Chapter 22: Hinata, Sasuke

Chapter 22: Hinata, Sasuke

Hinata's cheeks turned bright red. She truly couldn't understand how Uchiha Sasuke could become so shameless.

"Hinata, how about we make a deal?"

Hinata was clearly unhappy with Sasuke's suggestion and responded, "What? Are you trying to threaten me again?"

"Fine, go ahead and tell Naruto that I was following him!"

Dealing with this dangerous Sasuke was far worse than him exposing her secret to Naruto, so she wasn't afraid of his threats.

Hinata wasn't dumb.

The Sasuke standing before her now was completely different from the Sasuke she knew before.

Back then, many girls in the ninja academy liked Sasuke.

But Sasuke always acted disinterested. Now, not only did he publicly flaunt his relationships with Sakura and Ino in front of the entire class, but he was also engaging her in conversation. It was obvious—Hinata herself was likely Sasuke's next target.

Hinata didn't want to have too much interaction with Sasuke.

Her heart only held affection for Naruto, and she feared being ensnared by Sasuke.

…

Sasuke observed Hinata's adorable demeanor—she was truly captivating.

"Hinata, the deal I want to make has nothing to do with exposing you to Naruto."

His words piqued Hinata's curiosity. She stopped in her tracks, her guard up, and stared at Sasuke.

"Then what sneaky plan do you have now?"

To avoid making Hinata dislike him, Sasuke maintained a proper distance, treating her like a regular friend.

"You were following Naruto this evening because you were worried he'd fail the exam and do something rash, right?"

Hinata was startled, her secret exposed by Sasuke's sharp insight.

She quickly turned her face away, refusing to admit it.

Sasuke continued with a smile, "I can promise you that I'll protect Uzumaki Naruto from now on."

"But you'll have to agree to one condition of mine."

Hinata's face flushed instantly.

"I won't agree to any of your conditions! Naruto doesn't need your help."

Sasuke smirked. "You can't be so sure about that."

"Hinata, as the Hyuga clan's heiress, you must know how unfairly Naruto has been treated in Konoha since he was a child."

"Now, the entire class has graduated successfully, except for Uzumaki Naruto, who failed."

"Right now, Naruto is dejected and vulnerable. All it would take is for one wrong person to guide him down a dark path, and he'd fall into the abyss, unable to return."

Sasuke's words were chilling, but they struck a chord in Hinata's heart. She understood Naruto well enough to know that it wouldn't take much for him to succumb to despair.

Life had been unbearably difficult for Naruto in Konoha.

Hinata hesitated. "Why should I trust you?"

Sasuke stepped closer to Hinata. At this close range, her sweet scent was intoxicating.

Hinata, I'll make you mine one day, Sasuke thought to himself.

But outwardly, he maintained his composed demeanor, replying earnestly, "Because, like you, I want Naruto to live a good life."

"I don't believe you!"

Hinata shook her head.

"Uchiha Sasuke, you've changed so much that I can't accept it."

Sasuke, with his handsome face and gentle voice, stood there as the wind blew leaves past him.

"Don't worry. I won't ask for anything excessive."

Without waiting for Hinata to refuse, Sasuke added, "If you want to know how I plan to help Naruto, don't go to bed too early tonight. Wait for me to find you, and then you'll see my sincerity."

Hinata's face turned crimson again.

"Sasuke, you're shameless! Who would wait for you in the middle of the night?!"

Sasuke chuckled. "Not just waiting for me. We'll go together to help the lost Naruto find his way."

Before Hinata could react, Sasuke had already left.

Because Sasuke had a theory.

If this version of the Naruto anime world followed the original story, then tonight Mizuki would try to deceive Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals.

This storyline had a significant flaw.

If the Scroll of Seals was so important, how could Naruto—a genin who couldn't even graduate—successfully steal it?

If it were so easy to obtain, Mizuki wouldn't need to deceive Naruto. He could just steal it himself.

This meant that only Naruto could take the scroll, which was why Mizuki manipulated him.

Alternatively!

Mizuki might have already figured out how to steal the [Scroll of Seals] but didn't want to expose himself.

He used Naruto to retrieve the scroll, planning to disappear afterward and let Naruto take the blame.

…

The latter scenario seemed more plausible.

Mizuki likely had a method to steal the Scroll of Seals but needed a scapegoat to bear the consequences.

…

Still, Sasuke wasn't certain about this anime world's version of events.

Whether or not Mizuki would target Naruto here remained unknown.

However!

Even if this anime world deviated from the original story, it didn't matter.

At worst, Sasuke could take Hinata out for a nighttime date instead.

The more time they spent together, the more familiar she'd grow with him. Sasuke was confident he'd eventually make Hinata willingly fall for him.

…

After buying some food, Sasuke returned to his home.

His [Danger Detection] function now included a new name alongside Sakura Haruno and Ayame: Yamanaka Ino.

With the system's protection, Sasuke didn't have to worry about their safety.

If the system couldn't be relied upon, then nothing in this anime world could be trusted.

…

Sakura and Ino, worn out from an entire day with Sasuke, had only recently fallen asleep.

It was clear they hadn't rested well.

But Sasuke was a caring partner.

He held himself back, simply lying down beside Sakura and Ino, hugging them gently for half an hour.

Blushing, they both stirred. "Sasuke!"

"Honey, how long were we asleep?"

Sasuke kissed both Sakura and Ino on their lips, smiling as he replied, "Not too long. Honestly, I didn't want to wake you."

"But considering how your parents might worry if you don't return home tonight, let's eat something, and then I'll take you home."

"Okay."

Sakura and Ino exchanged shy glances, their faces turning red.

…

After dinner, Sasuke first escorted Sakura home, then Ino.

When Sakura returned home, the genjutsu Sasuke had used to manipulate her thoughts slightly loosened.

"How annoying. Why did I agree to let Sasuke take Ino too…"

Sakura couldn't understand it.

Given her personality, she should've wanted to monopolize Sasuke completely.

Yet today, she had stripped naked alongside Ino, engaging in all kinds of inappropriate acts with Sasuke.

Oddly enough, despite her intense shyness, she felt no inclination to resist.

Sakura hadn't realized that her mind was still under the control of Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu.

…

Ino's emotions were even more conflicted.

'How did I become Sasuke's woman?!'

'And with that Sakura… together with Sasuke…'

Ahh!

This was something her parents could never know.

But Ino's concerns were unnecessary.

When Sasuke escorted her home, he had already used genjutsu to control her parents.

Sasuke would never allow his women to suffer any grievances—not even from their own families.