Chapter 24

I exited my mindscape and carried Fukasaku home.

"What happened to him?"

"He was just a little bit to shocked. He will wake up in an hour or so."

"What happened that he got so shocked?"

"You can ask him when he wakes up. Say can you bring me back to Konoha."

"Why, did you forget something?"

"Nah, my training is finished."

"Don't lie to me. There is no way you could master it so fast."

I stood still.

<Sage Mode>

*THUNK*

'Did she really pas out of shock. How troublesome. Wait, wasn't there a portal that could bring me back to Konoha.' 

I told a shadow clone to search for it. I brought the pair to their bed. 

'I hope they can keep quiet. I don't want to show all my cards especially since I haven't even mastered it.'

I got the memories back from my clone with the location of the portal. I took out a pen and paper. I wrote: 

I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly but I'm thankful for your help. I have found a way to return home so don't worry about me. If there is ever something you need my help with, feel free to reach out to me. 

-Naruto Uzumaki

'That should be good enough.'

I went to the portal. 

'Here goes nothing.'

I jumped inside it. I arrived at the edge of the forest and before anyone could see me I body flickered home.

All my clones dispelled. I didn't expect to learn Sage Mode so easily. But I'm far from perfecting it. Right now I need about 20 seconds to enter Sage Mode. That makes it useless in a battle. 

The last part of the chunin exam will start in 3 weeks. That is also when Suna will attack. I need to be strong enough when that happens.

I can use Naruto's trick to prolonge the time I can use Sage Mode If I already have clones prepared I won't need to wait those 20 seconds. But I can't rely on that. I will try to improve it tomorrow. 

It's 5 pm now. Let's see if Hinata wants to meet up. I have a seal on Hinata and Shikamaru that we use to send messages to each other. I sent a message to Hinata asking if she can meetup.

I immediately got a reply saying that she will be ready in 20 min. I told her that I'll pick her up at her house. Her father already knows about us. I still laugh about the day he found out.

After we became a thing I asked her if I could see her father. She didn't understand why but she took me anyways.

[Flashback 1 week ago]

"Why have you brought your teammate here Hinata?"

"He wanted to see you father."

"What do you want?"

"I just came here to tell you about something."

I grabbed Hinata and kissed her.

"You brat what do you think you're doing!"

"I came to tell you that Hinata is mine. If I ever find her crying again because of you, don't expect me to be merciful."

I leaked some killing intent, but he didn't seem fazed.

"You brat dare threaten me!"

"I'm not threatening you, it's a warning. Hope you remember it."

I looked at Hinata.

"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. So when someone wants to hurt you come to me."

I looked back at her father.

"I don't want to have a bad relationship with you, but you tossed her away because she couldn't hurt her little sister. You're a failure as a father. I hope you know what you did wrong and try bettering your relationship with your daughter."

He looked at us contemplatingly.

'She has changed a lot. She never stutters and is way less shy. It must be his doing. Naruto Uzumaki the container for the Demon Fox. He has grown up interestingly.  But I can't just yield to him.'

"You have a lot of guts to talk to me like that. do you want to die."

"No father please don't. He didn't mean it."

"Don't worry Hinata, I can handle it. I meant every word."

Our distance was 1 meter and we are both sitting. 

<Shadow Clone>

Before he realized it there was a shadow clone behind him. He got kicked on his side and sent flying into the wall. Hearing the commotion the guards entered. Seeing me by their clan leaders side who was stuck in a wall, they tried to attack me. But Hinata held them off. 

"You should take my warnings more seriously. If you make her sad one more time I will destroy you."

"Naruto pls stop."

She started crying.

'I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have beaten her father in front of her.'

I hugged her.

"I'm sorry Hinata. I went too far."

Her father stood up and started walking towards us. He stood in front of Hinata.

"I'm sorry Hinata. I neglected my duty as a father and always acted as a clan leader. I can't imagine how much you have suffered. I'm truly sorry for all that I have done."

He hugged her. 

'Damn, I think he hit his head too hard.'

He looked at me. 

"Naruto Uzumaki, I approve of you marrying my daughter."

"What, father!"

"Thank you, father-in-law. I will come and ask for her hand when we are old enough."

"Naruto!" 

"You're pretty weird, you know."

"What?"

"I insulted and threatened you, I even kicked you in the wall. But instead of fighting back, you gave me your daughter."

"I guess when I hit the wall I woke up and completely understood your words."

"Or you think that by marrying your daughter to me your clan will become stronger. But I've got bad news for you. She will be marrying into my family."

"What! You dare."

"I do, bye."

<Body Flicker>

'Naruto Uzumaki, I don't know what you' after, but when I find out, I'll kill you!'

He looked at the guards. 

"I better not hear a word about this, now leave."

All the guards hurried away.

'If I killed him now the Hokage would come after me. I need to let him make his move first.'

[Flashback end]