You can consider this chapter to be chapter 37 or just part of the Special Chapter. This chapter will be a part of volume 2.
While Volume 2 will begin much later after this special event.
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In the washroom, two girls, both admirers of Naruto, were deep in conversation while checking their appearances in the mirror.
"Have you heard the latest gossip?" One girl asked while her eyes fixed on her reflection as she adjusted her hair.
"No, what is it?" The other girl responded, pausing her makeup application to listen.
"It's about Naruto-kun. There's talk going around that he might have a secret girlfriend," The first girl revealed.
The second girl stopped her makeup routine abruptly. Her eyes widened in surprise upon hearing her friend's words. "Really? Is that true?" She asked in a serious tone.
"I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. It's just what I've heard around." The first girl admitted. She sounded uncertain. She knew that rumors were often just rumors.
But maybe there was a hint of truth in those rumors. After all, ever since Naruto joined the Academy, more than 100 girls had confessed their love to him. And the number was only increasing. Naruto politely rejected each of them. So a rumor began to circulate that Naruto might have a secret girlfriend that he is loyal to.
The first girl seemed thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. "You know, even if it's true, I think we should probably not get our hopes up too high. Naruto-kun is always around those four amazing girls from our Academy. They're known as the 'four flowers.' They're not only popular but also really pretty. Compared to them, we don't really stand a chance," She sounded a bit disheartened but her words were realistic.
The first girl nodded in agreement. She understood the gap between them and the well-known girls of the Academy. It was clear to them that, amidst the school's social circles, they were just ordinary students, and pursuing someone like Naruto, who was always in the company of such popular and beautiful girls, seemed like an impossible dream.
The sound of the bathroom door startled the two gossiping girls. They were even more surprised seeing Sarada. Sarada didn't pay any attention to them. She just washed her hands, dried them with a tissue, and left the bathroom.
Sarada couldn't help but wonder why she felt so annoyed by the conversation she had overheard. She had intentionally stayed behind to listen to what the girls were saying about Naruto. Deep down, she was curious about the rumors involving him.
As she stepped out of the washroom, she was taken aback to see Naruto waiting for her.
"Sara-chan, we need to talk. Please come with me." Without waiting for her response, he gently took her by the arm and led her away from the area. After being here for over 3 months, Naruto felt that he knew what kind of person Sarada was.
Naruto knew that as long as his mother wasn't around, he could skip classes using his Shadow Clone Jutsu without anyone noticing. His mother had a unique ability to tell if he was using a clone, but in her absence, he had the freedom to move around unnoticed. This allowed him to have this private moment with Sarada.
In a secluded corner of the school grounds, Naruto and Sarada stood alone. The area was quiet and undisturbed. This area was Naruto's favorite spot for some peace during the busy school day. Sometimes he would come here and spend a few hours alone relaxing.
"Why did you bring me here?" Sarada asked in a somewhat stern tone.
She knew arguing or showing frustration over how Naruto addressed her was pointless. Deep down, she didn't really mind being called 'Sara-chan'. In fact, she loved the way he gently called her 'Sara-chan'. Each time he said it, her heart would flutter. However, she found it a bit too informal and childish for their age, which embarrassed her.
Naruto looked at her with a sincere expression. "Sara-chan, I want you to join our trip."
Hmph!!!!!
Sarada let out a small snort while folding her arms across her chest and turning her head away in a display of feigned disinterest. Yet, Naruto found this side of her really cute.
"I don't want to go!!!" She responded in a cold tone. Despite what she said, the idea of the trip sparked a faint interest in her. Though she was reluctant to admit it.
Naruto stepped forward. He gently held her chin with his thumb and index finger and made her look at his deep eyes.
"Listen, you're coming with us on this trip. If you don't then I will kiss you right now." Naruto said as he boldly brought his face closer to Sarada's face.
Sarada's face instantly turned red as he brought his face closer to her. Just when their faces were only a few inches away from each other, Sarada's heart began to beat extremely fast and loudly.
"Alright!!! Alright!!!!" With a flushed face, Sarada pushed Naruto away and then turned around to hide her face. She did not want him to see her blushing face.
"I will come." Sarada said in a low tone.
Hearing this Naruto had smiled. He took a step towards her. Bringing his face closer to her right ear, he whispered. "If you don't come then...."
"I will definitely come....!!!" Sarada said with a blushing face. Her face was red as a tomato right now.
Seeing her running away, Naruto smiled. Sarada looked really kawai when she blushed. "After school ends, you have one hour to pack your things. Come to the village entrance."
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Scene change____
And so as soon as the school ended, Naruto and others did not waste any more time. Everyone quickly returned home. After having lunch with Kushina, Naruto said goodbye to Kushina who was strangely smiling at him, and left the house.
Naruto ended up being the first one to arrive.
"It looks like I came too early." Naruto checked the time using his mechanical wristwatch.
However, Naruto did not have to wait for too long as Shikamaru and the other boys started arriving one by one.
"It looks like everyone was arrived. Shall we go leave?" Shikamaru asked Naruto.
Although it wasn't decided yet, Naruto was sort of like the unofficial leader of their group. Everyone listened to his words and seriously took his suggestions.
"About that....!!!" Naruto awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he looked away.
"So mind telling us why are we taking the girls with us? Also, how did they even know about our plan?" Shikamaru asked Naruto in a lazy yet serious tone.
Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, and Shino all were staring at Naruto with questioning gazes. Their plan was supposed to remain somewhat a secret.
It wasn't as if Shikamaru had any problems with the girls joining them. But he felt that bringing the girls along would mean being responsible for them. If anything happens to one of the girls in this journey, then they are going to be held responsible. After all, the girl's parents agreed to send them on this journey because their parents learned that the boys were also going.
Shika and others were here to relax. They weren't going on this journey to be responsible for the girls' safety.
You better have a good explanation for this." Kiba said seriously.
"So it all began with me telling Hinata.....!!!" Naruto explained how all this even reached this point.
"Wait, You're teaching Hinata?" Kiba asked in a shocked tone. Others also looked as shocked as Kiba.
Naruto nodded his head. This matter was going to be revealed to them sooner or later. There was no reason for Naruto or Hinata to hide this fact.
"No wonder why she has suddenly gotten so strong. It was because you have been training here after school almost every single day."
Shika and the other boys felt that things were finally making sense. Before Naruto came, Hinata wasn't at the bottom of the class but she definitely wasn't at the top of the class either. But once Naruto began teaching her, Hinata's changed. Not only did she become more confident when facing her opponent but also she became more courageous and stronger.
In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to call Hinata the 4th strongest in their class.
Hinata easily could have defeated Hanabi and Sarada if she hadn't held back her strength. As for why she was doing this she knew. She did not tell Naruto about this either. This made him wonder if Hanabi knew how strong Hinata had grown.
The current Hinata could give a pretty good fight to Jonin like Kurenai. This Hinata was way stronger than the 12 years old Hinata back in Naruto's old world.
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