In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

In the serene bamboo grove, with the gentle hints of spring fading away, Hinata had gone back to fetch the sake. Naruto leaned against a verdant bamboo stalk, pulling out Icha Icha Paradise to read while patiently waiting.

His thoughts drifted as time passed, realizing that early summer was almost here.

The Akatsuki's plan to capture Ichibi had failed, Jiraiya had yet to return from his search for the Child of Prophecy, and Kakashi was busy. The investigation into the Land of Rain seemed nowhere near complete, so Naruto figured he could only start preparing on his own.

Putting everything else aside, it was important to him that there was no Akatsuki in this world. It was a destined life-or-death battle. Either all members of the Akatsuki perishes, or he does.

As for the line of hidden treasures beneath the Land of Whirlpool, he simply didn't have the time to deal with that now. Reviving the greatness of the Uzumaki Clan was, in truth, just a fancy line to deceive his ancestors.

'Who in their right mind would build a harem on an isolated island?'

Just as he was lost in thought, Naruto noticed a figure sneaking out from the Hyuga Clan's compound's gates Despite it being broad daylight, the person cautiously looked around as if they were doing something illicit.

Okay, now he was basically confirmed that Hinata was just simply timid.

"Here, Naruto-kun, is this enough?" Hinata handed him a jade bottle of sake. The bottle clearly more valuable than the sake itself, "If it's not enough, I can..."

"This is plenty." Naruto took it and thought to himself, 'With this bait, I didn't have to worry about that fox not taking the bait.'

"Thank you, Hinata. I'll treat you to a meal next time." Naruto said with a smile. Seeing Hinata blushing, he couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her cheek.

He touches and let go immediately, doing nothing more.

"I'm also very happy to be able to help you, Naruto-kun." Hinata stammered, "I… I don't mind at all."

"You've been a great help." Naruto tucked the jade bottle into his seal space and suddenly recalled what Sakura had said earlier. Out of curiosity, he asked, "Hinata, have you been busy lately?"

"Ah?" Hinata seemed a bit surprised, "I-I haven't been too busy."

"Are there no missions recently?" He asked with some doubts. It was not Naruto's fault. As he indeed had not participated in many missions recently and was almost isolated by Tsunade.

Kakashi was training, Sakura was also training, and Sasuke had transferred to Orochimaru, most likely betraying him by now. Team 7 was essentially disbanded, and any plans for the so-called reorganization had been put on hold.

The village had already started focusing on training the next generation of Shinobi, like Konohamaru's group, and has devoted more teaching resources to the Academy. Naruto was aware of this, which was why he had taught Konohamaru and the other two the Rasengan recently.

"There are fewer missions recently, especially since I'm almost becoming a Jonin." Hinata said softly, "People like Shino, who's stronger, is getting more missions."

"As for me, if Team 8 doesn't have any special missions, I'll probably have to come back to participate in the clan's daily affairs."

"Things are diverging, huh?" Naruto muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing." He changed the topic and asked, "How's your training been going?"

The bamboo leaves rustled gently, the wind carrying their sound.

The moist air made people feel relaxed. Hinata instinctively tucked her hair behind her ear, and the tension in her heart was relieved.

However, when she heard Naruto's question, her expression visibly darkened, "I failed."

"Oh, don't worry about it. No need to feel discouraged." Naruto comforted, then glanced at Hinata's Byakugan for a moment, and thought to himself, 'Hinata must have some connection to Otsutsuki Hamura's lineage.'

"You'll have more opportunities in the future. Besides, being too strong brings its own set of problems. Just look at Tsunade-sama, she's always complaining like a disgruntled housewife, talking about retiring whenever she gets drunk."

"Anyway, don't rush these things."

That was how Naruto truly felt. If he had the choice, he wouldn't want to deal with the Akatsuki at all. Ideally, he wanted to live like Kakashi, strong enough to be respected but not constantly under pressure.

To be able to relax when he wanted and to refuse things he didn't want to do. That was his idea of true freedom, which is not having to do what he didn't want to.

But it's useless to think too much now, and he would just take it one step at a time. He just hoped that Jiraiya can be more awesome and bring back some useful information.

As Naruto's thoughts drifted, Hinata's voice brought him back to reality.

"Um, I understand." Hinata said quietly, sneaking another glance at him, "Naruto-kun, are you free tomorrow? You've always been so kind to me, and I… I'd like to invite you for a… a meal."

"Tomorrow?"

"Ah! If... you don't have time, then forget it. I just..." Hinata seemed very flustered. She didn't dare to look up at all. Her hands were tightly grasping the hem of her shirt. This was the first time she took the initiative to ask Naruto out.

Before, she didn't even have the courage for a normal conversation with him, and it took all her strength just to speak to him. But Naruto had always treated her so well, and she was growing up now.

But when she thought about how much closer Ino was to Naruto compared to her, and the three of them used to be so close, if she waited any longer, maybe...

"Tomorrow evening?" Naruto asked.

Remembering how he had just promised to let Sakura freeload a meal in exchange for some information earlier, Naruto thought it wouldn't be great to cancel on her right away. But if Hinata's invite was for dinner, then that should be fine.

"Okay." Hinata nodded vigorously like a little chick pecking at rice, then blurted out a quick line before dashing off, "Th-then see you tomorrow night at the wall!"

"Wall"? Naruto turned to look in the direction she had indicated. Beyond the wall was a dead-end old alley. It was not far from the Hyuga Clan's compound, but on the back of Konoha's Street.

Jumping over that alley and crossing the rooftops of a few buildings would bring him directly to Konoha Street No. 404. It wasn't an overly secluded spot, but it wasn't in the center of the village either.

Hinata had already disappeared from sight. Naruto thought about it and felt that since it was just a meal, he didn't dwell too much on it. His mind then shifted back to how he would lure out Kurama as he slowly turned to leave.

At the gate of the Hyuga Clan's compound, Hinata secretly peeked out, blushing as she watched Naruto walk away.

At the next second, a familiar voice rang out.

"Nee-chan, what's going on outside?"

"Ah!" Hinata was startled. She quickly turned around and saw her sister, Hanabi, looking at her curiously. Hinata's face instantly turned red as if it were on fire.

"N-Nothing!"

"Let me see." Hanabi tried to sidestep Hinata to look outside, but was suddenly stopped by the panicked Hinata.

"There's really nothing! Don't look!" Hinata threw an arm around her sister's neck and forcefully pulled her into the Hyuga Clan's compound, "Let's go home. I need to talk to you."

"But sister… I was about to go out."

"Just go later." Hinata's heart pounded as she forcibly led Hanabi away.

If her little sister discovered her secret, she might as well die on the spot.