I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The demon fox reveals its true colors—it wants to devour us all!

After their leader, Kiba, was knocked down by a punch, the remaining two boys froze in fear. Trembling, they pointed fingers at each other and stuttered, "It was his idea to mess with you! Please, just deal with him and let us go!"

"Mess with me?" Naruto scoffed, stepping forward with a calm yet menacing air. He grabbed the boys by their collars, delivering two sharp slaps that left vivid red marks on their cheeks.

Clutching their faces, the boys whimpered, their teary eyes glistening under the harsh winter sunlight. Meanwhile, Kiba struggled to his feet, wiping the blood dripping from his nose. Despite his defeat, he spat defiantly, "Naruto, you might've won this time, but next time, we'll bring more people! We'll drive you and your demon fox out of the village!"

Naruto's expression darkened. "Seems like you haven't learned your lesson yet."

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, fists raised. The scuffle was brief but decisive—Naruto left Kiba and his friends sprawled across the snow, bruised and beaten. Their bravado shattered, they now looked at him with newfound fear.

"Boss Naruto, we were wrong! We won't bother you again—we swear!" Kiba pleaded, his face swollen and eyes downcast.

"Yeah, you're the boss now! We'll follow your lead from now on!" one of the boys added hastily.

Naruto sighed, his face softening ever so slightly. "Forget it. Just don't let me catch you pulling this kind of stunt again. Now get out of here!"

The boys scrambled to their feet and stumbled away, whispering amongst themselves. But Naruto wasn't done yet. In a flash, he appeared behind them and clamped his hands on their shoulders. His voice was low and icy. "I heard that. You're already plotting revenge against the 'demon fox,' huh?"

"N-Naruto, w-we wouldn't dare!" they stammered, trembling under his glare.

Naruto smirked, a mix of amusement and menace. "Don't bother lying. Call me a fox if you want—I don't care. But if you cross me again, remember what happens."

Terrified, the boys nodded frantically and bolted from the park, their revenge plans abandoned. Naruto turned back, only to find Hinata Hyuga still sitting in the snow, staring at him with wide, admiring eyes.

"Why didn't you fight back?" Naruto asked, helping her to her feet. Despite the earlier commotion, his voice was surprisingly gentle.

Hinata hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "Father says I shouldn't use Gentle Fist on ordinary people. It could hurt them badly."

"So you let them hurt you instead?" Naruto asked, his tone incredulous.

"It's easier that way. Once they're bored, they'll leave…" she murmured, avoiding his gaze.

Naruto shook his head. "That kind of thinking only makes them bolder. If you don't stand up for yourself, they'll just keep coming back."

Hinata glanced up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But… if it were you, I'd break my father's rules."

Her words caught Naruto off guard, and for a moment, he was speechless. Nearby, Choji Akimichi and Shikamaru Nara watched the scene unfold from a distance.

"Looks like he handled it," Choji said between mouthfuls of chips. "He even saved the Hyuga heiress."

Shikamaru yawned. "Yeah, the kid's not bad. Let's head out—we'll talk to him another time. Too troublesome right now."

The pair left quietly, their presence unnoticed by Naruto. But one being had been watching the entire time—Kyuubi, the Nine-Tails, chuckled in Naruto's subconscious, savoring the drama.

"Well done, brat," Kyuubi sneered. "But don't think I'll let you off so easily. I'll be reminding you of that girl's blush for weeks."

Naruto rolled his eyes, smiling despite himself. "Sure, Kyuubi. And I'll keep dreaming about using your tails as a blanket."

Kyuubi's growl echoed in his mind, but Naruto paid it no heed. He had more important things to focus on, like the unexpected warmth of Hinata's trust and admiration.