Guiding Hinata's Training

The next morning, July 7, Konoha Year 60, the Anbu unit Uzuki Yugao belonged to discovered Gekko Hayate's body at Kikyo Castle on Konoha's border. They quickly delivered a report of Hayate's death to the Hokage, and the Third summoned every Jonin-level ninja, Issui included. Konoha's two advisers, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were summoned as well, showing just how serious the situation was.

Once all the Jonin had arrived, the Third spoke. "Gekko Hayate's body was found near Kikyo Castle!"

Asuma said in surprise, "Hayate..."

Kurenai looked equally shocked. "How could this happen?!"

Ibiki had great faith in Hayate's strength, but how... "That's impossible!"

Anko thought Orochimaru might have done it, so she asked, "Was it Orochimaru?"

Kakashi spoke up. "No, we can't jump to conclusions without evidence. Hayate was very likely following Kabuto, that Otogakure spy, but Orochimaru must be involved in this."

Namiashi Raidō said, "In that case, we should suspend the Chunin Ninja Exams and arrest Orochimaru."

Issui spoke up. "No, we can't do that. A lot of things haven't been settled yet. Kikyo Castle is near the border with the Land of Wind, isn't it? I've taken notice of that unusual person Kabuto, too. And after the preliminaries for the third exam ended, I personally followed Baki, the Jonin leading the Sunagakure team, and discovered something very surprising."

The Third immediately asked, "What was it?"

Issui fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'm very confident in my ability to stay hidden. After the preliminaries ended, I didn't go straight home. Instead, I used a Secret Technique to make an ice-attribute clone and followed Baki. His expression kept changing throughout Gaara's fight with Rock Lee, which made me very suspicious of his motives. Not long after he left the village, I saw him make contact with an Otogakure Chunin. I couldn't hear most of their conversation clearly, but there was one phrase I did hear."

Asuma hurriedly asked, "What was it?"

"Konoha... crush... plan!!!" Issui said, his expression grim.

"What? Are you sure?" Mitokado Homura asked hurriedly.

Issui glanced at Mitokado Homura, then said, "I'm absolutely certain. I've also investigated Kabuto. Including him, you remember the two masked Konoha Genin who teamed up with him and passed the second exam, right? All three of them are spies Orochimaru planted in Konoha. The Ninjutsu used by one of those Genin, a man named Sumi, might be the Soft Body Modification Ninjutsu Orochimaru specializes in. Taking everything I've just said together with Gekko Hayate's death, I conclude that this must possibly be a plan Orochimaru and Sunagakure devised together to crush us!"

The Third sighed. "Even so, we can't act rashly. Orochimaru has the power to destroy a small ninja village, and that could easily lead other allied nations to seize the opportunity presented by the Chunin Exams. So-called alliance treaties mean nothing in the face of self-interest, and we can be sure that Sunagakure in the Land of Wind is the one with the strongest motive."

Utatane Koharu also said, "We've already sent Anbu to the various nations to gather intelligence. We mustn't act rashly. That might be exactly what the enemy wants."

The Third said confidently, "Besides, I have great faith in all of you. If we have no other choice, we'll gather all of Konoha's strength and fight with everything we have!"

The Third then explained the procedures and steps for the village's battle plan in the event of an attack.

After leaving the Hokage building, Issui headed straight for the mountain behind the Hyuga grounds to guide Hinata's training. He hadn't paid her much attention lately and hadn't expected her to have grown so quickly. He needed to spend more time with her; otherwise, he'd be a pretty poor excuse for a boyfriend if he didn't even know how strong his own woman was.

Part of the reason was Haku, too. By comparison, Hinata was still a flower bud, while Haku was a flower in bloom. Sigh, my little Hinata, I was wrong. I need to pay more attention to her.

When he reached the mountain behind the Hyuga grounds, Hinata was sparring with Haku. The two were a sight to behold when they fought, and the Kekkei Genkai each excelled at were both outstanding. Perhaps the two would even compete over who would become the principal wife. By rights, Hinata was Issui's actual wife in the eyes of the public, but there was no telling whether the older, faster-developing Haku might beat her to it.

After arriving at the mountain, Issui didn't interrupt their sparring and continued watching instead. After quite a while, Hinata finally lost to Haku. She was too inexperienced.

When Hinata saw Issui, she ran over happily and said, "Issui-kun, you're here! What did you think of how I did just now?"

Issui smiled. "Very good. You just don't have enough combat experience yet, so I've come to guide you today. Look, I've even prepared some equipment. These are two wooden dummies I made. I marked all 361 pressure points on the human body on them, one by one. So today's exercise is controlling Chakra and learning about the body's pressure points. You need to reach the point where you can strike exactly where you aim. First, that way you won't waste Chakra energy, and second, you can severely damage the various pressure points on your opponent's body. Although you can already use the Eight Trigrams Rotation Palm and the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, you waste a lot of unnecessary Chakra energy in battle. Now we're going to train in finer Chakra control."

Hinata said happily, "That's wonderful! It's just like the old days when I trained with you, Issui-kun. Don't worry, I'll do my best."

With one willing to teach and the other willing to learn, the two threw themselves into training. Some intimate contact was unavoidable, leaving Hinata blushing constantly, but her enthusiasm didn't diminish. Clearly, she didn't dislike being close to Issui and was even a little happy about it. That was tremendous progress in itself.

Watching the two of them so close together, Haku gradually felt a trace of bitterness. She had spent so much time with Issui lately that his confident, sunny, cheerful manner and his all-knowing, all-understanding wisdom had stirred the heart of a girl in the flower of her youth. Unlike the cold, indifferent Zabuza, Issui was a boy who knew how to care for the feelings of those around him. Although he didn't really know how to be romantic, he could put you in a warm and comfortable state and let you enjoy the feeling of being cared for. He was like a sweet candy, letting the girls around him savor his unique flavor, and if you stayed by his side long enough, you would discover that you could no longer do without him.

Haku believed in Issui's strength. In her eyes, Issui had tremendous potential, and if anyone could change this ninja world, it was him. For that, Haku was willing to become a sharp sword in Issui's hand and cut down every obstacle. Of course, Haku hoped even more that Issui could give her a little love, because she, too, wanted to be a real girl, have a girl who liked her, and then have the two of them raise a few children and live happily together. When they grew old, the two of them could tread through the snow in the courtyard to their hearts' content.

While training with Hinata, Issui discovered that she was actually very clever. In the past, even if the timid Hinata had been clever, she wouldn't have had the courage to hone herself. But now he saw that Hinata had the potential to become a powerful ninja. Of course, she was still prone to shyness, but you couldn't deny that she was adorable and alluring when she was shy, making you want to love, protect, and cherish her.

It was already noon, and Haku had gone back to cook. She would bring the food over for them to eat together in a little while. Eating outdoors put one in a wonderful mood.

Hinata and Issui also stopped training and found a shady place to rest.

"Issui-kun, can I ask you a question?" Hinata asked suddenly.

Issui looked puzzled. "What is it?"

Hinata immediately began nervously fidgeting with her hands, her chest heaving as she breathed. At last, her expression grew resolute, and she asked in a quiet voice, "During the preliminaries that day, why did you... you... touch... touch that girl called Kin... Kin Tsuchi's..."

At that point, Hinata was too embarrassed to say any more.

What? Issui's face reddened. No way. I was so discreet, so how did Hinata find out? I'm done for, I'm done for. Now I couldn't clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River. What a miserable life. I only touched a girl's chest, and that one time was the only time, yet my Lady Hinata caught me. There are only two explanations: one, I, Issui, have bad luck and am on a losing streak; two, Hinata has a natural talent for catching cheaters. Whatever the reason, this time I, Issui, tried to steal a chicken and lost the rice used to lure it. Lady Hinata's anti-corruption work is too good. The net of justice is vast, but nothing slips through it. Issui, just confess your crime.

"Actually... actually, Issui-kun, you... you..." Hinata said quietly again.

Issui's expression became resolute, and then, as though he had made some momentous decision, he said firmly, "Hinata, I was wrong. Actually, I was just curious why her chest was so springy. I only wanted to test it."

Shameless. Absolutely shameless. How did I never notice before that you, Issui, were such a pervert? I was wrong about you, damn it...

Hinata's face turned even redder, as breathtakingly beautiful as clouds aflame at sunset. She reached out with one small hand, took one of Issui's hands, and placed it on her chest. "Actually... if, Issui-kun, you like touching... then y-you can just... just touch mine. Because I don't like... Issui-kun touching other girls' bodies. It feels... awful. Actually, I... really... like... it when Issui-kun... does... does loving... things... with me."

Hinata stammered out the words in a flustered, halting rush, as though she might faint as soon as she finished. In fact, by the time she was done, her eyes were terribly unfocused, and she was breathing out far more than she breathed in. She was probably about to faint.