NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Bonds
He didn't just enjoy the love and respect of the villagers; he also took the opportunity to create deep bonds with many of the children who would later become his classmates at the Ninja Academy. He knew how important friendships and alliances would be in the future, so he naturally gravitated toward others, bringing them into his circle.
For the girls, He quickly became friends with Ino, Sakura, and Hinata, each forming a unique bond with him. Ino admired his confidence and energy, while Sakura appreciated his kindness, especially when he stood up for her. Hinata, who was shy and often reserved, found comfort in Naruto's warmth and encouragement. He saw her potential and treated her with respect, which deepened her already growing admiration for him.
Among the boys, his relationship with Sasuke, his future rival and brother-in-arms, was perhaps the strongest. Though Sasuke often tried to act cool and distant, he knew from his previous life how important their bond would become. They shared a mutual respect, pushing each other to be stronger. His friendships with Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, and Kiba also flourished. Shikamaru found Naruto's enthusiasm refreshing and, though often lazy, appreciated Naruto's determination. Choji enjoyed Naruto's good nature and companionship, while Shino and Kiba valued his straightforwardness and loyalty.
By creating bonds with his peers early on, He built a supportive network of friends that spanned different clans and backgrounds. His warmth, charisma, and growing strength made him a central figure, even at a young age. He treated everyone with respect and kindness, seeing the value in their potential rather than their status or abilities.
This foundation of friendship was a stark contrast to the lonely and harsh childhood Naruto experienced in the original timeline. Now, surrounded by friends and loved ones, he was in a position to not only protect those dear to him but to change the fates of those around him. With every new bond he formed, He felt more confident in his ability to reshape the future for the better.
A year ago
An event transpired much like in the original timeline—Hinata Hyuga was kidnapped by Cloud Shinobi, seeking to obtain her Byakugan. Due to her shy and kind nature, Hinata was easily taken.He despite his desire to intervene, was still under the close watch of Hiruzen and unable to act directly. Knowing he couldn't get involved, Naruto told his mother, Kushina, about the kidnapping.
Understanding the severity of the situation, Kushina immediately took action. She tracked down the Cloud Shinobi and rescued Hinata before they could escape with her. However, he remembered what followed in the original timeline: Hiruzen, out of fear of provoking war, had allowed the Raikage to demand the life of Hiashi Hyuga, Hinata's father, in exchange for the death of Cloud shinobi or ready to enter War. This decision led to Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, offering his life instead, which in turn fueled Neji Hyuga's deep hatred toward the main branch of the family.
Not wanting the same tragic cycle of bloodshed to repeat, Naruto advised his mother not to kill the Cloud Shinobi but instead bring them to Hiruzen so that the situation could be resolved peacefully without sparking unnecessary conflict. Kushina trusted his intelligence and did exactly as he suggested, handing the kidnappers over to Hiruzen.
Unfortunately, just as He had expected, Hiruzen, in his fear of war, chose not to take decisive action. Instead, he returned the Cloud Shinobi to their village, hoping to avoid a diplomatic incident. His decision outraged both the Hyuga Clan and Kushina, who believed that such leniency would only invite further attempts on the Byakugan. Hiruzen's failure to act also undermined his authority, causing his grip on the village to weaken, even if only slightly. The Hyuga Clan's trust in him was shaken, and whispers of discontent began to spread among the higher echelons of the village.
This marked the first instance where he saw the direct effects of Hiruzen's weak leadership and his refusal to stand firm when the situation called for it. While he prevented bloodshed for the moment, Naruto knew that more challenges lay ahead, and that Hiruzen's unwillingness to confront certain dangers would eventually create larger problems for Konoha. Nonetheless, his intervention had saved Hizashi's life, preserving Neji from the pain of losing his father and potentially altering the future of the Hyuga clan in significant ways.