Engaged to Hinata (Part One)

"Chunin Ninja Exams?" Naruto asked.

"Right. Simply put, they're the main way for Genin to become Chunin. They're held twice a year, and they're generally an important occasion for the great nations to assess one another's strength. Anyone who passes can officially become a Chunin. There are plenty of powerful opponents in the exams, with skilled Genin from both inside and outside the country gathering to take part. I became a Chunin through an exam like that myself, but back then, none of my opponents could last three moves against me. It was boring. I wonder how strong this year's contestants will be." Issui took the initiative to explain it to Naruto.

Sasuke grew excited at Issui's words. The Chunin Ninja Exams-surely he would meet plenty of opponents there. I want to see just how strong I've become, too.

"Yeah, great! I'm entering too! I'm definitely going to pass the Chunin Ninja Exams and become a Chunin!" Naruto jumped for joy when he heard that. I'm not the same Naruto who only knew how to fool around anymore. Once I become a Chunin, I'll be one step closer to my goal. And with so many people at the exams, as long as I pass, lots of people will acknowledge me, right?

"Tch, only Genin who've completed eight or more missions are eligible to enter. You'd better go do some missions. Grandpa Third, we'll be going now. Just call me when it's time for the Chunin Ninja Exams. Come on, Haku, let's find you somewhere to stay first." Holding Haku's hand, Issui said goodbye to the old man and left.

When Haku heard that Issui was going to find her somewhere to stay, she felt a little afraid. Am I going to be alone again? Nobody likes being with me. As she thought about it, her expression dimmed.

After leaving the Hokage's building, Issui sensed that something was wrong with Haku. Could it be that time of the month? I'd better ask her. "Haku, is... something wrong?"

"No... it's just, could I... could I live with you?" Haku could only summon her courage and ask.

"Did I say you couldn't live with me? I was just going to show you the way. Besides, I'm staying at my father-in-law's house right now, so you'll need his permission to live there. But don't worry, I'm confident I can get him to agree. Speaking of which, how old are you?" Issui asked, holding Haku's small hand.

"I'm fifteen this year." As Haku spoke, she pulled her hand out of Issui's palm. Honestly, why does he keep holding my hand?

"Hmm, you're three years older than me. That's fine. Let's go, then. I have a little girlfriend at home, so don't bully her. Her name's Hinata, and she's a little shy. You two should get along." A wife three years older brings a brick of gold, Issui thought gleefully. As the saying goes, those closest to the water get to enjoy the moon first. Haku can be considered my handpicked bedchamber maid.

When they reached the Hyuga mansion, Issui first took Haku to find Hiashi. They found him teaching his second daughter, Hanabi, in the training room. This little girl looks pretty good too, but she's nowhere near as cute as Hinata. Her face is just as sour as Hiashi's. She is my little sister-in-law, though, so I should look after her in the future.

"Hmm, take a break, Hanabi. Issui, you're back. Who's this girl?" Hiashi said to Hanabi, gesturing for Issui to come over. My son-in-law's strength is growing so quickly. But why did he bring a girl back from his trip? She probably isn't a Konoha ninja. Any ninja Issui acknowledges should be reasonably strong, but why haven't I seen this girl before?

Issui walked over to Hiashi and said, "This is Yuki Haku, a survivor of Kirigakure's Yuki Clan. I met her on this mission and took her on as a subordinate. Lord Hokage has approved it too. Only Team Kakashi knows the truth."

"Oh, so she's a survivor of the Yuki Clan. Let her stay here, then. We have plenty of guest rooms, so there's no problem accommodating one or two people." Hiashi agreed to let Haku stay with the Hyuga Clan. My son-in-law is quite capable, to think he could even bring back a survivor of the Yuki Clan. I just don't know whether that girl can be trusted.

"Father-in-law, I've created a set of Gentle Fist techniques recently, called the Twenty-Four Forms of Tai Chi. This fist technique relies entirely on stillness to overcome motion and yin to complement yang. Unlike ordinary Taijutsu fist techniques, it balances offense and defense while also nurturing health. The more often and the longer one practices it, the better it is for the body." Issui took a little picture book from his robes and handed it to Hiashi. Haha, I practiced the Twenty-Four Forms of Tai Chi at school in my previous life, so I might as well use it now. In fact, Tai Chi is countless times more advanced than the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. The Japanese Gentle Fist isn't even worthy of carrying Tai Chi's shoes.

"Hmm, this is... You wrote this? What a profound fist technique. I'll study it carefully first. You haven't shown this to anyone else, have you? You mustn't let it get out. Even someone who isn't a Hyuga could greatly improve their strength by practicing this. In that case, the so-called Strong Fist would be completely useless against it." When Hiashi first took the little picture book Issui gave him, he paid it little attention. Although Issui's Heaven Eye Kekkei Genkai also had the Byakugan's abilities, he had no Hyuga blood in him, after all, and Gentle Fist was not something one could casually improve upon. But then Hiashi saw the contents of the book. This was created entirely for the Byakugan! The moves are so subtle and profound that they could let the weak defeat the strong. This child is truly astonishing. He's definitely a genius of the past decade, not much inferior to Uchiha Itachi.

"We'll go rest now, then. Goodbye, little Hanabi. Remember to call me brother-in-law the next time we meet." Issui waved to Hanabi and started to leave the training room.

"Wait, Issui. About you and Hinata: your engagement ceremony will officially take place before the Chunin Ninja Exams, on June 25. I'll invite the heads of Konoha's major clans, Lord Hokage, and some Jonin. The Chunin Exams are being held in the village at that time, so most of the ninja away on missions will return or stop accepting new ones for the time being. Understood?" Hiashi reminded him. Let's settle Issui and Hinata's marriage. It's time now. They can get engaged first. That way, his responsibility to this family will be greater, and he won't be able to run away even if he wants to.

"Really? That's wonderful! Don't worry, Father-in-law, I'll protect Hinata for the rest of my life. I'll never betray her feelings..." Issui was delighted. His relationship with Hinata was now fully settled, and he would soon have a wife. What a wonderful life! But I still can't "eat" her yet. She's too young; it would be a tragedy if it stunted her development.

After leaving the training room, Issui took Haku straight to the guest rooms. Getting her settled was the first priority.

"Oh, Issui-kun, you're getting engaged so soon? That's really early. This Miss Hinata you mentioned must be a gentle girl," Haku said enviously. The girl who has won Issui-kun's affection must be very beautiful and gentle. But is it really all right for children this young to be in love?

"Well, it's nothing. Haku, you're a very beautiful and gentle girl too. I wonder who'll be lucky enough to have you!" Issui praised her, while thinking, It would be best if I were the lucky one.

"Really? Maybe nobody will ever truly like me. I..." Haku's eyes dimmed at once. Other than Lord Zabuza, would anyone really need me?

"Of course. You're a gentle person, Sister Haku. I need your strength to help me create a completely new ninja world, a world where all ninja are full of emotion. Only ninja with true feelings won't be lonely, and only they are truly powerful ninja." Issui took one of Haku's hands and spoke earnestly.

"Really? I'll help you fulfill that dream. I want to see a world like that too, carrying Lord Zabuza's memory with me!" Haku gave him a charming smile.

What a beautiful, gentle girl...

Issui found a fairly spacious, clean guest room, then found some quilts, pillows, and other things for Haku.

"All right, Haku, you're a member of this family now. Live happily here from now on." Issui finished arranging Haku's room, then let her get familiar with her little nest.

"By the way, Issui, I sensed ice-natured Chakra in you. Could you have Yuki Clan blood too?" Haku asked. It's ice-natured Chakra. There's no mistaking it. How does Issui have ice Chakra too?

"That's an ability of my Kekkei Genkai. Because my wish came true, my Eye of Heaven evolved to the Frost stage. This stage has the following three Secret Techniques: First, Ice Comprehension-passive, no activation required. It automatically grants an ice-natured constitution, immunity to thirty percent of Water Release and Wind Release damage, and immunity to fifty percent of Ice Release damage. It reduces the Chakra needed to use Ice Release Ninjutsu by fifty percent and increases their effects by fifty percent.

"This Secret Technique has two secret skills: (1) Ice-Sealed Armor, which creates four ice shields around my body. As long as they have Chakra to support them, they automatically block attacks from all directions. They act entirely on their own and don't need to be controlled. (2) Ice Creation, which uses ice-natured Chakra to create weapons or puppets. They can move rapidly to any place my eyes can see and strike the target, but this move consumes a great deal of Chakra and mental energy.

"Second, Ice Heart-passive, no activation required. After evolving to the Frost stage, my heart takes on an ice nature. If it suffers a powerful attack, it can return to normal as long as I have ice-natured Chakra. In other words, under normal circumstances, if my heart is struck, I can 'revive' in an instant. You could call it an immortal heart, unless my ice Chakra runs out.

"Third, Ice Soul Seal-active, requires activation, Hand Seals: dragon-tiger-snake-dog. It pulls a person's soul out of their body and brands it with my own soul's mark. A branded soul will obey my commands completely. Even if the person dies, their soul will remain in the hands of the one who branded it. But this forbidden technique has a huge flaw: if someone doesn't willingly accept the soul seal, the success rate is only one in ten. It's entirely a matter of luck.

"That's why I can use ice-natured Chakra. I hope you won't tell anyone this information about me, Haku. You're someone I trust, so that's why I'm telling you." Issui explained each of his newly acquired Kekkei Genkai abilities.