Chapter 49 – Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms
Naruto chewed the pickled vegetables in his mouth; they didn't taste very good.
This Shadow Clone is really something.
Three years, then another three—are you going to bring me back a Sixth Mizukage or what?
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Still, the mission was completed above and beyond.
He'd fought just about every genius in Hidden Mist Village, heavyweights like Zabuza and Obito—his combat experience had skyrocketed.
If Obito hadn't had Kamui as an escape tool, he'd probably have been assassinated by Naruto's Shadow Clone and met a half-ending already.
Besides that, there was also the Eight Extremes Spear.
He was so proficient he didn't need to spend any more time on it.
All in all, the results weren't bad.
After breakfast Naruto returned the bento box to Hinata.
He glanced at the pond slowly filling with water and asked, "Where's Neji?"
"Big brother Neji should be here any minute,"
Hinata said, sealing the bento into a storage scroll. "He said he wouldn't eat breakfast with us."
Naruto couldn't help smiling when he heard that.
So this guy's finally learned what it means to be a third wheel?
A progress worth praising.
"Hinata, next time buy some fry and stock the pond?"
While Neji hadn't arrived yet, Naruto—remembering his promise to manage the pond for her—said, "Pick whichever fish you like."
"All right."
Hinata gave a sweet smile.
Then she fell into thought: which fish taste best?
"Neji, over here!"
Naruto spotted him turning to leave and quickly called him back.
"What is it?"
Neji had planned to slip away to the grove to train without disturbing them.
He glanced at the suddenly-appeared pond—was that it?
Without explaining, Naruto led the two into the Peach Grove.
Six-Ears leapt out at once.
Hinata and Neji had seen it many times and weren't surprised.
"Six-Ears, teach Neji the Moon Breathing."
Naruto tossed fifty special peaches to Neji. "Snack on these when you're free."
"What's Moon Breathing?"
Neji looked bewildered—was the Hyuga prodigy really going to be taught by a Summoned Beast?
How would rankings work from now on?
Wouldn't that drop him a whole generation below Naruto?
"It's Six-Ears' Sage Mode."
Naruto knew Neji hadn't even started the first step. Meanwhile Hinata, now that her appetite was satisfied, was displaying frightening talent.
"It can use Sage Mode?"
Neij pointed at Six-Ears in shock.
It felt like Naruto suddenly telling him he was a girl.
Sage Mode had always been a big-shot skill in his mind.
Now it felt a bit cheap.
"You learning or not?"
"Learn—of course I'll learn."
Neji nodded without hesitation.
Black cat, white cat—any cat that catches mice is a good cat.
He didn't care who the teacher was.
"Hinata, aren't you learning?"
Neji suddenly wondered—Naruto couldn't possibly forget her.
Hinata also looked at him.
"She'll definitely learn—only I'll be teaching her."
"…"
Neji tugged at the corner of his mouth.
So should I just leave?
Hinata pressed her lips together, smiling, but when she saw Neji's face she quickly lowered her head.
I saw that!
Picking on us single dogs!
Aren't single dogs still… er, people?
Neji complained silently.
He scooped up Six-Ears and left without another word.
"Neji, the monkey's not for sale—bring it back!"
Naruto waved, then climbed a tree.
Seeing that, Hinata jumped up after him.
"Moon Breathing works best practiced at night, but I can give you the steps now."
Naruto had her sit cross-legged and close her eyes.
"Empty your mind; imagine becoming one with this tree, then control your breathing rhythm."
Hinata nodded and sank into gentle darkness.
But she quickly discovered a problem.
Breathing.
Naruto's breathing was right beside her.
Warm breath brushed her ear.
Her own breathing grew more and more ragged.
Naruto scratched his head—what was going on?
He leaned closer and clearly saw a blush bloom on Hinata's fair face.
Like a ripe peach giving off a faint sweet scent, it made him gulp.
Cut-cut-cut!
Recalling a meme of a dog rampaging, he calmed down a bit.
Yet in his sight Hinata's curved lashes fluttered restlessly, her eyelids twitching as if wanting to open but hesitating.
Morning sunlight fell on that delicate face flushed like sunset, and an indescribable throb sprouted in Naruto's heart.
He subconsciously wanted to lean in and taste.
Before he could move, Hinata opened her eyes, gently pushed him away, and whispered:
"N-Naruto-kun, could you… move a little farther? I can't control my breathing."
"Oh—sure."
Hiding his disappointment, Naruto hopped to another tree.
Hinata exhaled, pressed her racing heart, and after a moment closed her eyes again.
This time she entered the state quickly.
By nightfall she had basically grasped Moon Breathing.
Of course, mastering Sage Mode was still a long road away.
"I'll walk you home."
As the Hyuga Clan's princess, Hinata had strict rules—no staying out overnight.
"Mm."
She followed Naruto home.
But Naruto didn't leave right away.
He slipped into the Hyuga Compound unnoticed.
With his current strength, in Sage Mode he could literally abduct the bride if he wanted.
Even the Byakugan couldn't detect him.
After all, Sage Mode perception rivaled the Byakugan.
Naruto was worried something might go wrong with Hinata's practice that night.
If he saw a stone monkey next morning he'd lose it.
Luckily Hinata was careful and sensible; everything stayed normal.
Back at the Treehouse, Naruto found Sasuke.
"Yo, you're early today?"
"Where were you last night?"
Sasuke, ever sharp, couldn't help asking.
"…"
Damn, that tone—something's off.
Gotta find this guy a girlfriend.
Chasing after Uchiha Itachi all day—are you two planning to spawn aliens?
Naruto grinned. "Of course I was out with Hinata."
"You two didn't…?"
Sasuke looked shocked, suddenly seeming older as he stared.
"What are you thinking? It was training."
Naruto waved, then recalled that in the original story Sasuke never learned Sage Mode.
He should qualify.
He'd been linked to Orochimaru and Ryūchi Cave.
Was it lack of talent?
"Here, Sasuke, I'll teach you Moon Breathing—see if you can learn it."
Naruto hopped onto a tree, planning to experiment.
Sasuke blinked but didn't refuse—he trusted Naruto wouldn't harm him.
The two sat in the tree.
Naruto explained; Sasuke practiced.
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What the hell!
Naruto was dumbfounded.
Peach blossoms he could understand.
But three lifetimes?
Did the system count Indra and Ashura's genes too?
System, you're really something!
For a moment Naruto was speechless.
Thanks to book friends 20190418095411506 and Silent One for the tips. PS: I got your feedback—starting today, Shadow Clone stories will be finished within the day no matter the length.