In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

Naruto held Sakura's wrist tightly and refused to let go. Even though he said he wanted Sakura to examine Akamaru, he still held on tightly.

Sakura's wrist was slender and smooth, making it easy for him to grasp with one hand.

The moment he gave up his seat, Naruto bent his head slightly, in a move that appeared intimate to outsiders. But Naruto seemed unaware, and whispered something in Sakura's ear, like a couple whispering in each other's ears.

"Don't release your Chakra."

"You two really are close." Kiba remarked.

"Well, we are teammates after all." Naruto didn't deny it, and as he made space, he finally let go of Sakura's wrist.

Sakura frowned slightly. She didn't fully understand Naruto's intention, after all, how was she supposed to examine Akamaru without using Chakra? But in the end, she chose to trust him. And after a quick and simple check, she backed off.

"Akamaru's injuries seem quite severe. I'll need to go back and check some medical texts." She said.

"Sakura, can't you use Medical Ninjutsu to treat him directly?" Kiba asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry."

It was two hours later when they finally left the Inuzuka Clan's compound. Sakura couldn't help but ask after they reached the Hokage Tower.

"What's really going on?"

"Nothing for now. Just stay away from the Inuzuka Clan's compound for the time being. Let's go see Tsunade-sama first." Naruto said, "Something's off with the Inuzuka Clan, and with Kiba too."

"Off? Kiba seemed pretty normal to me, though Akamaru did look pretty badly hurt." Sakura muttered to herself.

"That guy's always been proud. When have you ever seen him act so polite?" Naruto glanced at Sakura and said, "Besides, with Akamaru being so badly injured, he should've been dead long ago."

"An impostor?"

"I don't know, but it's not our concern. Tsunade-sama will handle it." Naruto tugged on her arm, causing her to almost stumble, but he steadied her in time.

"You tell Tsunade-sama. She'll understand."

"What about you?" Sakura asked, her face reflecting the orange glow of the evening sunset, as if it had been enhanced with makeup.

Behind them were lush green trees, the village, and the endless Konoha's Main Street. The vast sunset hung over Hokage Rock, bathing the entire village in its warm light.

Standing in the midst of this expansive sunset, Sakura's expression appeared confused, her silhouette unexpectedly soft. Her clean, clear facial lines and short pink hair were now tinged orange, making her look like a gentle, obedient girl-next-door type.

"I have an appointment, so I don't have time." He said briskly, with a casual tone that even made people feel it seemed perfectly normal.

Sakura's face turned red, and she couldn't find any words to criticize him.

'Yeah, all I did was ask him to join me for a meal, and then I ended up as free labor. But it wasn't a date. He's going on a date with another girl… what's wrong with that?'

'The fact that he was so honest with me hurt even more. Couldn't he at least keep it a secret? That way, I could at least have a reason to make a fuss.

'But no, he was all straightforward and transparent, leaving me with nothing to complain about.'

"With Ino?" Sakura asked sourly.

"No."

"Huh?" Sakura looked shocked, "Hinata?"

"Yeah." He nodded, then patted her on the head, turned around and said, "Remember to inform Tsunade-sama later. I'm leaving first."

Sakura: "…"

After a long while, watching him walk away until his figure disappeared, Sakura finally sighed. She lowered her head and muttered as she walked towards the Hokage Tower.

"At least lie a little, you jerk."

After Sakura left, Naruto, who had originally walked far away, used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to his original spot. After making sure nothing was following Sakura for a few times, he left again.

The Inuzuka Clan's issues weren't something he needed to worry about. Like he said, he wasn't the Hokage. And if he is needed, Tsunade would definitely inform him.

Hyuga Clan's compound.

As the sky dimmed, Naruto arrived at the agreed meeting spot, beneath the dark wall. In the distance there was a dim street lamp, barely illuminating the wall and the street.

Hinata was also on break and, from afar, Naruto saw that she seemed to be wearing a long dress, with her arms wrapped in white gauze sleeves. She looked elegant and graceful, and her shy, blushing face added a touch of cuteness.

After getting closer, Naruto discovered that Hinata seemed to be holding a cute little bag in her hand. It was a sky-blue bag that little girls would like, and there was a bow tied with silk thread on the outside.

Under the streetlight, Hinata was looking off to the side, looking like she was sulking. But Naruto knew she was just too shy to look at him directly.

"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry I'm late." She apologized quietly, "Have you been waiting long?"

"No worries, I just got here too." Naruto turned around and pulled her hand naturally. Then, the two of them walked towards Konoha's Main Street, "Don't worry about things like that."

"Um... um…"

Suddenly, Hinata seemed to make up her mind and thrust the paper bag toward him. Her face was flushed as she stammered, "Th-this is for you. P-please accept it."

"Alright, I'll take it." Naruto didn't hesitate and accepted the blue paper bag, then he saw a card attached to it.

The card had a short message written in neat, round handwriting, "Thank you, Naruto-kun, for all your care over the years."

"What's inside?"

"Huh?" Hinata panicked a bit.

Naruto had already opened the bag, and inside was some homemade chocolate. The appearance was simple, which suited Hinata's personality perfectly.

He picked up a piece and took a bite. It was filled with fruit-flavored jam. Though Naruto didn't usually enjoy sweet things, but he still finished them one by one.

Walking under the dim streetlights along Konoha's Main Street, Hinata initially felt nervous. She was afraid Naruto wouldn't like the gift, especially since she hadn't mentioned it before.

'Suddenly giving a present might offend him, or worse, the gift might not be to his taste. What if it was something he really didn't like...' These are Hinata's thought before giving the gift to Naruto.

But as Hinata glanced at Naruto out of the corner of her eye, she saw that he said nothing, just quietly eating all the chocolates. Seeing this, her face immediately turned red.

For her, this was more satisfying than any compliment.

"Delicious." Naruto said simply, finishing the last piece. The chocolates were overly sweet, but he didn't want to take them home and risk forgetting about them.

"Mmm... mmm…" Hinata's clear white eyes reflected the streetlights, her face flushing even more as she had to turn away.

"Actually, I have something for you too." Naruto said.

"Huh?" Hinata was startled and turned to look at him.

"It's just a small gift, nothing major." Naruto explained, "I meant to give it to you earlier, but you were probably busy during the New Year Festival."

As he said that, Naruto took out the gift he had kept for several months from the seal space. He'd meant to give it to her earlier, but since they hadn't run into each other, he simply didn't give it out.

He had intended to postpone it until an appropriate time to give it as a return gift, but he remembered it this time and took it out.

It was a small, intricately designed box. Hinata was stunned for a long time and didn't take it. It was Naruto who helped her open it. Inside was a simple hair ornament, delicately crafted.

Seeing that it wasn't an extravagant gift, Hinata breathed a sigh of relief.

"… Thank you."