Sincerity is a Killer Technique

"I'm sorry, please accept my condolences," Ino said with a hint of guilt.

"There's no need to apologize for something like that," Naruto replied, taking the white chrysanthemum. Just as he was about to pay, he suddenly noticed a red flower.

Perhaps thinking that one flower was too little, he habitually picked up another, pointing to the red flower and saying, "Ino, could you help me wrap that flower as well?"

"Eh? That one? ...Alright." Ino turned around to grab the flower and swiftly wrapped it. "That'll be fifty ryo."

"Is this for Sakura? I hear she's been spending all her time training in the medical team lately."

Naruto paid, took the flowers, and handed the wrapped rose to Ino.

"Huh?" Ino paused for a moment. "Is there something wrong with the flowers?"

"I'm giving them to you," Naruto said again, holding the flowers out a little further. Ino reached out and accepted them.

"Why are you suddenly giving me flowers?" Ino asked, a little confused. She hadn't expected Naruto to buy flowers for her. Though her family wasn't short on flowers...

"It's nothing, just suddenly thought of it. Thanks for always looking out for me. It's normal, right?" Naruto replied as he carefully put the white chrysanthemum away, looking directly at Ino.

"Well, it makes sense when you say it that way, but it still feels a little strange," Ino said with an awkward laugh, avoiding eye contact. "It almost feels like we're adults, giving each other flowers and all."

"Don't say weird things like that. If you don't want them, I won't give them to you." Naruto made a move as if to take them back.

"No, once a gift is given, it shouldn't be taken back," Ino said, firmly holding onto the wrapped rose. "Besides... I didn't say I didn't want them."

Naruto, not really intending to take them back, just pretended to and then bid her goodbye.

---

*The Next Day*

The Anbu found the body of Moonlight Gale on a rooftop. His body had been sliced by sharp blades, with a fatal wound on his neck.

At the same time, the third round of the Chunin Exams, hosted by the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, had begun. Unlike the first two rounds, this one would take place in a stadium that could hold thousands, with nobility from the Fire Nation attending.

For these well-off nobles, watching ninja battles was as elegant as a formal banquet at home.

The nobles owned vast amounts of land and production tools. Just from the rent and tax breaks provided by the Fire Nation, they could live luxuriously without worry. Naruto used to envy these wealthy people, and he still did.

While they might not be richer than him now, they certainly knew how to enjoy life.

Unlike Naruto, who had money but couldn't spend it all—buying expensive appliances, eating barbecue, and soaking in baths had become his limit. His body was still too small to spend money on anything else.

The area inside and outside the arena was bustling with activity, as if it were a grand festival. Pedestrians crowded the streets, with vendors enthusiastically selling their goods. Drinks and red bean dumplings were especially popular.

Naruto walked down the street, carrying a bag of food towards the training ground.

Perhaps because of the formal exam, the training ground was empty. Most people had probably gone to the large arena. After all, on such a grand day, who would choose to train at a secluded field?

Naruto wasn't there to train, anyway. He hadn't trained at all.

It was still early, and the forest was unusually quiet. Naruto stood in the training field, looking around as if searching for something.

"Naruto-kun... What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, Hinata's figure shyly appeared from behind a wooden post in the training ground, nervously asking.

At that moment, Hinata was wearing a light blue long-sleeved vintage top and black three-quarter pants, looking elegant and graceful.

"Bringing food," Naruto said, holding up the oil paper bag in his hand. "Remember we were supposed to eat barbecue together? I haven't seen you until now."

"Sorry, I've been training..." Hinata lowered her head, not wanting to mention how her father had completely ignored her, leaving her to train alone, pushing herself to prove her worth.

"It's okay," Naruto said, walking over and handing the paper bag to Hinata. "Hinata, you're working so hard, you'll definitely get stronger."

"I haven't changed at all," Hinata said in a low voice, looking down. "When I faced Neji-nii, it was only because of your help that I was able to last a few exchanges. If it were just me, I probably wouldn't have lasted even one."

"You can't say it like that," Naruto comforted her, pulling out a skewer of dumplings from the bag and taking a bite. "Hinata, you knew you couldn't win but still pushed through. That's already really brave."

"Getting stronger isn't something that happens overnight. You have to believe in yourself," he added.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun." Hinata smiled gently as she looked up. "I understand now. I'll keep trying."

"Do you want some?" Naruto offered.

"Yes."

Hinata felt a bit uncomfortable under Naruto's honest gaze, and she didn't know how to react.

"This is red bean dumplings, and that's fried tempura. Cake, too." Naruto rummaged through the bag, handing her a variety of snacks. "You can eat these, right?"

"Ah, I can eat them."

"And what about this? This one looks good, though I've never really tried it. But the shopkeeper said it's really popular with girls." Naruto continued pulling out more snacks, as though he'd come specifically to bring food for Hinata.

"Naruto-kun..." Hinata said quietly.

"Yes?" Naruto looked up at her.

"Thank you."

"Good."

Hinata froze for a moment, not sure how to respond. Normally, you'd say "It's fine" to a thank you, but Naruto's simple "Good" left her flustered, and her face turned bright red.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"I was just thinking... Why are you so nice to me?" Hinata said, looking away. "I'm not an easy person to like, I always fail at everything, and I'm so timid."

"You've done great already. I don't know why you feel so insecure, but I think you're actually very kind to everyone. Your teammates must really like you. You don't need to worry about that," Naruto said reassuringly.

At his words, Hinata shyly glanced up at him, her movements resembling a cute little kitten. She quickly looked down again, embarrassed, lips pressed together, with a faint smile.

Naruto's unexpected honesty made Hinata smile in a way she rarely showed to others, and even though Naruto didn't yet feel romantic feelings for her, his heart couldn't help but race.

"Naruto-kun, I... I'm so happy," Hinata said, her face breaking into a soft smile, stuttering. "It's the first time anyone has praised me like that, so..."

"You'll hear it more often from now on, so it's no problem," Naruto said. "The Chunin Exam is about to start. Aren't you going?"

"Sorry, Naruto-kun. I promised Kiba and the others I'd go with them," Hinata said, her face full of regret.

"It's okay, I'll go ahead," Naruto said, waving as he started to leave. "See you, Hinata. Keep your spirits up!"

"Mm." Hinata's face turned bashful again.

"Goodbye... Naruto-kun."

______________________________________________

If you want 20 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon: 

patreon.com/PureParadox