Hyuga Hiashi's Astonishment

"Let's go..."

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

Given that he currently needed to keep a low profile and play his assigned role...

Hyuga Sho reluctantly bid Uchiha Obito farewell.

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

Hyuga Sho looked warmly at this walking bundle of experience and asked.

Perhaps Hyuga Sho's sincerity had moved him.

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

Seeing how cooperative this little experience bundle was, Hyuga Sho smiled happily.

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

Nohara Rin watched Hyuga Sho's sincere retreating figure and spoke from the heart.

The two boys had met, clashed, and fought fiercely, yet forged a friendship in the process.

What an inspiring, hot-blooded, classic development.

"I think there's something off about that Hyuga Sho..."

Kakashi frowned, sensing that things were not so simple.

"What do you know, Kakashi?"

Uchiha Obito dusted himself off.

Though he had lost, his spirits remained 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're helping them count the money after they've sold you."

Near the Hyuga Clan residence.

Hyuga Sho and Hyuga Mami had walked some distance and were about to head back.

"You..."

Hyuga Mami suddenly stopped and looked Hyuga Sho over from head to toe.

What she saw was...

A plain young man with an honest and simple smile.

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

Hyuga Sho scratched the back of his head, his innocence carrying a touch of youthful awkwardness.

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

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

This Hyuga Sho was merely an honest and simple boy. There was no way he could be someone shrewd.

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

"How did you feel when you hit people?"

Hyuga Mami asked.

Hyuga Sho had challenged four people in succession today, which had been a rather entertaining diversion for her.

"Very scared. Very nervous..." Hyuga Sho answered without hesitation.

"Mm..."

Hyuga Mami nodded lightly.

"The first time is unfamiliar, the second time becomes easier. Once you get used to it, it'll be fine..."

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 corners of Hyuga Mami's lips shifted, forming a cool smile.

"In the entrance test, my aptitude ranked first. Aside from Hatake Kakashi, no one in the same year at the Ninja Academy is my match..."

Hyuga Mami was merely stating the facts.

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't handle, 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, but inwardly, he frowned repeatedly.

This Hyuga Mami was clever and sharp. She was quite troublesome.

"I'll give it everything I have!"

Hyuga Sho clenched his fist and answered firmly.

"..."

Hyuga Mami fell silent for a moment.

She turned and began walking.

"Sometimes... giving everything you have isn't enough to accomplish certain things..."

"..."

Hyuga Sho watched Hyuga Mami's retreating figure. A certain desolation seemed to overflow 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 bento Hyuga Natsu had prepared had gone unused at school. He had thought he would spend the whole day at the Ninja Academy.

But eating it now was just as good.

Hyuga Sho opened the lid to find delicate side dishes and rice inside.

Though Hyuga Sho did not deliberately pursue fine food, he would not refuse better food when he could enjoy it.

It was plain to see that this bento contained Hyuga Natsu's heartfelt care.

Hyuga Sho slowly savored the meal until the lunchbox was spotless.

A short while later.

Hyuga Sho took out today's spoils.

Some pocket money and five lollipops.

Generally speaking, one only began earning money after becoming a "Genin," which was equivalent to graduating and joining the workforce.

During one's time at the Ninja Academy and preschool, normal people had no source of income.

And ninja needed money for many things.

Now it seemed that robbing the rich to aid the poor was not a bad way to save up pocket money.

"The first time is unfamiliar, the second time becomes easier..."

Hyuga Sho murmured the words Hyuga Mami had spoken.

Main Family compound.

Hyuga Mami sat in seiza on the tatami. Across from her was the Hyuga Clan head, Hyuga Hiashi.

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

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

Surpassing the son of the renowned Konoha's White Fang - Sakumo Hatake in the entrance test had truly brought honor to the Hyuga Clan.

As for Hyuga Sho...

That child had actually not held her back.

That surprised Hyuga Hiashi.

And upon hearing that Hyuga Sho had dealt with three Brats and even defeated Uchiha Obito, Hyuga Hiashi's expression grew even more astonished.

Although that "Uchiha Obito" was the Uchiha Clan's famously dead last, he had not expected Hyuga Sho, another dead last, to defeat him...

Dead last versus dead last.

This was probably what they called two weaklings pecking at each other.

And Hyuga Hiashi could imagine with his toes just how "earth-shaking" the battle between those two idiots would have been, and how... unbearable to watch.

Forget it...

It was probably all a good thing...

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

Hyuga Mami said, "Yes, Brother."

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

Hyuga Mami said, "Mm..."

"Though clumsy, he may yet prove to be someone worth cultivating. Mami, within the prescribed limits, keep him in line a little. This is also for the honor of our Hyuga Clan."

Hyuga Mami said, "Understood."