Engaged to Hinata (Part 2)

When Hinata came home that evening, Issui formally introduced Haku to her, then told her about his and Hinata's engagement ceremony.

Hinata looked at the delighted Issui and felt overjoyed herself. I'm finally going to become Issui-kun's wife. I'm so happy! But what's the deal with this older girl named Haku? Is she just a subordinate? Come to think of it, Sister Haku is so beautiful, and her smile is enchanting. She feels like such a threat! What should I do?

"So you're the Hinata Issui-kun talks about? You're such a cute little sister. No wonder Issui likes you so much. I'm a little jealous myself..." Haku said with a smile. This little Hinata is far too cute. I'm not in the same league as her at all. I can't believe there's a girl this cute in the world. Even I feel like protecting her.

"Thank you so much for the praise, Sister Haku. You must be amazing to have earned Issui-kun's approval. You really are a powerful ninja..." Hinata smiled too. It's fine. She's several years older than Issui-kun and me, and Issui-kun likes cute girls best. Compared to her, I have the biggest advantage. Ah, what am I imagining again?

Issui felt a headache coming on. Could you two stop complimenting each other already? What are you doing? This is driving me crazy. Putting two beauties together is a disaster.

"Hinata, Haku, how about we go eat? It'll be late otherwise. It's already eight at night. Or would you like some hot water? You must be tired after talking for so long, right?" Issui had to interrupt their conversation. Being a man was exhausting.

"Mm..." Hinata felt so embarrassed that a deep blush spread across her face.

"Oh..." Haku, on the other hand, felt she hadn't talked enough. She hadn't chatted with anyone in a long time. She spent most of her time with a grown man like Zabuza and had no one to confide her womanly concerns in.

June 23, Konoha year 60.

"Chirp..."

Issui was spending a leisurely day at home when he suddenly heard a bird calling in the sky. The Chunin Ninja Exams were about to begin. He had no choice but to say goodbye to Haku and hurry to the Hokage building.

"I haven't called everyone here for anything else. You should be able to tell from my expression. The time has come for that matter," the Third said slowly.

"The time has come for that matter," Kakashi said.

"You've already sent notice to the other countries, haven't you? They've already appeared in the village," Asuma said.

"Then when does it start?" Kurenai asked.

"In one week..." the Third replied.

"That soon..." Kakashi remarked.

The Third took a puff of his pipe, then said, "I hereby announce that seven days from now, on July 1, we will officially begin the Chunin Exams! Before the Chunin Exams begin, I'd like to hear from the teachers responsible for instructing Genin. Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, are there any among the Genin you instruct whom you would recommend? As a matter of procedure, recommended Genin must have completed at least eight missions, though I hardly need to tell you that. In fact, candidates who have completed more than twice that number are more suitable. Now, starting with Kakashi."

Kakashi said seriously, "Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno of Team 7 under my supervision: I, Kakashi Hatake, recommend these three for the Chunin Exams."

Kurenai Yuhi said seriously, "Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata Hyuga of Team 8 under my supervision: I, Kurenai Yuhi, recommend these three for the Chunin Exams."

Asuma said seriously, "Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi of Team 10 under my supervision: I, Asuma Sarutobi, recommend these three for the Chunin Exams."

Everyone began discussing how Kakashi and the other two were pushing things too far by having rookies take the Chunin Exams. Iruka also hurried forward to voice his concerns, but Kakashi and the others insisted. Iruka didn't understand Naruto and the others' strength at all. The nine members of the Konoha 12 had all improved at an astonishing rate; they were no longer the students who knew nothing in class.

After leaving the Hokage building, Isshin finally felt at peace again. Tch, what a boring meeting. I'd rather chat with my Little Haku Haku. She must be lonely right now. Sigh, I'll be a good person one more time and go keep her company.

June 25, Konoha year 60.

That day, the Hyuga mansion was bustling, unlike its usual quiet and deserted state. Nearly all of Konoha's prominent ninja and clans arrived one after another, because today was the engagement day of the eldest daughter of Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan. Early engagements were not unheard of in the ninja world, but this was the Hyuga Clan, one of Konoha's most prominent clans. What was more, Hiashi's future son-in-law was said to be a genius of outstanding strength, with an extremely powerful Kekkei Genkai. He had become a Genin at eight, a Chunin at ten, and a Special Jōnin at eleven.

That genius of a Hyuga son-in-law was none other than Issui Kanna. The Genin and their leading Jonin who had come to take the Chunin Exams from ninja villages in countries friendly with Konoha had also heard the news from the villagers and came to offer their congratulations. The sheer scale of the gathering was truly astonishing.

As a host today, Issui had to stand outside the gates of the Hyuga mansion with Hiashi to welcome guests from all sides. Hiashi was quite adept at it, but Issui, standing beside him, was suffering. When had he ever seen so many ninja? At this rate, he would die of exhaustion today. When will this miserable life end? Is it really necessary to put me through all this just for an engagement?

Finally, Konoha's highest-ranking figure, Lord Hokage, arrived, pulling his grandson Konohamaru along. Lord Hokage hadn't brought a single gift. So he had come to mooch food and drinks. I'll beat you with a stick... Forget it, I can't beat him...

"Hey, kid, you're getting engaged so young. You've really got what it takes, getting Hiashi to promise Hinata to you so early. When are you planning to have a child?" The Third seemed happy today too, and couldn't resist teasing Issui.

"What? What are you saying, old man? I'm so young. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to. Have some respect for your age, Grandpa Third. I think you should hurry inside. There are more people behind you." Issui couldn't help smiling wryly. I do want to, but can I even do that yet? Come to think of it, I haven't even had a wet dream. I'll have to wait until I'm at least fifteen to taste the forbidden fruit.

"Haha, Hiashi, you really are in a hurry, marrying Hinata off so early. It seems you're very satisfied with this son-in-law of yours." Akimichi Chōza came forward with his son Choji Akimichi and greeted Hiashi.

"Yes, but I'm quite satisfied with your son-in-law too. Why don't you let me have him? Our Ino is quite fond of the boy too. How about we arrange a match?" Inoichi Yamanaka also walked up to Hiashi with his daughter Ino Yamanaka. It seemed everyone liked joking around today.

"Dad, what are you saying?" Hearing her father's words, Ino blushed shyly. Issui-kun is a handsome boy I like too, but he's actually become Hinata's husband. I'd heard before that their relationship was special, but I didn't expect it to be true. Hinata really can keep a secret. She never said a word.

"Hiashi, you're making trouble for Issui. Getting a wife is the same as entering a grave. Nothing but trouble from head to toe. Mine is just like that, always... troublesome..." Shikaku Nara also came to offer his congratulations with his son.

The troublesome duo. These two always have so many troubles, but their intelligence is surprisingly high. When it comes to planning battle strategies, each is better than the other...

Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and a host of other Jonin came as well, offering their congratulations. There were so many people that Issui's head kept turning, nodding, and smiling. Fortunately, he practiced Taijutsu often, or he would have been finished long ago...

Once everyone had arrived, Hiashi announced the start of the engagement banquet. He brought Issui and his daughter Hinata to the center of the venue and expressed his thanks to everyone. "Thank you all for putting aside your work to come here today. On behalf of the Hyuga Clan, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your attendance. Today, my daughter Hinata Hyuga and the young man beside me, Issui Kanna, are formally engaged. Issui will marry into the Hyuga Clan as my son-in-law. I hope they will receive the heartfelt blessings of everyone present!"

The guests were generous with their words, offering every kind of wish: may they soon have a child, may they be surrounded by children and grandchildren, may they enjoy their wedding night. The chorus of blessings brought the engagement ceremony to another climax. Hinata was so embarrassed that she was on the verge of fainting. Fortunately, Issui supported her and used ice-nature Chakra to cool her down, allowing her to hold on.

"Congratulations, Hinata, Issui. I hope your love lasts forever. I never expected my student to get engaged before me. I've really fallen behind, and I envy you two. Issui, though we've rarely met, I know you're actually a good boy. Take good care of Hinata from now on, or I won't let you off," Kurenai said to Issui and Hinata. The two were a perfect match. Issui was a genius ninja with a Kekkei Genkai no weaker than the Byakugan, while Hinata was the eldest daughter of the prominent Hyuga Clan and arguably the strongest girl in her class. She would one day succeed Hiashi as head of the Hyuga Main Family. Both of them were perfect...

"Thank you for your blessing, Kurenai-sensei. I believe Issui-kun will always be good to me..." Hinata said shyly.

"Hinata, you can't keep being so shy from now on, or you'll give Issui a terrible headache. Sigh, why am I meddling so much in your affairs?" Kiba said as he ran over with Akamaru.

"Haha, it's fine. If Hinata weren't shy, she wouldn't be the Hinata I like. Well, whatever..." Issui said, waving a hand.

"I, I just... just..." Hinata lowered her head and went back to fiddling with her fingers. Good grief, here she goes again...

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