How Kurama Leads Naruto Astray

"I'm doomed." Naruto slumped inside the sealed space, looking like he was about to cry. 

Kurama kept chuckling without saying a word, staring at him with the same mischievous expression the Genin had used earlier. 

Naruto squirmed uncomfortably and complained with a hint of resentment, "Kurama, stop looking at me like that! You're giving me more trouble!" 

"Heh." Kurama put on a polite smile and then bluntly told Naruto, 

"Not happening." 

"I'm seriously getting traumatized here," Naruto whined helplessly. 

Kurama lazily rolled over and said, "When I said 'not happening,' I meant there's no way I'm going to stop looking at you like this. So, you have two choices: stay in the sealed space and deal with me staring at you alone, or go outside and face a whole crowd staring at you the same way." 

"Your call." 

Naruto froze on the spot. "Kurama, are you a demon or something?" 

"Hey, watch your words," Kurama said smugly. "A true warrior dares to face a harsh life and bloody battles head-on, and likewise, dares to endure awkward situations." 

"Getting confessed to isn't even awkward!" Kurama puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "You should hold your head high, walk through the streets confidently, and tell everyone: I, Uzumaki Naruto, the 'demon fox' hated by everyone since childhood, received a confession from a girl!" 

Kurama glanced at Naruto, who was stunned, and smirked. "Besides, if this was just a little awkwardness, that's normal. But if you keep avoiding Hinata and never give her an answer, you know better than anyone how much that would hurt her." 

Naruto lowered his head. 

It was true—if there was one thing he knew all too well, it was how it felt to approach someone full of hope, only to be met with cold rejection, cruel words, and even hostility. 

Naruto hated that feeling. 

Pouting slightly, he looked at Kurama in frustration. "Then what should I do now? Should I just tell Hinata I don't like her?" 

"It's up to you." Kurama rested his head on his paws. 

"I won't comment on anyone's feelings since I've never been in love. But I do know that if even you, the one being confessed to, don't know what to do, the person confessing will only feel more lost." 

With a sly grin, Kurama added, 

"Although, I'd really like to see you accept Hinata." 

He did want to see that scene, but unfortunately, Naruto hasn't grown up yet. 

Naruto remained silent and didn't respond. After leaving the sealing space, Jiraiya and Kakashi came out soon after. They didn't say much either. Jiraiya simply told Naruto and Sasuke to go back and get their things before preparing to leave. 

According to Kurama, the journey this time might take a while, so they needed to prepare some food for the road, as well as money and ninja gear. 

After separating from the others, Naruto and Sasuke went home and then returned to the gates of Konohagakure. There, they each had a backpack. The remaining ten of the twelve Konoha Ninja were waiting, along with Jiraiya and Kakashi. 

Honestly, there wasn't much to say at the farewell. It wasn't like they couldn't meet again. Except for Ino, who expressed deep feelings of longing for the two of them, the others showed no particular expression. 

Well, until Ino mentioned the souvenirs they should bring, everyone's expression changed. 

Except for Neji, Shikamaru, and Hinata. 

In the end, Naruto and Sasuke, who had received a long list of gifts, stood at the gate, waving numbly. 

At that moment, Jiraiya walked up to Naruto, gently pushing the troubled Naruto, and said with a smile, "Whether it's a joke or serious, you should give her an answer." 

Naruto stared blankly at Jiraiya, seeing the seriousness on his face. After thinking for a moment, he nodded earnestly. 

Taking a deep breath, Naruto tightened his backpack, stepped forward slowly, but surely, towards Hinata. 

Jiraiya tugged on Sasuke's sleeve. "Let's go. Naruto will catch up later." 

Sasuke glanced at him, then at Naruto and Hinata, gave a rare smile, and turned to leave. 

The remaining nine ninja from the group exchanged looks with each other, and with a shared understanding, turned and walked away. Kakashi shook his head with a smile and disappeared in a puff of smoke. 

Now was not the time to disturb them. 

Naruto walked steadily toward Hinata and stopped in front of her. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Hinata..." 

Hinata blushed and lowered her head. Her shy nature made it hard for her to speak at times like this. And... there was a trace of sadness on her face because she knew Naruto liked Sakura. She also understood that he was trying to find an answer for himself. 

However, unexpectedly, Naruto smiled brightly: "Hinata, thank you." 

Hinata looked up, surprised, with a rosy face: "N-Naruto-kun?" 

Naruto scratched the back of his head and grinned sheepishly: "Thanks for liking me. Although, I always thought you were a bit strange, and sometimes you do weird things." 

His words felt like continuous knives stabbing into Hinata's heart, making her body tremble. 

"But like I said before, I really like someone like you." Naruto gave her a thumbs-up. 

Hinata: "..." 

Although touched, she knew what was coming—he would probably reject her. 

Hinata gently clenched her fist, and before Naruto could speak again, she forced a strong smile: 

"It's okay, Naruto-kun. I... I like you. Even if you don't like me, I will always like you, so it's fine." 

This rejection was something Hinata had imagined in her mind countless times. 

In the sealing space, Kurama opened his eyes, watching the girl in front of him pretending to be strong. He sighed quietly: 

"Naruto, no matter what your answer is, just say it. If you say anything like 'thank you' or 'you're a good person,' I'll explode right here and delay your departure by two days. Do you believe me?" 

Rejection is fine, but please just say it directly. Being overly tactful in this situation will only hurt her more. 

Naruto's eyes twitched. 

If Kurama unleashed his chakra with full force, the current seal would definitely cause Naruto some serious trouble, and he would probably end up in the hospital for a couple of days. 

Naruto did intend to say that Hinata was a good person, but the way he phrased it wasn't what Kurama thought. 

After hesitating for a moment, Naruto decided to speak his mind: 

"Hinata, you're a really good person. When you noticed me, when you liked me, and even when you watched my back... I... I'm really thankful to you." 

Hinata's expression grew dim. 

Kurama grinned, his smile turning somewhat sinister. The powerful chakra began to burst out, creating a strong red aura that spread throughout the entire sealing space. 

He grinned and said, "Naruto, you can start thinking about who will take care of you in the hospital for the next two days." 

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