Chapter 173: Reporting
Disclaimer:
Naruto and all its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 173: Reporting
"So, what happened with the village guest? I thought he was well secured," Naruto asked as they walked back toward the village.
The group was headed to the Hokage's office to report on their mission, taking the opportunity to talk along the way.
Hinata clung tightly to Naruto's right arm as if afraid he'd leave again the moment she let go.
Ino walked to his left, occasionally glancing at him. Naruto's question, however, made her expression shift to one of concern.
"I'm not entirely sure, but... this isn't the first time he's tried to escape Konoha."
"He's very scared of something," Hinata added.
"Gaara?" Naruto asked.
Hinata shook her head. "The Bijuu..."
"Yeah... It's been getting worse. The last time, I had to wake him myself by entering his mind and forcing the raccoon away," Ino said.
"You did?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a huge risk, especially with the demon in there."
"Well... I have a lot more control now and can leave quickly if things get dangerous. But this time, the raccoon was better prepared." She sighed.
Her ability required direct visual contact with her target to enter their minds, and when the One-Tail hid Gaara, her plan fell apart.
"It's a good thing you were there, Naruto," Hinata said with a smile.
Naruto doubted that Kakashi and the ANBU couldn't have handled it, but there was no need to voice that thought.
"How long has this been going on?" Naruto asked.
Hinata looked thoughtful. "The first attempt was about six months ago... but we didn't take part in that one."
"It made quite a mess in the village," Ino added. "Caught everyone by surprise." At the time, only a select few even knew that Gaara was being kept prisoner in Konoha.
'So the demon has been trying to escape for that long...' Naruto thought, confirming his suspicions.
"By the way..." Ino moved closer and ran a hand through Naruto's hair. "Did you not cut it even once in the last two years?"
Naruto had let his hair grow out a little before leaving for training, making him resemble his father. Now, however, it reached nearly to his lower back.
"Does it look bad?" he asked.
Unlike most of his life decisions, letting his hair grow had no deeper meaning. It simply felt natural to him...he had worn it like this in his past life for centuries, and old habits died hard.
That said, his current blonde hair was vastly different from his former silky black locks, which had always behaved. Now, his hair seemed determined to stick up in odd directions.
"No... you look good," Ino muttered, turning away as a blush crept across her cheeks.
"Hmm..." Hinata leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied him intently.
"What is it?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
"There's something different about you... other than your hair," Hinata murmured.
"I think I'm a bit taller," Naruto offered.
"No... it's not that..." Hinata gasped.
"What is it?" Ino turned quickly, alarmed by Hinata's tone.
Hinata poked Naruto's cheek with her finger. "They're gone!"
"Oh... that," Naruto said, realizing what she meant. He rarely paid attention to his reflection and had forgotten about their disappearance.
Ino's eyes widened. "The fox marks..."
"They're gone, yes," Naruto confirmed.
Hinata's expression remained curious, but Naruto could see the understanding dawning on Ino's face.
"We should hurry to the Hokage's office," Ino said, her tone suddenly serious.
She hadn't forgotten the day she had ventured into Naruto's mind and discovered... things. Among them, was the comment he had made about "absorbing" the Kyūbi within himself.
At the time, it had seemed absurd, almost like a joke. But with the disappearance of the fox marks and what Naruto was capable of, it no longer seemed so far-fetched.
And now, she couldn't help but worry about how the village leaders would react to this news.
If Naruto had done something to the Kyūbi, she was certain of one thing: he hadn't consulted anyone about it first.
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"About time you made it here..."
Tsunade's voice greeted them as they entered the office. She was seated at her desk, looking as though her patience had worn thin. Still, there was a glimmer of amusement in her expression.
"Well, come in. I've already waited long enough." She waved dismissively at Lee and Kiba. "You two may leave. Submit your written reports to my secretary tomorrow morning."
Ino closed the door as the two boys departed, leaving Naruto, Hinata, and herself alone with Tsunade and Shizune.
"Naruto, welcome back," Shizune said warmly.
"It looks like you've grown a bit," Tsunade commented.
"I suppose I have," Naruto replied, knowing she wasn't just referring to his height.
"Lady Tsunade, about the mission..." Ino began.
"I've been briefed. Those two already gave me the rundown," Tsunade said.
"And the ANBU…?" Hinata asked hesitantly.
"Our guest has been secured again...for now, at least," Tsunade sighed. She knew the council would be on her case about this, as they had after the first incident.
"You two may go now. Submit your reports tomorrow. I'd like a private conversation with our returning hero," Tsunade said, gesturing toward the door.
Ino hesitated, reluctant to leave. She wanted to ensure Naruto wouldn't get into trouble, but she couldn't disobey a direct order.
Hinata also seemed unhappy at the thought of leaving Naruto's side.
"For Kami's sake, you can see him later!" Tsunade said, exasperated at their hesitation. "This won't take long."
With visible reluctance, the two girls bowed and left the office.
"So..." Tsunade said, pretending to look around the room. "Where's the pervert?"
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