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The messenger's lips trembled as he spoke, "I... I will inform the Raikage-sama."
He turned to leave with his men, but Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice cut through the air like a blade. "I said only you go back."
The messenger froze, then slowly turned to face the Hokage. The old man's face was carved with deep wrinkles, his expression thunderous. With a single glance from Hiruzen, the Anbu moved.
Kakakka—
In less than ten seconds, the ground was littered with bodies. Only the messenger remained, his companions reduced to headless corpses. A white-haired Anbu stepped forward, his blade still dripping.
"Leave Konoha," the Anbu said coldly. "You are no longer welcome here."
The messenger didn't dare utter another word. He fled into the night, not once looking back.
Once the bodies were cleared, Hiashi finally broke the silence. "Wasn't that too extreme?"
Sarutobi's stern expression softened slightly. "Konoha's previous leniency made the Raikage think we feared war." (Though in truth, we do.) "But if we show unwavering resolve, he'll question whether we've gained an advantage."
Hiashi nodded slowly. 'So that's his reasoning…'
His earlier resentment toward the Hokage faded. Every decision Hiruzen made was for Konoha, for the fragile peace of the shinobi world. If even he, the proud leader of the Hyūga, had to swallow his pride, how could the Hokage afford to act recklessly?
'This is the weight of leadership.'
With the matter settled, Hiruzen departed with his Anbu. Naruto yawned, ready to head home for dinner, until Hiashi stopped him.
"Naruto," the clan head said, his tone measured. "If you have time, let's talk."
Naruto blinked in surprise but agreed.
Hiashi had a meal prepared, and the two ate in relative silence at first. The Hyūga lord expressed gratitude for Naruto saving Hinata, then shifted to more personal questions, his living conditions, whether he had enough money.
Naruto answered honestly, shamelessly devouring the food. Once he was full, Hiashi sipped his sake and cut to the chase.
"What are your thoughts on my daughter?"
"Hinata?" Naruto pictured her shy smile. "She's great."
He'd already guessed where this was going but let Hiashi lead.
The clan head didn't dance around it. "Then let me propose this: an engagement between you two."
Naruto nearly choked. 'What?'
In the original timeline, it took Naruto becoming a war hero for the Hyūga to even consider bending their rules. Yet here was Hiashi, offering Hinata's hand now, no hesitation, no conditions.
"You… don't want her?" Hiashi's voice carried a warning edge.
"No! I mean...yes! I do!"Â Naruto stammered.
Hiashi gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Consider today your unofficial betrothal. In eight years, you'll wed."
Just like that, it was settled.
Naruto left the Hyūga compound with a signed agreement, his mind spinning. 'Hinata… my fiancée?' The Hyūga were supposed to be rigid traditionalists. Yet Hiashi had handed over his daughter like it was nothing.
By the time Naruto returned home, night had fallen. He stared at the engagement scroll, grinning like an idiot, until Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind.
"Don't forget about me."
"Relax," Naruto assured him. "I'll find a way. You'll have your freedom."
The fox huffed but didn't press further.
Still, Naruto felt a twinge of discomfort. Before, Kurama couldn't see the outside world only sense it. Now, the beast had a front-row seat to his life.
'Not exactly ideal for… private moments with Hinata.'
Shaking off the thought, Naruto focused on his remaining simulation chance. He needed a way to survive tailed beast extraction, and this next run might hold the answer.
Exhausted, Naruto collapsed into bed. The next morning, he reheated leftovers, ate quickly, and initiated the simulation.
"System, begin!"
[Ding~ Character creation started.]
[Surnames flashed by: Shirakawa, Yamanaka, Moonlight… Senju.]
Naruto's breath hitched. "Senju? Jackpot!"
If luck held, he might inherit their legendary vitality. He selected Senju and fine-tuned the remaining traits.
[Talent: Kushina's Uzumaki prowess]
[Health: Neji's peak condition]
[IQ: Average, but sharp]
[Personality: Lee's unbreakable will]
[Social Presence: Shino-level invisibility]
[Looks: Kakashi's effortless cool]
[Obsession: Orochimaru's thirst for immortality]
[Specialty: Tobirama's forbidden jutsu genius]
[Final Evaluation]
[You hail from the noble Senju clan.]
[Your ninja skills are exceptional].
[No illnesses plague you.]
[Your mind is keen, your spirit unyielding.]
[You move unseen unless you choose otherwise.]
[Your charm is undeniable.]
[You crave eternity.]
[And you excel in the darkest arts.]
Naruto grinned. 'Perfect.'
This was his seventh simulation and just as he'd guessed, each iteration grew stronger.
'Orochimaru's ambition. Tobirama's brilliance. Lee's grit.'
Even if true immortality eluded him, the boost to his physique would be massive. 'Maybe enough to handle a tailed beast's death…'
He set the era to the Second Shinobi War. Orochimaru's rise to power. An alliance might be possible.
And the location? Konoha, of course.
....