After the cursory obligatory causerie about themselves, came the Bell Test.

Naruto was amused by the fact that the simple teamwork exercise that Tobirama used ended up becoming passed down as a tradition of sorts. It was a silly thing -- even a team of three genins with perfect cooperation would find it difficult to take down a jōnin. Even if they relied on tricks or strategy, it was nearly impossible for inexperienced genins to defeat their sensei. It was more of a game where, if satisfied with the performance of the Academy graduates, the sensei would let the genins win on purpose.

With a series of guerrilla tactics, Team 7 snatched Kakashi's bell.

In summary, Naruto used shadow clones as a shield to disguise the movements of the other two while Sasuke kited their sensei with techniques comparable to low C- and D-rank jutsu. He also occasionally tossed shuriken and kunai to muddle Kakashi's perception of his location. While the other two were hard at work, Shikamaru lurked in the shadows in wait for his prey. When the jōnin was successfully lured into Shikamaru's expanded shadow which was merged with that of a tree, Shikamaru successfully took control of Kakashi's movements and mimed removing something from his belt and tossing it. The bells were smoothly caught by Naruto and distributed to his teammates.

Naruto then turned to face Kakashi with a foxlike grin.

"Do we pass your test, Kakashi-sensei?" he asked cheerfully.

Kakashi stared at Naruto for a moment, then exaggeratedly brushed himself off as Shikamaru's shadow receded.

"Shikamaru must have seen through my test. You win!" he exclaimed, turning to look at the Nara with an eye-smile.

Or... maybe that was a wink? It was hard to tell when the man in question was a cyclops. How could one know if Kakashi was blinking, smiling or winking with but a single visible eye? The half-mask he used only further complicated an observer's interpretation of his expressions.

Regardless, Team 7 smoothly transitioned into a four-man team -- or at least that was supposed to be the case.

~♡~

"It's a pleasure to meet you girls. My name is Yūhi Kurenai and I will be your jōnin sensei and the leader of this team henceforth," greeted Kurenai. "How about we start with self-introductions?"

The three young kunoichis nodded, but the blonde and pink-haired girls glared at each other as soon as they realised that they happened to agree on this.

Kurenai overlooked their internal conflict and continued, "I'll start first. I specialise in genjutsu. I like shōchu, vodka and takawasa and dislike cakes. My current goal is to fight a certain someone. My hobby is drinking in the evenings. How about you, young miss of the Hyūga clan?"

"Ah! I-I... My name is H-Hyūga Hinata," she stuttered, shyly looking down. "I don't have anything I am very g-good at, but I have the Byakugan and I know some t-t-taijutsu. Eep!"

She covered her face as she realised how incoherent she sounded.

"It's okay, Hinata. Please continue," Kurenai encouraged her.

"Ano... I like zenzai a-and cinnamon r-rolls. I don't like c-crabs or shrimp. My goal is to become a great shinobi like... Naruto-kun," Hinata stammered, flustered. "My hobby is pressing flowers."

Ino perked up, disengaging from her stare-off against Sakura and waving excitedly.

Kurenai, though she did not show it, was relieved that her team seemed to be clicking together somewhat.

"You may speak, heiress of Yamanaka," Kurenai said, beckoning Ino to begin.

"I like flowers too!" Ino giggled. "I particularly adore the cosmos flower. Oh, and I'm Yamanaka Ino. I specialise in the Yamanaka clan techniques -- mind-affecting jutsu. My favourite foods are cherry tomatoes and pudding. I hate sashimi. My hobby is shopping!"

Kurenai realised that she has started a weird trend of favourite foods being mentioned in their introductions.

She coughed in slight embarrassment, "I... didn't mean to have everyone share your favourite and least favourite foods as well."

Sakura, who was prepared to speak as soon as she was prompted, blinked as she was caught off-guard.

"I'm not stopping you from telling us about it," Kurenai amended her previous statement. "Our Kunoichi of the Year can start now."

Sakura puffed out her chest in pride at the form of address, not realising that the only reason why she had to be referred to as such was her lack of clan or alternate title.

"My name is Haruno Sakura. I don't have any specialisation yet, but I have a good memory. I love sweets and hate spicy things. I also like Sasuke-kun! My hobbies include trivia games and..." Sakura blushed as she mumbled the last bit, "my dream is to marry Sasuke-kun."

Ino's eyebrow was already twitching uncontrollably when Sakura started speaking about Sasuke and, by the end of it, she looked ready to throttle the other girl.

"How dare you! Sasuke-kun is mine!" Ino growled.

"No way! Sasuke-kun wouldn't like a pig like you!" Sakura retorted, sticking her tongue out at Ino.

Ino pounced, trying to scratch at Sakura's face as she shrieked, "As if he would like a billboard-brow like you!"

"Ino-pig."

"Billboard-brow."

"Ino-pig!"

"Billboard-brow!"

"Ino-" 

Sakura stopped mid-insult as she noticed Hinata staring at them wide-eyed.

Ino, realising that Sakura's attention was elsewhere, saw Kurenai's troubled expression and felt shame wash over her.

"It's all your fault," she hissed at Sakura.

The pink-haired girl responded with a dark look.

"It's great to see you getting along. I'll meet you two here tomorrow at nine o'clock," Kurenai said awkwardly before fleeing the scene with a shunshin.

She would probably have to report this to the Hokage.

In the meantime, Hinata approached her fellow kunoichi with sparkling eyes.

"You are s-so brave. I could never approach Naruto-kun like that or declare how I feel about things so openly. Ino-san, Sakura-san, could I possibly call you onee-sama? I want to become courageous like you," Hinata said eagerly, grabbing the two other teenage girls by the hands.

Ino and Sakura subconsciously looked towards each other and they exchanged a glance.

Some message must have been passed between them because, after that, they no longer bore obvious hostility towards each other.

"I will take care of you and teach you, but onee-sama is too much," Ino said magnanimously (?).

Sakura grinned at Hinata and told her, "Don't be so self-conscious around us. That won't do if we are supposed to be sisters! Call me onee-chan."

Hinata hurriedly shook her head and protested, "That's disrespectful. I can't do it, onee-sama."

And so, the fangirl trio formed an unlikely partnership.

~♡~

"Oh Naruto-kun, please. I understand from Kakashi-kun that your team formation is wondrous but please think of your classmates. Due to a mix-up, there's now an all-girls team and another all-boys team. Moreover, their teams' dynamics are the worst. I'm sorry for being unable to keep my promise to you but I'm begging you, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen pled, drawing a long breath filled with smoke from his tobacco pipe.

"That isn't my problem, though? You can arrange them more suitably, Hokage-jiji. This disaster was due to a mistake on your part," Naruto pointed out, refusing to budge.

"Think of the future of Konoha, Naruto-kun. The Ino-Shika-Chō configuration is a tried and tested one. It is the most effective team for hindering opponents through guerrilla tactics. I understand that it cannot compare to the flexibility of your dream team, but it is the best -- perhaps the only way to balance out the teams and maximise effectiveness as a whole. The three sensor types Kiba-kun, Shino-kun and Hinata-kun can be taught by Kurenai-kun," the elderly Hokage clarified.

Naruto tilted his head to the side.

He honestly did not think the current teams were as bad as Hiruzen was making them out to be.

Even so, if it was for Konohagakure's future...

He supposed he could step back and compromise.

"Fine. Who will be replacing Shika?" Naruto relented.

Hiruzen smiled genially. "Haruno Sakura, the Kunoichi of the Year. Her talents considered, she's a good candidate for development into a support-type worthy of your team, Naruto-kun."

Naruto shuddered as he remembered the girl who was dropped on him out of the blue.

Thinking back on the sheer volume and pitch of her scream already gave him goosebumps.

"A fangirl? I would prefer Hyūga Hinata if that's the case. I think Konoha would benefit more if Haruno is taught by a genjutsu specialist of Yūhi's level," Naruto scoffed in derision.

It was obvious that what Hiruzen was saying was not all there was to it.

Hiruzen sighed heavily. "You're too sharp for such diversionary tactics to fool you, Naruto-kun. I cannot change Hinata-kun's sensei because of her delicate situation within the Hyūga clan. I am not sure if you have noticed it, but she has lost her position as Hyūga heiress. Even so, she lacks the seal of the branch family and is still a candidate for the role."

A quick inquiry with the plants was enough to prove that Hiruzen spoke the truth, but...

Naruto frowned -- this felt like an excuse somehow.

"So? What connection does that have with Yūhi Kurenai?" he queried, his tone still mild.

"Kurenai-kun has already been acknowledged by the Hyūga clan elders. Changing her sensei now will cause a rift between the Hyūga clan and Konohagakure. After losing the Uchiha clan, we're unable to risk that. Please understand, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen entreated, running out of fuel in his pipe.

He reached out to a hidden drawer to replenish it, only to be stopped by Naruto.

"You smoke too much. With each pipe you inhale, you burn your remaining lifespan by half," Naruto admonished, confiscating the tobacco.

Hiruzen slumped onto his empty table.

There were only three reports there currently, but he was almost willing to go back to having the desk covered in paperwork if it meant he would no longer have to deal with the arrangement of this year's genin teams.

When Hiruzen thought all hope was lost, Naruto's somewhat aggrieved voice sounded, "Stop moping already. I will take Haruno... I meant Sakura. I'll see what we can make of her."

Hiruzen's mood was reversed in an instant, but Naruto was more downtrodden than ever.

Walking out of the Hokage's Office, Naruto reflects on what he had learned on this day.

Sometimes, one has to accede to a lesser option even when the best option is within reach. In this case, he had to let go of his favoured team configuration for the other genins' sake. One has to do this when one aims to help others in life as well.

Sasuke knew something was wrong as soon as he glimpsed Naruto passing through the gate.

"What are you sulking about, Naruto?" he inquired, curious about what could flip Naruto's joyful state into one of discontent in such a short time frame.

Naruto grabbed hold of Sasuke and whined, indignantly, "Hiruzen didn't keep his promise! And I was taught a painful lesson today."

Sasuke nodded slowly, prodding Naruto along, "What was it?"

"At times, one has to settle for an option that is, relatively, so much worse -- even if one could get a better option," Naruto lamented, gloomy.

Sasuke was quite mystified by this revelation.

"You mean to say that you have never had to compromise because of other reasons?" he asked in disbelief.

Naruto shook his head ignorantly.

"I have not faced such a choice in the two past lives that I still remember," he truthfully admitted.

Indra stopped him from continuing, pinching the bridge of his nose as he muttered, "It's not as if life has been perfectly smooth-sailing for this brother of mine, so just how was he so well-sheltered?"

"Aniue, I can hear you. And I feel affronted by that," Asura reminded, dryly, pushing his brother aside.

"You're surprisingly innocent, in the most unexpected of ways," Indra mused. "It's cute."

Naruto did not take offence to the label that was uncharacteristically pinned upon him.

Instead, he lamented, "If only I remembered the rest of the lives I have led. I am still too naive."

Sasuke did not know whether to laugh or cry.

The Senju clan never honed a shared skill that was shared amongst clan members. Or perhaps it could be considered that they did at the very beginning when the Senju clan still included those who split off to become the Uzumaki. After that, every clan member had their individual talents. Few had similar fortes, and the members would forge their own paths in their respective areas of interest. In comparison, the Uchiha clan was far less diverse in skills. With their powerful dōjutsu to rely on, there was no need for them to develop in any other direction. Most of the Uchiha clan members were skilled in Katon jutsu and could advance in either of two directions -- melee or mid-range. Separate from these styles was genjutsu development -- there were few methods for an Uchiha to use the Sharingan. Some would near-exclusively focus on their genjutsu ability and others would take advantage of how it enabled the bearer to copy unlimited ninjutsu. As for the ones who fit into neither category, they relied on the prediction of the Sharingan in combat and took advantage of being able to see chakra to anticipate the opponent's moves.

It was true that there was plenty to learn within the Uchiha clan, but that could not possibly compare with the varied expertise of the Senju clan. Within a single Senju household, there can even be multiple chakra transformation-type kekkei-genkai. It was a bizarre thing to consider for outsiders, who did not understand the roots of the clan.

Anyway, if Naruto regained those skills, Sasuke would not know whether he would still be able to keep up even if he, too, remembered those lives.

Sasuke gravely considered the thought of upgrading his eyes into a pair of Rinnegan or, better yet, Rinne Sharingan. Without such a boost, he would not be able to match Naruto's anticipated improvement should more memories of their past lives be recovered. He could not ascertain just how much Naruto would grow. Naruto's adaptability meant that he has already attained a level in the manipulation of natural energy that none in history could compare -- not even their father.

Sasuke wilted at the thought of his repeated failure as the older sibling.

Naruto noticed Sasuke's despondency and recalled how the other previously rejected Son Goku and Kokuō for their innate chakra transformation talent.

If the Yonbi and Gōbi would not do, the Kyūbi might.

"Cheer up, aniue. How about I let you have Kurama?" Naruto offered, ignoring the bijū's loud protests.

"Excuse me? There's no way I'll let you seal me into an Uchiha, much less the reincarnation of Indra! If you dare attempt such an atrocious act, even if you are Asura's reincarnation, I will make you suffer, Naruto!" Kurama roared indignantly, clattering around noisily from within the seal.

Naruto did not show his discomfort outwardly, slapping another seal on to silence the bijū who was making a mountain out of a molehill.

'There was no difference between being sealed in an Uzumaki or an Uchiha anyway,' Naruto thought privately.

He could no longer hear Kurama, who was likely foaming at the mouth or spouting expletives by now.

The quiet was a welcome break from Kurama's overdramatic tantrums.

"I don't need that immature Kitsune with temper issues," Sasuke replied, most possibly further enraging the muted Kurama.

Naruto could hear the muffled vulgarities again, so he wisely stuck another talisman onto his abdomen.

Kurama probably would not be able to hear it even if he continued shouting now.

"An Uchiha Hokage is long overdue," Naruto abruptly changed the topic, markedly easing the atmosphere.

"The people..." Sasuke answered out of habit, only to stop himself when he realised.

Things were different now.

"They would accept you. No one thinks that the Uchiha clan is secretly plotting everybody's demise now -- I've made sure of it. Besides, you are the only one left. You can set the standard for what people should expect from the noble clan of the Sharingan," Naruto assured Sasuke.

Sasuke was gradually starting to be swayed by Naruto's rhythm.

"You're right," Sasuke agreed.

"The village will need someone to lead it when Hiruzen steps down. Konohagakure is the child we raised from infancy -- neither of us can bear to see it fall. Anyway, I have always wanted you to be Hokage. It was a shame that Tobi hated your clansmen so much. Don't you remember? It was you who pushed me to take the limelight as the pioneer of the future and the first leader of the first hidden village," Naruto recollected, further evoking Sasuke's feelings of nostalgia.

Gradually, Naruto was steering him towards a certain conclusion.

Sasuke had no reason to be upset, even if he found out. He always wanted to be the Hokage in their previous lifetime. Madara held himself back not just because of the opinions of others -- it was also the ailing health of his brother Izuna. Madara simply could not afford the hectic life of Hokage and, when Hashirama tried to step down with a joke that he only meant to warm a cold seat for his friend, rejected in favour of mourning the memory of his dead siblings. The curse of hatred started sinking in after this, so he found his emotions under its influence to be unreliable at best.

"You need the village, aniue, and Konohagakure needs you," Naruto powerfully ended his speech.

Sasuke did not notice the smile that crept onto his face.

"Right... I will become the Hokage," Sasuke decided, no longer fretting over uncertainties.

"Don't back out on it," Naruto cautioned him, starting to break the immersion.

Sasuke did not notice.

"I promise I will do it. I'll be the Hokage," Sasuke declared firmly.

Naruto slipped away as his grin stretched from ear to ear.

"Yes! He agreed! No Hokage!" he cheered in the corner of an unfrequented training ground.

"What did Sasuke agree to and why are you so happy? I distinctly recall that you used to dream of becoming the Hokage -- or pretend to, at least."

Unfortunately, this place happened to be along the way between the Nara compound and the Shinobi District and he was caught unawares by a curious Shikamaru who was returning from making some purchases.

Naruto was startled out of his wits when the Nara snuck up on him from within his shadow.

It should not be the case, Naruto knew, but he could not help but wonder if Shikamaru had developed some presence-concealment shadow technique.

Even as distracted by the joy of Sasuke promising to take the mantle of Hokage as he was, there should not have been anyone capable of so effectively eluding his senses to come into earshot.

"He agreed to become Hokage," Naruto easily revealed.

Now that it was exposed, it would be stupid to try to cover things up in front of a Nara. It would just pique the Nara's interest and entice them to dig further into the matter. To conclusively end things before the situation deteriorated, the best choice would be to satiate the curious Nara's inquisitive urges. No one would benefit from an enthusiastic Nara investigating a matter only to be disappointed by boring results.

"And you hate the idea of becoming the Hokage?" Shikamaru connected the dots.

"Long hours, endless paperwork and politics between hidden villages. I'm sure that someone out there would enjoy such work, but not me," Naruto elaborated, not vague and yet still quite uninformative.

Shikamaru was not disappointed with Naruto's response.

He smirked and noted, "You speak as if from experience."

Naruto mirrored Shikamaru's expression. "Perhaps it is."

Shikamaru chuckled, once again impressed by the depth of the mystery behind the blond's true identity.

"You always tempt me so. You are an enigma -- with countless secrets. It distresses me when the most fascinating puzzle is right in front of me, but I am not allowed to pry deeper," Shikamaru bemoaned his state.

Naruto tilted his head to the side in confusion. "And why not? I won't stop you from trying." 

In fact, Naruto would readily welcome his attempts.

Shikamaru shook his head with a sigh, "It's my code. I don't try to unravel the secrets of friends or allies. I will take as much as they are willing to give, and nothing else."

Naruto was grudgingly impressed.

For a Nara to withhold oneself from chasing after something that intrigues them was like an Akimichi willingly adhering to a strict fasting regimen.

"You are a very good friend and ally," Naruto praised, sympathetically patting Shikamaru on the shoulder.

Shikamaru grunted (Uchiha-style) in agreement, not even pretending to be humble.

"You discovered that the source of Sasuke's information is from the era of the Shodai Hokage in our first conversation," Naruto decided to reveal. "So is mine."

Shikamaru regained his vigour as he digested the information, so enraptured by his thoughts that Naruto began to feel guilty and almost ended up telling the other more.

He managed to stop himself in time. Should a day come where their relationship turns strained and he needs leverage to lure the Nara clan heir to his and Sasuke's side once more, an obscure past that Shikamaru would want to know more about was the best possible bait. He would not spill the beans just because this child looked too pitiful, grasping pathetically at the straws that Naruto held out to him.

"Ah," Shikamaru said, "about the Hokage matter... I would take that you didn't want Sasuke to know about it?"

Naruto's eyes widened.

"Please, don't!" he rushed to say, failing to construct a proper sentence.

"Don't worry," Shikamaru reassured him. "I can keep secrets."

"But you won't have any reason to. Please don't tell Sasuke about the ugly side of the position of Hokage," pleaded Naruto as he rifled through his memories for a suitable trade for the favour.

Shikamaru felt the slightest bit exasperated. He knew that Naruto was not being distrustful on purpose -- the blond probably grew up with such contractual relationships and did not know any better. Even so, it was so difficult to convey to Naruto that he did not care for such things.

"I will buy your silence with this improved version of the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. You can laze around as much as you want now," Naruto propositioned, triumphantly.

Shikamaru had to admit that this offer was indeed attractive, but...

He snorted, "Are you bribing me?"

He had no clue why he found it so funny, but something about how Naruto brought it up just tickled him.

Naruto blinked owlishly, then returned with a thoughtful nod, "You can think of it that way."

Shikamaru wiped away the tears of laughter that leaked from the corners of his eyes and said tolerantly, "I will accept your bribe and keep this from Sasuke."

Naruto grinned vibrantly. "Thanks, Shika!"

Shikamaru felt, oddly, like he has just taken candy from a baby.

Surely something like a refined version of a B-rank ninjutsu technique was worth more than his nondisclosure of this trivial tidbit that sounded like Naruto's own experiences as the Hokage?

He did not yet understand the differences between his and Naruto's valuation of information.

Naruto instructed Shikamaru on how to use the improved Kage Bunshin, going as far as to come up with hand seals to assist in the average shinobi's execution of the technique. If he was going to do anything, he would follow through until the end. Even if he had not-so-pleasant thoughts regarding the shinobi way of using chakra, he was not that resistant against using it. Shikamaru did not seem to need it that much, in the end, roughly grasping the way to mould his chakra in a few attempts and reducing the necessary hand seals significantly.

Thus, Naruto designated Shikamaru as a genius -- and not merely highly intelligent.

As typical a Nara as Shikamaru happened to be, he was indeed gifted.

Naruto thought of his doubts in his long pursuit of peace.

He should probably ask Shikamaru about it.

"Say, Shika, what are your opinions on peace?" Naruto queried, hoping for another perspective.

Shikamaru mulled over it for a moment.

"I find structured chaos fun. Meaningless conflict, however, is just pointless. I do enjoy my lazy afternoons cloud-watching during peacetime too, but there's nothing like the intrigue within a war that can get us Nara moving," Shikamaru explained, looking up at the clouds drifting across the sky.

Naruto was taken aback by this response.

Did he phrase it incorrectly? This was not anywhere near close to what he was trying to ask, but it was enlightening to hear the thoughts of a member of a shinobi clan known for their clever war strategies. If he had been born in the peaceful times, in the wake of the Third Shinobi World War, the way Uzumaki Naruto was supposed to be, perhaps he might have been repulsed by such an opinion. For someone to enjoy coming up with plans that would end the lives of many... It sounded inhumane, no matter how one thought of it. However, as one who has been through war, Hashirama knew that strategists did not just draft plans that would maximise the kill count of one's forces. The most important role was to ensure that the forces under their command would survive the battle.

Shikamaru, who was born during this calm period, was surprisingly well-adapted to the idea of conflict.

Perhaps it was to be expected of a child of the Nara clan.

"I meant to ask," Naruto amended his earlier words. "What do you think will enable true peace to be attained?"

Shikamaru was stunned by the sudden difficult question. It was no longer mere philosophy -- he was talking about doing. This was not something he could casually come up with a solution for.

"I... might need more time to think this through. It's a hard question," Shikamaru remarked, scratching his head.

Naruto nodded understandingly.

He could wait.

Time -- one thing that he never lacked.

"Take your time, Shika. You can tell me whenever you are ready."

~♡~

"Hinata?" Sasuke said in surprise. "Why are you here? Naruto isn't in right now."

"A-Ah, no. T-That wasn't it. I... I wanted to see if I could bring m-myself to come here, as onee-sama prompted me to. It's f-fine that N-N-Naruto-kun isn't here. I wanted some ad... advice about something. Umm... If you d-don't mind... could I talk to you?" Hinata requested timidly.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

He was fairly certain that Hyūga Hinata was the eldest child of the main branch. Who could she be referring to as a respected older sister? Anyway, which older sister would embolden a young and aspiring kunoichi to chase after a boy?

"Do you want to know Naruto's preferences?" Sasuke asked flatly.

Hinata realised that Sasuke was closing the door on her and rushed to block it.

"Please wait!" she cried out. "I-I-I j-just wanted to ask f-for p-p-personal advice... I wouldn't talk about Na-Naruto-kun at all!"

With a long-suffering sigh, Sasuke stopped pushing the door of the large gate and stepped aside so the zinzolin-haired girl could enter.

He led her into the tea room and placed a steaming cup of tea in front of her.

"Drink this and relax. It's hard to understand what you're saying with all of your stutterings," Sasuke told her gruffly.

Hinata peered into the cup unsurely, the floral fragrance enticing her to take a sip.

Despite his annoyed façade, Sasuke did not push the kunoichi. 

He patiently waited for her to speak her mind.

If only as a senpai to a kōhai (unaware as the other might be of this), Sasuke would put up with a junior coming to him for guidance and counsel.

She downed the tea, which miraculously calmed her down.

The next time she spoke, it was in a fairly even voice.

"I was born as the eldest daughter of the Hyūga clan patriarch and raised as the clan's heiress. At a young age, I was exposed to the cruelty of my own bloodline. My uncle and cousins are treated as slaves in my home. Although my father was born earlier by just a fraction, my uncle and every child he would have would be delegated to the branch family and branded. I didn't dare to rebel, so I put up with it. Neji-nii-san despised me for my cowardice. When my younger sister was born, I made a choice. To protect her from the ugly side of our family, I chose to accede to the customs of my clan. I began to muddle through practice sessions, disappointing my father. I would teach Hanabi when there was anything she did not understand and guide her through the techniques I pretended to be bad at. Gradually, she came to surpass me in importance within the eyes of our tou-sama and the elders. Soon, I could no longer help her beyond staying out of the way. Hanabi became the heiress and I lost my standing within the clan. She was taught the secret techniques of the main branch and I was forgotten," Hinata monologued, telling her depressing story with a sort of detachment that made Sasuke's fists clench.

He has since forgotten the deplorable customs of the Hyūga clan.

Hinata's tale was a sad reminder of the fact that the "traditional" Hyūga clan has yet to move on with the times.

"I... know that I can't do anything now. I regret stepping aside so easily. I regret compromising, allowing my proficiency in Jūken to diminish to such a state. I should not have been so ready to let go. Without changing the Hyūga clan from the inside, others will continue to suffer. Perhaps in time, Hanabi's eldest child will face a dilemma like the one I had and will either submit to the clan like Hanabi did or fall into ruin like me. I don't want that. I think I want to... to go back there -- to the place I hate and love -- and contest for the position of the heiress. I want the Hyūga clan to improve and grow. I won't let it stagnate like this. The clan is even neglecting its most talented prodigy simply due to his status as a branch family member. I will fight for my right, but..." Hinata trailed off and focused on the dregs at the bottom of her teacup.

"But?" Sasuke echoed, encouragingly.

Tears slipped unbidden from her lilac eyes and she choked out, "I don't know if it'll make a difference. It's fine if Hanabi hates me or looks down on me -- I wouldn't be able to bear it if everything collapsed on me and my sister ended up becoming a slave."

Refilling her cup, Sasuke muttered, "How would Naruto say this...?"

Hinata noticed a smudge of yellow despite her blurry vision.

"Naruto-kun?" she called out.

"Yes," Sasuke agreed, "Naruto. I would guess that he would say, 'If you never try to do it, you will never know that you can do it.' Everything has to start somewhere. As long as you work hard to reconstruct your family's values, you will be able to attain your goal. Hey, think about it this way. At least fixing up the Hyūga clan doesn't sound as difficult as achieving world peace, right?"

He heard a familiar chuckle come from behind him.

"Well said, Sasuke. And hello to you too, Hinata."

Sasuke turned around in surprise.

"Where did you go?" he inquired, scanning Naruto over for any abnormalities.

"I went to find Shikamaru. We worked together to improve the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," Naruto replied with a half-truth.

Sasuke nodded understandingly and jabbed a thumb at Hinata.

"Your follower came all the way here to look for you to discuss her clan secrets and had to settle for me because you were absent," he explained dully.

In the anxiety of meeting her idol, Hinata drank another cup of tea.

"If you enjoy tea so much, you should tell Naruto. That's one of his special blends," said Sasuke.

Hinata looked up at Naruto in awe.

"Naruto-kun is amazing. Even though no one likes or cares about you, you still work so hard. I... I really, really admire you," Hinata stated, her eyes filled with worship.

Naruto frowned and turned to Sasuke for assistance.

Sasuke shrugged unhelpfully -- he had never been good with social interaction.

"What I don't understand is, why does no one seem to like you? Naruto-kun is strong, smart and brave -- all of the things I hope to be. You aren't afraid to speak up, and you wouldn't panic when someone targets you. You are an amazing shinobi. Why does everyone hate you?" Hinata asked, her eyebrows knitted quite adorably in dubiety.

Sasuke realised just how young their peers were.

They were barely grown -- it was better than wartime but these children were still twelve years old. It was not quite so obvious with Shikamaru, who could speak with them on the same level, but their other classmates were still innocent. Even Hinata, as much as she has experienced the cruelty of the Hyūga clan, could not fathom the prejudice of the ignorant.

"They think of me as the Kyūbi incarnate," Naruto told her, unable to stop himself from reaching out to ruffle the child's hair.

Hinata reddened slightly, but did not stop the other's actions.

Hinata tilted her head to the side and mused, "The Yondaime defeated the Kyūbi twelve years ago. Everyone knows that. Bijū are chakra beasts anyway. Why would they call you the Kyūbi?"

Sasuke was impressed by how much she seemed to know.

"She was the heiress," Naruto reminded him lowly.

Sasuke did not take back his appreciation.

"It's still noteworthy that she understood it," Sasuke defended himself.

Hinata blushed scarlet at the unwitting praise.

"What do you think happened to the Kyūbi after it was defeated?" Sasuke guided her along -- he had realised that Naruto seemed willing to reveal the truth to their peers.

"Ano... Yondai Hokage-sama could not have destroyed the Kyūbi since it would just reform after some time, so he must have sealed it. What does that matter?" Hinata inquired, her eyebrows furrowed.

She still did not understand why people would think of Naruto as the Kyūbi.

"He sealed it in me. Now think, why will the populace guess it's me even though Hokage-jiji only mentioned that it was sealed?" Naruto questioned.

"Eh? The festival is on your birthday. But that's...!" Hinata exclaimed, outraged in Naruto's stead.

"Some of them think that I am the reincarnation of the Kitsune no Yoko. Others knew from some other source that I was the host of the Kyūbi and made a stretch to conclude that I was under its influence. There are many reasons why they hate me," Naruto explained calmly.

"That isn't fair! That has to be a village secret, right? How could everyone in Konohagakure know about this except for us? No one in our generation knows, right? If Hokage-sama wanted to keep a secret, he should have done so properly. Why did he let this spread to all residents of Konoha?" Hinata protested, angrily.

Naruto opened his mouth, ready to defend Hiruzen, but stopped himself as a thought struck him.

"Umm... What would a normal person do, then?" raised Naruto, who was not familiar with the normal thought process.

Those he associated with have always deviated from the standard. Some could be insane by definition and others geniuses with radical judgement -- or another brand of crazy as they self-identify. If Hinata never mentioned it, it would not have crossed his mind. Sarutobi Hiruzen was a man who could be considered a genius too, after all.

"If he cared for your safety, he should not have told anyone! Even if he had to reveal the truth to some individuals, he would not make it an open secret in the village. Naruto-kun, did you think that he acted against people like Mizuki-sensei for you? He did not want you to find people who would care about you regardless of your status as a jinchūriki!" Hinata raged, her heart burning with righteous fury.

Naruto felt like he was facing the notorious Uzumaki temper once more. It was sweet that this shy little girl was getting so worked up over his situation and he was touched but, though he knew it was improbable, he wondered if Hinata had an Uzumaki ancestor. Her reasoning was sound -- Naruto could only accept Hinata's logical conclusion... but only provided she could prove one thing.

"Why are you so certain that this rule is only applied to the younger generation?" Naruto had to ask.

"I have the Byakugan. I have seen the village law with the clause that states, 'The truth behind redacted shall not be revealed to the children born after redacted.' I knew this law was regarding an S-rank secret, and I first made the connection when Mizuki-sensei was executed for treason. Now, I know that there's more to it. Naruto-kun, you must have been uninformed of the truth behind your heritage and birth until you discovered it of your own accord?" Hinata spoke.

Sasuke stared blankly, then whispered to Naruto in an ancient language, "What was in that tea? She changed into a different person after drinking it. There aren't any weird side-effects, right?"

"From the smell, you gave her the floral infusion of lavender and rose with a hint of mint. It was not intended as a drug and is only supposed to help the drinker relax. Ah, but because the plants that I got it from knew what I needed it for..." Naruto described, only to trail off.

It could be much more potent than what he had imagined it to be.

"Anyway, it should not be that bad. I did specify that I did not want adverse effects."

Naruto's unreliable statement could not convince Sasuke.

"What would plants know about the human body's reactions to the substances they produce?" Sasuke argued.

"Enough to make them more effective, as you have witnessed," Naruto rebutted smoothly.

Hinata was still peering up at them unabatingly, awaiting Naruto's answer.

"Yes," Naruto conceded. "I understand why he hid it but I never knew why he never told me, as the person involved. Did he think I would hate myself if I did not understand? Maybe he thought I would tell everyone about it -- though I'm unsure why that would be an issue."

"He isn't on your side, Naruto-kun!" Hinata blurted out. "He's trying to back you into a corner. I mean, did he ever show care for you? He must have malicious intentions."

Naruto held in a laugh.

"Your imagination is very... vivid," he managed to say.

Hiruzen never harboured negative emotions towards him. As the jinchūriki of Kurama, Naruto was highly sensitive to such negativity. He knew that the elderly Hokage meant to be nothing but kind towards him. Even so, Hinata did have a point -- Hiruzen was being much too passive. That was not the trait of a good Hokage. Based on what the trees of Konoha have told him, while Hiruzen did not intentionally spread the knowledge of Naruto's status as the Kyūbi jinchūriki, it was his oversight that enabled dumb genins without the most basic understanding of seals to be promoted to chūnin. It was also because of his negligence that the chūnins who were privy to his secret were able to spread the "truth" among the civilians.

It was Hiruzen's carelessness that was odd.

Just what had that old man been smoking in that innocuous pipe of his?

Naruto would not stop him from doing what he wanted with his life, but he would not turn a blind eye to him possibly failing to enforce Konoha's policies properly. The Will of Fire that he once preached was only secondary to competency. If Hiruzen was smoking some kind of drug, Naruto might have to intervene.

Who was it that introduced Hiruzen to smoking?

Certainly not Danzō -- as much as he wished to see his greatest competitor fall, he would not risk the future of Konohagakure.

This was something worthy of further investigation.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Hinata, but it isn't the way you think it is. There is indeed a problem, but I will handle Hokage-jiji myself. If you ever need fūinjutsu services, you can come to me," Naruto said cordially.

The fact that he did this while guiding Hinata out of his house, however, made it less than warm.

"I wish you all the best in your endeavours within the Hyūga clan," Naruto bid when he stopped by the gate.

He placed a pretty box that emanated a pleasant woody fragrance in her hands.

"You liked this, right? I'll give it to you as a gift. I hope you can grow your confidence without it. You are a wonderful sister to Hanabi and a genuine person. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone except yourself. Believe in your aspirations and work towards them. Remember, we are on your side. When you don't think you can succeed, bear in mind that we believe in you," said Naruto, inspirationally.

Hinata carefully accepted the box and bowed lowly to Naruto.

"Thank you very much. I am grateful to you and Sasuke-kun. You didn't have to listen to me, but you did that and more," Hinata said with sincerity.

Naruto smiled graciously and gestured to the mansion behind them.

"If you are ever stuck in a tough spot, come back here. My Ōtsutsuki Mansion's gates will always open for you, Hyūga Hinata."

~♡~

"Asura."

Naruto hummed in response.

"You've noticed, haven't you?" rumbled the bijū.

Naruto merely curved his lips.

"That girl's chakra is just like..." Kurama uttered.

Naruto hushed him, placing a finger on his lips as his smile sharpened.

'Remember, Kura-nii? We don't mention him here.'

The massive Kitsune shuddered at the uncharacteristically sinister tone the reincarnation of Asura's voice took.

'And he wonders where the Uzumaki got their terrifying tempers.'