Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

"Woo-woo…"

The wolf's whimper was low and rhythmic, its meaning clear to Inuzuka Jaw, who crouched down to listen intently.

"You're saying there were two people with strong auras, and Miss Hanabi was taken by them?"

The wolf nodded, its keen senses confirming the grim news. Inuzuka Jaw straightened, his expression serious.

Hiashi Hyuga's face darkened. Capturing Hanabi was no small matter. If the culprits were ninja from a hostile village, the implications could be catastrophic.

"Wolf Fang, lead the way," Inuzuka Jaw commanded, understanding the urgency of the situation.

The ninja dog sniffed the ground carefully, following the faint scent trail. Finally, it pointed in a direction.

"They left the village," Inuzuka Jaw confirmed, looking at Hiashi.

"Damn it." Hiashi's Byakugan hadn't yet activated, but the veins near his temples bulged in frustration.

"Jaw, I'll need your help," Hiashi said firmly. "Don't worry about compensation."

"Hah! Don't be ridiculous," Inuzuka Jaw replied with a grin. "You don't need to pay me for this. Let's get moving."

Without hesitation, the group began their pursuit, quickly heading toward the edge of Konoha Village.

At the village gate, a guard stepped forward, blocking their way.

"Stop! It's curfew. No one is allowed to leave the village at this time."

Hiashi's patience snapped. With a swift movement, he delivered a soft fist strike, knocking the guard to the ground.

"Useless fool," Hiashi muttered angrily. "You couldn't even keep enemies from coming and going freely in Konoha."

Hiashi's anger wasn't just directed at the guard. His frustration stemmed from Konoha's poor leadership—the village had allowed the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki to leave, alienated powerful allies, and made reckless decisions that left them vulnerable.

Now, his own daughter had been taken. This wasn't the Konoha Hiashi had once believed in.

The group exited the village quickly, following Wolf Fang's lead. Soon, the faint aroma of ramen lingered in the air.

"Is that… Ichiraku ramen?" Inuzuka Jaw muttered, recognizing the familiar scent.

Hiashi's expression soured. "Hanabi bought ramen to cheer up her sister. That must be why the scent is here," he said, piecing things together.

"That's not all," Inuzuka Jaw added, squinting. "There are traces of other people here. Four, to be exact. It looks like they stayed here for a while."

Hiashi clenched his fists. "Keep going. We can't let them escape."

Meanwhile, Naruto's group had stopped to rest.

"I can't go on… I'm exhausted," Kakashi muttered, leaning heavily against a tree. His chakra reserves, as usual, were nearly depleted.

The others agreed to pause for a moment.

Hyuga Hanabi, who had been unconscious until now, stirred awake. Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Naruto.

"You're Naruto Uzumaki, aren't you? The liar who tricked my brother into leaving?" she accused, her tone full of anger.

Naruto blinked, taken aback. "Wait! How can you call it lying? I didn't trick him!"

Tsunade, overhearing this, leaned in with a smirk. "Oh? Sounds complicated—just like Kakashi and Might Guy's relationship. Tsk-tsk."

Kakashi's face darkened beneath his mask. If you weren't Tsunade, I'd challenge you for that comment.

Teuchi, overhearing the exchange, glanced at Kakashi suspiciously. "A relationship, huh? Kakashi, you've got some explaining to do."

Ignoring the tension, Hanabi's eyes welled up with tears. "My Ichiraku ramen… I didn't even get to eat it!"

Her pitiful cry drew everyone's attention. Naruto shot a glare at Tsunade and Might Guy—the real culprits behind the ramen theft.

If it weren't for them, we wouldn't even have this problem. They just had to steal the little girl's ramen… What a mess.

Naruto sighed. "How about this: Uncle Teuchi can make you another bowl when we get to Shin-Konoha?"

Kakashi interrupted before Hanabi could respond. "There's no time for that. The Hyuga clan won't stop. We need to move."

"Let's leave her here," Might Guy suggested. "This area is remote, and there aren't many ninja around. She should be safe."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a solid plan."

Before Naruto could protest, Hanabi shouted, "I won't stay behind! I'm going to find Brother Neji, and I'm going to find Uzumaki Chito! It's all his fault I can't go out and play anymore!"

Her small fists clenched in frustration, but her curiosity shone through. "I want to see how strong this Uzumaki Chito really is!"

Naruto's face turned serious. "Watch your mouth! Uzumaki Chito was the teacher of the First Hokage. You should show him respect!"

Hanabi pouted but didn't back down. Her fiery determination mirrored the Hyuga clan's unyielding spirit.

Naruto, however, wasn't about to let a child disrespect one of the greatest figures in his eyes. He scowled, giving her a stern look.

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