The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and lavender. Konoha's streets had grown quiet, the laughter of children and chatter of merchants giving way to the rustling of leaves and distant temple bells. Kaizen walked alone, his hands tucked behind his back as he strolled down a side path leading away from the main road.
He wasn't heading home immediately. He liked the peace of this hour—the way the world slowed down, as if catching its breath. And after the heartwarming, almost surreal encounter with Naruto, he needed a moment to process it. The boy was exactly as he remembered from his previous life: loud, energetic, full of heart, and hiding wounds too deep for someone his age.
Kaizen smiled faintly. "He's worth investing in," he murmured. "Now… who's next?"
A sudden sound—muffled shouts, then a soft thud—caught his attention. He turned his head toward the alley just off the path.
There, standing near a cracked stone wall, were three boys roughly his age. And in the center, cornered and quiet, was a pale girl with midnight-blue hair. She clutched the hem of her lavender jacket tightly, shrinking into herself as the boys jeered.
"She's so weird! Look at her eyes!"
"Yeah, she looks like a ghost!"
"Bet she talks to spirits or something. Creepy!"
The girl said nothing. Her head was bowed, and her lips trembled. Her pale eyes—Byakugan—flickered between the boys, but there was no anger in them. Just sadness.
Kaizen's smile vanished.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
"Hey," he called, voice calm but clear. "That's enough."
The boys turned. One squinted. "Who're you?"
"Someone who doesn't like cowards," Kaizen replied simply, walking closer.
"What'd you say?!" one of the boys barked.
"You heard me." Kaizen tilted his head slightly, eyes unreadable. "Three against one. Not very impressive."
They puffed their chests, trying to look tough. But when Kaizen met each of their eyes—his gaze unusually sharp, even in the twilight—they hesitated.
"Tch. Whatever. Not worth it," the ringleader muttered. "Let's go."
With a few parting grumbles, the trio ran off into the dusk.
Kaizen waited a moment, then turned to the girl. She hadn't moved. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, her hands still clenched.
"Hey," he said softly now. "You okay?"
She flinched at first, then nodded slowly. "...Y-Yes. Thank you…"
Kaizen offered a small smile. "You shouldn't let people like that decide how you feel about yourself."
The girl looked up at him then, her pale eyes finally meeting his.
"They don't matter," he continued. "Not unless you let them."
There was a silence between them—quiet, but not uncomfortable.
"I'm Kaizen," he said gently, keeping his tone friendly. "I was just heading home when I saw you."
She hesitated. Then, almost in a whisper, she replied, "I'm… Hinata."
Hinata, he thought, repeating it in his mind as if hearing it for the first time. He gave no reaction, as if it were just another new name. "Nice to meet you."
She nodded, still unsure, her voice fragile. "Thank you… for helping me…"
Kaizen waved it off. "Wasn't a big deal. You would've been fine."
He began walking again, then looked over his shoulder. "Which way are you heading?"
Hinata blinked. "U-Um… to the Hyuga compound. It's not far…"
"Perfect," Kaizen said with a small smile. "I'll walk with you."
She blinked again, surprised. "You don't have to…"
"I want to," he said, his tone warm but firm. "Besides, I could use the company."
So they walked, side by side through the fading light. Silence lingered for a time, but Kaizen let it be. He knew not to push her. She seemed like someone who wasn't used to being seen.
"You've got strong eyes," he said after a while, gently.
She blinked, uncertain. "S-Strong…?"
He nodded. "You faced them without lashing out or running away. That takes a kind of strength most people don't notice."
She looked at him then, studying his face for any sign of mockery. But all she found was sincerity.
"Thank you," she whispered again, this time with a little more confidence.
Kaizen smiled. "I met someone today who's kind of like you. People misunderstand him too. But he's got a good heart."
Hinata tilted her head. "Who?"
"His name's Naruto," Kaizen said, watching her reaction.
Her eyes widened slightly. "N-Naruto-kun…?"
Aha. Even now, the admiration was already there.
"He's rough around the edges," Kaizen continued, "but he's got potential. I think he's just waiting for someone to believe in him."
Hinata nodded faintly, eyes softening.
"I'll be seeing him again tomorrow," Kaizen said casually. "We found a quiet spot in the woods to hang out. You're welcome to join us, if you'd like."
She looked surprised. "M-Me?"
"Sure." He shrugged. "Why not?"
"I… I don't know if I'd be welcome…"
Kaizen gave her a calm look. "You are. If anyone has a problem with it, they'll have to deal with me."
A faint blush touched her cheeks. She looked down, hiding a shy smile.
They reached the Hyuga compound gates shortly after. The lanterns were lit, and two guards glanced toward them with mild curiosity but said nothing.
"Well," Kaizen said, stopping just short of the gate, "this is your stop."
Hinata turned to him, the hesitation returning. "Will… will you really be there tomorrow?"
"I will," he said with quiet certainty. "Same time. Same place. I'll bring Naruto."
She hesitated for a moment longer. Then she nodded.
"I'll try to come."
Kaizen gave her a warm nod. "Good. I look forward to it."
With that, he turned and walked back down the path, his silhouette fading into the growing night.
Behind him, Hinata stood at the gate, hand over her chest, heart beating a little faster than before.
For the first time in a long while, she felt like someone had truly seen her.