"Wow! Dad wants to be friends with Naruto-niichan? That's amazing!" Hanabi squealed with delight from her perch in Naruto's arms, bouncing excitedly.
Ignoring his younger daughter's enthusiasm, Hiashi's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering. He should never have allowed Naruto into the compound. Meeting with him, regardless of his status as Hokage, created impossible situations.
Everyone in Konoha knew about Naruto's peculiar method of making friends. Becoming his friend would cost Hiashi every shred of dignity he possessed as the Hyūga clan head. How could he maintain his standing in the village after that?
Chōza and Shikaku would never let him hear the end of it.
Hiashi glanced at his eldest daughter, hoping for support. Instead, Hinata looked at him with hopeful eyes, her expression practically begging him to accept.
His face darkened further.
"Hokage-sama." Hiashi's voice came out deep and firm, brooking no argument. "Marry Hinata or be friends with me. Choose one. You cannot have both."
"That's truly a pity." Since Naruto had already decided to marry Hinata eventually, he saw no reason to be indirect. "I really wanted to marry into the family, father-in-law."
Kiss up all you want, you're still not getting what you want. Hiashi's jaw clenched, frustration building behind his carefully controlled expression.
Hearing Naruto call her father "father-in-law" made Hinata's face flush scarlet. Heat rushed to her cheeks so intensely she thought her skin might catch fire. She immediately dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to let anyone see her expression.
Naruto-kun finally admitted our relationship openly!
No, wait. He already admitted it before, otherwise how could he be so casual about calling Father that? We're really... we're really going to...
Hinata's thoughts scattered in a dozen directions at once, each one more flustered than the last.
They chatted for a while longer, but with friendship off the table, Naruto's enthusiasm waned. After a polite interval, he made his excuses to leave.
Hiashi quickly urged his eldest daughter to see Naruto out properly. Despite his irritation at the "friendship" situation, hearing Naruto openly acknowledge his relationship with Hinata and declare his intention to marry her brought genuine relief.
This was exactly the outcome Hiashi had hoped for. After all, there wasn't another man as outstanding as Naruto in the entire shinobi world. Having his daughter marry him would be a blessing.
But when he remembered Naruto wanting to make him a friend through violence...
The anger flared again.
Naruto is excellent in every way except that his brain works strangely.
Walking Naruto to the compound gates, Hinata's face remained flushed pink. Naruto, still carrying Hanabi, couldn't resist teasing her when he saw how adorable she looked.
"Hinata, don't you want us to become a family?"
The question sent panic through Hinata. "No! I mean, yes! I really want to become a family with Naruto-kun!"
"Good. But we need to wait a few years. We're still too young right now." Naruto smiled warmly.
He was twelve this year, and Hinata was about the same age. At minimum, they'd need to wait until both reached adulthood before holding any kind of wedding ceremony.
"I want to be family with Naruto-niichan too!" Hanabi shouted loudly from her position in his arms, her voice carrying across the courtyard.
"Hanabi, when I'm family with your sister, I'll be family with you too." Naruto tried to explain patiently. At Hanabi's age, she didn't understand the nuances.
"No! Naruto-niichan is lying!" Hanabi's lower lip jutted out stubbornly. "Sister wants to marry Naruto-niichan, and that's how she becomes family. I want to marry Naruto-niichan too!"
"Hanabi, be good. When I marry your sister, we'll all be family." Naruto didn't take the child's words seriously. Right now Hanabi might say such things, but when she grew older, she'd surely change her mind. Children said all sorts of things they didn't mean.
Ignoring Hanabi's continued protests, Naruto said goodbye to Hinata and headed back to the farm.
Orochimaru had integrated into the farm's working atmosphere remarkably quickly over just a few days. He'd even developed several "innovative ideas" for improving livestock breeding.
Cross-breeding pigs with sheep. Sheep with cattle. Snakes with cows. His suggestions grew increasingly bizarre.
He'd explained enthusiastically that breaking through reproductive isolation could yield fascinating results. Humans and snakes, for instance, should theoretically be compatible under the right conditions.
Hearing Orochimaru's wild theories had shocked Naruto enough to consult the System immediately. Can humans and snakes actually have children?
The System had laughed. [Hehe. In the myriad realms of existence, not only humans and snakes, but humans and insects, humans and spirits, humans and immortals, all can produce offspring. They've achieved considerable fame for it. Reckless heroes. Small tricks. The friendship between life and death. The unity of heaven and humanity.]
The answer had opened Naruto's eyes in the most disturbing way possible.
Now, tracking down Orochimaru, Naruto found him collecting samples for experiments. The moment Orochimaru noticed him, his face split into that characteristic smile.
"Naruto! I've already passed along those techniques to Sasuke."
Gave them to Sasuke? Naruto considered briefly. "That's fine. I don't need them anyway."
Naruto had come seeking information about Karin. In that other world, after becoming friends with her, he'd learned that at this point in the timeline, Karin should be under Orochimaru's control.
The Uzumaki clan had been wiped out in war's flames. Almost no survivors remained. Karin was one of the only exceptions, but the baptism of conflict had left her as a wandering refugee.
In the original timeline, she'd started as a Kusagakure ninja participating in the Konoha Chūnin Exams. She was supposed to be saved by Sasuke there, and she'd spent the rest of her life devoted to him. But in this world, because Naruto had always been with Sasuke, this world's Karin had never met him.
Later, Karin had taken refuge with Orochimaru. During the Five Kage Summit, Danzō had taken her hostage. Sasuke had ignored her life and death in his pursuit of revenge. If not for the Uzumaki clan's tenacious vitality, she might have died from Sasuke's own attack.
Afterward, she'd been captured and tortured by Morino Ibiki...
But those misfortunes wouldn't repeat in this world. With Orochimaru working for him, Naruto could ensure Karin lived comfortably. No dangerous missions. She could simply exist as an Uzumaki clan member, safe and secure.
If possible, Naruto planned to invite Karin to live with him. Though that would depend on her personal wishes, of course.
The actual meeting with Karin could wait. First, he needed to settle matters in Konoha and deal with Terumi Mei. Then he'd go meet her properly.
For now, he just needed confirmation from Orochimaru about Karin's safety.
"Orochimaru, is Karin currently under your command?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Karin? She is indeed with my organization. Does Naruto-kun need her for something?"
"No tasks needed. She's my relative. I hope you'll keep her safe."
"Understood, Naruto-kun. I'll definitely ensure her safety." Orochimaru nodded smoothly. This was a simple matter for him. Besides, he was currently lurking beside Naruto wholeheartedly, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Until he obtained Naruto's DNA and cells, all his forces would remain on standby.
"Very good. Remember to come for dinner later." Naruto turned and left.
Orochimaru had only built a simple shelter so far. Unlike Haku, who was ingenious and skilled with his hands, Orochimaru couldn't cook. He'd been relying on Naruto's hospitality for meals.
Watching Naruto's departing back, Orochimaru pulled a test tube from his pocket, thinking carefully. I can share more tea with Naruto later. Then when he goes to the bathroom, I'll check if there's anything useful in his urine.
Generally speaking, there wouldn't be. But if someone had particular dreams the night before, during excretion, there should be traces. Worth trying his luck.
Orochimaru was committed to this idea.