Chapter 25: Intertwined Beliefs
"I'm sorry, Hinata..."
Naruto stepped up to her, trying to mask his emotions with indifference. But the moment his eyes met hers, it all melted into guilt and tenderness.
Everyone watching thought he was apologizing for what happened during the battle with Pain—when Hinata had stood up for him. Even Hinata believed that was why. From her view, she had confessed to Naruto that day, put her life on the line for him.
But Naruto... had lived another life. In his heart, Hinata was already his wife, the mother of his children. That look in his eyes carried so much more than anyone could understand.
Even if she didn't fully grasp it, Hinata could still feel the weight behind it—his helplessness, the pain he tried to hide.
Hinata looked up, eyes full of light despite the tears. "Why are you apologizing? Naruto-kun has always followed his own ninja way. You're the kind of person who says what you mean and always moves forward. That's the Naruto I know."
So why are you crying, Hinata?
Naruto's heart clenched. He gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to wipe the tears from her face.
Why?
When she heard that Naruto had defected, it shattered her. But her faith in him—the bond formed since they were children—was stronger than despair. She had to find him, to hear the truth from him.
And now, having finally seen him again, Hinata understood something.
Naruto-kun doesn't want us involved. He's enduring something on his own, hiding behind this cold front.
But I know better. Every movement, every glance—Naruto-kun, I see through it all. You're hurting, aren't you?
Not crying for her own sadness, but for Naruto's sorrow.
"Haa... haa..." Her breath became ragged. Lightheaded, her knees buckled.
"Hinata!" Everyone tensed.
Naruto reached out and caught her by the shoulder. "Easy… breathe slowly."
Hinata looked up through her haze. Naruto's face filled her vision—familiar, but more mature, more worn by the world.
She raised her hand and gently cupped his cheek. "Naruto-kun, I believe in you. You must have your reasons. You don't have to tell us now. But... I have one request."
Naruto's breath caught.
"Can I stay by your side?"
"Hey—!" Kiba started forward, but Shikamaru stopped him with a look.
Naruto stood silently.
"Even though I'm not strong," Hinata continued, "I promise I won't cause trouble. I'll be obedient. So please... don't carry all this alone."
Naruto replied softly, "It's dangerous."
Hinata didn't hesitate. "I'm not afraid."
"I understand what you mean."
"Then—"
"That's why I can't let you stay."
Hinata's eyes widened.
"Stay in Konoha," Naruto said, "and wait for me to come home."
It wasn't an explanation. It wasn't comfort. It was Naruto's honest resolve.
Hinata looked into his eyes. Her lips trembled.
Naruto hesitated. His resolve wavered. Just one more look from her and he could falter.
So he reached behind her neck with one hand, and waved his other in front of her face.
A sleep genjutsu—gentle, harmless. The kind he used when putting Himawari to bed.
"...Naruto-kun..." Hinata murmured as her eyelids fluttered shut. She leaned into him and quietly fell asleep.
Naruto inhaled sharply, suppressing the storm in his chest. He carefully steadied her before looking up at Neji.
"Neji. Please take care of her. Don't let her leave the village. It'll be dangerous out here."
"I will," Neji said, moving to support her. His question had already been answered without needing to be asked.
Shino stepped forward. "Naruto, I only have one question. Did you kill Mutou?"
Mutou and Tokuma. Members of Anko's squad. Their corpses had been recovered by Root and pinned on Naruto.
Naruto's brows furrowed. "They're dead?"
"Yes," Shino confirmed. "Anko left a scroll describing the fight. You were in direct conflict with their team in the woods outside the village. That makes you the prime suspect."
Naruto shook his head. "I did fight them... but I didn't kill them."
Shino was silent for a beat. "That's hard to prove. Even if we believe you... the village won't."
Naruto thought grimly: So after I left, Root cleaned up and set me up for it.
Shikamaru stepped forward. "What about Anko? Is she still alive?"
Naruto glanced at Sai from the corner of his eye. Sai hadn't left Root yet. It was still too early.
Naruto replied vaguely, "Who knows."
Shikamaru seemed to pick up the hint. He reached into his coat and handed Naruto a sealed scroll.
Naruto opened it.
Danzo has branded you a traitor. The entire village is against you. Red Bean is the only one who knows what really happened. If she's in your hands, don't let her go. Danzo will silence her. If you still plan to return to Konoha one day, protect her.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. He uncapped a pen and wrote directly onto the scroll.
With Danzo in power, darkness is inevitable. You and your father must remain cautious. As I predicted, Sasuke is chasing after greater power. He's determined to kill Danzo without relying on me. If he continues to attack the village even after achieving his revenge, then I'll stop him.
Snatch! Shikamaru took the scroll, scanned it, then looked Naruto dead in the eye.
"So... are you our ally or our enemy now?"
Naruto adjusted the headband on his forehead and pulled his cloak around him.
"If we ever meet on the battlefield—don't hold back."
Fwoosh!
He vanished in a flash.
Shikamaru exhaled. "'We', huh? That's going to be a pain…"
Fwoosh!
A cold ravine outside the Iron Country. Naruto appeared beside Konan and Orochimaru.
"You took your time," Orochimaru said with a smirk.
"Ran into old friends. Had a long chat," Naruto replied.
Konan asked, "Are we heading back to the Hidden Rain?"
Naruto looked around the snowy terrain. "Flying Thunder God doesn't have a seal set for Amegakure yet. We'll have to go on foot."
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small container—a special vial containing Shisui Uchiha's preserved right eye.
"To be safe... I need a place to transplant this eye first."
If you want to read more there's 15, 30, 50 chapters there of my written fanfictions and translated works in my Pat.Reon.
Here is the link: https://patreon.com/ChainsofChaosCC?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
And if you can't find it just type my name: http://patreon.com/ChainsofChaosCC