Lost in the Echo of “Hinata-chan”

"I suppose so," Iruka hesitated for a moment, then asked as gently as he could, "But as your teacher, I'd really like to know why you're giving up on your dream."

"No reason. That sort of thing was never my dream," Naruto shrugged. "Iruka-sensei, didn't you say that the Hokage is the strongest in the village?"

"Yes, I did," Iruka nodded.

"They're right, I'm just the dead last. There's no way I could become Hokage, right?" Naruto countered.

"That's not true. As long as you're willing to work hard…" Iruka was at a loss for words. He knew Naruto's situation but couldn't say anything due to the Third Hokage's order.

Naruto tilted his head, looking at Iruka with a puzzled expression.

"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to be Hokage anymore. I want a dream that's not so far away."

"A different dream?" Iruka was sweating slightly, not even sure why a kid's words were getting to him.

"I guess it's to find a nice wife, get married, and live like a normal adult," Naruto scratched his head.

Iruka was surprised and even a bit alarmed. For Naruto, an ordinary dream was far more out of reach.

Naruto couldn't just have an ordinary marriage and life.

These thoughts stuck in Iruka's throat. When he thought about all the cold stares and rejection Naruto endured as an orphan, he felt a pang in his heart.

No matter what, Naruto's body contained the Nine-Tails, which protected the villagers. Yet Naruto, after making that sacrifice and becoming a Jinchuriki, had to endure the villagers' disdain.

Iruka's own parents had died during the Nine-Tails attack, but he couldn't bring himself to hate this parentless boy before him.

It wasn't his fault—it was the Nine-Tails'.

Naruto was just born into this life as the vessel for the Nine-Tails, hated and shunned by others all his life.

Suddenly, Iruka realized that Naruto had perhaps already grown up, understanding the loathing and rejection in the villagers' eyes. As this thought formed, Iruka felt a chill down his spine.

If hatred ever took root in a Jinchuriki's heart, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Iruka blinked, then saw that Naruto still wore that bright smile.

"Naruto, this dream of yours…"

"What's wrong? It's a great dream, isn't it, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto grinned. "Iruka-sensei, you're so old and still don't have a girlfriend, so you must have a lot of savings, right?"

"Hey!" Iruka's patience snapped at that, clenching his fist. "Naruto!"

"Help! Someone save me!" Naruto yelped, running off.

As they bantered, Hinata, who had been nearby, blushed deeply, fidgeting with her hands and mumbling something softly to herself.

"Alright, that's enough," Iruka scolded with a stern face. "Make sure you come to school tomorrow, Naruto!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied, head lowered in a mock display of obedience.

Unconsciously, both of them glanced at Hinata, who had been silently looking down. Hinata gasped, her face quickly turning red again.

"Naruto, why don't you go home on your own? I'll walk Hinata home. You'll be fine by yourself, right?" Iruka asked, holding his forehead.

Just as Naruto was about to agree, a prompt appeared on his mental screen.

[Option 1: Pursue Sakura. Reward: S-Rank Jutsu.] 

[Option 2: Pursue Hinata, avoiding ten years of detours. Reward: Approval of the Nine-Tails (unrestricted use of the Nine-Tails' chakra).]

[Note: Option 1 grants mastery of a random S-rank jutsu (small chance of obtaining rare Wood Style), while Option 2 offers rewards according to progress with Hinata.]

The choice was obvious. The Nine-Tails' power couldn't be compared to any S-Rank jutsu.

Even without any reward, if he had to pick between Sakura and Hinata, Naruto would unhesitatingly choose Hinata. If nothing else, at least his future kids would have someone gentle to look after them, right? Bigger is justice!

He chose the second option.

[Mission successfully started. Please prioritize completion.]

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto suddenly interrupted, "Actually, let me walk Hinata home!"

"Ah!" Hinata gasped, her face red to the ears, and turned away.

"Hmm?" Iruka looked at Naruto, confused.

"I know where Hinata lives, and I've walked her home before," Naruto explained with a smile. "It's out of your way, Iruka-sensei, so it would be too much trouble for you."

"Well…" Iruka hesitated, but thinking of the cold Hyuga clan members, he finally agreed.

"Alright then. Naruto, take good care of Hinata and act like a true gentleman!" Iruka smiled.

"I will! I'll protect Hinata!" Naruto responded with a bright smile.

As Iruka left, Naruto patted Hinata on the shoulder, which startled her, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll walk you home," Naruto said gently, with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Na… Naruto-kun!" Hinata's voice was barely a whisper.

"Then, give me your hand, Hinata-chan."

"Wh… why?" Hinata stammered, her face as red as could be.

"It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night, right? Holding hands makes people feel safer, right?"

"Even if that's true, but… Naruto-kun's hand…" Hinata hesitated.

"What? Does it make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry."

"No! Not at all," Hinata shook her head vigorously, cautiously reaching out her hand, her heart racing.

When she felt the warmth of his hand, a calming warmth spread through her, easing her anxious heart.

Naruto-kun didn't lie to me… I really do feel safer.

But… this is holding hands, isn't it?

What am I even thinking? Naruto-kun probably doesn't even mean it that way.

Looking at Naruto walking half a step ahead, Hinata suddenly felt nervous. Naruto-kun is really kind at heart.

Walking ahead with Hinata's hand in his, Naruto was oblivious to her thoughts, feeling only the Nine-Tails' chakra circulating through his body with joy.

He did it.

Naruto stopped at the entrance to the Hyuga clan's residence. There was no need to go further; the Hyuga didn't welcome outsiders, let alone him.

"Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun," Hinata blushed, bowing with a pink tint on her fair neck.

"I should be the one thanking you. You came all this way to find me," Naruto waved at her. "Sleep well tonight, Hinata-chan!"

With that, Naruto turned and ran in the opposite direction, into the distant darkness.

In the faint echoes of "Hinata-chan," she felt a bit lost, gently holding onto the wooden door and whispering.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun."

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