Time Flies

Youth knew no sorrow. Though her daily studies were demanding, Hinata still enjoyed every bit of them.

Everything in the Ninja World was fascinatingly new to Hinata.

Time passed quickly, yet somehow also seemed slow.

Neji had already spent a year at the Ninja Academy and ranked first in his class.

Hinata was already six years old. In a few days, she would be reporting to the Ninja Academy as well.

Barefoot on the wooden veranda, with a pot of tea steeping beside her, Hinata watched several white clouds drift across the blue sky, savoring the rare peace between training sessions.

Speaking of which, Hinata's little sister, Hanabi Hyuga, had already been born. Her round little face was rosy and adorable.

However, ever since Hanabi was born, Hyuga Hiashi had paid even more attention to Hinata.

Barring any surprises, once Hinata grew up and Hyuga Hiashi stepped down as clan head, Hinata would inherit the main family, while Hanabi would receive the 'Caged Bird' curse mark and become a branch family member tasked with protecting Hinata.

But Hinata did not care. Once she awakened the Tenseigan, and Naruto became Hokage, changing the Hyuga Clan would be as easy as saying a few words.

Over the past year, Hinata's mastery of the Gentle Fist had reached a flawless level.

Though she had yet to master the Gentle Fist's various secret techniques, it should still be more than enough to crush the little brats at the Ninja Academy.

Especially that tsundere Uchiha Sasuke.

Hinata was not one to hold grudges, but when she had run into the Uchiha brothers on the street a year ago, Uchiha Sasuke's cold snort had stayed with her.

Sooner or later, I'll show you what's what.

Speaking of which, Hinata was not particularly impressed with the Gentle Fist.

If one followed the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist training step by step, the highest achievement possible was merely Kage level.

And in the current Hyuga Clan, the strongest among them was only a Quasi-Kage.

Looking across the entire Naruto anime, aside from Might Guy, who had opened the Eight Inner Gates, the only one who had truly made a name for herself through taijutsu alone was Tsunade's Monster Strength Fist.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Hyuga Clan, hailed as Konoha's strongest, could only play a supporting role.

If the Byakugan did not have some scouting ability, they probably would not even qualify to play that role.

The Eight Inner Gates were certainly powerful, but leaving aside their side effects, the Gentle Fist itself required precise chakra control.

The berserk chakra unleashed after opening the Eight Inner Gates was obviously unsuited to the Gentle Fist.

Besides, Hinata had no desire for that kind of self-torturing training.

After all, her third wish upon transmigrating had been for the talent to casually cultivate and still crush Madara Uchiha.

Hinata was determined to become the first ninja to achieve greatness through the Gentle Fist.

Hinata's daily sparring partner had now changed from Neji Hyuga to Tokuma Hyuga.

Poor genius Neji no longer even qualified to spar with Hinata.

Because of this, Neji had practically been training himself to death lately. With guidance from his father, Hizashi Hyuga, he was likely even stronger than he had been at the same point in the Original Story.

According to Hyuga Hiashi, Hinata already possessed the strength of a Genin and was even slightly stronger than the genius ninja Kakashi had been at the same age.

As for her chakra reserves—

Kekkei Genkai clans naturally possessed greater chakra reserves than ordinary ninja. Hinata's talent was exceptional, and her chakra reserves far surpassed those of children her age.

Tap, tap!

Soft footsteps approached. Hinata turned around and saw that it was her bargain-bin father, Hyuga Hiashi.

"Father!"

Sitting beside Hinata, Hyuga Hiashi said softly, "You will report to the Ninja Academy the day after tomorrow. With your strength, you can graduate early. Apply for graduation in half a year."

"I refuse!"

When it came to graduation, Hinata would absolutely not follow Hyuga Hiashi's wishes. She would never compromise.

Becoming a Genin and taking missions at twelve was already child labor. Sending me on missions at six? I'm still a toddler, okay!

"Why?"

Although Hinata acted obedient at home, Hyuga Hiashi knew exactly what his eldest daughter was like once she left the house.

Still, that was not necessarily a bad thing. A ninja needed their own opinions and judgment.

Hinata said unhappily, "I'm only six! Making me become a ninja and take missions at six—isn't that too cruel?"

Hyuga Hiashi: "..."

Hyuga Hiashi dearly wanted to tell Hinata about Kakashi's glorious history, and then mention Itachi Uchiha of the Uchiha clan.

But boys and girls were different, after all.

Besides, given Hinata's talent, focusing on training was what would be best for her.

After pondering for a moment, Hyuga Hiashi said, "Attending the Ninja Academy is far too much of a waste of time for you. Once you graduate, I will train you personally."

"I refuse!"

Hyuga Hiashi grew somewhat irritated. "Why?"

Hinata snorted. "Going to the Ninja Academy isn't a waste of time. Besides, training with classmates will let me make some friends. Staying at home is just too boring."

Speaking of making friends, aside from Neji, her childhood companion, Hinata truly did not have a single friend.

Such feelings might be unnecessary to ninja, but ninja were people too!

Hyuga Hiashi pondered for a moment. There was nothing wrong with letting his daughter follow the normal path of a ninja.

Graduate from the Ninja Academy normally, form a team with her classmates, and carry out missions under the leadership of an assigned Jonin.

That was the system of the ninja village.

Though the Hyuga Clan held certain privileges, this was the era of ninja villages. The privileges the First Hokage had once promised ninja clans no longer applied.

Those unable to adapt to the times could only end up like the Uchiha clan...

Thinking of the Uchiha clan, Hyuga Hiashi finally nodded. "Very well. We will do as you wish."

Hyuga Hiashi slowly rose, preparing to leave.

Hinata stood and bowed. "Take care, Father!"

Hyuga Hiashi had barely taken a step when Hinata's little face turned serious. Her feet shifted slightly, and she silently leaped into the air. Kicking off a pillar to propel herself forward, she charged at Hyuga Hiashi, gathered the Gentle Fist in her palm, and struck at his back.

Smack!

Hyuga Hiashi easily blocked Hinata's sneak attack and instructed, "There were too many unnecessary movements. It wasn't clean or decisive enough."

Sigh! My sixty-fifth sneak attack failed again.

But Hyuga Hiashi was speaking without understanding her situation.

At Hinata's height, if she did not jump, she could only hit Hyuga Hiashi's thigh.

Hyuga Hiashi set Hinata down, then turned and left.

He thought Hinata's sneak attack was merely a tantrum from a brat, but he had no idea! Hinata genuinely wanted to beat him up, and it was not a thought that had just occurred to her.

With no training to do, Hinata had nothing else to occupy herself with and returned to her lazy, useless state.

Little Hanabi was not even a year old yet. Though she was adorable, she could not play with Hinata yet.

Hinata remembered that in the Original Story, little Hanabi seemed to be obsessed with her older sister and deeply admired Hinata.

Come to think of it, Hinata truly had the fate of a female protagonist.

If she had not been such a hopeless waste in the Original Story that Hyuga Hiashi gave up on her, she would have been loved by everyone, with flowers blooming wherever she went.

"School, huh!"

Hinata took a sip of tea. She would soon meet the rest of the Konoha 11, and she wondered what those guys had been like as children.