NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Regret
Haruno Sakura stood frozen in shock. Was this really the Naruto she knew? The Naruto who used to never fight back when she hit him? The one who, despite her scolding, never dared to argue? Yet now, not only had he blocked her punch—he had the audacity to kiss Hinata boldly and without hesitation!
But… hadn't he always liked her? Sakura's emotions churned in confusion. She had always harbored feelings for Sasuke, but Naruto's constant affection had been something of a certainty in her life, even if she had never fully acknowledged it. Now, that unwavering attention seemed to have vanished, and with it came a strange, hollow ache in her chest. Was it regret? Loss? She wasn't sure.
Meanwhile, Naruto was entirely unaware of Sakura's turmoil. His focus was solely on Hinata. In this moment, he wanted to lift her up and shout for the world to hear: "This is my wife! What's wrong with me kissing her?"
The awkward silence thickened as everyone stared, unsure of what to say. Kakashi, ever the diplomat, stepped forward to diffuse the tension. "Alright, alright," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Naruto's probably just been under too much stress lately chasing Sasuke. Let's not linger here. We need to move quickly if we're going to catch up to him. Kiba, can you lock onto Sasuke's scent again?"
Naruto blinked as Kakashi's words brought him back to reality. That's right—he wasn't just here to reunite with his friends. He had a mission, a purpose. He had been given a second chance, a chance to change the ninja world, to prepare for the Otsutsuki threat, and to fix the regrets of his past.
Speaking of regrets, Naruto's thoughts turned to Neji. His expression softened as he looked at Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei," he asked, "Neji… he's on a mission with Gai-sensei right now, isn't he?"
Kakashi blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden question. "Yeah," he replied. "Gai is leading Team Three on a mission outside the village. Why do you ask?"
A wave of relief and joy washed over Naruto, and he clenched his fist triumphantly, tears welling in his eyes. "That's great! That's amazing!" he exclaimed.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Naruto's uncharacteristic reaction, but before he could ask, Hinata stepped forward, her eyes full of concern. Gently, she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the tears streaming down Naruto's face.
Naruto turned to her with a smile that radiated warmth. Taking her hand in his, he said, "Thank you, Hinata. From today onward, I swear I'll protect you. I'll never let you get hurt again."
Hinata froze, her face turning crimson. Her heart raced as she tried to process what Naruto had just said. A kiss was one thing, but this—this was a heartfelt confession, one that felt so sudden, so overwhelming. Unease began to creep into her mind. Pulling away slightly, she gathered her courage and asked, "But Naruto-kun… you've always liked Sakura, haven't you? Why do you suddenly… like me? I'm not special. I cry too much, I've made so many mistakes, and I don't have any remarkable qualities. Why would someone like me deserve your protection?"
Her voice trembled as she spoke, fear and self-doubt laced in every word. Deep down, she feared this was all too good to be true—a fleeting dream that would shatter if she held onto it too tightly.
Naruto's eyes softened as he listened. He remembered that pivotal moment during the battle with Pain—when Hinata had stepped forward, risking her life to protect him, declaring her love without hesitation. That memory was etched into his heart.
Smiling, Naruto leaned closer, his voice gentle yet filled with conviction. "Of course I know, Hinata."
He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "You've always been someone who cries easily, someone who wanted to give up whenever things got tough. There were times you lost your way… but you always found your path again. And you know why? Because you were chasing after someone. You were chasing after me."
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching as Naruto's words resonated deeply within her.
"You've always tried to catch up to me, to stand beside me, to be someone I could rely on. You've watched over me, supported me, even when I didn't realize it. And for that, Hinata, I am so grateful."
Naruto reached out, gently taking both of her hands in his. His gaze was tender yet unwavering. "Thank you, Hinata. Thank you for loving me so much. And I want you to know—I love you just as much."
Hinata's heart overflowed with emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she threw herself into Naruto's arms, holding him tightly. "Naruto-kun!" she cried, her voice trembling with joy.
Naruto embraced her just as tightly, his heart brimming with happiness. This was why he had been given a second chance—not just to rewrite the future, but to hold onto what truly mattered.
He had crossed the barriers of time and space, endured countless trials, and now, as he held Hinata in his arms, he vowed to cherish her and protect her with every fiber of his being.
The world around them seemed to blur, the onlookers too stunned to speak. Even Kakashi, always the voice of reason, could only manage a twitch of his lips as he muttered under his breath, "I'm really starting to think Naruto might've hit his head after all."