Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

Chapter 64: The growth of Hinata



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Natsume had eaten too many meatballs earlier, so he skipped dinner with Tsunade and Shizune. Instead, with time on his hands, he decided to continue practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique in the courtyard.

Later that night, after a long session, he showered to wash away the sweat and made his way to the room. Tsunade was already asleep, her figure illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window.

Natsume crept into bed quietly, slipping under the covers and wrapping his arms around her. Her warmth was comforting, and the steady rhythm of her breathing lulled him into a sense of peace.

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Early Morning

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. Tsunade's bright brown eyes fluttered open as she stirred. For the first time in what felt like ages, she had slept well.

Her missions across the Land of Fire had been grueling, her rest often interrupted by nightmares or insomnia. Sarutobi Asuma used to joke that Natsume must owe her millions for keeping her awake during those difficult years.

Tsunade glanced at Natsume, who was still sound asleep beside her. His breathing was steady, his face calm and peaceful. He didn't even snore—a sharp contrast to her restless tossing and turning.

Her hand rested lightly on his stomach, and she hesitated before carefully pulling herself free, trying not to wake him. She sighed in relief when he didn't stir, then dressed quickly and made her way to the kitchen.

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Later That Morning

Natsume slowly awoke, immediately sensing something was missing. The warmth beside him was gone, and he let out a quiet sigh. Sleeping next to Tsunade had been soothing, but waking up alone felt like torture.

He knew he had to be patient. He'd noticed subtle changes in her demeanor since her return, but she still pampered him like a child. For their relationship to truly evolve, he needed to wait for her to drop the mask of perfection and reveal her more volatile, genuine self. That would be the turning point.

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The Kitchen

"Smells good," Natsume said as he passed the kitchen, catching an unfamiliar aroma. He paused at the doorway, his curiosity piqued. "Sis, what are you cooking? Why does it smell so... edible?"

"Tonkotsu ramen," Tsunade replied with a proud grin. "I guarantee it'll taste amazing."

Natsume's instincts immediately sounded alarms. Tsunade's cooking was legendary—legendary for its catastrophic results. He cast a glance at Shizune, who was busy setting the table.

"Don't worry," Shizune reassured him, sensing his unease. "I went to Ichiraku Ramen yesterday to get the ingredients."

Good save, Shizune. You're a lifesaver! Natsume thought, though he remained cautious. He knew better than to let his guard down too soon.

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When the bowls of ramen were served, Tsunade eagerly picked up her chopsticks. "Eat up!" she urged.

Natsume hesitated but took a bite. To his surprise, the ramen wasn't disastrous. It lacked the signature depth of flavor from Ichiraku, but it was passable.

He glanced at Shizune, silently asking if she'd bought counterfeit ingredients. Shizune looked equally perplexed. Still, breakfast passed without any major incidents.

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Afternoon

Natsume returned to the Shikkotsu Forest to continue his training. His goals were twofold: to master the aura of a mature shinobi and to keep himself in peak physical condition.

Meanwhile, Tsunade headed to the Hokage Building. Though she wasn't officially the Hokage yet, she worked as a consultant and often clashed with the elder advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Her fiery temper frequently turned their debates into near-brawls—a stark contrast to the leniency of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Natsume approved of her defiance. Even during Naruto's tenure as Hokage, the elders had meddled in Konoha's affairs. Their resistance to progress was infuriating, and Tsunade's refusal to back down was a refreshing change.

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Evening

By dusk, Natsume had made significant strides in mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique. Feeling confident, he decided to test his skills by sneaking into the Hyuga compound.

In the training yard, he found Hinata sparring with Neji. The sight stopped him in his tracks.

Neji, typically composed and dominant in battle, looked rattled. His movements were slower, less precise, as if he couldn't keep up with Hinata's unrelenting attacks.

Natsume's eyes narrowed with approval. Hinata's improvement was remarkable. Her fluid strikes and perfect chakra control were the result of his training. Using his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had copied the Gentle Fist techniques, enhancing her abilities through genjutsu-based simulations.

Neji stumbled, his chakra flow disrupted by a well-placed strike. He stared at Hinata in disbelief, his expression a mix of frustration and astonishment.

"I've figured out your patterns," Hinata said confidently, her voice steady. "Unless you develop new techniques, you won't be able to defeat me."

Neji's eyes widened. This wasn't the timid, hesitant Hinata he had grown up with. She was determined, methodical—different.

"I've decided," Hinata continued, her gaze fierce. "I will address the Caged Bird Seal. This is only the beginning."

Neji was speechless, his mind reeling. The girl he had once dismissed as weak was now challenging his worldview.

From the shadows, Natsume watched with a satisfied smirk. When Hinata caught sight of him, she nodded, understanding his silent cue to follow.

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Later That Night

"You seem conflicted," Natsume said, sitting across from Hinata in a secluded corner of the compound.

Hinata hesitated, her hands fidgeting slightly. "Neji... he's always been strong, but today, he seemed so..."

"Lost," Natsume finished for her. "He's been clinging to the idea that his fate is set. You're showing him that even destiny can be challenged."

Hinata's eyes softened, though her resolve remained. "Thank you, Natsume. I wouldn't have come this far without your help."

"You've always had this strength, Hinata. I just gave you the tools to see it," Natsume said, his tone gentle but firm. "Now, it's up to you to decide what comes next."

Hinata nodded, determination shining in her eyes.

---

Natsume yawned, stretching his arms after hours of tutoring.

Finally, Hinata Hyūga seemed to understand the reason behind Neji's strong reactions. Though the lesson had been tough, she didn't let it discourage her—a sharp contrast to her once timid nature.

"You're doing well, Hinata," Natsume said, his voice soft as he gently patted her head. "Good night."

Hinata smiled shyly, bowing slightly before heading to her room. Natsume watched her go before returning to his.

In the quiet darkness of their shared room, Tsunade lay still, her eyelashes trembling. She hadn't been able to sleep, troubled by the time Natsume had spent away. Her mind churned with unease, no matter how much she trusted him.

Men are all the same, she thought bitterly. Flirting at such a young age…

Unaware of her turmoil, Natsume removed his coat and slipped into bed beside her. The moonlight illuminated her serene face, and he couldn't resist reaching out. With a mischievous smile, he gently pinched her cheek.

Soft and elastic.

He chuckled quietly, recalling how often Tsunade complained about her age. Yet her skin felt as youthful as ever, as if time hadn't touched her. Leaning closer, he kissed her lightly on the cheek before snuggling into her warmth and drifting off to sleep.

Tsunade's eyes opened just a fraction, catching his peaceful expression. She said nothing, but a small smile tugged at her lips. Inch by inch, she shifted closer, resting her forehead against his and listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing until sleep finally claimed her.

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The Next Morning

When Natsume awoke, the spot beside him was empty. Tsunade had already left.

As he stepped out of the room, Shizune approached him, her expression curious. "Natsume, did you say something to Tsunade-sama? She left early to buy breakfast… that's unusual."

Natsume blinked, surprised. Tsunade? Buying breakfast?

Before he could ask further, Tsunade returned, carrying several takeaway boxes.

"Ichiraku Ramen," she declared proudly, setting them on the table. "Your favorite."

Natsume raised an eyebrow, amused. She still thinks of me as a child.

Shizune, sensing the mood, quietly served herself and left the two to their conversation.

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Later That Day

Natsume returned to Shikkotsu Forest to endure another grueling training session. His body screamed in agony as the Mask of Pain tore through him, shredding his muscles and pushing him to his limits.

Ten minutes later, Tsunade arrived, her sharp eyes brimming with worry. Without a word, she knelt beside him and activated her Mystical Palm Technique, her chakra flowing into his torn flesh.

His body, bloodied and battered, slowly began to mend under her skilled hands.

"You've gotten used to this," Natsume muttered, wincing as the healing process took hold.

"I've had to," Tsunade replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "After all these years, seeing you like this still doesn't get any easier. Now, go clean up and rest."

Natsume smiled faintly, pulling on the fresh clothes she handed him.

Tsunade's expression softened as she watched him. Over the years, Natsume had slowly chipped away at the walls around her heart—walls built from decades of pain and loss since the Second Shinobi War.

"I'm heading to the Hokage's office," she said. "There's been unusual movement in Konoha recently—especially with the Uchiha clan."

Natsume's expression turned serious as he nodded. He'd already been monitoring Orochimaru's activities, thanks to intel from Uchiha Itachi. If left unchecked, the tension within the Uchiha clan could ignite a rebellion.

The Uchiha clan's future hangs by a thread.

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A Few Days Later

Natsume had poured every ounce of effort into mastering both Sage Mode and the Flying Thunder God Technique. His determination was unwavering.

One morning, a soft chime echoed in his mind—the signal of the Holy Ring of Fate activating.

[Due to your actions, Uchiha Izumi's destiny has shifted. You have gained sixty destiny points.]

Natsume's eyes narrowed. Orochimaru…

The snake-like sannin had been experimenting with the Uchiha clan, forcing traumatic scenarios to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan in certain members. And now, it seemed Izumi was his latest target.

Without hesitation, Natsume vanished, reappearing moments later in one of Orochimaru's hidden labs.

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"No, please—stop!" Uchiha Izumi's scream echoed through the sterile chamber.

Her Sharingan burned with raw emotion as she was forced to watch Orochimaru hold her mother, Hazuki Uchiha, by the throat.

Orochimaru's sinister smile faltered when Natsume's sudden arrival filled the room with oppressive chakra.

Dropping Hazuki unceremoniously, Orochimaru turned to face the intruder, his golden eyes narrowing. "How did you find this place?"

Natsume's lips curled into a smirk. "I have my ways."

"...What do you want?" Orochimaru's tone remained composed, though curiosity flickered beneath the surface.

"Release her," Natsume commanded, his gaze locked on Izumi.

Orochimaru chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. "She belongs to me now. I can't possibly hand her over."

Natsume's expression darkened. "Then there's nothing left to discuss."

Orochimaru moved swiftly, summoning a horde of snakes.

"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"

The room filled with the sound of slithering as venomous serpents surged toward Natsume.

But Natsume remained unfazed. "Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

With a flick of his arm, countless wooden spikes erupted, impaling the incoming snakes and shredding them to pieces. The wood continued to spread, skewering every last serpent.

Orochimaru's expression twisted into a snarl as black markings crept across his face—the Cursed Seal awakening.

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