Chapter 125: Naruto: A Particularly Dense Product of Konoha
The hot spring water flowed gently as steam drifted through the air.
For some reason, Naruto suddenly felt as though the water had become much hotter than before.
"Uh…"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he spent several seconds searching for something to say.
"The hot spring is really nice."
"...Mm."
"The stars are beautiful tonight too."
"...Mm."
Hinata's faint reply drifted over from the neighboring bath.
Even with Naruto's keen hearing, her voice was barely audible.
"Um…"
Just as Naruto was struggling to think of a topic—and was even considering asking Kurama and his father for help—Hinata spoke first.
"Naruto-kun… about what Father said before, I'll find a way to deal with it."
"Huh? You mean the situation involving you and Hanabi?"
"Mm."
There was a brief pause.
"So you don't need to worry about it too much."
Naruto blinked.
Something about her voice sounded strange.
There was a stiffness there.
And uncertainty.
"How can I not worry?"
Naruto immediately replied.
"I'm definitely going to help you deal with it."
Silence followed.
After a long moment, Hinata finally answered.
"...That would be nice too."
Naruto frowned.
Something was definitely wrong.
Without hesitation, he entered Fox Sage Mode.
His senses expanded dramatically.
When he focused on Hinata's voice, he thought he could detect nervousness and unease hidden beneath her words.
Immediately, alarm bells went off in his head.
Something happened.
"What are you shouting about now?"
Kurama's annoyed voice echoed through his mind.
Kurama! Check on Hinata! Something feels wrong!
"Hm?"
The Nine-Tails became serious.
Naruto quickly explained his concerns.
Kurama investigated.
Minato joined in.
The three of them spent the next minute analyzing the situation from every possible angle.
Could there be an enemy nearby?
A hidden genjutsu?
Someone suppressing their chakra and emotions?
Some kind of unseen threat?
Eventually, Minato slowly rubbed his forehead.
Then he looked at Kurama.
Then at Naruto.
Then back at Kurama.
"Kurama-sama…"
"I think I know what the problem is."
"You found something?"
Kurama immediately asked.
"Yes."
Minato sighed.
"I think the problem is Naruto."
"Huh?"
Kurama was completely bewildered.
Meanwhile, Naruto remained oblivious.
He continued trying to hold a conversation while simultaneously searching for the invisible threat he was convinced existed.
His increasingly strange attempts at small talk only made the situation more awkward.
Eventually, Hinata became so flustered that she stopped replying altogether.
The silence immediately sent Naruto into panic mode.
Why did she stop answering?
Did something happen?
Is she in danger?!
Without thinking any further, Naruto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
A moment later—
Realizing there was no enemy at all, Naruto finally understood that he had completely misunderstood the situation.
Unfortunately, by that point, the damage had already been done.
Hinata was so embarrassed that she could barely speak.
Naruto stood frozen in place.
Neither of them knew what to say.
At that exact moment, several guests entered the area, completely interrupting the awkward situation.
The atmosphere instantly became even more chaotic.
Elsewhere in the inn, Kakashi finally gave up searching for Jiraiya after checking every hot spring establishment in Yugakure.
Just as he returned to the inn, he noticed Mei Terumī waiting in the lobby.
"Finished with your business?"
Mei asked with a smile.
"Looks like I struck out."
Kakashi sighed.
"I thought I'd find Jiraiya-sama more quickly."
Mei stood up and adjusted her yukata.
"The baths are currently unavailable anyway."
She smiled faintly.
"How about we find somewhere quiet and talk for a while?"
Kakashi blinked.
Then he nodded.
"Sure."
And so, while Naruto was unknowingly creating problems of his own, Kakashi and Mei headed off into the night for a conversation of their own.
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