Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

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My Wife's Questions Are the Most Deadly

Although Naruto had expected this confrontation, when he was finally faced with Hinata's questions, he realized—

He had no idea how to answer her.

He could come up with a million excuses for Jiraiya, Kakashi, Tsunade, and Yamato—but for Hinata?

What was he supposed to say?

After a long silence, Naruto finally spoke.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Hinata took a deep breath and slowly raised her head to meet his gaze.

The first thing she saw was the black cloak with red clouds.

Her face paled.

She violently yanked her hand away from Naruto's grasp, staggering backward.

Naruto reached out instinctively, but Hinata quickly held up a hand to stop him.

Her lavender eyes trembled as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Naruto-kun… you… you actually…" Her voice cracked, her body trembling. "You really betrayed Konoha? You joined… Akatsuki?!"

Naruto covered his forehead.

Fuck.

These damn clothes really need to be changed.

He also needed to work on improving Tenshō's reputation, or this kind of misunderstanding would just keep happening.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto looked Hinata straight in the eye and spoke firmly.

"Hinata, have you forgotten the three words I told you that night when I came to see you?"

His voice was calm yet unwavering.

"No matter what happens, believe in me."

"I am still Uzumaki Naruto—the boy who aims to be Hokage. That has never changed, and it never will."

Hinata's body stiffened slightly.

His words seemed to shake her, pulling her back from the edge of panic.

She wiped her tears and inhaled deeply, then asked, "Then why are you wearing Akatsuki's cloak?"

Naruto didn't hesitate. "Because I didn't think about changing it before. I only just realized today how much of a problem it is."

He gave a sheepish grin. "If you don't like it, I'll take it off right now."

With that, he shrugged off the Akatsuki cloak and tossed it to the side, revealing his original outfit underneath.

Naruto smirked. "See? Problem solved."

Then he stepped forward, opening his arms. "Now, come here."

"DON'T COME NEAR ME!"

Naruto immediately halted, throwing his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! I won't!"

Hinata wiped at her tears, sniffling, and then pouted.

"Then tell me! Why did you lie to me? Why didn't you come to Ichiraku Ramen that night?!"

Naruto sighed. "I didn't warn you in advance because I knew I had to act that night. You know what happened."

His voice lowered. "After I did it, I couldn't show my face in the village anymore."

Hinata clenched her fists. "Then why didn't you tell me in person first?!"

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Because if I told you, you'd definitely try to stop me. Of course I couldn't say it!"

Hinata turned away with a huff. "Then why didn't you come see me even once after that?! I kept sending chakra into the Flying Thunder God mark—I tried so many times! But you never came!"

Naruto exhaled deeply.

"It's not that I didn't want to, Hinata."

His voice grew quieter, filled with guilt.

"I was afraid."

Hinata froze.

She turned her head slightly, stealing a glance at him.

Naruto's expression was unreadable. But under the moonlight, his golden hair and solemn face looked… lonely.

Hinata's chest tightened.

She had never seen Naruto like this before.

All of a sudden, the fear, the worry, and the longing of the past few days overwhelmed her.

Without thinking, she threw herself into Naruto's arms.

"Naruto-kun!"

She clutched his cloak, burying her face against his chest.

She was crying uncontrollably now, her small body trembling in his embrace.

"Everyone in the village… they all said you betrayed Konoha! But I refused to believe them!"

Her grip on his clothes tightened.

"But then… why, Naruto-kun? Why did you do this? Why did you leave?!"

Naruto exhaled, his arms wrapping around her protectively.

He rested his cheek against her soft hair and whispered, "I'm sorry, Hinata."

His voice was gentle, filled with regret.

"I had my reasons. I just… I need you to trust me. I swear, everything I'm doing is for the future of the ninja world."

Hinata lifted her head, staring up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Then take me with you, Naruto-kun!"

She grabbed his hands. "I want to be with you! No matter how dangerous it is—I'll never hold you back!"

Naruto's gaze softened.

He reached out, gently cupping her cheek.

"No, Hinata."

He smiled wryly. "What I'm doing is too dangerous. I can't let you stay with me… not yet."

Hinata's heart clenched.

She knew he wouldn't change his mind—but that didn't stop her from worrying.

Taking a shaky breath, she hesitated before whispering, "The village… they issued a wanted notice for you."

Naruto gave a small chuckle. "Yeah, I figured."

His voice was completely unconcerned.

Then, his expression turned serious again. "But never mind that. The important thing is you."

His arms tightened around her.

"Hinata, stop pouring so much chakra into the Flying Thunder God mark."

His voice lowered, scolding her gently.

"If you keep doing that recklessly, you'll end up killing yourself."

Hinata pouted, mumbling under her breath, "Then don't ignore me next time."

Naruto sighed. "Okay, okay."

He kissed the top of her head, then leaned back to look her in the eyes.

"Listen, Hinata."

His voice turned firm.

"From now on, I'll be very busy. There are things I need to do."

His fingers brushed against her cheek, wiping away the lingering tears.

"But if you ever truly need me—if something happens—activate the Flying Thunder God mark again."

His expression softened. "If I don't come immediately, it means something is wrong. But if I can, I promise I'll be there."

Hinata nodded slowly, her fingers curling around his cloak.

She had a bad feeling.

From his words…

From the way he spoke…

She could already tell—from now on, the chances of them meeting would become fewer and fewer.

But she didn't say it aloud.

Instead, she buried herself in his embrace once more, holding onto him as if afraid he'd disappear.

And Naruto simply held her tighter, hoping she could feel his warmth, if only for a little longer.

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End of Chapter 31

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