Chapter 14: C13: Hinata’s Racing Heart
"Alright then, you keep training. I'm heading out to eat."
Naruto nodded at Rock Lee, waving lazily as he turned and walked out of the training ground.
His entire body ached.
The intense training from the past few hours had left his muscles swollen and sore. Every movement made him feel the strain.
Naruto sighed.
"I thought I could keep up with Lee, but… I guess I have to take it one step at a time."
Lee had been training like this for years. Even with Naruto's Uzumaki bloodline, catching up so quickly was impossible.
But that was fine.
This was just the beginning.
With rest and recovery, he'd push himself even harder tomorrow.
---
Naruto stopped at a self-service fast-food stall, grabbed two lunchboxes, and finished them in minutes.
Then, he headed straight home.
After a quick shower, he collapsed onto his bed.
Lying there, thinking about everything he had accomplished today, he felt satisfied.
His strength was improving.
His future plans were moving forward.
With a small smirk, Naruto closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
---
The Next Morning
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The alarm blared as the first light of dawn broke through the window.
Naruto sat up instantly, stretching with a loud yawn.
Today wasn't just any morning.
He had made a promise.
Morning training with Hinata.
It was the only time he could spend alone with her every day—just a short hour before their teams started their missions.
He wasn't going to miss it.
"System, sign in."
Ding!
[Sign-in successful. Rewards are being distributed…]
[Reward 1: Earth Release – Earth-Style Wall]
[Reward 2: Hexagonal Shuriken x3]
[Reward 3: Explosive Tags x3]
Naruto rubbed his chin.
"Hmm… Not bad. The Earth-Style Wall will be useful."
Nothing amazing, but still a good addition to his arsenal.
He got dressed—his usual orange tracksuit.
And as he pulled it on, a thought crossed his mind.
Why do I always wear this outfit?
In the original story, Naruto never seemed to change clothes.
But after traveling into this world, when he opened his closet, he finally understood.
Six identical orange tracksuits.
That was all he had.
"…Well, that explains a lot."
At first, it made no sense.
But then Naruto remembered something.
He had never bought clothes for himself.
Yet, his closet was always stocked.
His fridge was never empty either.
That meant…
Someone had been replacing them for him.
And it didn't take a genius to figure out who.
It had to be the ANBU assigned to watch him.
Ordered by the Third Hokage.
Naruto scoffed.
So the old man felt guilty, huh?
The villagers hated him. They saw him as a monster.
He had been alone since birth.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that.
So, as a way to "compensate" for Naruto's suffering, he had his ANBU quietly take care of him.
Stocking his fridge.
Providing him with only one type of outfit.
And of course—making sure the Uzumaki clan symbol was stitched on the back.
It was just like Sasuke's clothes with the Uchiha crest.
A reminder of where he came from.
Naruto sighed, shaking his head.
"Whatever."
He grabbed some milk and bread, scarfed them down, and headed out.
---
Training Ground 44
A small figure stood at the training ground, waiting.
Hinata Hyuga.
She stood at the edge of the running track, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she glanced at the road.
Her heart pounded.
Knowing she'd get to see Naruto every morning from now on made her so happy that her cheeks were already turning red.
She had waited years for something like this.
And now, it was finally happening.
Hinata's mind drifted back to that day.
---
It was a snowy afternoon.
Hinata had been four years old.
She had wandered out of the Hyuga compound to play in the fresh snow, mesmerized by the winter scenery.
But on the way, she had been cornered.
A group of village kids had blocked her path.
"Hey, look! It's the white-eyed freak!"
"Creepy! She looks like a ghost!"
Hinata didn't fight back.
She never did.
She was too gentle. Too kind-hearted.
So she just stood there, quietly taking their insults, feeling her chest tighten with sadness.
Then—
A boy suddenly stepped in front of her.
"Leave her alone!"
It was Naruto.
He had stood between her and the bullies, arms stretched out to protect her.
"She's not a freak! Her eyes are beautiful!"
That day, Naruto had defended her.
But in return—
He got beaten up.
The other kids had punched him, kicked him, and even tore his red scarf.
And yet, even as he lay bruised and bleeding, Naruto had still smiled at her.
That moment…
That single moment…
Had etched itself into Hinata's heart forever.
And from that day on—
She had always watched him from afar.
She knew he liked Sakura.
She knew he never noticed her.
But she didn't mind.
Because no matter what—
She would always support him.
Even if it was from the shadows.
"Naruto-kun, no matter what happens... I'll always be by your side."
Hinata murmured softly to herself, a gentle smile on her lips.
---
"Oi! Hinata! What are you daydreaming about?"
A cheerful voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Hinata jumped slightly, turning to see Naruto approaching.
He was grinning, hands in his pockets.
"I've been calling you for a while now, but you weren't responding!"
Hinata panicked.
"U-Uh! N-Naruto-kun! G-Good morning!"
Her cheeks burned even redder.
Naruto chuckled.
"Man, you're really spacing out today, huh?"
Hinata lowered her head, poking her fingers together.
"U-Um… I was just… thinking…"
Naruto tilted his head.
"About what?"
"E-Eh?! I-I mean—nothing! I-It's not important!!"
Naruto just laughed.
"Alright, alright. Come on! Let's get started!"
Hinata nodded quickly, trying to shake off her embarrassment.
But even as they began their training—
Her heart continued to race.
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