He arrived at Hyūga Hinata's side.
"Little Hinata, are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?"
The moment she saw Hyūga Hiyasu, Hinata burst into even louder tears.
"Waaahhh! Hiyasu-san!"
"Waaahhh!"
Hinata wrapped her arms tightly around Hiyasu's neck and refused to let go, crying uncontrollably.
"It's alright, Hinata. Hiyasu-san is here. No one's going to bully you anymore, so don't worry."
As he comforted her, he gently patted her back.
"Kid, you've got guts. If anything happens in the Hidden Leaf Village, just say my name—Hyūga Hiyasu."
Originally, Naruto Uzumaki had only been bruised and swollen. Now he'd taken another beating on top of that.
Forget Hiyasu.
Even Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki—
Uh…
Probably only the two of them could still recognize him.
After that, Hiyasu looked toward the three boys who were still screaming nonstop.
"What a pity. They're just kids, so I can't kill them."
Hiyasu gathered strength into his dantian, pushed power into his throat, and then let out an earth-shaking roar that echoed throughout the Hidden Leaf Village as night approached.
"Uchiha Kamito! Get your ass over here right now!"
Inside the underground laboratory, Aburame Shiken heard Hiyasu's roar.
Something serious had happened. He had never heard Hiyasu this furious before.
"Orochimaru-sensei, I'm heading out for a bit."
"Very well. Go ahead."
After receiving permission, Shiken's body transformed into a swarm of insects and vanished from the laboratory.
Orochimaru watched him leave, then recalled the furious shout from moments ago.
"The bonds among your generation really are much stronger than ours were."
At the Inuzuka clan head's residence, Inuzuka Ryoha was holding Nami in his arms while listening to her proudly recount today's glorious achievements.
At that moment, Hiyasu's roar rang through the air.
Ryoha's expression changed instantly.
"Hiyasu's side must be in trouble. I'm going to check it out. Nami, stay with your mother and behave, alright?"
"Mhm, go ahead."
"Got it, dear Daddy. Nami will be a good girl and listen obediently."
After Ryoha left, Rinko and Nami looked at each other.
Then they both snorted at the same time.
"Hmph."
Inside the Police Force captain's office, Uchiha Kamito was deeply troubled.
Should he eat the dinner Uchiha Yumi made?
Or the one Uzumaki Kana made?
Or neither?
Or both?
Because from his perception, the murderous pressure erupting between the two women behind him was absolutely terrifying.
Yumi and Kana stared each other down, both wary that the other might pull some underhanded trick.
And right then, Hiyasu's voice thundered over.
Kamito immediately shot to his feet and rushed outside.
Hiyasu, you've done me a huge favor. Whatever it is, just say the word—I'll handle it for you no matter what.
Besides those few, others also began moving.
Minato, who had already been preparing to rest at home.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who hadn't involved himself in village affairs for a long time.
Mitokado Homura, whose Root faction was steadily declining.
And Utatane Koharu, who nobody knew what she was doing.
All of them set out.
Meanwhile, Nara clan head Nara Shikaku casually rolled over and continued sleeping.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, what kind of problem could possibly stump a guy like Hiyasu?
Going would just be a wasted trip.
Sleep, sleep.
Thanks to Hiyasu unintentionally helping him escape his domestic crisis, Kamito quickly arrived at the scene with a ten-man Police Force squad.
Sigh…
Ever since Danzō Shimura died, the Uchiha Police Force hasn't had another chance for a large-scale operation. I kind of miss those days.
(Danzō: "Give me one chance to revive, and I swear I'll wipe out this evil bunch of Uchiha!")
After arriving, Kamito didn't sense any familiar chakra.
But he did sense Naruto and Hinata.
Could it be that Naruto and Hinata were on a date and got caught by Hiyasu, who now wanted him to mediate?
On one side was the son of his direct superior.
On the other was the niece of one of his closest friends.
What a difficult dilemma.
Forget it. Hiyasu just bailed me out earlier. I'll back him this time, even if it means going against my boss.
(Minato: "So?")
"Namikaze Naruto, you've got some nerve! How dare you abduct an innocent young girl!"
Kamito's declaration made the newly arrived Shiken, Ryoha, and Minato all stumble in shock.
Abduct? Innocent? Young girl?
Naruto was only three years old!
Even Ryoha was only five.
(Ryoha: "What kind of nonsense is that? What does this have to do with me? We're childhood sweethearts. It's completely different from Naruto!")
"You blind idiot, what nonsense are you spouting? And Naruto? Where's Naruto?"
"Isn't he standing right next to you?"
"Next to me?"
Hiyasu looked at the dirt-covered, swollen-faced little hero standing beside him.
"You're Naruto?"
"Dat's wight, I'm Nawmuto."
Good grief. If he hadn't already known the answer, he really wouldn't have recognized the brat.
Thinking about it now, maybe he came out too early earlier.
Then he glanced at the three culprits still struggling on the ground.
How about this—you three beat him to death first, then I'll come out and deliver justice afterward?
No matter how carefully he guarded against it day and night, this blond brat still managed to steal his home turf.
It seriously pissed him off.
How could an adorable girl like Hinata ever get married?
"Minato, come take your kid away. He did well. Kid's got guts."
The moment he heard mention of his son, Minato used Body Flicker and instantly appeared beside Hiyasu.
"My son? Naruto? Where is Naruto?"
Reality proved that with Naruto looking like this, even his own father couldn't recognize him.
Probably only a blind man like Kamito, who identified people through chakra, could tell who he was.
"There."
Hiyasu pointed.
Minato froze for a second, then carefully examined the battered child before finally confirming that it really was his son.
He hurried over and hugged him.
"My Naruto! How did you end up like this?!"
Off to the side, Ryoha awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Judging by the situation, at least half the credit probably belonged to his daughter.
"Ryoha… this wouldn't have anything to do with you, would it?"
"Nonsense. Of course not. This is the first time I've seen Naruto today."