Chapter 18: POVs

Hiruzen:

Naruto has grown a lot in the past two years. He has grown distant from me but at least has a few friends and a girlfriend. This should tie him down to Konoha at least.

I still remember when Anbu reported to me about his visit to Sasuke's house and the large amount of food he took from his home.

From that day everything changed. He also started writing books, I guess he has taken this from his godfather. Not that his godfather ever bothered to show up for him and neither are Naruto's books of that genre.

But his books are all based on the theme of friendship. Everything he wrote from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings and One Piece is based on the theme of friendship. But his imagination is really something else.

He created three different worlds each with their own characters and world setting as he told me about. Such creativity. Maybe if there were a lot less wars, we can see more of it. I also listened to his songs. Initially, they were all sad songs that he wrote. I guess it's fair. Only after he visited Sasuke's house and his talk with Hinata the day after did he find two valuable companions.

What was his first song titled? ah, he said something about naming those collections of songs after his inspiration, Lana Del Rey. Don't know what these words mean, maybe it's like that elvish language he created.

Currently, his songs have changed, more towards love, yes young love is wonderful.

What baffles me is his proficiency in Taijutsu. Not only his, but both Hinata and Sasuke, together with him have reached a whole other level in taijutsu. Accompanied by those strange moves he created, I wonder if even I could defeat Naruto in pure Taijutsu. Not only that, I get a dangerous feeling from him, which might be due to nine tails. His diet has also increased a lot in the past two years. All of that might be due to the nine-tails chakra in his system. His Uzumaki lineage was also activated, his hair had turned red, the same as his mother's.

When I asked him about his taijutsu techniques, he told me about secret moves and Ninja shouldn't reveal his moves. I know it was all bullshit, but I guess he has grown distant, at least with his friends, I am sure he is tied down to Konoha. Now with his books, not many look down at him.

Danzo after a few months of Naruto's book release, also made the rumour about the author being the fox demon, but even after all the hatred for its author, they couldn't help but love the novels. Danzo's face was worth seeing. I should not laugh at my old friend but I can't help it.

After those days, he has been troubling me a lot about Jinchuriki's training and his position in the root. But the least I can do for Minato is to let his child live however he can. Danzo also wanted to target Hinata, but I can't let Hyuga oppose right now. With the destruction of the Uchihas, the Hyugas are the largest clan and also one of the major forces. I can't have any conflict with them, and I know he wants to control Naruto using Hinata, and I can't let that happen.

I wonder if I did the right thing by letting him control such power. But he was my friend, and he has contributed a lot to Konoha, this much liberty is his right. I know ultimately he thinks about Konoha.

Naruto's team appointment is also ready. Kakashi will do a good job and also fulfil the role of being a guardian for Naruto. This can also be a form of repayment to Minato.

Hiashi:

Hinata, my daughter has changed. During these two years, she has grown a lot stronger and also a lot more distant.

This all started two years ago when she was lost in thought when she returned from the academy. I don't know exactly what happened, but when I asked from other kids and Neji, they told me she was seen with Naruto during the lunch break.

At that time, she was thinking about something extremely serious, that much could be discerned from her face. She also ignored the elder as if he were nothing but an ant trying to gain her attention. That dismissive aura around her has only grown from that point.

I still remember the next day, when she returned from her academy, she was quite late. Apparently, she was hanging out with Naruto again. After coming home, she refused to join the training and the elders this time started making a fuss. For the first time, I saw her activate her byakugan claim her position as the daughter of the clan head and use it for her deal.

That was also the first time I have seen her shout at the elders, showing contempt for their position and when things were going out of hand, she proposed a deal.

"Come on respected elders!" there was a hint of disdain in her words. "Why don't we make a deal? After I graduate from Ninja Academy, you can decide at any time, and I can have a duel with any of your designated clan proteges, even Neji Hyuga. Since I am least worthy of the Hyuga name as you say, so I will not train here with you. After that duel, if I win, I will do whatever I want and you will shut your mouth forever, and also I will be the next Hyuga head.

If I lose, then you can do whatever you want and I will readily follow your arrangement. Even if you want to mark me with the seal, I will be ready."

Those words fall like thunder on Hiashi's ears. Even Neji and Hanabi were stunned. They also have never seen this side of Hinata. Hanabi was scared. I wanted to reason with Hinata but after that the elders accepted and Hinata stormed out of the training room. Since then the elders have been focusing on training on Neji. I knew they had some kind of vendetta against me and also the disrespect by Hinata only fueled it.

I tried talking to Hinata but she reassured me about her confidence. I was somewhat proud of her at that time but also worried about her foolishness.

Over the two years, she has asked me for clan jutsus and also about medical jutsu and fuinjutsu. With our resources, I was easily able to provide it, but later when I followed her, I found that she was sharing them with Naruto and the Uchiha kid. I wanted to scold her but kept quiet when I watched her spar with Naruto. It was only one year since she started training, but her strength has already surpassed that of elite genin and can be called a chunnin. And her chakra levels are also many times higher.

Her techniques have become ruthless, she has also integrated the gentle fist with nature transformation, nothing new but this is always looked down on by the Hyugas because they believe that the gentle fist alone is superior to every Taijutsu.

Now two years later, from the latest spar which I observed, where she thrashed the Uchiha kid, then healed him and beat him again. I worry about her, not for the spar against Neji. But about her ruthlessness.

I can only watch her grow, but now apart from Hanabi and Naruto, she considers everyone beneath her. I know that kind of gaze, that is not hatred or looking down, no, that is pure indifference.

"When walking down the road, do you look at every pebble you cross, or do you worry about what that pebble will think? No."

This was her explanation for her behaviour. I know I am at fault for this. I was never a good father to her. But at least she had found the person she loved. And I am happy for her. I have seen the look in Naruto's eyes. Eyes are the mirror to one's soul and I know he loves her too. He has become quite powerful. If Hinata is reaching my level of strength from what I can guess from her sparring with Naruto and the Uchiha kid, then Naruto is already at mine or above my level. And that is a reassurance.

Plus, he has a Uzumaki bloodline and also is a famous author. I like to read his books, they are quite refreshing. I think he will be a good son-in-law.

But I don't think Hinata will be a good clan leader. If anything, I guess she will sell the whole clan and live off with Naruto. But that will not be my problem. I am already tired now.

I really miss you Hanami.