Under Naruto Uzumaki's gaze, Hinata Hyuga gradually lowered her head.
The atmosphere in the living room quickly became awkward.
Hinata Hyuga was naturally shy and introverted. She had never been good at social interactions.
And with a strict father watching over her upbringing, she had grown even more quiet and reserved.
As for Naruto Uzumaki—
Although he normally had no trouble talking to others, Kurama had already given up expecting him to start conversations.
After all, it was painfully obvious that this little Byakugan girl had already been completely wrapped around Naruto Uzumaki's finger.
He didn't even bother trying to increase her favorability with small talk.
"Um… Naruto Uzumaki…"
Hinata Hyuga slowly set the milk carton down before raising her head slightly.
"The method you taught me last time… how is your Chakra extraction going?"
"It's okay, I guess."
Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head casually, his eyes still narrowed into a thin line.
Hearing his reply, Hinata Hyuga's lips curved into a small smile.
"Naruto Uzumaki… this time I brought a book."
Soon, she carefully took out a beginner literacy textbook.
In this world, survival required more than ninja skills.
One also had to be able to read.
Otherwise, even the most basic lessons taught at the Ninja Academy would be impossible to understand.
"Let's study together."
The girl with the Byakugan looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Hmph…"
Behind the sealed iron gate, Kurama watched everything with boredom.
This girl named Hinata Hyuga was kind and considerate.
She had clearly already learned how to read, yet she deliberately used the phrase "study together" to avoid hurting Naruto Uzumaki's pride.
So how would Naruto Uzumaki respond?
"Sure."
Naruto Uzumaki agreed without hesitation.
Soon the two of them leaned over the table and began working through the beginner lessons together.
But Kurama had a feeling that with Naruto Uzumaki's personality, things probably wouldn't remain this simple.
The shadows of evening completely covered the Hokage's office.
Yugao Uzuki knelt on one knee, reporting the details of the mission to Hiruzen Sarutobi with deep shame.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard that the Nine-Tails' Chakra might have leaked out, his brows slightly furrowed.
Back then, the Fourth Hokage had used the Eight Trigrams Seal to contain the Nine-Tails.
In theory, that seal was extremely stable.
It should not break easily.
So the most likely explanation was that a small portion of the Nine-Tails' Chakra had slipped through a gap in the seal.
The seal had begun to loosen slightly.
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I failed to complete the evaluation mission on time…"
Yugao Uzuki lowered her head, her voice filled with shame.
"…."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned away from the window.
According to Yugao Uzuki's description, Naruto Uzumaki had stopped himself in time.
And it was the Nine-Tails that had informed him about the existence of the Anbu.
Communication between a jinchuriki and a tailed beast was not unusual.
So…
Naruto Uzumaki had already realized his identity?
At some point, rumors about the "demon fox" had begun spreading throughout the village.
Over the past few years, Naruto Uzumaki had suffered from the cold stares and hostility of the villagers.
Even many lower-ranking ninja who didn't know the truth believed Naruto Uzumaki was the incarnation of the demon fox.
They treated him with disdain.
If this continued—
And with the Nine-Tails constantly whispering to him—
Another tragedy like the one in the past might eventually occur.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decision.
He would personally visit Naruto Uzumaki later.
"Hokage-sama, please give me another chance!"
Seeing that the Third Hokage remained silent for so long, Yugao Uzuki assumed she had completely disappointed him.
She quickly spoke up to plead for another opportunity.
Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had intended to reassure her.
But after thinking for a moment, he chose a different response.
"Yugao Uzuki… from now on, you will deliver Naruto Uzumaki's monthly living allowance."
Since Kakashi Hatake was not yet ready to face Naruto Uzumaki…
Yugao Uzuki, who had already interacted with him, became the best candidate.
Her strong sense of responsibility would ensure the task was carried out properly.
And of course, she would also be responsible for regularly reporting Naruto Uzumaki's situation.
Back when Kushina Uzumaki had been the jinchuriki, two Anbu had constantly monitored her.
But even that had not been foolproof.
So after careful discussion, Konoha's leadership had chosen a different approach with Naruto Uzumaki.
They allowed him to grow freely.
However…
It was time for Naruto Uzumaki to form bonds with others.
Having people close to him would strengthen his love and sense of belonging toward the village.
As more people gradually stood beside him…
Naruto Uzumaki would eventually accept the village as his home.
"Yes, Hokage-sama! I will complete this task with all my effort!"
Yugao Uzuki's mood instantly brightened.
After bowing, she left the Hokage building.
"I suppose it's time for this old man to go home as well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his Hokage hat and changed out of his ceremonial robes.
In moments, he once again looked like nothing more than a gentle old man.
Next, he planned to visit Naruto Uzumaki.
At Naruto Uzumaki's house…
"Cha… kra…" Hinata Hyuga read carefully.
"Cha… do… ra…" Naruto Uzumaki repeated.
"Cha… kra…"
"Cha… do… ra…"
"…"
"…"
Hinata Hyuga was completely stunned.
She had repeated the word several times, yet Naruto Uzumaki stubbornly kept pronouncing Chakra as Chadora.
After several failed attempts, Hinata Hyuga even began wondering whether she herself had learned it incorrectly.
She decided that when she returned home, she would ask her family's maid for clarification.
"Let's stop here for today, Naruto Uzumaki. It's getting late, so I should head home…"
Hinata Hyuga intentionally left the book on the table.
Clearly, she wanted an excuse to come back again.
Outside, the sky had already grown dark.
If she stayed out any longer, her father might discover her absence.
"Oh."
Naruto Uzumaki stood up and walked her to the door.
Just as she reached the entrance, Hinata Hyuga suddenly turned back.
"Um… Naruto Uzumaki…"
"Yes?"
"The twenty-seventh of this month… is my birthday."
Her cheeks turned slightly red as her eyes wandered nervously.
"Will you come?"
She clearly hoped he would.
After all, someone as amazing as Naruto Uzumaki…
She wanted to secure him as soon as possible.
That was her little plan.
"No problem."
Naruto Uzumaki nodded calmly.
Hinata Hyuga, however, was overjoyed.
"That's wonderful…"
She couldn't stop smiling as she walked away, her steps noticeably lighter.
"Is it fun tricking a little girl?" Kurama asked lazily.
"You clearly know how to pronounce Chakra, yet you deliberately mislead that Byakugan girl."
"Hinata Hyuga's birthday…"
Naruto Uzumaki ignored Kurama entirely and fell into thought.
If nothing unexpected happened…
That incident would occur soon.
In the original timeline—
On Hinata Hyuga's birthday, a delegation from the Hidden Cloud Village would arrive in Konoha to negotiate an alliance.
While most of the village attended celebrations, the Hyuga Clan would remain absent.
Because that day was also when children from the branch family received the Caged Bird Seal.
That was the day Neji Hyuga witnessed his father being punished by the clan leader.
Hatred toward the main family began taking root in his heart.
That night, the leader of the Hidden Cloud delegation infiltrated the Hyuga compound and kidnapped Hinata Hyuga.
Hiashi Hyuga pursued the enemy and killed him, successfully rescuing his daughter.
However, the Hidden Cloud Village used the incident as leverage, placing the Hyuga Clan in a deadly dilemma.
In the end, Hizashi Hyuga sacrificed himself in place of his brother.
His body was sent to the Hidden Cloud Village.
"Hey, brat—"
Kurama was about to speak again when it suddenly sensed something unusual.
This time, the change came from Naruto Uzumaki himself.
"Hmm?!"
Inside the sealed space, the environment suddenly shifted.
The dark sewer became even darker.
Rust spread across the metal surfaces.
The water flowing across the floor accelerated, gradually turning black.
The scene resembled something out of a horror film.
"This…"
Kurama froze.
Then it burst into wild laughter.
Although the sealing environment differed from before, Kurama immediately recognized the change.
The last time something similar had happened was when Kushina Uzumaki's mind had been consumed by darkness.
If Naruto Uzumaki lost control…
That might become Kurama's chance to escape.
"This brat is filled with enormous malice… and it started after Hinata Hyuga mentioned her birthday…"
Kurama didn't know the exact reason.
But the timing was obvious.
"Hey, stupid fox," Naruto Uzumaki said calmly.
"It's time to pay your rent. Hand over a little more Chakra."
Power.
Only power could control everything.
In the next moment—
The seal loosened once again.
The massive iron gate trembled violently.
A loud metallic clang echoed through the space.
Then Kurama's Chakra surged outward through the gaps in the bars like a flowing tide.