Chapter 25: Crossroads of Conviction

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"I'm sorry, Hinata..."

Naruto walked up to Hinata, trying to mask his emotions with indifference, but in the end, his words were filled with tenderness and guilt.

Everyone assumed Naruto was apologizing to Hinata for the battle against Pain, where she had risked her life to protect him. Even Hinata herself thought so.

After all, perspectives differ.

Naruto, having lived through an entire cycle of reincarnation, saw Hinata as his wife, the mother of their two children. This apology, this gaze, carried profound meaning.

But from Hinata's perspective, she had merely mustered the courage to protect Naruto from Pain and confess her feelings.

Thus, she couldn't yet understand Naruto's feelings for her or the depth of his gaze at this moment.

Even so, she could feel the deep helplessness emanating from him.

Hinata raised her face, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Why are you apologizing? Naruto-kun has always followed his ninja way. I'm sure you're doing the same now—keeping your word and moving forward bravely. That's the Naruto-kun I know..."

Then why, Hinata, are you crying?

Naruto's heart trembled as he clenched his fist tightly under his sleeve, resisting the urge to reach out and wipe away her tears.

Yes, why indeed?

When she first learned of Naruto's defection, the pain nearly drowned her.

But the trust and attachment she had built since childhood made her believe that Naruto must have his reasons. She was desperate to find him and uncover the truth.

Now that she had found him, Hinata began to understand.

Naruto-kun is trying to avoid us. He's carrying something heavy all by himself, and that's why he's pushing us away!

I can see it in his eyes, in his every movement. I'm sure of it!

Naruto-kun, you must be in so much pain, aren't you?

No, Hinata wasn't crying out of her own sadness. She was crying for Naruto's sorrow.

"Hah… hah… hah…" Suddenly, a lack of oxygen caused intense dizziness, and Hinata stumbled.

"Hinata!!!" The anxious cries of those around her rang out, but Naruto's strong hand was already supporting her shoulders. "Don't panic. Breathe slowly…"

Through her blurred vision, Hinata saw Naruto's face—so familiar, yet now carrying a weathered, aged sorrow despite his youth.

She raised her hand, gently touching his face, her eyes shimmering with tears, full of tenderness. "Naruto-kun, I trust you. I know you must have your reasons. You don't have to tell us now. Just… I have one request."

"Can I stay by your side?"

"What…?!" Kiba's face immediately changed, but Shikamaru stopped him with a glance.

Naruto quietly listened to Hinata's plea.

"Naruto-kun, I know I'm not strong enough, but I promise I'll be good. I won't cause you any trouble."

"So, please… don't bear all of this alone, okay?"

She didn't know what Naruto was going through, yet she still put herself in his shoes, thinking only of him.

Naruto replied with a heavy heart, "That would be too dangerous."

Hinata's eyes were resolute. "I'm not afraid."

"I understand your feelings. Truly, I do."

"And it's precisely because of that…"

"That I can't let you stay by my side."

"Stay in Konoha and wait for me to come… home."

These words were Naruto's heartfelt whisper to himself.

Hinata's almost pleading gaze lingered before him.

Naruto feared that if he looked at her any longer, his resolve would waver.

He placed his left hand on the back of Hinata's neck and waved his right hand gently in front of her face.

It was a technique that induced sleep—a jutsu he had often used to lull his daughter, Himawari, to sleep. It was a jutsu filled with love and connection.

"Naruto-kun…"

Hinata's eyes grew heavy as she called out to him, unwillingly drifting into slumber.

"Hah…" This was the most emotionally turbulent moment for Naruto since his return. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to calm his heart.

When he opened them again, his gaze fell on Neji.

To Naruto, Neji was also a deeply important figure.

He was a genius who had tragically died young, never breaking free from the curse of the caged bird. He had played a pivotal role in Naruto's growth.

Neji, I won't let the same tragedy happen again. I swear…

Naruto made this vow silently.

He spoke solemnly, "Neji, please take care of Hinata. Don't let her leave the village recklessly. It's too dangerous."

"I will…" Neji supported Hinata on his shoulder. The answer he sought had already been confirmed.

Shino Aburame asked, "Naruto, I only have one question. Did you kill Mutō?"

Mutō Aburame and Tokuma Hyūga, both members of Anko's team, had died in the forest. Their bodies had been returned by Root operatives, who framed Naruto for their deaths.

Naruto was shocked. "They're… dead?"

Shino, his black sunglasses hiding his emotions, replied, "Yes, they're dead. Anko left behind an intelligence scroll. It mentioned that you fought their team in the forest outside Konoha, making you the prime suspect…"

Naruto said, "I did fight them, but I didn't kill them!"

Shino paused before saying, "Such words are hardly convincing. Even if we believe you, the people in the village won't…"

Naruto's mind was clear: It seems Root got there first after we left…

Shikamaru asked, "What about Anko? Is she still alive?"

Naruto glanced at Sai. In the past, Sai had only officially left Root after Danzō's death. But now, he was still a member. Naruto chose his words carefully. "Who knows…"

Shikamaru, deep in thought, took out a pre-prepared scroll and handed it to Naruto. The scroll read:

"Danzō has already smeared your name. The current atmosphere in the village is extremely hostile toward you.

Anko is the only one who knows what happened in that battle and the only one who can prove your innocence. If she's in your hands, don't let her go. Danzō will certainly silence her!

Similarly, if you ever plan to return to Konoha, you must protect Anko!"

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he wrote on the scroll:

"As long as Danzō remains in power, Konoha will inevitably face a period of darkness. You and your father must tread carefully.

As I suspect, Sasuke will seek even greater power, determined to kill Danzō without my help. His hatred needs an outlet. So this time, I won't interfere. If, after killing Danzō, Sasuke still aims to destroy Konoha, then I will step in to stop him!"

Snap!

Shikamaru retrieved the scroll, read it, and looked deeply at Naruto. "So, are you now our ally… or our enemy?"

Naruto adjusted his rogue ninja headband and swished his cloak. "If we meet on the battlefield in the future, you need not hold back…"

Whoosh! Using the *Flying Raijin Jutsu*, Naruto disappeared.

Shikamaru let out a helpless chuckle. "'We,' huh? This is turning into such a mess…"

---

Whoosh!

At a mountain stream outside the Land of Iron.

Naruto appeared before Konan and Orochimaru.

"You took your time…"

"Ah, I had a long-overdue chat with some old friends."

Konan asked, "Are we heading back to Amegakure?"

Naruto surveyed the barren wasteland around them.

"I don't have a Flying Raijin mark in Amegakure yet. If we go on foot, it'll take some time."

Naruto reached into his pocket and took out a vial containing Shisui's right eye. He held it carefully. "To be safe, let's find a place to implant this eye first…"