In the Forest
Naruto walked ahead, keeping his distance from the others, his face still clouded with anger.
Kushina gathered her courage and walked closer to him.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked softly.
Naruto opened his eyes and looked at her. In her gaze, he saw a mix of fear and sadness.
He let out a deep sigh, trying to release his frustration. "No… You know I don't get mad at you… But I told you—you're not the reason for what happened."
Kushina frowned slightly. "But I'm his daughter… I don't blame them for hating me this much."
Naruto, matching her frustration: "That's why I told you we should leave this place… But you insisted on staying. Now, deal with the consequences of your choice."
Kushina's eyes filled with tears.
Seeing her reaction, Naruto's expression softened. He spoke gently, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings… my princess. But I can't stand seeing people treat you like this… I lost control because of it. I nearly killed someone today."
She clutched his left arm, resting her head against it. "I'm sorry, my love…"
Sakura watched them in amazement. "Kushina… You're really something else… You can calm his anger in less than a second… and even make him smile."
She then frowned thoughtfully. "But why do all the villagers look at her with such hatred? Even while we were walking, I saw it in their eyes…"
Meanwhile, Hinata was lost in her thoughts.
You must really love her, Naruto-kun… You were ready to kill for her… I don't know how to reach you. Every time I think I've gotten closer to your heart… you drift even farther away. I wish… just once… you could feel the warmth of my love for you… A love strong enough to evaporate an entire ocean… I hope… one day… you will see me…
As they walked, Kushina looked at Naruto with shining eyes, filled with love.
"Naruto…"
He glanced at her.
She grinned playfully. "Aren't you forgetting to tell me something today?"
Naruto thought for a moment before smirking. "Did you bring lunch with you?"
Kushina's expression dropped. She stared at him in exasperation. "Yes…" she grumbled, annoyed.
She let go of his arm and turned away in frustration.
Naruto watched her, smiling at how easily flustered she got.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned to the others.
"Sakura, Hinata—we're changing course. We'll head toward the river."
Sakura, confused: "Why?!"
Naruto: "Most of the ninjas in this area use fire-based techniques. If we take the river route, we'll have the advantage."
They followed Naruto toward the river.
Once they reached it, they all began walking on the water—except for Kushina.
Naruto turned to check on her and saw her hesitating on the riverbank, staring at the water shyly.
He smiled, walked back to her, and she looked up at him, embarrassed. "Sorry… but I—"
Before she could finish, he scooped her into his arms.
"It's not a problem… my princess," he said with a grin.
She blushed, wrapping her arms around his neck, happily swinging her legs as she rested her head against his chest.
Naruto smiled down at her. You're so spoiled…
When they rejoined the others, Hinata blinked in surprise. "Wait… You're not a ninja?!"
Kushina blushed, trying to explain. "I am! But… I can't walk on water…"
Sakura smirked. "And you call yourself a ninja?!"
Naruto quickly retorted, "You have no right to mock her… She may not walk on water, but she's far superior to you in medical skills… She may even surpass Tsunade."
Sakura, confident: "Impossible! No one is better than Lady Tsunade in medical ninjutsu!"
Naruto, with a challenging smile: "We'll see."
As they walked, Kushina pouted. "Naruto… My hair got wet… Lift me up a little more."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, a strange smile forming on his lips.
Kushina narrowed her eyes. "What are you thinking…?!"
His grin widened.
Kushina gasped in realization. "No. No, no… Don't even think about it!"
And suddenly, he lowered her to the level of the river, her red hair spreading over the surface like silk. She screamed, "Naruto… you've soaked me… what am I going to do with you now?"
She reached into the water and splashed some at him, saying, "Alright… then take this…"
Naruto turned his face away to avoid getting wet, laughing, then looked at her playfully and said, "If you don't stop, I'll throw you completely into the water."
She replied with a challenge, still teasing, "Then do it… and I'll take you with me."
They locked eyes for a moment before bursting into happy laughter. Then Naruto lifted her again and continued walking. Of course, neither of the other two girls found this amusing—Sakura saw it as a waste of time, while for Hinata, it only deepened her pain.
When they reached the other side, Kushina bent slightly forward by the river, wringing the water from her soaked hair. Behind her, leaning against a tree a little away from the water, Naruto stood with one foot propped up and his arms crossed. She glanced at him and said, "You'll never grow up, Naruto."
He laughed, spreading his arms wide. "It's part of my personality, dear."
She smiled at him and said, "It's annoying sometimes… but I love it."
He returned her smile, then turned to Hinata and Sakura. "Come on… let's keep moving."
As they walked at sunset, Naruto suddenly stopped and said, "Show yourself."
A mysterious man emerged from behind a tree. "As always… no one can hide from you, Naruto."
Naruto's expression darkened. "Kado… what are you doing here?"
Kado smirked. "I've come to reclaim what's mine."
Naruto scoffed. "Yours? I've already returned it to its rightful owner."
Kado: "Naruto… give me the scroll."
Naruto: "I don't have it."
Kado: "Liar."
Naruto thought to himself, It's not wise to fight him now… especially with three girls here… they'll definitely get hurt if I do… but I also can't give him what he wants… what a dilemma.
Kado: "It seems you don't want to hand it over peacefully."
Naruto quickly glanced at the girls and ordered angrily, "Get back."
Kushina hesitated. "But—"
He cut her off. "I said, get back."
Kado sneered, "Too late, Naruto."
In an instant, Kado's hand shot out, striking Hinata with such force that she was sent flying into a nearby lake. She lost consciousness as she hit the water. Naruto shouted in alarm, "Hinata!"
At the same moment, Kado grabbed Sakura by the neck and pulled her close. She gasped, "Naruto…"
Naruto's gaze darted to her in panic.
Kado laughed. "Unfortunate for you… you're dealing with someone just as fast as you. I was going to take your fiancée… but you've protected her from me. No matter… this girl will do just fine."
Sakura, weak and struggling to stay conscious, thought to herself, Why do I feel… like I'm losing my strength… I can't move my limbs… it's like my body… is falling apart…
Naruto created a shadow clone. "Save Hinata."
Clone: "Got it!" It sped off instantly.
Naruto's mind raced as he eyed Kado. I have to save her quickly without getting her hurt… but how?
Kado: "So… have you changed your mind? Are you going to give me the scroll? Because if you don't…"
He grabbed Sakura's chin, forcing her to look at him as he continued, "…this beauty will die. Though, maybe I won't kill her right away… she's just my type. Maybe I'll enjoy her first… then dispose of her."
Naruto's eyes burned red as the Kyubi's power surged within him.
Kado tightened his grip on Sakura's neck. She let out a scream, "Aaaah!"