NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Chapter 19:[Reveal]
The moon hung high over Konoha, its silver light washing over the village as Naruto and Hinata stood on the Hokage Monument. The wind rustled softly through the trees, and the quiet hum of the night surrounded them.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, hesitating. "Hinata... there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Something I should've said a long time ago."
Hinata tilted her head, her lavender eyes filled with concern and curiosity. "Naruto-kun, you can tell me anything."
Naruto took a deep breath, looking out over the village. "You know how people used to treat me when I was a kid, right? Like... I was some kind of monster. I didn't get why for the longest time, but then I found out." He paused, his voice quieter. "It's because of the Nine-Tails."
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, giving him the space to speak.
"The Fourth Hokage sealed it inside me the day I was born, to save the village. Ever since then, I've carried it with me. It's the reason why I had to train so hard... why I was always alone. People feared me without even knowing me." His voice wavered, and he clenched his fists. "For a long time, I hated it. Hated the fox. Hated what it did to my life."
Hinata stepped closer, her presence calming. "Naruto-kun..."
"But then... I realized that the Nine-Tails isn't just some curse," he continued. "Yeah, it's caused me pain, but it's also made me stronger. It's helped me protect the people I care about. And... if I didn't have it, I might not be the person I am today."
Naruto finally turned to face her, his blue eyes meeting hers. "I wanted you to know, Hinata. Because you're one of the most important people in my life, and I don't want there to be any secrets between us."
Hinata's cheeks flushed a light pink, but her expression was steady. She reached out, gently placing her hand over his. "Naruto-kun, thank you for telling me. I know how much courage it takes to share something like that." Her voice was soft but firm. "But to me, you've always been you. The Naruto-kun who inspires everyone around him, who never gives up, and who has the biggest heart of anyone I know."
Naruto stared at her for a moment, her words sinking in. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. "Thanks, Hinata. That... means a lot."
----‐‐
(Time skip :1 year)
The difference in Naruto and Hinata's abilities after a year was nothing short of astounding. Their intense, secret training had forged them into shinobi far beyond the level of typical Academy students. Despite this, they kept their progress well-hidden, continuing to maintain their façade as average students.
The only ones who knew the truth were the two of them—and Kurama, of course.
---
It was early morning, and the sun was just beginning to rise over Konoha. Naruto and Hinata stood side by side in their secluded training ground, breathing heavily after completing a sparring session. Both were drenched in sweat, but there was a satisfied look in their eyes.
"You've gotten faster, Hinata," Naruto said, wiping his forehead. "That last feint almost got me."
Hinata, though her face was flushed, smiled at his words. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. But it's only because you've been helping me push my limits."
Naruto grinned. "Hey, teamwork makes the dream work, right? And besides, you've been keeping me on my toes too."
Over the past year, Hinata had grown immensely more confident. Her taijutsu, infused with her gentle yet precise chakra strikes, had become far more refined. Combined with her Byakugan, she was an opponent even Naruto had to be wary of in sparring.
On the other hand, Naruto had mastered control over his Shadow Clones, using them not just for training but also in battle strategies. His proficiency in fūinjutsu had skyrocketed, and his experiments had led to the creation of a number of unique seals. Though he still struggled to summon his chakra chains for extended periods, they were becoming a reliable tool in his arsenal.
But the biggest leap forward was his ability to use Kurama's chakra in small, controlled bursts. With Kurama's guidance, Naruto could now briefly enhance his speed and strength, though he was cautious not to rely on it too heavily.
---
After their spar, the two sat down under the shade of a tree, sharing some water and snacks.
"Do you think they suspect anything?" Hinata asked, her voice soft but steady.
"Nah," Naruto replied, leaning back against the tree trunk. "The clones are doing their job. No one's noticed a thing. Even Iruka-sensei hasn't figured it out." He smirked. "Not that anyone's looking too closely at us anyway."
Hinata nodded, but there was a thoughtful look in her eyes. "It feels strange, doesn't it? Hiding how far we've come."
"Yeah," Naruto admitted, glancing up at the sky. "But I think it's for the best. If people knew, they'd start asking questions. Or worse, they'd start expecting things from us. Right now, we've got the advantage of surprise. When the time comes, we'll show everyone what we can really do."
Hinata smiled at his determination, her heart swelling with admiration for him. "You're right, Naruto-kun. We'll be ready for anything."
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Author's notes.
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