Naruto: A Soul Rewoven

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**Third Person POV:**

We see our protagonist pacing back and forth in his apartment, looking panicked, guilty, and angry—angry at himself.

**Naruto's POV:**

"Ten days flew by in a flash after I received the Explosive Shadow Clones jutsu from Hiruzen. I devoted all my time to training. Now, you may wonder, 'Why am I panicking? Everything is going great.' Well, because...

"I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT HINATA."

"I'm breaking down right now. How could I forget her? As a man of culture, she was my pure, sweet, innocent 'Hina-chan.' And it gets worse. She was probably expecting *Na...* my visit after what happened with Neji a month ago. Oh no, how must she have felt?"

"As I grew more and more impatient, negative thoughts started flooding my mind. 'What if she hates me?' After debating with myself for an hour, I finally snapped out of it.

*𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐏*

I slapped myself and realized that the more I delay, the more I'll hurt her. It's my fault, and I need to take responsibility like a man. If she hates me, I deserve it, but I'll do my best to repent and make her accept me."

With this determination, I set off for the Konoha Hospital.

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**Third Person POV:**

Naruto entered the hospital, asked the receptionist for Hinata's room, and rushed toward it with a sense of urgency. Standing in front of her door, he hesitated.

**Naruto's POV:**

"Just one step and I'll be face-to-face with Hinata. As I reached for the door handle, many negative thoughts crept into my mind. My will started to falter, and I lost the determination I had come with.

Suddenly, someone touched my shoulder from behind. It was Hinabi, Hinata's sister. Though she was shocked by my changes, there was something else in her eyes. She said solemnly, 'She's been waiting for you.'

That was all it took for me to regain my composure. I gave her a grateful smile and opened the door.

And then I saw her. Hinata was sitting on her bed, looking out the window. When she heard the door open, she turned towards me and whispered, 'Naruto-kun.'

I walked toward her, sat beside her bed, and replied with a solemn expression, 'Sorry it took me so long.'

I expected her to reject me, but what she said next melted my heart. It was as if she had read my mind. She replied with her gentle smile, 'But you're here.'

I couldn't say anything more, so I stayed quiet, staring at her gentle, beautiful face. She added while glancing at me, 'You've changed, Naruto-kun.'

I nodded. 'Yes, for the better.'

Hinata smiled and said, 'I'm glad.'

We continued talking for a while longer, and I didn't even realize how Hinata had slowly erased all my guilt with her gentle words. As I kept talking to her, I realized: *it's emotions*.

We talked for hours, completely unaware of the time. When I realized it was already night outside, I reluctantly prepared to leave. I hesitated, then added, 'Hinata, how about we go on a date after all this is over?'

She smiled brightly and replied, 'I would love to, Naruto-kun.'

I smiled a genuine smile and said nothing more, just looking at her smile. In that moment, I wondered: *Was Naruto blind? Or was he really gay?*

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**Third Person POV:**

We see Naruto making his way back to his apartment.

**Naruto's POV:**

"As I thought about my conversation with Hinata, a sudden thought hit me: *Am I cheating Naruto out of what's his?* Aren't I just taking over the identity of Naruto and thinking of Hinata as mine? Will she even like me if she finds out that I'm not really Naruto?

But truth be told, deep inside, I'm selfish. I'm not willing to lose Hinata. And I definitely won't follow the legacy of Naruto Uzumaki, the so-called 'sunny protagonist.'

This is my world. This is my life to shape. If I'm not Uzumaki Naruto, then I'll be Namikaze Naruto."

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**Third Person POV:**

We see Naruto making his way toward the Hokage Tower, his face full of determination.

**Hiruzen's POV:**

"Naruto? What could this be about? Is he perhaps nervous about tomorrow's Chunin Exams, or is it something else? I inform my assistant to let him enter my office."

**Naruto's POV:**

As I entered Hiruzen's office, I saw him looking at me, his curiosity clearly evident. I said, "Jiji, I want to change my name."

Hiruzen, being the wise man he was, quickly understood the implications. He replied, "Naruto, Minato had many enemies, especially from Iwa. If they find out your true identity, they will stop at nothing to kill you."

"I know," I said. "But I'm ready. I think it's time for me to accept my upbringing and make my parents proud. I don't want to keep hiding my legacy. I want not only Konoha but the entire ninja world to know that the Namikaze legacy has not ended. I, Namikaze Naruto, am still alive, and I will protect Konoha, just like my father did."

Hiruzen stayed quiet for a moment before sighing and saying, "Okay, you can leave now. It's getting late, and tomorrow is a big day for you. I'll handle the rest." He gave me a reassuring smile.

I flashed him my own smile and left, my last thought being: *This is not the tale of Naruto Uzumaki, but the tale of Namikaze Naruto.*

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**A/N:**

I hope you liked this chapter. I'm not great at writing emotional scenes, but I did my best. Also, I know the whole Namikaze and Uzumaki thing may seem illogical, but just accept it—it doesn't change the overall plot. This is just Naruto's way of not thinking of himself as a replacement.

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