Guys... I think Kishi has spoken a long time ago in regards to love interest. Hinata was always going to be the love interest of naruto. I really can't understand how others see it differently. You can think well... it's just hand holding, but what people fail to realize is that it's not about the physical action, but the context in which the action is done. This chapter had so many romantic undertones to it. No one can deny it, it's just there for everyone to see. It's just plainly obvious. Although Hinata doesn't show up as much throughout the manga, every time she does show up her feelings, and character have always remained consistent. Kishimoto did this for a reason. These shipping wars have gone out of hand I think... it always has been Hinata, since the chunin exam. I'm not part of the fandom, but it really confuses me as to why people argue so heavily over this when it's just so obvious, the mangaka would have diced her a long time ago if it wasn't the case.