Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

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Konoha. Root Headquarters.

Danzo Shimura tapped his cane against the cold, hard ground, his single visible eye narrowing as his subordinates reported to him.

"So, Jiraiya's interference prevented the possible outbreak of the Nine-Tails?"

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The rhythmic tapping of his cane echoed through the dimly lit chamber. Danzo paused in thought, his expression unreadable.

"You are dismissed."

Without hesitation, the masked ANBU operatives of Root vanished into the darkness, leaving Danzo alone with his scheming thoughts.

At the moment, Jiraiya was significantly weakened—losing an arm had greatly diminished his strength. As for Tsunade, without Jiraiya's full support, her position as Hokage was fragile.

That left Kakashi Hatake. But with a well-placed maneuver, even he wouldn't pose a problem.

The real issue was legitimacy—how to create an opportunity to seize control.

Danzo slowly raised a hand to the bandages covering his right eye, his left eye gleaming with sinister intent.

Originally, he had hoped for another Nine-Tails rampage. If Naruto had lost control, Tsunade and Jiraiya would have been forced to intervene. Once they were exhausted from subduing the beast, Danzo could have eliminated Naruto himself and claimed control over the Nine-Tails.

With the village in turmoil, he would frame Tsunade for incompetence—her leniency toward Naruto would be the perfect excuse to demand her resignation.

Resistance? He would crush it.

The Uchiha Clan had been eradicated; what was Tsunade's influence compared to that?

Danzo smirked. His collection of Sharingan, sealed within his body, gave him confidence.

Once he secured power, he would implement his vision for Konoha. Given enough time, he could even conquer the entire ninja world.

He had no idea that his dreams of domination were about to collapse.

---

The Next Morning.

Naruto Uzumaki woke early, following his usual morning routine. After breakfast, he cleaned his apartment, reinforced his Flying Thunder God seals, and left a shadow clone meditating in sage mode.

With everything in place, Naruto locked his door, leapt onto the nearby water tower, and cast one last glance at his home.

Sigh.

Without another word, he vanished.

---

Hyūga Compound Gates.

Hinata Hyūga rushed outside, her face lighting up when she saw Naruto waiting for her.

"Naruto-kun! I heard you were looking for me?"

Naruto smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Hinata."

Hinata beamed and eagerly took his hand, trying to lead him inside.

Naruto hesitated. "Are you sure? Won't it be inconvenient?"

Understanding his concern, Hinata giggled. "It's fine! My father and Hanabi are out for the day, and Neji is on a mission with Guy-sensei. Right now, I'm in charge of the house!"

Puffing out her chest in pride, she looked absolutely adorable.

Naruto chuckled, gently tapping her nose. "Look at you, all grown up."

Hinata blushed deeply. "D-Don't tease me like that!"

Flustered, she quickly pulled Naruto into a side alley within the compound before suddenly embracing him.

Naruto blinked in surprise before smiling and wrapping his arms around her, breathing in the soothing lavender scent of her hair.

That scent—it was imprinted on his soul.

In her embrace, the chaos in his mind quieted. The anxieties, the fears, the burdens… all momentarily faded.

"There were too many people around the Hokage Tower that day, so I couldn't hug you properly," Hinata murmured, nuzzling against him. "I'm making up for it now."

Naruto smiled, running his fingers through her silky hair.

But the peace was fleeting. He had come here for a reason.

Naruto gently pulled back, placing his hands on Hinata's shoulders.

"Hinata, there's something I need to tell you."

Hinata tilted her head, sensing his seriousness. "Did something happen, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked into her eyes. She knew him too well.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke solemnly. "No matter what happens in the future, I need you to remember three things. First, no matter how my position changes, I will always protect Konoha and strive to become Hokage. That will never change."

Hinata nodded attentively.

"Second," Naruto continued, "everything I do is for the sake of the entire ninja world."

Hinata's brow furrowed slightly in concern, but she remained silent.

Naruto tightened his grip on her shoulders. "And third—the most important thing—no matter what I become, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will only love you, Hyūga Hinata, in this life."

Hinata's breath hitched. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears before she suddenly threw herself back into his arms, holding him as tightly as she could.

"Naruto-kun! Thank you… for loving me so much. I, Hyūga Hinata, will also only love you in this life!"

Naruto closed his eyes.

He wanted to freeze this moment in time.

But fate would not allow it.

Hinata pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Just promise me one thing—if you're ever in trouble, don't face it alone. Let me stand beside you, no matter how difficult it is."

Naruto swallowed hard.

He couldn't. He wouldn't.

His memories of his past life… of her dying in his arms… were still raw.

Forgive me, Hinata.

Naruto forced a smile and gently cupped her face, resting his forehead against hers.

"Alright, alright. Just remember my words, okay? I have to go see Hokage-sama now."

Before she could respond, he rolled up her sleeve and pressed two fingers against her arm, marking her with the Flying Thunder God seal.

Hinata blinked in confusion. "Naruto-kun? What's this?"

Naruto grinned. "With this, I can teleport to you anytime to protect you."

Hinata's eyes widened before she broke into a radiant smile. "You're amazing, Naruto-kun!"

Naruto chuckled and placed a hand on her head.

"Keep this between us, okay? If you ever feel like you're in danger, try to send chakra into this mark. I'll sense it and come immediately."

Hinata nodded earnestly.

Naruto hesitated for a moment, then brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Stay safe, Hinata."

Turning away, he leapt onto the rooftops.

"Naruto-kun!"

Naruto stopped mid-leap and looked back.

Hinata cupped her hands around her mouth and called out. "Once you're done with Hokage-sama, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen together!"

She flashed him the brightest, most innocent smile.

Even though his heart ached, Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I'll be there."

Hinata waved enthusiastically. "See you at six, Naruto-kun!"

Naruto raised his hand in farewell, then turned and vanished.

---

Soaring above the rooftops, Naruto felt the wind whip against his face.

A tear slipped down his cheek.

Forgive me, Hinata.

This path he had chosen… was far too dangerous.

He could not afford to lose her.

Not again

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