Naruto: The Ridiculously Talented Uzumaki

Chapter 353 - 354: Opportunity

Chapter 354: Opportunity

The excitement of the festival continued, with lantern light reflecting on every smiling face.

The small group consisting of Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Karin, Hikari, and Hanabi continued to move slowly through the bustling crowd, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

From time to time, people on the road would greet Naruto.

They also ran into Nawaki and Tsunade.

Kato Dan and the others’ bodies had already been sent to Orochimaru for maintenance; if all else failed, they could wait until their Souls were rescued and then switch to new bodies.

None of them mentioned those who had repeatedly lived and died, so as not to ruin the current atmosphere.

After a few brief words of conversation, the two groups went their separate ways.

However, Hyuga Hanabi, walking slightly ahead, had her small brows slightly furrowed, seemingly preoccupied.

She looked back from time to time, her gaze passing over Naruto—who was surrounded by Hinata, Ino, and Karin—and finally landing on Uchiha Hikari, who followed quietly behind Naruto like a shadow.

A flash of cunning and realization crossed Hanabi’s eyes.

She suddenly stopped, turned around, and faced Naruto and Hikari behind him.

"Big Brother Naruto!"

Hanabi’s crisp voice caught everyone’s attention.

Naruto stopped and looked down at Hanabi with questioning eyes: "What’s wrong, little Hanabi? Still want to play something?"

Hikari also glanced over slightly, looking at Hanabi calmly.

A perfectly timed look of slight worry appeared on Hanabi’s face. She first blinked at Naruto, then at Hikari behind him, and spoke in a tone that was a bit downcast yet full of concern:

"To be honest... I’m a bit worried about Papa."

She paused, her gaze looking toward a certain direction in the festival crowd.

"When we were coming over just now, I think I saw Papa sitting over there drinking alone, and his expression... didn’t look very happy."

Hanabi looked up, using those pure Byakugan eyes to look at Naruto with a plea:

"I want to go see him. To keep him company and talk to him. Is that okay?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a look of worry immediately appeared on Hinata’s face nearby. She also remembered her father’s previous melancholy state: "Father..."

Ino and Karin looked at each other. Why was Uncle Hiashi unhappy?

So hard to guess!

However, Naruto’s reaction seemed as if he had anticipated this.

No surprise showed on his face; instead, he and Uchiha Hikari behind him shared a very quick glance.

This was a scene that had been "discussed" with Hanabi beforehand.

"I see..."

Naruto feigned contemplation, then nodded, saying in a tone of’since you’re worried, then go ahead’:

"Then let Sister Hikari take you. She has a good sense of direction, she’s calm, and she’s very strong. I’ll feel at ease if she accompanies you to find Uncle Hiashi."

He turned and said to Hikari: "Hikari, please accompany Hanabi for a bit. Stay safe."

"Mm."

Hikari replied concisely, stepped forward, and naturally took Hanabi’s small hand.

This series of arrangements and reactions was smooth and seamless.

This made the three girls—Hinata, Ino, and Karin—feel a bit strange.

It was normal for Hanabi to worry about her father and go look for him, but why did Naruto specifically designate Hikari to go?

And between Hikari and Hanabi, they felt like there was some "little secret" they didn’t know about?

But before they could think deeply or raise questions, Hikari had already led Hanabi away, nodding slightly to Naruto and the three girls before turning to nimbly blend into the crowd. They headed in a direction slightly different from the main road and soon disappeared into the dim light.

Hikari knew very well.

This mission to "take Hanabi to find her father" was actually a "little scheme" that Hanabi and Naruto had devised in advance.

The purpose was not just for Hanabi to see Hiashi, but also to give Naruto more energy to do things.

She knew that on the scales in Naruto’s heart, Hinata, Ino, Karin, Hanabi, and herself all held their own unique and important positions.

But she also understood that in the future, the one who would spend more time by Naruto’s side would only be her.

Whether it was the upcoming dangerous journey or the long-term companionship and protection in the future, her abilities and role determined this.

Therefore, she was in no hurry to fight for a chance to be alone with Naruto or show off in a crowded setting like tonight’s festival.

Just like the sentence Naruto told her when he was persuading her, which she deeply agreed with:

"Flowing water does not compete to be first; it competes for its endless flow."

Hikari didn’t need to fight for a momentary advantage.

What she possessed was a longer future, a quieter companionship, and a deeper tacit understanding.

Letting Hinata and the others spend more time with Naruto tonight and enjoy this warm pre-war time was not a loss to her.

The time to be alone with Naruto...

Was still to come!

Holding Hanabi’s hand, the corners of Hikari’s mouth curled into an almost imperceptible, faint smile.

After leaving the main group and walking onto a relatively quiet fork in the road, the surrounding noise subsided slightly.

Hanabi immediately reverted to her quirky and mischievous self.

She let go of Hikari’s hand and instead suddenly hugged one of Hikari’s legs, hanging on her like a koala. She looked up with her small face, giggling with a cunning smile:

"Hehe, Sister Hikari, after we play a bit, should we go up to the Hokage Rock?"

She lowered her voice as if sharing a huge secret:

"If you watch the fireworks from there, it’s an excellent spot! The view is super good! And..."

Hanabi leaned into Hikari’s ear and said in a whisper:

"Big Brother Naruto made an appointment with me to meet up there at nine-thirty!"

Hanabi wanting to find her father wasn’t entirely an excuse.

She had indeed keenly noticed the flash of loneliness and complexity in her father Hiashi’s expression before the festival when he saw Naruto helping her and her sister tie their sashes.

She was worried about her father’s state and wanted to see him and keep him company; this was heartfelt filial piety.

But at the same time, this perfectly formed the "reason" for her and Hikari to leave temporarily and create an opportunity to meet Naruto alone on the Hokage Rock later.

Her and Hikari’s plan was to first go find Hiashi together, check on his situation, talk to him, and comfort the old father.

Then, the two of them could stroll and play in other less crowded areas of the festival.

When the time approached nine-thirty, they would quietly head to the Hokage Rock and meet Naruto, who would arrive on time, to enjoy the festival’s grandest fireworks display from that excellent position.

In this way, Hanabi both took care of her father’s emotions, fulfilling her concern as a daughter, and left enough space for Naruto and the others.

Little Hanabi’s cleverness was evident.

Hikari looked down at Hanabi, who was hanging on her leg with bright eyes, and gently patted her head.

She really was cute; no wonder Naruto liked taking her out so much.

"Alright, I’ll listen to you."

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