After taking the medicine, Hyūga Hazuki quickly fell asleep.
Hyūga Aoba, holding the jar, let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, after giving her all these secret remedies, the mission is complete. I hope Madam recovers quickly...
That way, she won't have to suffer a second time...
As she was putting the jar away and getting ready to leave, Hinata's sudden entrance startled her.
"Hinata... sama…"
"Natsu."
With just one glance, Hinata noticed the jar in Aoba's hands—the very one she had bought with Naruto during their walk.
So... Aoba already gave Mom the Uzumaki clan's secret remedy...
Her heart filled with joy, Hinata didn't notice Aoba's strange expression.
"H-Hinata-sama, I... I have to go..."
Clutching the jar tightly, Hyūga Aoba hurriedly left the room, unable to stay a second longer.
"Mom…"
Approaching the bed, Hinata looked down at her mother's sleeping face.
Was it an illusion? Her complexion already seemed a little better.
"It must be... thanks to Naruto-kun's remedy..."
Thinking of Naruto again, Hinata felt like he truly was the Hyūga clan's savior.
"Even if I had to die for him now... I'd do it without hesitation..."
...
The infirmary, at night.
Since she had been informed ahead of time, dinner wasn't delivered.
Uchiha Izumi waited eagerly for the dinner Naruto had promised her...
What will he bring me to eat?
Her wait was not in vain.
At exactly 9 p.m., Naruto opened the door and stepped in.
Even though it was a little late, he had kept his promise.
And… he must have run into some trouble along the way.
"Izumi-neechan."
Naruto greeted her, but Izumi noticed right away—he wasn't holding anything. No bag, no food.
"Huh?"
Lying on the bed, Izumi was left speechless.
Shouldn't he at least have brought a bag with some food in it?
"Hmm? What's with that look, Izumi-neechan?"
Naruto feigned innocence, but behind his cheerful expression, a mischievous glint flickered in his eyes.
Uchiha Izumi, with her Sharingan-enhanced instincts, sensed something was off.
She could feel a shift in the atmosphere, though she couldn't explain why.
"I did bring food, you know."
Naruto closed the door behind him... and locked it.
At 9 p.m., most of the nurses and medical-nin had ended their shifts.
The infirmary was quiet, nearly deserted.
No one would disturb them.
But just to be sure, Naruto locked the door.
Then he turned his gaze toward the girl lying on the bed.
Wrapped in a pristine white blanket, only Izumi's head and neck were visible.
Her pale neck was almost as white as the sheets.
Raising his eyes, Naruto stared into Izumi's beautiful eyes.
Her large almond-shaped eyes held an inexplicable softness.
The beauty mark beneath one eye gave her a mysterious charm.
Her black hair flowed down until it disappeared beneath the blanket.
Just looking at her, Naruto's breathing grew slightly heavier.
"Naruto..."
Sensing the change in him, Izumi felt a flicker of fear.
Why… does Naruto seem so scary all of a sudden?
The white ceiling light filled the room with brightness...
And this scene suddenly reminded her of Itachi's coldness earlier that day.
Then… what is this…?
"Here it is~."
Naruto announced he had brought dinner.
With a soft rustle, as if by magic, he pulled out a bottle of milk.
"Patients need to drink lots of milk~ to heal."
Naruto smiled, satisfied.
Surprised?
The full bottle blocked the ceiling light, casting a shadow over Izumi's face.
Staring at it, wide-eyed, Izumi froze in shock, unable to breathe.
Seeing her stunned expression, Naruto nodded:
"Izumi-neechan, this should be enough, right?"
More than enough.
She'll be full for sure.
"Mmm… Uh~!"
Too stunned to speak, Izumi let out only an unintelligible sound.
Under the blanket, her body trembled slightly.
What's going on… is this really happening…?
Her mind was overwhelmed with disbelief and confusion.
It all felt absurd, like someone telling her that her entire life had been a dream.
This sudden shift left her disoriented, unable to react.
Naruto approached slowly and held the bottle close to her lips.
"Izumi-neechan, I'll help you."
Gulp~!
Izumi: "Mmm~!"
Without giving her time to react, Naruto began feeding her forcefully.
Weakened by the effects of Orochimaru's power, Izumi couldn't even move.
All she could do was endure Naruto's "kindness."
And yet…
Why…
Inside, Izumi cried out in despair.
Her worldview shattered, nothing felt real anymore.
This isn't right...
Something's wrong...
This is too weird...
I can't accept this. I refuse to believe it.
Memories of the past flashed through her mind, Naruto's and the others' faces clearly appearing.
But what she saw now was…
Naruto's devilish grin, his lips twisted into a cruel smile.
"Izumi-neechan… go on, drink…"
Naruto increased the pace.
"Mmm~!"
Shocked, Izumi's eyes lost their light, her gaze turned blank.
A deep darkness filled her heart, pushing her to flee from reality—while awakening a hidden power inside her...
But Naruto showed no mercy.
He simply continued "feeding" her, wishing for her quick recovery.
...
Outside, the moon shone high in the sky, casting a pale light over the world.
Creak...
Creak...
Naruto: "Oh oh~."
Gulp~!