Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"Then... let's head back."

Naruto's face was still slightly red as he handed Hinata the clothes he had managed to find.

"From now on, I'll pay more attention. I won't let you be upset without noticing ever again. And if there's ever something you think I'm doing wrong, just tell me directly, okay?"

"Y-You don't have to go that far..." Hinata accepted the clothes, her cheeks just as red. "Knowing how you feel already makes me very happy..."

Then she lowered her head.

"Um... Naruto-kun, could you turn around for a moment?"

"Ah? O-Oh! Right!"

Naruto immediately spun around.

Listening to the rustling sounds behind him, he stood as straight as a spear, staring firmly ahead and trying his absolute best to behave like a proper gentleman.

To keep his thoughts under control, he desperately filled his mind with training exercises, mission reports, and anything else he could think of.

"I-I'm finished."

"O-Okay."

Naruto turned back around.

Seeing Hinata dressed in his old clothes, he somehow felt even more flustered than before.

For a brief moment, he had the overwhelming urge to hug her.

After mentally imagining Kurama turning him into a stone statue several hundred times, Naruto finally suppressed the impulse and awkwardly held out his hand.

"Let's... go back."

A moment later, inside the inn room, Sasuke was studying the Flying Thunder God marker engraved onto a special kunai.

Sensing chakra fluctuations, he looked up.

Then he saw Naruto and Hinata appear in front of him while holding hands.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"What exactly is this supposed to mean?"

His gaze moved between Hinata's familiar clothing and the embarrassed expressions on both their faces.

"You came all the way here just to show off?"

"I-I'll be going now!"

Already completely overwhelmed, Hinata immediately fled the room.

"Sasuke, listen! Let me explain!"

"No."

"You don't understand—"

"I said no."

Sasuke immediately turned away.

"I've seen that stupid grin before."

He paused.

"No. Actually, this one is even worse."

"Don't be like that!"

Naruto laughed foolishly.

"We're sharing a room tonight anyway, so you can't escape! Just listen to me!"

"Absolutely not!"

Some time later, Kakashi returned to the room looking exhausted.

The first thing he saw was Naruto chasing Sasuke around while Sasuke desperately tried to get away.

Kakashi couldn't help sighing.

"Young people really are full of energy."

The next morning—

"Good morning, Hinata! Also, I like you!"

"N-Naruto-kun!"

Hinata's face instantly turned bright red.

"You really don't have to say it every time!"

"Also... good morning..."

The newly expanded Team Seven gathered outside the inn.

Naruto's enthusiastic declaration was the very first thing everyone heard.

Several early-rising travelers nearby turned to look.

Most simply smiled.

Young love was always entertaining to watch.

"This is what I'm going to have to deal with every day from now on?"

Dark circles hung beneath Sasuke's eyes as he stared at the sky.

"This is a nightmare."

For the first time in his life, he seriously considered leaving the team.

Or more specifically—

Leaving Naruto.

If Naruto's there, I'm not.

I have to sever this bond immediately.

And if Naruto ever tried another one of those late-night conversations?

Sasuke swore he would fight him on the spot.

"See?"

Mei Terumī smiled as she teased Kakashi.

"Naruto is far more straightforward than you are."

"When are you going to say something like that to a woman?"

"Please spare me."

Kakashi immediately surrendered.

He had spent part of the previous evening accompanying Mei around town, and merely dealing with the men who kept trying to flirt with her had been exhausting enough.

To make matters worse, he'd discovered a store selling the newest volume of Icha Icha Paradise.

Unfortunately, Mei had been standing right beside him.

Buying it had been impossible.

The regret still lingered.

"Alright, enough joking."

Kakashi clapped his hands.

"The ship to the Land of Water leaves this afternoon."

"We still have some time."

"Let's gather information around town and see if anything useful turns up."

"Yes!"

Everyone immediately got to work.

Unfortunately, Yugakure lived up to its reputation.

It was a peaceful resort village.

Nobody seemed to know anything about the Akatsuki or the people they were searching for.

The only noteworthy rumor Kakashi uncovered involved a serial killer who had once operated within the Land of Hot Water.

The man supposedly murdered for neither money nor revenge.

He killed simply because he wanted to.

There were also rumors linking him to some sort of religious cult.

Several ninja had been hired to hunt him down.

Most never returned.

For a nation as peaceful as the Land of Hot Water, he had been an unusually dangerous criminal.

However, by the time Kakashi heard the story, the killer had already vanished.

Most people believed some powerful individual had eventually dealt with him.

Beyond that, there was nothing worth investigating.

The others returned without finding any useful clues either.

"In that case, we're moving on to the Land of Water."

After comparing notes and confirming everyone's findings, Kakashi made the decision.

Their next destination had actually been the original objective from the start—

The Land of Water.

Home of Kirigakure.

According to Konoha's intelligence, the Akatsuki's most recent confirmed activity was connected to the Mizukage's escape and the death of Shisui Uchiha.

Since both incidents occurred within the Land of Water, it remained the most promising place to search for clues.

Originally, Kirigakure was supposed to investigate Akatsuki activity within its own borders and share information with Konoha as an ally.

However, Mei had suggested a different approach.

First, the return of the long-missing Mizukage would inevitably throw Kirigakure into political turmoil. Internal stability would have to take priority.

Second, any organization capable of targeting and abducting a Kage was too dangerous for her to investigate alone.

Third, as one of the Land of Water's most influential figures, Mei had connections throughout the country and could move around far more freely than outsiders.

Fourth, Akatsuki would likely continue pursuing the escaped Mizukage, meaning the Land of Water probably contained the largest number of fresh leads.

"So, in summary..."

Standing aboard the ship, Kakashi concluded his explanation.

"Heading to the Land of Water first is both logical and efficient."

"I see."

Naruto stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"...You'd better actually understand what I just said."

Kakashi laughed.

"This mission is partly meant to train your ability to analyze information and lead a team."

"There aren't many things left that I can teach you these days."

"This is one of them."

Naruto looked up at him seriously.

"I'll study hard, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled and ruffled his hair.

Even with all the power Naruto possessed, he still maintained the attitude of a student eager to learn.

That was a rare quality.

"Keep it up."

Kakashi's visible eye curved into a smile.

"I look forward to seeing the day you achieve your dream."

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