Becoming a Ninja

When Issui returned home, he was about to go train with Hinata behind Mount Hyuga when Hiashi called them over.

"Issui, Hinata, come here for a moment," Hiashi said.

"Yes, Uncle." "Yes, Father."

Hiashi led Issui and Hinata into a reception room, where they each knelt at the tea table. Hinata personally poured her father a cup of tea.

"Issui, you've been living with us for two years now, haven't you?" Hiashi said.

"Yes, Uncle. A little over two years."

"In a little over two years, you've already grown to this point. I was thinking that once Hinata graduates from the Ninja Academy, we'll hold an engagement ceremony for the two of you," Hiashi said, getting straight to the point.

"Ah, yes! It's just that I don't know how Lady Hinata feels..." Issui agreed, wild with delight. But he still didn't know what Hinata thought, and he understood that forced love was never sweet. Hinata should agree, though, right? After all, I'm an all-around great guy: handsome, powerful, attentive, with a gentle gaze and the halo of a transmigrator &...

"I... I agree." Hinata's little face was bright red. I never expected this day to come after all, Issui-kun...

"Good, then it's settled. Once Hinata graduates from the Ninja Academy, you'll be formally engaged. When the time comes, I'll invite everyone of standing in Konoha, and of course your classmates too. Issui, I'm entrusting Hinata to you, so you must protect her well from now on..." Hiashi said happily. Now that you're aboard the Hyuga Clan's ship, don't even think about getting off...

"Don't worry, Uncle... no, Father-in-law. I'll protect Hinata for the rest of my life. I'll prove it through my efforts. I want everyone to know that I, Issui Kanna, will protect Hinata Hyuga all my life, cherish her, care for her, support her, and love her forever," Issui hurriedly said. From this day on, I'm no longer alone. Xiao Nan, rest easy in my previous life. I'm doing very well in this world...

"Mm, there's something I need to warn you about. Konoha may seem united, but behind the scenes there's always some 'darkness.' Our Hyuga Clan is in the Hokage's faction, and your talent has made some people restless. Be careful when you go out on missions. If there's any sign of trouble, get away at once. In particular, watch out for this man and his subordinates." Hiashi solemnly handed Issui a photograph.

Issui took one look. Just as I thought, Shimura Danzō. He's got his eye on me.

"Don't worry, Father-in-law. At my current strength, I can't deal with Jonin or stronger ninja, but I can escape. Besides, I'm close to developing the second stage of my Kekkei Genkai. All I need is the right opportunity. Once I unlock that stage, I'll be able to optimize Hinata's Kekkei Genkai too. After a while, I'll use the time I have on a mission outside the village to look for a secret scroll in the ruins of Heaven Village. That way, we'll be prepared. Although the village was destroyed, accessing its true secrets requires the blood of an heir who has awakened the Eye of Heaven. All the Mist Ninja took were some common Ninjutsu scrolls," Issui said calmly.

"Is that so? That's a relief. Is there no limit to how often you can optimize a Kekkei Genkai?" Hiashi couldn't help asking. If there's no limit, then...

"No. Everyone only gets one chance, and their souls have to be mutually dependent. This forbidden technique can only be used once every three years. That's what I learned from my Kekkei Genkai..." Issui said.

"Alas, it's a shame it can't be used without limit. Still, that's quite good already. It does optimize a Kekkei Genkai, after all..." Hiashi said with a sigh.

"Mm..." "All right, go back and rest. Issui still has to submit his personal information as a Genin tomorrow," Hiashi said.

"Yes, Father-in-law." "Yes, Father." Issui and Hinata took their leave and walked out together.

Back in the room, Hinata shyly took off Issui's coat for him, looking every bit the little wife. (Shy rose, you bloom so quietly...)

"All right, Hinata, you don't need to do this. Just act as you normally do. A simple, ordinary life is what true love is all about. If you want to beat me up, go right ahead, as long as you're happy. Hitting and scolding are signs of affection. That's just how I am-free and easy, without a care. That's the life I want. You're not my slave; you're my most, most, most beloved Lady Hinata." Issui hugged Hinata as he spoke.

"H-how... how could... it be like that...?" Hinata was very curious. Her mother had never done anything like that. She'd heard that being a wife was difficult, but the way Issui-kun described it, it sounded wonderful.

"Just go back to how things were before. Like that morning when you sent me flying. It hurt a lot, but that's perfectly normal. Sometimes pain can be a pleasure too. Other people might want it and still not get it," Issui said.

"But... but..."

"Now, now, it's fine. I don't have that many demands. If you're unhappy, I won't be happy either. As long as you're happy, that's enough. Whatever you want to do, I'll go along with it." Issui placed Hinata's little hand against his chest.

"Mm, Issui-kun, you're a good husband..." Hinata's face was red. He's such a gentle person. Maybe life from now on will be pretty good.

"Mm, let's go train together. You're still not very proficient with the Eight Trigrams Palm, so let's practice together," Issui said.

"Okay..."

In a dark basement somewhere in Konoha.

"Have Squad One come see me," Danzo said calmly to the air.

"Yes."

"All members of Squad One reporting." A line of black-clad ninja suddenly appeared before Danzo. Their voices were full of awe, as though they were facing not an old man, but a huge, savage beast.

"Wait for an opportunity and bring back the child named Issui Kanna. Remember, alive." Danzo's voice was full of menace.

"Yes." All the black-clad figures vanished.

"Have you uncovered any information on Heaven Village?" After a moment of silence, Danzo spoke to the air again.

"No. Heaven Village was completely destroyed by Kirigakure, and all its Ninjutsu scrolls were taken. However, according to Mist Ninja intelligence personnel, there was nothing special in those scrolls, only some generally available material and information on common Ninjutsu." A lifeless voice came from the air, utterly hollow.

"The Eye of Heaven... If I could obtain those eyes... Although I already have a Sharingan, wouldn't it be better to have more trump cards...?" Danzo said calmly, his gaze untroubled.

When Issui woke the next morning, he picked up the breakfast Hinata had prepared and began to eat. It feels great to have someone taking care of me. If my classmates from my previous life knew Hinata was cooking for me, I'd probably have been drowned in their spit by now. Sigh, why am I so happy? What a worry.

"Hinata, please get me the cloak from the other day. I want to wear it for my photo," Issui said to her.

"Okay, I'll get it," Hinata said.

Issui took the white cloak from Hinata and immediately put it on. Underneath, he was wearing the Hyuga Clan's distinctive clothing. (The same kind Neji Hyuga wore. Personally, I think it looks pretty cool.)

"All right, dressed and ready to go. Hinata, come with me. Starting today, yours truly is a 'famous' Genin of Konohagakure," Issui said in high spirits.

"Okay."

Hinata and Issui first found an old man with a camera to take a personal photo. During the shoot, Issui wanted Hinata to take a photo with him too, saying it would be a memory of their childhood and that they wouldn't have another chance to take one later. The two of them were captured arm in arm, close and affectionate. The date was November 14, Konoha Year 56, which happened to be Orange Valentine's Day, a celebration known in Tokyo, Japan. It was said that in this orange season, when plants turned red or yellow, the best way for most people on Earth to relax was to curl up in a movie theater and watch a few films.

At its place of origin, there was also a saying that the best way to spend the day was for couples to catch two movies back-to-back: perhaps an exciting action film first to relieve stress, followed by a deeply moving romance so they could wipe away each other's tears. Afterward, the two would need to replenish their fluids, so why not have a healthy glass of orange juice?

But Hinata was still too young to understand any of that. She was a little beauty who wasn't even ten yet; being exposed to such things so early would stunt her development. They could only celebrate with some orange juice instead. Even so, Issui was quite happy. This was their first Valentine's Day, after all. What a sweet memory.

After having his personal photo taken, Issui handed his personal information to the old Third. His information was as follows: Issui Kanna: Ninja registration number: 012345. Date of birth: 48/06/27 (8 years old, Cancer).

Height: 125.5 cm. Weight: 26.2 kg. Blood type: B. Personality: self-aware, sensitive, cheerful, dislikes darkness. Favorite foods: Ichiraku ramen, eggs and tomatoes, Hinata's rice balls. Disliked foods: garlic, onions. Opponents he wanted to challenge: the Sannin, the Hokage of every generation. Favorite phrase: "Well, no problem." Interests: training with Hinata, researching Ninjutsu. Age at graduation from the Ninja Academy: 8. Age at promotion to Chunin: -. Mission experience: D: - C: - B: - A: - S: -. "Congratulations. Starting today, you're officially a ninja. You can take D- and C-rank missions and earn rewards for completing them. This is your ninja Forehead Protector. It proves that you're a ninja of Konoha." Iruka handed Issui the ninja Forehead Protector he was holding. This was a ninja who had graduated from his class. What a genius! He only studied in class for two years. Amazing.

"Yes." Issui solemnly accepted the ninja Forehead Protector from Iruka. From today on, I'm a ninja. From today on, I'll enter the world of ninja. From today on, my future is mine to decide. From today on...

"Grandpa Third, can I take a mission now?" Issui asked the old Third.

"Yes. Here, this is your mission." The Third pulled a sheet of paper from a stack of documents and handed it to Issui.

"What? Help Auntie Yoshino take care of a baby? I-I, could you give me an escort mission instead, Grandpa Third?" Issui asked with a miserable expression. I'd rather go train than take care of a baby. What a tragic life...

"Ninja must be tested through many different missions. Only an experienced ninja can possess great strength," the Third said expressionlessly.

"All right. Ninja mission, start: help Auntie Yoshino take care of a baby." Issui trudged out of the Hokage's office with Hinata, his head drooping.

The mission began...

Since Issui was the only one who had accepted the mission, he promptly told Hinata to go back and train on her own, while he went to do this miserable mission.

"Hinata, go back. I'll come home after I finish the mission. Train by yourself for now, and don't overdo it. It's important to get proper rest too," Issui said.

"Will you be all right? Okay, I'll go back first. Go on, then, Issui-kun..." Hinata found it a little funny. He couldn't even take care of himself, yet he was going to take care of a baby.