Hyuga Hiashi's Astonishment

"Let's go..."

Hyuga Mami stopped Hyuga Sho from continuing to grind monsters and level up.

Since he currently had to bide his time and play the role assigned to him...

Hyuga Sho said his reluctant goodbyes to Uchiha Obito.

"Hehe, you're pretty good. Can we continue sparring next time?"

Hyuga Sho spoke to this experience fodder with a kind expression.

Perhaps Hyuga Sho's sincerity touched him.

After a moment of stunned silence, Uchiha Obito immediately said, "Hmph! At least you have some discernment. I didn't eat breakfast this morning, or I definitely would've beaten you. Next time, I'll let you witness the Fire Style Ninjutsu of my Uchiha Clan!"

Seeing how cooperative this experience fodder was, Hyuga Sho revealed a happy smile.

"He seems like a pretty good person..."

Nohara Rin gazed at Hyuga Sho's sincere back and spoke from the heart.

Two boys met, clashed, and fought fiercely, but developed a friendship in the process.

What an inspiring, passionate, classic development this was.

"I think there's something wrong with that Hyuga Sho..."

Kakashi frowned, realizing that things were not so simple.

"What do you know, Kakashi?"

Uchiha Obito patted the dust off his clothes.

Although he had lost, his spirits were high.

Because today, he had met someone who could appreciate him.

"That Hyuga Sho has much better judgment than you. He can see my potential!"

Kakashi glared at him. "Idiot. You've been sold off, and you're still helping them count the money."

Near the Hyuga Clan residence.

Hyuga Sho and Hyuga Mami walked for a while before they were about to return.

"You..."

Hyuga Mami suddenly stopped and looked Hyuga Sho up and down.

What she saw was...

A simple, honest-looking boy with an earnest smile.

"Young Lady, what are your orders..."

Hyuga Sho scratched the back of his head, his expression innocent yet boyishly awkward.

"No... it's nothing..."

Hyuga Mami shook her head, thinking that perhaps she had overthought things.

Hyuga Sho was merely an honest and simple boy. There was absolutely no way he was a shrewd person.

Besides, even if he were someone special, his Byakugan was half-crippled, so his future achievements would be limited...

"What did you think when you were hitting people?"

Hyuga Mami asked.

Hyuga Sho had challenged four people in succession today, which counted as decent entertainment for her.

"I was very scared and nervous..." Hyuga Sho answered without hesitation.

"Mm..."

Hyuga Mami nodded lightly.

"You get used to it after doing it once or twice..."

This was a world of ninja, and also a world where one had to fight.

"There will be many more battles in the future..."

"I'll work hard to protect you, Young Lady!"

Hyuga Sho immediately declared.

"Heh..."

The corner of Hyuga Mami's mouth twitched, forming a cool smile.

"In the entrance test, my aptitude ranked first. Aside from Hatake Kakashi, there is no one in my grade at the Ninja Academy who can be my opponent..."

Hyuga Mami stated a fact.

To protect her, Hyuga Sho... still had a long way to go.

But the next moment, she shook her head.

"If you encounter an opponent even I can do nothing against, what will you do?"

Wasn't he supposed to protect her?

Then how would he protect her when that time came?

Hyuga Sho's expression remained unchanged on the surface, but he kept frowning inwardly.

This Hyuga Mami was clever and quick-witted. She was quite troublesome.

"I'll give it everything I have!" Hyuga Sho answered firmly, clenching his fists.

"..."

Hyuga Mami fell silent for a moment.

She turned and began walking.

"Sometimes... you can't accomplish certain things just by giving it everything you have..."

"..."

Hyuga Sho stared at Hyuga Mami's back. A certain desolate feeling seemed to spill from her.

Back at the Hyuga Clan residence.

Hyuga Sho carried his schoolbag back to his room.

It was exactly noon.

Hyuga Sho opened his schoolbag and took out his lunchbox.

Unfortunately, the lunch Hyuga Natsu had prepared had not been eaten at school. He had thought he would be spending the whole day at the Ninja Academy.

But eating it now was just as good.

Hyuga Sho opened the lid. Inside were delicate side dishes and rice.

Although Hyuga Sho did not deliberately pursue fine food, he would not refuse the chance to enjoy better food.

It was plainly visible that this lunchbox contained Hyuga Natsu's heartfelt care.

Hyuga Sho slowly savored the meal until the inside was completely clean.

A moment later.

Hyuga Sho took out today's spoils.

Some pocket money and five lollipops.

Generally speaking, becoming a Genin was equivalent to graduating and entering the workforce, which was when one would start earning money.

During the Ninja Academy period, as well as preschool, ordinary people had no source of income.

Yet ninja needed money for many things.

As things stood, robbing the rich to aid the poor was not a bad way to accumulate pocket money.

"Once unfamiliar, twice familiar..."

Hyuga Sho murmured the words Hyuga Mami had spoken.

The Main Family compound.

Hyuga Mami knelt on the tatami. Sitting opposite her was the Hyuga Clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi.

"Is that so... As expected of Mami..."

A rare smile appeared on Hyuga Hiashi's stern face.

Her entrance test results had surpassed those of the son of the renowned Konoha's White Fang - Sakumo Hatake, bringing genuine honor to the Hyuga Clan.

As for Hyuga Sho...

That child had actually not held her back.

This surprised Hyuga Hiashi.

And when he heard that Hyuga Sho had dealt with three Brats and even defeated Uchiha Obito, Hyuga Hiashi's expression became even more astonished.

Although that Uchiha Obito was a famous Dead Last of the Uchiha Clan, he had not expected Hyuga Sho, who was also a Dead Last, to defeat him...

Dead Last versus Dead Last.

This was probably what people meant by two weaklings fighting each other.

And Hyuga Hiashi could figure out with his toes what sort of "Earth Tremor" the battle between those two Crouching Dragon, Hidden Phoenix had been, and how... painful it must have been to watch.

Forget it...

They were probably both good things, in their own way...

"That child is rather clumsy, isn't he..."

Hyuga Mami answered, "Yes, Brother."

"He is properly fulfilling the duties of a Branch Family Member..."

Hyuga Mami said, "Mm..."

"Although he is clumsy, he may not be without potential. Mami, within the prescribed limits, give him a few reminders and keep him in line. This is also for the sake of our Hyuga Clan's reputation."

Hyuga Mami answered, "Understood."