Chapter 34: No Comparison, No Hurt

Hinata Hyuga turned around, but didn't see her bodyguard, Tokuma Hyuga—only endless falling snow.

She had gotten lost again.

Ever since she was saved by Natsume last time, she couldn't stop thinking about him, wishing to see him again and ask his name.

"Tokuma…"

Hinata whispered softly.

She'd tried to find the little grove where she'd met Natsume, following the route from memory, and hadn't felt afraid at first.

But now, alone and surrounded by a world of white, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Hey! White-eyed freak! Stop right there!"

A sudden shout triggered some unpleasant memories for Hinata.

She froze on the spot.

Three tall kids ran up to her.

"I heard you made Kuku and his friends cry? Those disgusting eyes of yours…"

The boy in the middle shoved her.

Hinata fell into the snow.

"Wahahaha!"

The boy grinned wildly, "Loser!"

Kuku and his friends, traumatized after being taught a lesson by Natsume, hadn't mentioned him to their other friends, unsure who he was.

But their little gang—these three boys—found out Hinata was the one of the culprit, so they came looking for revenge.

"Stop it!"

"Who's that?"

The boys turned and saw a blond boy in a red scarf, about their age.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! The future Hokage!"

"Huh? Future Hokage? Are you stupid?"

The boy sneered at Naruto's serious declaration.

"Jerk!"

Naruto was furious.

But a moment later, the boy punched him. Naruto's face swelled red, and his nose started bleeding.

"Future Hokage? Showing off with a red scarf?"

The three boys took Naruto's scarf and went off to play on the swings.

Hinata's hope instantly vanished at this scene; she went pale as snow with fright.

She was grateful for Naruto's attempt to stand up for her.

But to see him knocked down instantly and left in such a sorry state…

She couldn't help but think of the strong and handsome Natsume.

The comparison made Natsume shine even brighter in her eyes.

Water Style: Water Whip!

A sharp sound cut through the air.

A few seconds later, it was replaced by wailing cries.

Hinata shivered, but her eyes lit up.

It was him. Again.

Natsume found the whole thing absurd.

Hinata Hyuga managed to get lost twice and be bullied twice.

And now Naruto was involved, too.

He was impressed by these three troublemakers.

They were practically dancing in hell.

Whether it was Hinata Hyuga or Naruto Uzumaki, with their status, even if they killed the three brats, nothing would happen to them.

Fortunately, Sacred Ring of Fate didn't issue any warnings.

Natsume didn't have to worry about Hinata being kidnapped.

He walked over, helped Naruto up, and handed him his ruined red scarf.

"Can you walk?"

For Natsume, this was a perfect opportunity to meet the future Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

But Naruto's reaction was different from what he expected.

Looking at Natsume, Naruto's eyes were filled with uncertainty and unease. He picked up his scarf silently and staggered away.

Because of the Nine-Tails, Naruto was shunned and avoided. No one ever helped him.

He assumed Natsume didn't recognize him, but if he did, his attitude would surely change.

So, it was better to leave on his own.

"Hinata, where's your bodyguard?"

Natsume turned to the little girl, wrapped in her scarf, and grinned. "Lost again?"

Hinata froze for two seconds, then her face turned bright red, as if she was about to faint.

"I'll take you home."

Natsume wanted to have a heartfelt talk with Naruto.

Hinata's affection was already maxed out, so he could ignore her for now.

This was a rare chance—he couldn't let it slip.

He glanced in the direction Naruto had gone. If he hurried, he could catch up.

"Your name is…?"

Hinata was about to ask, but Natsume scooped her up and dashed toward the Hyuga compound.

Her eyes widened as she felt his warm breath; her emotions overloaded, and she fainted.

It took Natsume just three minutes to reach the Hyuga estate's gate.

"Hinata? Wake up."

He put her down and shook her gently.

She soon woke up.

Natsume sighed in relief, "We're at your front door. You shouldn't get lost now, right? See you next time."

Body Flicker Jutsu.

He disappeared in an instant.

"Huh?"

Hinata looked around, but saw no one. Head hanging, she walked into the compound.

Still didn't get his name.

…

Natsume caught up to Naruto.

He'd just arrived at the hot spring street.

Of course, he didn't know Jiraiya yet, so he wasn't here for a bath—he was here to shop.

Naruto, despite being beaten, was tough. By the time he reached the shop, he was already back to normal.

"Boss, I want nine cups of ramen!"

"You again?"

The shopkeeper scowled, "I told you, I'm not selling to you anymore! Go away! If people see me helping you, I'll be in trouble."

Last time, the shopkeeper sold Naruto some ramen out of pity—

But was then ostracized by his neighbors.

When the whole village believed Naruto was the Nine-Tails, any sympathy or decency was crushed.

Helping him meant being an outcast.

The only choice was to avoid this three-year-old child.

Whether he was really the Nine-Tails or not didn't matter anymore.

That's the way things were—the power of public opinion.

Naruto's eyes dimmed, his smile frozen.

Why does everyone treat me this way?

What did I do wrong?

Nine-Tails? I'm human, not a fox. What part of me looks like a fox?

"Boss, I'll buy a box of ramen."

A somewhat familiar voice made Naruto look up.

It was the big brother who just saved him.

"Alright!"

The boss's attitude changed instantly, becoming enthusiastic.

Natsume paid, got an extra bag, and filled it with nine ramen cups.

"That'll be three hundred ryo."

"Huh?"

Naruto pointed at himself timidly, "You mean me?"

"Yeah, didn't you want to buy ramen? I'm selling it to you."

Natsume raised an eyebrow, took three hundred ryo from Naruto's hand, stuffed the bag at him, and smiled, "I even made thirty ryo profit—good deal for me."

Naruto was stunned.

A few seconds later, he bit his lip and asked, "Everyone calls me the Nine-Tails. Aren't you afraid of me?"

"What's scary about a little kid? I'm good at dealing with fox spirits, you know."

Natsume stood up, "I know a place that'll sell you things. I'll take you there."

Yeah, his Wood Style really did restrain the Nine-Tails.

Dealing with fox spirits—no problem at all.