Naruto; Emperor

Naruto or Haruto?

Inuzuka Kiba asked Team 7, "Who is that?"

Sakura shrugged, "No idea. He traveled with us to Konoha to...see something? I don't know,"

Sai answered, "He was introduced to us as 'Naruto' but somehow Hinata-san knew him as 'Haruto',"

Sasuke frowned, "So which is his real name?"

Aburame Shino noted, "Suspicious,"

Yuuhi Kurenai looked at Kakashi in confusion, taking note of the young Samurai retainer and the elusive Aoshi who sometimes been seen coming in and out of the Hokage's office. Kakashi did nothing as the strange boy who appeared to have two names interacted with her Genin.

Naruto fell silent as he stared at his friend. Hinata fell silent as she waited for him to say something. She then realized after a while of awkwardly staring at each other that he's not going to say anything so she tilted her head and politely asked, "Is there something wrong, Haruto-san?"

Naruto absentmindedly blurted, "Oh, nothing! I just think that you've grown prettier, that's all!" He then blushed as her pale eyes widened, "No! I mean...! I don't mean to say you're not because you are and-and-and..." He blushed a brighter red while the golden mark on his temple seemed to flash as his hair sparked with golden lightning, "I mean you are pretty..." He lamely finished.

Hinata kept a straight face, "Are you done?"

Naruto desperately begged, "Yes please,"

Thunder rumbled in the distant despite the clear weather.

Hinata stared him down for a moment before her lips started trembling and little giggles bubbled out of her throat, popping the tension that Naruto had unknowingly pulled taut. Realizing that Hinata had just pranked him, he relaxed and chuckled before laughing at his own silliness. The two shared a moment of enjoying her little prank before she blushed and thanked him, "I don't really think I'm that pretty. I think I'm pretty average but...thank you,"

Naruto blinked before chuckling and rubbing his neck in embarrassment from tripping on his words. He hasn't done that after finally escaping his royal tutors years ago. He caught Soujiro knowing look and Aoshi raised brow. Resigning to being gossiped by his Oniwaban at being a totally lame teenager, he asked her, "Are you well?"

Hinata smiled, "I am. How are you? I hope the Capital had done you good?"

Naruto shrugged, "I left about a year later and has been traveling since,"

Hinata gasped, "Really? Where all have you been to?"

Naruto tilted his head as he goes over the places he's been to, "Well...around. One of the first places I go to was Mount Myoboku. I'll never be able to look at a caterpillar and not now how they taste," He chuckled as her face that so clearly wanted to express disgust but she's too polite to express it, "It's okay. The toads are actually good cooks. It's just that...visually and texture-wise...it's not appealing at all. Especially when they decided to pair it with fat crickets and...other...I'll stop talking," He shuddered from the memories of his time on the sacred mountain.

Hinata nodded, not knowing what to say to that as she had never ate caterpillars paired with crickets.

Kakashi coughed and excused himself, "I'll go ahead and report to the Hokage, if you don't mind?"

Naruto blinked at his request and nodded, "Oh, yeah, sure!"

He distractedly waved at Team 7 as they passed him by. Sakura stole a few more glances as the mysterious blond interacted with Hinata. She has a feeling that it will be quite the story to share with Ino should she meet the girl next. Unlike Team 8, Team 10 was a lot more relaxed on missions and training so Sakura can easily meet up with her rival for love. She knew Hinata has feeling for the other Naruto but that guy has been missing for a long time. Surely it's time for her to move on? Besides, this one seemed a lot cooler than the Naruto in her memory. Well, as long as Hinata doesn't suddenly pine after her Sasuke, Sakura was all for cheering for love!