"Alright…"Hinata's lips curved into a gentle smile, a smile so full of warmth that her very presence seemed to light up the small kitchen. The thought of cooking alongside Naruto—something she had only ever dreamed of in her most secret fantasies—was now a reality. In her original mind, she had never dared imagine such a moment, yet here it was, unfolding right before her eyes.She carefully took out the vegetables Naruto had prepared, inspecting them with meticulous attention before beginning to wash them. Each leaf, each root, each slice was handled as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Her hands moved deftly, yet every motion carried a quiet nervousness."Wow, Hinata… you're actually really good at cooking too," Naruto said, leaning slightly against the counter with a teasing grin.Hinata's cheeks flushed immediately. "It's… it's alright," she stammered, lowering her gaze to the vegetables.Her heart raced as Naruto complimented her. She had to do everything perfectly; this meal wasn't just food—it was a shared moment with Naruto-kun, a treasure she couldn't afford to ruin.With a sudden surge of determination, she activated her Byakugan."Byakugan… Activate!"Naruto jumped back, startled. "Whoa! Hinata, it's just washing vegetables! You don't need to activate Byakugan for that!"Hinata's face turned even redder, but she held firm. "B-because I want to do my best! This is… this is the first time I'm cooking with Naruto-kun. I can't make a single mistake!"Naruto chuckled softly, shaking his head, unable to completely understand her intense seriousness but appreciating her dedication all the same.Determined not to be outdone, Naruto grinned. "Alright, if you're going all out, I can't lose either!" He quickly formed two Shadow Clones, and the three of them—himself and the clones—dove into the kitchen, turning it into a whirlwind of motion. Pots rattled, knives chopped, and laughter echoed as the cooking progressed.Hinata watched them for a moment, silent and slightly flustered. The chaotic energy of the clones mixed with Naruto's determination created a strange but heartwarming atmosphere. Her competitive spirit sparked; she had to make this meal perfect.Finally, after much hustle and laughter, the meal was ready. The kitchen was a mess, but the table was set with a delicious-looking spread. Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow and gestured toward the dishes."It's done! Looks good, doesn't it?"Hinata smiled shyly, a soft blush still gracing her cheeks. "Yes… it… it really does."They both sat down at the table, slightly tired but content."Ah… I'm so tired, but it smells amazing!" Naruto laughed, his eyes sparkling.Hinata's heart fluttered at his enthusiasm. "Then… let's eat, Naruto-kun…" she whispered, pressing her hands together as if in a small, silent prayer.Sitting across from him, Hinata felt a profound happiness. This world, with all its pain, cruelty, and challenges, seemed to shrink away at this moment. The simple joy of sharing a meal with someone she cared about so deeply made her heart swell with warmth."It's delicious, Naruto-kun… thank you," she said softly, tasting her efforts.Naruto dug in immediately, wolfing down the food with his usual enthusiasm. "Haha, it's not just my effort, Hinata! You helped too, so this is a true team effort!"Hinata couldn't help but giggle softly, a sound filled with genuine happiness. She pushed aside her shyness and began eating heartily, savoring each bite, each moment.As they ate, Naruto spoke of the events from earlier. He tried to recall the fight with Mizuki and the rescue of Iruka-sensei, but his memories were hazy. He only remembered the intensity of the battle and the necessity of saving his mentor, even at the cost of his own life."I… I wasn't strong enough," he admitted quietly, more to himself than to anyone else. "If I had been stronger, I wouldn't have needed to go berserk… it might have just been luck this time."Hinata listened intently, her gentle eyes reflecting understanding."I… I want to become stronger," Naruto continued, his fists clenching unconsciously. "Stronger so I can protect Iruka-sensei. And… everyone I care about."Hinata nodded softly. "I understand, Naruto-kun…"Her words carried a quiet strength that touched Naruto's heart. He looked at her earnestly, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. "And that includes you, Hinata. I'll protect you, no matter what."Hinata felt a spark of electricity shoot through her chest, leaving her momentarily breathless. "Naruto-kun…" she whispered."Why…?" Naruto asked softly.Hinata lifted her eyes to meet his, shy but unwavering. "Because… as I said before, we are friends. You care for me, you help me, and I… I want to protect you just like you protect Iruka-sensei. This is my vow."Her voice trembled with emotion, yet it carried absolute determination. Naruto's chest tightened at her words."I… I feel the same," he said, his voice low but resolute. "I will risk my life to protect you, Hinata. Always."Hinata's eyes shimmered with tears as their hearts connected silently across the table."Good!" Naruto shouted suddenly, breaking the quiet tension. "Besides Iruka-sensei, there's another person I want to protect!"Hinata's eyes widened, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Naruto-kun…""Let's do our best together!" Naruto encouraged.Hinata, gathering her courage, shouted back from the street as she waved goodbye. "Yes! Let's do our best together, Naruto-kun!"Naruto clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. "Absolutely! We'll do our best!"With the shared moment behind them, Naruto returned to his training, ready to push forward despite the exhaustion from the morning's events.The system's prompt appeared, reminding him of the increased challenge ahead."Please continue the taijutsu special training, Host. Work harder than Rock Lee, or face an even stronger Lightning Release baptism!"Naruto pouted but nodded resolutely. "Alright, working harder than Lee doesn't sound too bad. I'm ready for this!"As he approached the training ground, the sounds of intense combat assaulted his ears. Bang! Bang! Bang!The violent strikes of wood against flesh, the grunts of effort, the shattering of stakes—just hearing the sounds was enough to make Naruto's scalp tingle with anticipation.Hiding behind the bushes, he peeked through and saw Rock Lee, tirelessly performing the Leaf Whirlwind technique against a wooden stake. Each kick was delivered with perfect precision, shaking the stake violently and sending wood chips flying.The effort Lee exerted was tremendous, the intensity almost unbearable to watch. Naruto's eyes widened in awe and concern. "Lee… how long has he been doing this?" he whispered.Noticing Naruto's presence, Lee stopped his frenzied training and turned, his face breaking into a brilliant smile. "Naruto! You're finally here! I've been waiting for you!"Naruto approached cautiously, still amazed. "You… how long have you been training like this?"Lee's grin widened, almost challenging, almost encouraging. "Long enough to make sure I can keep up with you. Let's see if you can push yourself even harder than me!"Naruto felt his heart surge with determination. The day, which began with a warm meal and heartfelt emotions, was now filled with the raw, invigorating challenge of training. And he wouldn't back down.This was the path of a ninja: to protect, to endure, and to grow stronger, step by step, challenge by challenge.With a nod to Lee, Naruto prepared himself mentally for the arduous training ahead. The morning of cooking with Hinata had warmed his heart, but now, it was time to test his strength, his resolve, and his determination to protect everyone he cared about.And thus, the day continued—filled with emotions, challenges, and the unwavering drive of a young ninja striving to become stronger than ever before.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)