Naruto: The Forest's Chosen (Mori Mori No Mi)

"Damn it!"

"What the hell, Akamaru, you bastard!"

"You actually attacked me while I was distracted?!"

Kiba's composure completely crumbled.

Akamaru just barked, eyes wild.

The moment Kiba tried to catch his breath, Akamaru lunged at him like a mad dog.

"Hey—!"

"What's going on with you?!"

"I didn't do anything to deserve this!"

Kiba scrambled back, dodging the incoming tackle.

But then, something strange happened.

Just as Akamaru prepared to pounce again, he suddenly froze—ears twitching as if sensing something.

He sharply turned his head and locked eyes with Naruto.

His eyes, once blank and frenzied, snapped into focus. The madness vanished, leaving clarity behind.

Akamaru's tail wagged as he padded over to Naruto, rubbing affectionately against his leg.

Naruto blinked, caught off guard. He looked up at the eerie red Mangekyō moon in the sky, and everything clicked.

"…So that's what this is."

Kiba, meanwhile, rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand like a cat, muttering, "Man, I wish I had a cat instead…"

He glanced at Akamaru, confused. "What's with you today, huh? Why are you being all cuddly with Naruto?"

"Whatever. At least you're not acting like Tamaki."

"You're on the cat side now, huh?" Shino said flatly. "So, Naruto, are you Team Dog?"

Naruto blinked. That was the first time he noticed Shino was here.

Wait—wasn't this a Limited Tsukuyomi illusion?

"I could ask you the same," Naruto muttered. "What are you doing here all by yourself?"

"Planning to hook up with some fox spirit or something?"

The mood shifted.

Hinata stepped forward, Byakugan already active. Her gaze locked onto Naruto, intense and suspicious.

The big sister energy she gave off was unmistakable.

But her face was just a little red.

"Today's Naruto… looks even more handsome~"

She grabbed him by the collar, their faces just inches apart.

"Spill it. What are you hiding?"

Naruto stared back at her serious expression, which was trying so hard to look threatening—and failed.

In this Limited Tsukuyomi world, Hinata wasn't the same shy girl.

She was temperamental. Assertive.

And yet…

The closer she got to Naruto, the more her irritation faded into calm.

It was like her whole world settled when he was near.

Even she seemed confused by the sudden serenity.

Naruto smiled faintly, reaching up to brush something from the corner of her mouth. "This lip color suits you."

Then he leaned in, looking into her pale lavender eyes.

"Less purple today. Are you trying not to overdo it so it matches your vibe?"

His tone was teasing, but gentle.

He patted her head.

"You hungry?"

"Let's grab something to eat first."

If it were the Hinata from the real world, even now—after all the growth she'd gone through—her face would've turned crimson.

But this Hinata, from the illusion?

She still blushed.

And immediately tried to cover it up with another burst of attitude.

Naruto reached out and gently grabbed her hand.

And she instinctively wrapped both arms around his.

She turned her head away, mumbling, "Hmph. I guess I can't say no. Where are we eating?"

"Today's Naruto feels… different," she muttered under her breath. "I kind of like it."

"Oi, shut it!" she snapped suddenly, glaring at Shino.

Shino just raised a hand and adjusted his glasses coolly.

So I wasn't ignored, he thought.

Faced with her glare, Shino and Kiba stopped where they were.

Hinata, now smiling to herself, pulled Naruto forward.

They walked together into the heart of Konoha.

"I say—!"

"Choji! Let's hit the yakiniku place~!"

A cheerful voice rang out in the distance.

Naruto stopped walking.

Hinata tilted her head. Normally, she might've gotten jealous again—but right now, she felt unusually at peace.

She just tightened her grip on Naruto's arm, holding him closer.

Naruto turned to her with a small smile, and noticed her coat had come undone.

"It's chilly tonight," he said, buttoning it up for her.

Hinata blinked. She didn't move. She just watched him finish, warmth blooming in her chest.

"The barbecue place is great. All-you-can-eat for only 1,500 ryō!" a familiar voice added.

"If we split it three ways... hang on, let me calculate…" said Nara Shikamaru, eyes narrowed in thought.

"Five hundred ryō," said a slimmed-down Akimichi Choji, looking resigned.

"I still don't get why we go to buffets. I don't eat much. It's not worth it."

Shikamaru looked like he was about to explode. He grabbed Choji by the collar and shouted:

"What are you even saying?!"

"Even if it's just for five people's worth of food, 500 ryō is a steal!"

Choji groaned. "How am I supposed to eat for five people?!"

Just then, a voice like a gentle breeze floated over.

"Hey~ Shikamaru, Choji. Stop arguing already~"

Yamanaka Ino, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, approached with a calm smile.

Naruto smiled to himself.

This version of Ino was still charming in her own way.

With Hinata holding his arm tightly, he walked forward without a word.

"Damn it!"

"What the hell, Akamaru?!"

"You actually attacked me while I was distracted!"

Kiba's composure completely broke down.

Akamaru barked in defiance and lunged again before Kiba could recover.

"Hey!! What's gotten into you?!"

"I don't even want to fight you right now!"

Kiba dodged, avoiding Akamaru's wild charge. But something shifted.

Mid-leap, Akamaru suddenly paused, stiffened—then turned sharply, locking eyes with Naruto.

His previously wild expression cleared. His eyes regained their usual shine, and the feral snarl faded into an affectionate gaze.

With a wag of his tail, he trotted over and gently rubbed against Naruto's leg.

Naruto blinked, confused.

He glanced up at the deep crimson sky, where a magatama-shaped moon loomed overhead.

Ah… so that's it.

"This again..." Naruto muttered under his breath.

Kiba rubbed his face like a sulking cat. "Man, I should've picked a ninja cat instead…"

He glanced at Akamaru, still cuddling up to Naruto. "Huh? What's up with him today? Why's he so obsessed with Naruto?"

"Forget it. At least it's not Tamaki."

"Dog lover or cat lover?" Shino asked, his voice dry.

Naruto was momentarily stunned. He hadn't even noticed Shino was there.

"Oh right… This is a Limited Tsukuyomi," he remembered.

But before he could respond—

"What are you doing here all alone?!"

"You better not be thinking about some vixen!"

A familiar voice rang out. Hinata, eyes blazing with her activated Byakugan, marched over.

The "big sister" aura was strong—commanding, proud—but her cheeks were tinged pink.

"Naruto… You're looking even more handsome today."

Without warning, she grabbed Naruto by the collar, pulling him close until their faces were inches apart.

"Tell me the truth."

She tried to act fierce. But oddly, the moment she got close, her anger dulled. Something about being near him was… calming.

Naruto raised his hand and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. "This shade suits you."

Then he smiled softly.

"Less purple than usual. Not bad."

"Are you worried that eating too much might ruin your image?"

He reached out and patted her head.

"You hungry?"

"Let's go eat first."

In the real world, Hinata—even the current, more confident version—would've turned bright red and panicked.

But in this Tsukuyomi version, she just flushed lightly and tried to act annoyed to hide her embarrassment.

Naruto took her hand.

Hinata froze for a second… then hugged his arm in return.

"Hmph. I guess I can't do anything with you. So, where are we eating?"

"Today's Naruto feels different. Hinata's really into him," Shino remarked dryly.

"Shut it, Shino!" Hinata snapped, glaring.

Shino calmly pushed up his sunglasses, undeterred.

Hinata huffed and pulled Naruto along, walking through the village streets.

Just then—

"I say~!"

"Chōji! Let's go eat barbecue!"

A familiar voice floated from nearby.

Naruto paused.

Hinata, strangely, felt no irritation. Instead, she tightened her grip on his arm and quietly leaned closer.

"It's chilly tonight," Naruto said, gently buttoning up her coat.

Hinata blinked at him but didn't resist, letting him take care of her.

"The barbecue buffet's just 1,500 ryō for all-you-can-eat!"

"If we split it three ways... wait, let me calculate…" said Shikamaru, brow furrowed in mock seriousness.

"Five hundred ryō," answered a slimmed-down Chōji, sighing.

"Still not worth it. I can't eat much. I'd be losing money."

Shikamaru grabbed his collar in mock outrage. "What are you saying?! Even if you only eat for five people, it's worth it!"

Chōji stared at him blankly. "I can't eat that much anymore…"

Before they could continue, a new voice chimed in.

"Ah~ Naruto-kun, Hinata-chan~!"

Ino had arrived, skipping over excitedly.

"If you don't mind, want to come with us?"

Naruto looked at her.

A dark purple crop top, a long lavender skirt down to her ankles…

He could feel Hinata's eyes narrowing beside him.

And then—

"Sakura-chan, you're here too?"

Naruto turned—and immediately froze.

"…Huh?"

Sakura stood nearby, bright pink hair flowing, dazed and swaying.

"Bamboo shoots… Naruto…"

Her voice trailed off before her face flushed completely red and smoke rose from her head.

Ino quickly caught the swooning girl in her arms.

"Sakura-chan, not again."

Shikamaru strolled over hands-in-pockets, followed by Chōji.

"Sakura, you're the daughter of a hero," Chōji said, nodding. "Pull yourself together."

Right. In this Tsukuyomi world, her father is the Fourth Hokage.

"I say, let's hit the barbecue place together!" Shikamaru declared.

But then a new voice interrupted them.

"What are you all yelling about?"

It was Sasuke—cool as ever, hands in his pockets.

In this world, just one look from Sasuke could make any girl fall for him.

And of course, girls immediately flocked to him the moment he appeared.

Ino backed up with Sakura in her arms.

"It's Sasuke…"

Two girls latched onto Sasuke's arms. He sighed and brushed them off.

"You guys go ahead. I'll join later."

"Yes~!" the girls giggled and walked off, starry-eyed.

"I say," murmured Jizuku (from another team), "how about hitting the Konoha bathhouse before dinner?"

Naruto thought for a moment.

The fusion of this Tsukuyomi world and Kamui's dimension would take time anyway.

Might as well relax.

"Bath first, then food?" he asked.

Shikamaru immediately raised his hand. "Perfect. I'll eat more that way."

No one objected. Not even Hinata.

So they all headed to the bathhouse.

Soon after, the Third Team arrived.

Tenten was covered in bruises.

Naruto's heart clenched. He instinctively stepped forward and reached out.

Tenten flinched—but then saw Naruto's worried face and froze.

Hinata's eye twitched. Her fists clenched.

But everyone gasped as they saw Tenten's wounds healing rapidly.

"Thank you… Naruto…"

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard."

Naruto gently patted her head.

Tenten blushed and hurried into the women's bathhouse.

"Hmmph!"

Hinata bumped into Naruto on purpose.

Ino smiled gently. "We'll head in first."

She helped the still-unconscious Sakura inside.

Soon, the women were soaking in the warm bath, their hair tied up.

Hinata leaned in a corner, one hand on the tub's edge.

Dangerous aura rising.

Ino and Hinata looked especially good with their hair up.

"Tenten, don't overdo it with the ninja tools."

"Even Shino said it's dangerous," Ino advised.

Tenten looked up—only to see Hinata glaring.

"You haven't changed," Hinata muttered.

"What?" Tenten blinked.

"Nothing. Just don't forget—Naruto is mine."

Tenten turned red. "I-I only care about training!"

"Tsk. Who knows?" Hinata rolled her eyes.

"Stop, stop~" Ino waved her hands. "No fighting."

Hinata glanced at Sakura, who was finally waking up.

"Sakura, you too. Don't forget—Naruto is my man."

Sakura lowered her head, cheeks red again.

"I… I know… I just…"

Hinata rolled her eyes at Neji, clearly unimpressed.

"You're hesitating again."

On the other side, Naruto glanced over briefly before turning away, then looked back at Hyuga Neji with an unreadable expression.

This guy...

When using the Byakugan, you only see outlines and chakra networks—not exactly the most modest view.

Smack!

Naruto casually patted Neji on the shoulder.

"Come on, strip down and get in the bath already."

Hyuga Neji froze. His body stiffened slightly, his chest subtly lifted, and his figure… seemed a bit off. Even Neji, usually so composed, was starting to catch on.

It wasn't long before Neji stopped wanting to leave the house altogether.

Eventually, it was Neji's turn to head out.

"Alright."

Everyone: "...???"

Why did Neji's voice suddenly sound so weird?

A cold chill spread among the boys as they all instinctively grabbed towels to wrap themselves and hurried into the bathhouse.

"Seriously, where the hell is Lee?" Shikamaru grumbled.

Shino adjusted his glasses. "He's probably still training. That's just how he is."

"Ugh! I hate bugs!" Kiba suddenly yelled, flinching away from a beetle crawling too close to his foot.

Then he turned to Naruto, a grin on his face.

"Hey, bamboo shoots! Look—cat ears!"

He mimicked feline motions.

"Meow~ Meow~"

Naruto chuckled and nodded. "Adorable. Go on, have fun."

Kiba's eyes sparkled. "And there's even a lion too~!" He tossed his towel over his head like a hood, pretending to be fierce.

Shikamaru, already fed up with waiting, made a running leap into the hot spring.

"One—hit—kill—!!"

SPLASH—

Half the bathwater surged up and spilled over the edge.

Choji sighed, putting his hands on his hips. "Seriously, Shikamaru... You done yet?"

"Sorry~" Shikamaru muttered as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Neji had turned his attention toward the women's side of the bathhouse.

Even with only black-and-white outlines and chakra signatures visible through his Byakugan, it was usually enough to make his heart race.

But today... he felt nothing.

Not even a flicker.

Something was wrong.

He himself felt off today.

Then, Neji suddenly turned toward the far end of the bath.

"Byakugan!"

...

TN:

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