Konoha Notes.

Chapter 465 Thin Ice

Praise, approval, and recognition accompanied Naruto throughout the entire afternoon.

At first, it was just before training sessions that two or three classmates who didn't usually pay much attention to him would come over and say, "Well said, Naruto." After three or four consecutive sparring sessions, some people noticed that his taijutsu had become much more solid, and he was even a participant in that hot performance. The feeling of wanting to be seen and recognized that he once so desperately reached for has now fallen into his grasp when he no longer desperately reached for it.

Before Naruto could decide how to respond to these unfamiliar acts of kindness, his day at the ninja academy had already ended in the twilight.

As the school bell rang, he saw that Sakura seemed even more dazed than in the morning; Ino hurriedly got up, still unchanged; Sasuke had long since left the classroom, and the empty seat was particularly conspicuous.

Nothing has changed.

The stiffness hanging in the air, the unspoken words, the unresolved issues—none of them disappeared. "Naruto, are we going to the western suburbs today? Temari said there's tofu skin sushi tonight!"

"Today... probably not."

Fu looked at Naruto with suspicion at first.

Naruto just laughed it off, as Minato had specifically instructed him not to talk about his affairs.

"Okay! See you tomorrow!" Fu quickly gave up on her plan to investigate and ran briskly in another direction.

Shikamaru and Choji had left sometime earlier, and Sakura had also disappeared.

Suddenly, all the problems had no one to face, and no one to discuss them with.

Naruto then walked quickly toward the school gate.

As he approached the school gate, he saw Sakura.

The pink-haired girl walked ahead alone, her steps somewhat hurried.

Not far behind her, three girls of the same grade followed. They walked calmly, their voices just loud enough to reach the ears of those in front.

"Even though Ino and she are such good friends..."

"This feels a bit cunning."

"Really? She even tried to sneak away at noon..."

Naruto slowed his pace.

He can hear it, and Sakura should be able to as well.

The discussion didn't stop, it just shifted to a more subtle angle.

Naruto jogged a few steps to catch up. He wanted to say, "Stop talking," he wanted to say, "That's not how it is," he wanted to block out the whispers. "Ah, it's Naruto!"

One of the short-haired girls turned around, her eyes crinkling into a smile, "I've seen the band perform! They're amazing!"

"Yeah, yeah, that long-haired guy standing next to the keyboard, he's handsome too." Another girl wearing a headband leaned closer. "What's his name? Naruto, right?"

"You have a special aura, don't you? A bit of a melancholic vibe..."

Questions came one after another, lightly and naturally, as if the whispers from before had never existed.

Naruto was a little stunned by the question. He opened his mouth, wanting to say, "Don't say those things anymore," but the girls' expressions were so bright, filled with pure expectation, that he couldn't say anything for a moment.

"Um... for an autograph or something..."

"It might not be convenient right now..."

Naruto didn't dare to agree; the last time he signed an autograph, it had already caused a lot of problems.

The band hadn't performed in a long time. Although Kirabi was still enthusiastically preparing, and the secretariat hadn't objected, they still hadn't found a suitable opportunity.

The girls looked disappointed, but quickly smiled and said, "You must next time!" before leaving.

As they walked away, Sakura had also walked away.

Naruto stood still, and then he saw a man standing under a tree outside the school gate.

The man's face was half-bandaged, his blond hair was familiar, and his blue eyes were something I had memorized since last night.

But Naruto was unsure whether he should admit it or not.

Just then, he noticed the direction the man was looking in.

Ino stood there. Karin and Shion stood on either side of her, the three girls whispering to each other.

Closer to the wall, Shikamaru and Choji leaned against it, one yawning and the other intently unpacking snacks. Then, Naruto saw something further away.

Sakura stood there.

She was only a dozen steps away from Ino, neither getting any closer nor leaving.

Just then, the man with bandages under the tree walked towards Ino's direction.

Ino noticed the approaching person and looked up. Karin and Shion also stopped talking and looked at the stranger.

Seeing this, Naruto also walked towards Ino's direction.

After quickening his pace, he became even more certain that he hadn't misread it.

He immediately began, "Dad..."

A slight whisper escaped his lips, but he quickly caught it. Thankfully, no one noticed.

Ino looked at the man who walked up to her. Bandages covered most of his face, but his clear, gentle eyes made her feel at ease. "May I ask who you are...?" Ino asked politely.

Naruto then walked up to the man, his blue eyes wide open.

Minato Namikaze looked at Naruto, a warm smile spreading across his eyes, before turning to Ino and introducing himself: "My name is Minato Uzumaki, and I'm Naruto's father."

Ino's eyelids remained still. Karin sensed the man's chakra, confirming he wasn't lying, while Shion wore a thoughtful expression. Shikamaru, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up, his gaze quickly sweeping over Minato's entire body, then looking at Naruto, before finally settling back on Minato's face.

Choji stopped putting the snack in his mouth, his mouth still half open, with crumbs of potato chips stuck to the corners of his lips.

"Dad?" Ino repeated, "Naruto's?"

Shikamaru looked around.

Several teachers were maintaining order at the school gate, and parents were also there to pick up their children not far away.

After confirming that the environment was safe, he didn't go over immediately. Instead, he asked Naruto, "Naruto, don't you live alone?"

Karin's gaze lingered on Minato's face. This was the second pair of blonde whirlpools she had ever seen.

"Karin," Shion whispered in her ear, "the surname Uzumaki really does have both red and blonde versions." Minato waited for the children to process this information before continuing to explain.

"I was on a long-term overseas mission and only recently returned on temporary leave. Knowing about Naruto's current situation, I applied to become his guardian."

"The village has already approved the paperwork."

Naruto nodded blankly, "Yes, yes... Dad, it was yesterday..." He looked at Minato inquiringly, "He just came back yesterday." Shikamaru quickly pieced together the information in his words. Long-term mission, temporary leave, guardian. These words, pieced together, formed a plausible explanation.

And Naruto's new bento box this morning, along with all these changes today, all contribute to a reason.

"So," Shikamaru concluded, "you're Naruto's family, now his adoptive father, but you couldn't take care of him before because of missions, right?"

Minato nodded approvingly: "As expected of Shikaku-sensei's son, your thinking is very clear. You're Shikamaru-kun, right?"

When his father's name was mentioned directly, Shikamaru was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment.

"Speaking of which," Minato turned to Ino, "Mr. Inoichi is in the hospital, isn't he?"

Ino paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes... Father..."

"I have received a lot of care from him," Minato said. "If it's alright, may I bother you for a moment? I'd like to visit him."

At this moment, Shion and Karin realized what had happened. They both looked at Ino, their eyes filled with surprise and worry.

"Ino, your father is in the hospital?"

"Why didn't you tell us...?"

Ino pursed her lips: "I don't know if Father is available today... and besides, I don't want everyone to worry."

Not far away, Sakura moved slightly. She took a few steps toward them, her shoes making a soft rustling sound as they scraped the ground, then stopped. Minato took in all these subtle movements, a gentle light flashing in his blue eyes.

"I apologize for making such a request," he said. "Well then, in a couple of days, when Mr. Inoichi is feeling better, I'll bring Naruto along for a formal visit."

Ino expressed her gratitude: "Thank you, my father will be very happy."

Sakura's hesitant steps suddenly became more firm. She took a deep breath and took a few more steps closer, her pink hair swaying gently in the evening breeze.

But just then, more sounds arose from around them.

"Naruto has a father now?"

"Really?"

"Didn't we say before...?"

More students around, noticing the commotion, began to whisper among themselves, casting curious glances their way.

Some parents who hadn't left yet also looked over and saw a face wrapped in bandages appear next to the well-known orphan, and the ANBU (Anti-Secret Police) didn't seem to be trying to stop them.

They made a rough guess and assumed that the village had arranged for a formal guardian.

Minato didn't leave immediately. He stood beside Naruto, speaking to the children as "Minato Uzumaki".

He asked Shikamaru about his hobbies, Choji about his favorite snack flavors, and Karin and Shion about their school life. His questions were all very natural, his tone gentle and kind, like that of an elder, yet without making anyone feel pressured.

Ino occasionally chimed in, and for a moment the atmosphere remained harmonious.

But more and more eyes are gathering around.

Those gazes were like invisible walls, building up layer upon layer. Sakura's steps faltered once more.

She looked at Ino's profile, at Karin and Shion gathered around their friends, and at Naruto standing with his newly appeared father. If she went over there now, what would the onlookers think? What would Ino think? Would they think she was only apologizing because she was afraid of gossip? Sakura bit her lower lip.

Just then, Minato patted Naruto on the shoulder.

"It's time to go back."

"Um!"

Naruto nodded vigorously, and when he turned to his friends, his smile was even brighter than usual.

"See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow."

Goodbye, Naruto.

Naruto left the school gate and started his journey home.

After walking a short distance, Naruto whispered, "Dad, Ino and Sakura look like..."

Minato said, "They're all excellent, aren't they?"

"A few words won't be a barrier between them. They just need some time to find a way to reconcile themselves." "But..."

"You have many friends who care about you, Naruto."

Minato stopped, turned around, and looked back towards the school gate. The movement was natural, as if he were just glancing back casually. Hinata pulled her outstretched body back, pressing her back tightly against the wall. The cool touch penetrated the thin fabric, and she realized she had been standing there for a long time.

She watched Naruto and the blond man leave, watched the expression on Naruto's face as he looked up to speak, and watched the man's gesture as he gently patted Naruto's shoulder.

That's great, Naruto-kun.

Hinata turned around, leaning against the wall, her hands clasped in front of her chest. Her heart was pounding, not from nervousness, but from an overflowing joy.

Naruto has gained recognition, Naruto has found family, and it seems that Naruto has achieved his desired goal.

She also wanted to change.

The thought suddenly became incredibly clear.

Hinata didn't go home immediately, but instead turned and walked towards the training ground.

If we work harder and make more progress, can we, like Naruto, gradually get closer to the person we want to become?

Wouldn't that mean we wouldn't disappoint so many people anymore?

The training continued until it was completely dark.

Sweat soaked her clothes, and her breathing became rapid, but Hinata didn't stop. Only when she had used up her last bit of strength did she lean on her knees, panting heavily.

When I returned to the Hyuga residence, the light in the entryway was already on.

Hinata tiptoed inside, and at the corner of the corridor, she saw Neji and Hiashi.

Hiashi, with his back to this side, said, "I've been going for medical checkups much more often lately."

"Yes," Neji replied.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Lord Hiashi."

Upon hearing this, Hiashi didn't ask any further questions, turned around and walked towards the main house, his gaze not lingering on Hinata.

Neji stayed where he was, and only turned to look at Hinata after Hiashi's footsteps had faded into the distance.

"Training without a goal is unlikely to yield significant results."

Hinata lowered her head: "Yes...yes, Neji-nii-nii."

"Lord Hiashi doesn't have time, and Lord Hanabi isn't enough."

Hinata looked up at Neji, puzzled.

Neji didn't explain the meaning of those words. He simply stood there, calmly gazing at his cousin.

Hinata mustered her courage, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. She remembered that afternoon long ago, Neji's suddenly cold gaze, his merciless attack, and the image of her cousin being punished by the cursed seal until he fainted.

And then, for several years after that, there was no further contact between us.

Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding.

But what if we don't try again...?

"Um, Neji-nii-san, can you train with me?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Her heart was in her throat, awaiting the expected rejection.

"Can."

Hinata suddenly raised her head.

"But please conserve your energy and condition, and don't waste my training time, Hinata-sama."

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Neji-nii-nii!"

Hinata nodded vigorously, her fingers loosening the hem of her clothes and clenching into fists at her sides.