The three genin kneeling on the ground saw that Naruto hadn't spoken for a long time. Their calves were cramping from fear, terrified he would really report them to the Hokage.
They knocked their heads against the ground like pounding garlic. "We really know we were wrong! We'll never come here again! Please, have mercy and let us go!"
Naruto didn't even look at them. His gaze remained fixed on the girl in the corner. He only flicked them a cold glance.
"Get lost. If I ever see you touch anyone from the Hyūga clan again, I'll break all three of your legs."
"Y-Yes! We're leaving!"
As if pardoned from death row, the three scrambled out of the alley. The fat one stepped on the skinny one's heel in his haste, and they both tumbled face-first into the dirt before scrambling up and bolting away even faster—like rabbits chased by hounds.
Only then did the neighbors who had been hiding behind the alley walls dare to peek out. Watching the three bullies flee, they murmured in astonishment.
"Isn't that the troublemaking demon fox kid?"
"He actually took down those three? They've been extorting people here for half a year. Even adults wouldn't interfere!"
"Did you see those punches? I didn't even catch how he moved…"
"Keep your voice down! Don't let him hear you… But he doesn't seem as scary as the rumors say. He even protected the Hyūga girl."
Naruto ignored the whispers.
After fifty years as Hokage, he had grown used to the cheers of millions. A few murmurs meant nothing.
Right now, his world held only the small girl still frozen against the wall.
Hinata remained in the same posture, back pressed to the cold bricks. The red bean buns in her hands were crushed beyond saving, sweet filling smeared across her fingers.
Tears still clung to her long lashes. Her pale lavender eyes were wide, fixed on him in disbelief, as though she hadn't fully processed what had happened.
Sunlight slanted into the alley, bathing her soft cheeks in gold. Her lashes shimmered faintly, delicate as the downy hair of newborn Himawari the first time he had held her.
Naruto glanced down at the forehead protector in his hand.
Though the tall boy had wiped it, faint dirt still lingered in the crevices.
Without a word, Naruto lifted the clean inner lining of his orange jacket and carefully polished it again—scrubbing even the smallest grooves of the Leaf emblem until the metal gleamed bright enough to reflect a face.
Inside the seal, Kurama snorted, tails swishing loudly. "You're wiping that thing like it's a priceless treasure. The Seventh Hokage polishing his wife's forehead protector? Aren't you ashamed?"
Naruto shot back silently, Mind your own business, and walked over.
Hinata stiffened the moment he approached. She shrank back instinctively, lowering her head so fast her bangs nearly hid her face. Her fingers twisted the hem of her training jacket nervously.
She had always been shy. After watching him drop three older genin in seconds, her mind was a whirl of confusion and heat.
Now that he stood before her, she barely dared breathe. Her heart hammered so loudly she thought it might burst from her throat.
"Here."
The clear voice of a young boy sounded above her.
She peeked up.
A thin hand—still smeared faintly with blue paint—extended toward her, holding a spotless forehead protector. The metal plate glowed warmly in the sunlight.
She froze, then reached out with trembling fingers.
Her fingertips brushed the back of his hand by accident.
Like touching a spark, she jerked back instantly. Her face flushed scarlet in a heartbeat—red from the tips of her ears to the base of her neck.
"Th-thank you, Naruto-kun…" she whispered, barely audible.
Her skin was so fair that when she blushed, she looked like a ripe peach, even her earlobes tinged pink.
Naruto's heart softened instantly.
He had lived seventy years. He had patted her head countless times—on their wedding night when she hid shyly in his arms, when he brought Boruto home as a newborn, when Himawari first awakened her Byakugan and cried in fright.
Her hair had always been soft.
Without thinking, he raised his hand and gently placed it atop her head.
Her hair was just as soft as he remembered.
He moved carefully, as though afraid she might shatter. His fingers brushed lightly over her crown. His voice softened in a way he didn't even consciously control.
"No one's going to bully you anymore. If anyone dares to take your things again, just say my name."
He grinned, sharp canines flashing.
"My name's Uzumaki Naruto. I'm going to be Hokage someday. And when Hokage's backing you, nobody will dare touch you."
The words struck Hinata like thunder.
She lifted her head blankly, tears still clinging to her lashes, pale lavender eyes wide and shimmering. She stared at his bright, fang-filled smile, mind completely blank.
He… he touched my head?
Naruto-kun said he'd protect me?
He said he'd become Hokage?
Her face burned so hot it felt like steam might rise from it. She clutched the forehead protector and the warm red bean bun he'd handed her, barely able to hold onto them.
"I—I know you…" she stammered softly. "Y-you're Naruto-kun… from the back row at the Academy… I—I'm Hyūga Hinata…"
"I know who you are." Naruto chuckled.
He slipped the extra untouched red bean bun he'd bought into her hands.
"Yours got squished. Take this one. I bought too many anyway."
The bun was still warm from his palm. Hinata held it like a treasure, staring at the blue paint still streaked across his face and the star-bright sparkle in his eyes.
Her heart felt like it might explode.
"Naruto! Where did you run off to? I've been looking everywhere!"
Iruka's exasperated shout echoed from afar.
Naruto glanced back, then waved at Hinata with a wide grin.
"My teacher's looking for me. I've gotta go! See you at school tomorrow, Hinata!"
With that, he turned and ran toward the alley entrance. His orange jacket flared in the wind like a small sun.
Hinata remained where she stood, clutching the clean forehead protector and the warm red bean bun.
Slowly, she lifted a hand to touch the spot on her head where he had patted her.
It still felt warm.
The breeze carried the sweet scent of red bean and the savory aroma of Ichiraku Ramen from afar. Though she stood in the cool shade of the alley, her entire body felt warm.
The fear from earlier had melted away.
She looked down at the gleaming metal plate in her hands. It reflected her flushed face.
Without realizing it, she smiled.
Soft dimples appeared at the corners of her lips, sweet as honey.
"Naruto-kun…"
She whispered his name softly and hugged the forehead protector to her chest, not even noticing when she finally walked home.
As for Naruto, jogging off while enduring Iruka's lecture, he couldn't help but smile to himself.
A debt sixty years overdue—
He had finally placed that forehead protector back into her hands.
And somehow…
It felt ten thousand times better than defeating Kaguya or becoming the Seventh Hokage.