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The main house of the Hyūga clan.
Naruto appeared silently outside Hinata's window. His Sage Mode was already activated—not for combat, but to better control his breathing, blend into the natural forces, and remain unnoticed.
The moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow on the beauty sleeping inside.
Naruto stood still, watching her quietly. His hand lifted involuntarily, yearning to touch Hinata's face—even if only through the faint outline of his shadow.
As the Seventh Hokage, Naruto had countless responsibilities that often kept him working late. Many nights, he slept in the Hokage's office, rarely returning home. And when he did, he chose to rest on the sofa to avoid disturbing Hinata.
For years, she had slept alone. That thought weighed heavily on his heart.
Looking at her now, so peaceful in her slumber, he longed to hold her close—to breathe in the familiar scent of her hair and fall asleep together, just like he always wanted.
His chest ached with emotion, and before he realized it, tears began slipping down his face.
Wiping them away, Naruto sighed.
Shikamaru had said it was his fault for not explaining things properly. Maybe he was right. Naruto wanted to explain, but the truth was too complex, too difficult for everyone to grasp all at once.
Naruto was strong, but even he couldn't fight alone. In the final battle, he would need the support of others—not just because of the powerful enemy but because the enemy also had an army.
So, he had to be patient. He had to gradually tell people the truth, build alliances, and unite everyone under a common goal. He had to make them stronger—so that when the time came, they would all stand together.
Naruto was not Kaguya.
Kaguya's goal was simple: she wanted to transform all humans into weapons—White Zetsu soldiers—so they could fight against the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Was she wrong?
From a purely strategic point of view, no.
Even Naruto, with everything he had seen, understood the logic behind her actions.
But there was one fundamental truth that he and the Sage of Six Paths agreed on:
Once a person became White Zetsu, they lost everything—their emotions, their will, their consciousness.
Before the transformation, people would fall into a beautiful dream. But that dream was temporary. When the change was complete, their minds would die.
All that remained was a body—a weapon.
And that was no different from mass slaughter.
If given the choice, Naruto would rather let the Ōtsutsuki attack outright. It was cruel, but at least people would die fighting—with dignity, with resistance.
That was why Naruto was determined to make the world stronger. To prepare in advance. To unite people so they could stand against the Ōtsutsuki together.
Even if there were casualties, they would die as living, breathing humans—not as empty husks.
That, at least, had meaning.
And so, ever since returning from the battle, the weight of the world had rested on Naruto's shoulders.
Maybe he was thinking too far ahead.
Or maybe, standing in front of Hinata now, he was finally allowing himself to feel something other than responsibility.
So much so that he didn't even notice her stirring.
"Naruto-kun?"
Naruto's thoughts shattered as Hinata's soft voice reached his ears.
He turned—only to see her Byakugan-enhanced eyes gazing at him in shock.
Panic surged through him. His first instinct was to leave.
He turned to go, but before he could, Hinata sat up too quickly in her flustered state. She lost her balance, her body tilting forward—
Naruto's heart clenched, and without hesitation, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear beside her, catching her in his arms.
Under the moonlight, Hinata's wide eyes filled with disbelief.
She didn't dare blink—afraid that if she did, he would disappear.
"Am I dreaming… Naruto-kun?"
Naruto's lips curled into a soft smile.
"No. It's really me."
Slowly, Hinata raised her trembling fingers and traced them over his face. The warmth of his skin sent a shudder down her spine.
The corners of her mouth quivered—until suddenly, tears spilled down her cheeks.
"It's really you… Naruto-kun… it's really you!!!"
She sobbed as she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck—and, without hesitation, locking her legs around his waist.
Afraid.
Afraid that he would disappear again.
Naruto, who had spent an entire lifetime with Hinata in his previous world, instinctively knew how to hold her.
He sat down with her in his lap, his arms wrapped around her trembling frame. He stroked her hair, inhaling her familiar scent, and felt his heart settle for the first time in a long while.
He had promised not to disturb her.
He had promised not to touch her.
But holding her like this…
It was happiness.
Pure and simple.
"Alright, alright, stop crying," Naruto whispered, cupping her face.
He gently squeezed her cheeks. "You should be happy to see me, not crying like this."
Hinata wiped her tears, then pouted. "You lied to me!"
Naruto blinked. "When did I lie?"
Hinata huffed angrily. "You told me that if I activated the mark on my body, you would come see me! But I activated it—and you never showed up! And you say you didn't lie?!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Uh… actually, I did receive your message…"
Hinata's glare intensified. "Then why didn't you come?!"
Naruto hesitated before sighing. "Because I knew you'd want to confront me… and I wasn't ready to face you yet."
"WHAT?!"
She immediately pinched his cheeks, stretching them in mock punishment.
"Say that again!"
Naruto winced. "Ow, ow, I was wrong! I was wrong!"
Hinata frowned. "What exactly were you wrong about?"
Naruto sighed dramatically. "I'm sorry for not replying to my wife's message in time."
A small giggle escaped her lips, and she finally let go. "Did it hurt?"
Naruto smiled, shaking his head.
Hinata leaned against his chest again, her arms tightening around him.
"Naruto-kun… you know, I've been having dreams lately."
Naruto's breath hitched.
"I dream that in the future… we live together. I give birth to a son and a daughter. You become Hokage."
Her face turned bright red as she admitted, "But the only bad part… is that you're always working overtime. You don't come home much. I sleep alone. Especially in winter… the bed is cold."
Naruto's heart clenched.
How was it possible that her dream mirrored reality?
He gently ran his fingers through her hair and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Naruto-kun… tell me… is that future real?"
Her innocent, hopeful gaze met his.
Naruto smiled. "It's real."
Then, after a pause, he added, "But I want to change one thing. In the future, I won't work overtime anymore. I won't leave you alone at home."
Hinata's eyes sparkled. "Really?!"
"Really."
Naruto sealed his promise by leaning in—closing the distance between them.
And this time, he wouldn't let go.
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