Naruto approached Henry with a gentle, yet direct, expression. "What about you, Henry?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying the weight of understanding. He could sense that something was still bothering his friend. As he walked closer, he sent a wave of golden chakra toward him, its soothing energy flowing through the air.
Naruto could feel the unsettling tension around Henry—though Tesla appeared to be resting more peacefully now, Henry's heart wasn't at ease. The empathic abilities Naruto had developed, enhanced by his chakra's natural resonance with hope and positivity, allowed him to perceive the emotional storm inside his young friend. It wasn't just Tesla's nightmares troubling Henry; there was something deeper in his thoughts, something weighing heavily on him.
Henry, gently stroking Tesla's head as he lay in his arms, sighed before answering. "I was just thinking of talking to him and maybe having Suzie help out. Tesla's just a child and he needs emotional support to get over this… traumatizing moment." His voice carried a tinge of sadness. He glanced down at his partner, relieved to see the Digimon sleeping more peacefully now, but there was still an underlying sense of guilt in Henry's eyes. "I didn't expect him to react like that. I thought he was stronger…"
Yeong, who had been quietly observing, stepped in with her usual sharp insight. "Tesla's reaction was so severe because he saw Black Gabumon's real face. He's still so young, and that kind of shock hits hard. To help him, it's best to take him somewhere with a more natural setting, like a flower garden or a peaceful outdoor area. He may love technology, but nature is his true home." She paused for a moment, then added, "You're too focused on the future, Henry. Tesla in the present needs comfort now, not more stimulation from artificial environments. You've been thinking about taking him to the lab, but that might not be what he needs right now."
Henry blinked in realization as Yeong's words sank in. He had been so absorbed in preparing Tesla for future challenges, he had failed to recognize the need for grounding him in the present. His partner, despite being so in tune with technology, was still a child with deep emotional needs—needs that Henry had overlooked in his ambition to move forward.
"Well," Henry began, his tone softer now, "that's a good plan. I'll bring Kari along too. She's always good with helping others feel better, especially in nature. That should improve the chances." There was a hint of relief in his voice now, as if the weight of his earlier guilt had been lifted. "Thanks, Yeong. I'll make sure to handle it better from now on."
The group fell into a comfortable silence for a moment as Henry stood up, carefully adjusting Tesla in his arms to make sure he was still comfortable. His thoughts felt clearer now, the fog of self-doubt dissipating with the support of his friends. Despite the mistakes he had made, he was determined to do right by Tesla.
"I'll take my leave now," Henry said with a grateful smile, his voice steadier. "Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll see you later."
As he turned to leave, Naruto nodded in understanding, sending him a reassuring glance. "Good luck, Henry. You're not alone in this. We're all here to help."
Henry gave a small wave before leaving the room, feeling more at peace than when he had entered. The future was still uncertain, but he knew he wasn't walking it alone.
Yeong's voice broke the silence as she glanced at Naruto, uncertainty evident in her expression. "Naruto, will you still continue?" she asked, her words reflecting the unease she felt now that half of the team appeared to be struggling or unusable. She had been doing her best, but the challenge of managing such a diverse and emotionally complex group was weighing on her.
Naruto, however, remained calm and confident. His gaze was steady as he met her eyes, the usual warmth in his smile reassuring. "We will continue, and we will go together. Trust us, we'll get through this easily. We intend to go beyond everyone, so these small things cannot stop us." His words were firm, filled with determination. He looked at Yeong, a genuine sense of gratitude in his eyes. "Regardless, you've done an excellent job. I'm really impressed with your decisions and advice. You actually surprised me today with everything you handled."
Yeong felt a small flush of pride at Naruto's praise, but her response was humble. "I was just doing my job," she replied softly, her hands clasped in front of her as she stood slightly apart from him. Despite her modesty, the compliment from someone like Naruto—who was known for his leadership and experience—meant a lot to her.
Naruto smiled even more, his tone warm as he spoke. "You did better than others, and you didn't show the wrong emotions. You're a good person and an excellent assistant. I really look forward to your assistance in the Digital World." With that, he took her hand and pulled her into a hug, an action that was as familiar to him as breathing.
Yeong was momentarily startled, but then she relaxed into his embrace, the warmth and genuine gratitude from him soothing her. It felt nice to be held, and she couldn't help but appreciate the simple act of kindness. It wasn't just because of the situation; it was because Naruto had always been someone who gave his trust and affection freely to those who earned it. And Yeong, in this moment, felt like she had earned that trust.
Naruto's hug wasn't something that was meant to be romantic or overly emotional, but it was comforting all the same. It was just the way he was—open, affectionate, and unguarded. They had spent more time together over the past week, joining group outings, talking, and working as a team. In that time, Naruto had become accustomed to showing affection, and it had been a way to help Rika—who was still learning to understand his touchy nature—adjust to his presence and the way he expressed himself.
For Rika, the situation had been tricky at first. At the beginning, she would frown or even become defensive when Naruto showed affection to others, especially when it came to his hugs. However, over time, Rika had come to accept it. She understood that Naruto's kindness and physical affection weren't meant to be romantic gestures—it was just who he was. Rika had grown used to seeing him hug others, even if, at times, it still sparked a bit of jealousy.
But this hug with Yeong was different. It lingered longer than usual, and Rika's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched. The sight stirred a mix of emotions in her, and she found herself feeling a little uneasy.
A cough from Rika broke the moment. "Naruto, please," Yeong muttered, her voice tinged with embarrassment. She had completely forgotten about Rika's presence, lost in the moment. The blush on her cheeks deepened, and she quickly stepped back from Naruto.
Naruto, noticing Rika's discomfort, grinned playfully and teasingly replied, "Oh, I thought you wanted more." With that, he let go of Yeong and moved back to Rika's side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to calm her. It was his usual way of diffusing any tension, though his teasing tone had a way of making the situation lighter.
Relationships, whether friendships or something more, were never easy. They required effort from everyone involved. Naruto was well aware of the delicate balance that had to be maintained, especially when it came to the emotional needs of those around him. He knew that his gestures of affection, while innocent, could be misinterpreted, and that everyone had their own way of processing emotions.
As she watched the two interact, Yeong couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. For a moment, she had allowed herself to fantasize about something that could never be—an idea that would lead to nothing but disappointment. Rika was important to Naruto, and she was not the one who could fit into that space. She had to remind herself of the boundaries.
Rika's family might never accept her, and even if they did, the consequences could be far worse than she could imagine.
Rika's family might make her disappear.
Yeong's mind wandered, and the more she thought about it, the more she found herself caught in the whirlwind of rumors that had spread about Naruto. The world had become obsessed with his relationships, turning his personal life into a spectacle. What had once been something private had blown up into something that no one could ignore.
Naruto's connection with Kari, along with the four maids who were undeniably stronger than him and his Digimon, had sparked a firestorm. News outlets, social media, and even the streets were abuzz with the details of his life. People had labeled him all sorts of things—some called him a lunatic, others a madlad, while a darker faction labeled him a manwhore and a pervert. It was clear that his relationships—especially with two women from powerful clans—were seen by many as brazen and scandalous.
But amidst the backlash, there was a certain admiration as well. Many were impressed by his boldness and his confidence. He had managed to win the hearts of not just one, but several strong and influential women. That kind of attention was intoxicating, and it gave him a sort of power that many envied.
Still, it wasn't all praise. There were those who felt slighted, who saw Naruto's actions as a personal affront to their idols or to their own ideals of what was "proper." Jealousy ran rampant, and rumors about his exploits only fueled the fire. It was clear that some people saw Naruto's relationships as a challenge to their own desires or power, believing that by aligning themselves with him or enticing him, they could gain some of his power and influence.
Yeong found herself trapped in this cycle of thoughts, the rumors swirling in her mind. 'Maybe… maybe I could find a way in?' she thought, briefly entertaining the possibility. But the rational part of her quickly shut it down. She hadn't even spoken to Naruto about his relationships, and here she was, already assuming things about him based on the public's perception.
As much as she tried to reason with herself, it was hard not to wonder. The others were closer to him—Rika, Kari, and his maids. They were already part of his life, and they were far more experienced than she was. She didn't have the same depth of connection with Naruto, at least not in the same way they did. She could feel her insecurities creeping up as she compared herself to the others. They were strong, capable, and confident—qualities she admired, but ones she felt she lacked.
'All of them are better than me,' Yeong thought bitterly, her own self-doubt creeping in. She tried to silence the voice in her head that told her she wasn't enough, but it was hard when the comparison seemed so obvious. 'It's better to look at my level before looking at the stars and making a fool out of myself.'
Her thoughts faltered, and she sighed, trying to shake off the feeling of inadequacy. She had to remind herself that Naruto had never asked for any of this to become public knowledge. He hadn't orchestrated the rumors, and he certainly hadn't used his relationships to manipulate or control anyone.
Yeong knew that the gossip, the labels, and the assumptions weren't her reality—they were just the world's view of things. And right now, she needed to focus on what was real and what she could control. What mattered was her role in the team and the work she was doing. She couldn't afford to let herself be distracted by the whims of the outside world, especially when it came to something as delicate as her feelings toward Naruto.
For now, she would keep her thoughts to herself and focus on being the best assistant she could be. The future was still uncertain, and there was much work to be done. As much as her mind wandered, she knew that dwelling on such things would only hinder her progress. She had to stay grounded, and for now, that meant ignoring the noise of the rumors and focusing on the task at hand.