are fresh seasonal ingredients today!"

Her eyes sparkled as she looked over the newly purchased vegetables and other ingredients neatly arranged on the shelves.

A little while later...

Hinata emerged from the kitchen carrying three neatly wrapped lunch boxes.

Her face was full of anticipation.

Just as she reached the front courtyard...

She ran into Hiashi.

"Good morning, Father."

"...Mm."

"You're up early again."

Hiashi had been on his way to supervise the clan's morning training.

His eyes fell upon the breakfast boxes tied together with a cloth in Hinata's hands.

He frowned.

"...That Naruto brat."

"It's already been several days."

"He still hasn't come back?"

Hinata nodded.

"...Mm."

"He originally said it'd take at most half a month."

"But..."

"Naruto-kun also promised he'd return before the Chūnin Exams."

Looking at his daughter...

Who had only recently recovered...

Hiashi silently grumbled about Naruto.

Seeing that Hinata continued preparing breakfast every single morning...

Despite knowing Naruto might not return that day...

He could only sigh inwardly.

As they say...

A grown daughter is like water that's already been poured away.

That brat Naruto...

He disappeared without a word for this long.

With Flying Thunder God, he should be able to return whenever he wants.

Surely nothing happened to him...

Shisui Uchiha has already been confirmed to have escaped the village...

Hopefully those two things aren't connected.

Outwardly, however...

Hiashi simply relaxed his expression.

"Don't worry."

"That boy's already a shinobi stronger than even I am."

He paused.

"Tomorrow..."

"If it isn't too much trouble..."

"Make one for me too."

Without waiting for Hinata's response...

He clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.

Watching her father's departing figure...

Hinata smiled softly.

"...Okay."

---

Carrying the lunch boxes...

She left the Hyūga Estate.

Before long...

She arrived beneath Naruto's apartment building with practiced familiarity.

"...Karin."

Seeing the red-haired girl already waiting downstairs...

Hinata greeted her happily.

"Hinata!"

"You made it!"

Karin immediately ran over excitedly.

It was obvious...

The two had become quite close.

"You live here too."

Hinata smiled.

"You don't have to wake up this early."

"I could've come to get you."

"Hehe."

"I didn't wake up early."

"I just never went to sleep!"

Karin declared proudly.

The Uzumaki Clan's special physique granted her astonishing stamina.

Even pulling an all-nighter occasionally barely left her tired.

"Then..."

"Let's head upstairs."

Hinata nodded.

Together...

The two climbed to Naruto's apartment.

After all...

Only Hinata had the spare key to Naruto and Sasuke's home.

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

After knocking and confirming no one was inside...

Hinata unlocked the door.

The two girls naturally began tidying up the apartment.

They opened the windows...

Allowing sunlight and fresh air to chase away the lonely atmosphere inside.

"...Looks like they're not coming back today either."

Karin looked disappointed.

Neither Naruto's room nor Sasuke's had changed at all since yesterday.

Hinata, however...

Didn't seem bothered.

Her gaze settled on the crack in Naruto's room that still hadn't been repaired.

She picked up the note she'd left there several days ago.

Then placed down a fresh one.

> *Naruto-kun, if you've come back, please let me know. I've really missed you. — Hinata*

"...It must be nice."

Karin sighed enviously.

"Once you've confirmed your relationship..."

"You can write things that honestly."

"...Looks like it'll just be us eating again today."

Hinata handed one of the lunch boxes to Karin.

Then opened her own.

Putting her hands together politely...

She smiled.

"Thank you for the meal."

Eating breakfast in Naruto's room every morning...

Had quietly become one of Hinata's little routines.

Karin followed suit.

She had only lowered her head for two bites...

When she looked up again...

Hinata had already put down her chopsticks.

Facing her now-empty lunch box...

Hinata softly said,

"Thank you for the meal."

Even after seeing it day after day...

Karin still couldn't accept how absurdly fast Hinata ate.

It was practically invisible to the naked eye.

"After breakfast..."

"We're still going to train?"

Watching Hinata carry the lunch boxes toward the sink...

Karin hurriedly stuffed several more bites into her own mouth before asking.

"...Mm."

Hinata washed the dishes while replying,

"Didn't Kakashi-sensei say so?"

"For now..."

"You'll be joining Team Seven temporarily."

"Since Naruto and Sasuke aren't here..."

"I'll teach you until they return."

Karin glanced toward the untouched third lunch box on the table.

Her expression turned somewhat gloomy.

"...We're not still being taught by that old pervert, are we?"

Hinata smiled helplessly.

"Jiraiya-sama is a truly great shinobi."

"And before leaving..."

"Kakashi-sensei specifically said that being taught by him is an extremely rare opportunity."

"We should treasure it."

She turned around.

"Are you done?"

"Give me your lunch box too."

"I'll wash it together."

"I can do it myself!"

After closing all the windows again...

Hinata led Karin toward the training ground she knew so well.

The moment they arrived...

An energetic shout echoed through the sky.

"Jiraiya-sama is right!"

"Guy-sensei always says youth must never be wasted!"

"I'm going to do six thousand handstand laps around every bathhouse in Konoha while wearing weights!"

"I'm off!"

The instant Rock Lee finished shouting...

A middle-aged voice rang out.

Lecherous...

Yet somehow carefree.

"Excellent!"

"That's the spirit, young man!"

"Here!"

"Wear this Weighted Crystal Ball!"

"It'll make your training even more effective!"

"Oh!"

"And remember what I told you."

"Don't run too fast."

"Six thousand laps means maintaining a steady pace from morning until night."

"By the way..."

"The women's bathhouse gets busiest around three or four in the afternoon."

"So plan your route carefully..."

"...There he goes again."

Karin let out a weary sigh.

"That old pervert is definitely tricking Lee into doing something weird under the excuse of training."

Hearing the commotion...

Hinata walked over as well.

Just as they expected...

The white-haired Jiraiya sat casually on the ground with a broad grin.

In the distance...

The green-clad blur known as Rock Lee was already sprinting away upside down on his hands.

Meanwhile...

Tenten's face had turned bright red as she desperately clung to him with all her strength...

Trying to stop him from charging off.