Naruto guessed correctly. Hayate Gekko sought out Yugao primarily to urge her to keep her distance from him.
Hayate had been watching for a while, observing Naruto's clumsy interactions with Yugao during his training.
Hayate's main body went to speak with Yugao, while he left a Shadow Clone here to warn Naruto.
What he told Yugao was essentially that Naruto was the Nine-Tailed Fox's Jinchuriki, and the Konoha elders didn't allow others to easily interact with him privately, much less form emotional attachments.
Lately, Yugao had been getting too close to Naruto, and their relationship was improving. Things would inevitably go wrong like this.
However, from Yugao's perspective, she had the Third Hokage's tacit approval to look after Naruto.
Moreover, as she interacted with Naruto, she was unconsciously influenced by the Asura buff, feeling both pity and affection for him.
Yugao wanted to stay by Naruto's side, which had nothing to do with romantic love. It was purely a protector's feeling for the weak, only much stronger.
So, naturally, she wouldn't listen to Hayate Gekko, and refused without hesitation, telling him to try and understand Naruto better.
Unsurprisingly, their conversation ended poorly. Hayate Gekko left in a huff, momentarily forgetting about the Shadow Clone.
Then, when Yugao turned to look for Naruto, already in a bad mood, she saw Hayate Gekko slash Naruto, sending him flying with blood splattering everywhere. Her face instantly turned pale.
"Hayate Gekko!!"
Yugao roared, rushing forward and kicking at Hayate Gekko.
Bang!
Hayate Gekko was still in a daze and couldn't react in time. He received the kick and vanished in a puff of smoke.
At the same time, Hayate Gekko, who had already left, received the memory feedback from the Shadow Clone.
"Damn it!" Hayate Gekko's expression was grim as he gritted his teeth. "That detestable guy, is he really such a scheming bastard? I can't let Yugao continue seeing him. Even if I have to resort to strong measures, I have to take Yugao away!"
He took two steps before stopping abruptly, his face shifting. "No! Yugao already misunderstands me greatly. If I interfere with her decisions again, she might hate me for life. This can't be handled with force!"
But this matter had to be resolved quickly. Otherwise, if time went on, Yugao might really be taken advantage of by that Nine-Tailed Fox brat. Then his head would truly be glowing green.
Hayate Gekko pondered for a while, then walked directly towards the Hokage Tower.
"I can't show my face for now, so I'll let the Third Hokage speak personally. I hope you won't blame me, Yugao. I'm doing this for your own good."
No one would believe what Naruto had said to him.
After all, in everyone's eyes, Naruto was just a child who hadn't even graduated from the Academy. How could he possibly have such intentions?
So, Hayate Gekko's plan was to report Yugao's private contact with the Jinchuriki, even helping him with special training and teaching him ninjutsu, to the Third Hokage. He believed the Third Hokage would definitely intervene.
Meanwhile, after Yugao kicked Hayate Gekko, she was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting that this Gekko was a Shadow Clone.
With Yugao's intelligence, she quickly figured out what had happened.
If she had kicked Hayate Gekko's real body, Yugao would have felt some remorse for her impulsive action.
But after discovering it was a Shadow Clone, her anger not only didn't dissipate, but she felt even more resentment towards Hayate Gekko.
Thus, an irreparable rift had formed between them.
However, this wasn't the time to dwell on these things. Yugao quickly went to Naruto and began checking his injuries.
"Naruto, are you alright?"
A huge gash ran across Naruto's body, from his left shoulder blade to his right abdomen, cutting three inches deep. Blood was still pouring out, looking horrifying and extremely serious.
If it weren't for the Nine-Tailed Fox's Chakra constantly healing him, Naruto would have lost more than half his life, if not died.
Even so, this injury wouldn't be easy to recover from.
"So serious!"
Hayate Gekko, how could you be so ruthless!
Tears instantly blurred Yugao's beautiful eyes, filled with both pity for Naruto and hatred for Hayate Gekko.
At this moment, the rift between her and Hayate Gekko widened even further.
"Sister Yugao!" Naruto, lying in Yugao's arms, his face pale, his voice barely a whisper, said, "Am I really... so detestable? Why... does everyone look at me like I'm a disease? I really don't understand. Have I done something wrong?"
"No, it's not your fault!" Yugao quickly picked Naruto up, hurrying towards the center of the village, and said, "Don't talk so much. I'll take you to the hospital right away. Just remember, no matter what others say, I will always be by your side."
"Thank you, Yugao-jie-jie, I like you the most!" Naruto smiled and then tilted his head, passing out.
Yugao held him tightly in her arms, feeling incredibly regretful.
If only she hadn't left with Hayate Gekko, this wouldn't have happened.
She understood from Naruto's words that Hayate Gekko's Shadow Clone had definitely used the Nine-Tailed Fox to belittle, or even scold Naruto, otherwise, Naruto wouldn't have reacted this way.
She silently made a decision: from now on, she would protect Naruto and never let him be hurt again.
As for Hayate Gekko, their relationship was severed from this moment on.
If he dared to hurt Naruto again, she would never forgive him!
Sealing Space.
"Tch, you went through all that trouble for a woman who doesn't even matter? She's not important later on! You could just force yourself on Sakura Haruno, so why bother with this woman?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox scoffed at Naruto's actions.
Naruto's injuries weren't that serious to begin with. Hayate Gekko's blade had only broken the skin. And that was only because Naruto had allowed it.
Because of this, Hayate Gekko didn't pay it any mind and just ignored it.
But Naruto had actively used the Nine-Tailed Fox's Chakra to corrode the wound, making it larger and more shocking.
"You've never been in love, you wouldn't understand!"
When it comes to women, it's not about how important they are in the story.
Naruto leaned back beside the Nine-Tailed Fox and chuckled, "Otherwise, I'll find you a vixen to try, then you'll understand a little."
"Get lost!" The Nine-Tailed Fox's Chakra erupted instantly, sending Naruto flying. It roared, "You brat, what do you take me for? I am the Nine-Tailed Fox!!"
....
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