Hinata's Resolve

After returning from the restroom, Naruto went back to his desk and noticed that the way Sasuke looked at him had changed.

If Sasuke taking the initiative to approach him had been an accident, then luring Sasuke into challenging him and easily defeating him had been entirely deliberate.

He needed to learn about the Uchiha Clan's internal situation through Sasuke.

Unlike the Hyuga Clan, which had the Caged Bird system, the relationship between the Uchiha and the Konoha High Command had already reached the point of open confrontation. Whenever they found an opportunity, neither side would hesitate to strike at the other's influence.

And catching Sasuke's attention was simple enough—he only needed to disparage the Uchiha, then give him a good beating while he was at it.

In a sense, becoming Sasuke's rival was as easy as becoming Might Guy's rival.

After responding with a look of disdain, Naruto picked up his textbook and continued flipping through it. Since he had nothing better to do, he would bring more extracurricular books to the Ninja Academy in the future.

The cultural subjects taught in the first year of the Ninja Academy were far too elementary for him and did not require much time.

Naruto's other deskmate, Sakura, also loved reading. Sakura really was previewing her lessons, though she occasionally glanced in Sasuke's direction.

Both were handsome boys, but Sasuke was clearly more popular with the girls than Naruto.

Since it was the first day of school, the Ninja Academy did not begin formal lessons. School ended at three in the afternoon.

Naruto, who had experienced an education schedule from five in the morning to ten at night, felt a pang of envy. But he was even more driven now. With the powerful tool that was the Shadow Clone, he could train for twenty-six hours a day.

After school, some students chose to go straight home, while others stayed at the Ninja Academy to continue studying.

Naruto was inclined toward the former, but someone blocked his path. It was none other than Hinata Hyuga.

Hinata said timidly, "Naruto-kun, we really are fated. We ended up becoming classmates again, and you're still wearing the gloves I gave you before."

Looking at Hinata, who had helped him activate the system, Naruto smiled. "What did Hinata come to see me for? Were you bullied by someone again, or are you here to give me another gift?"

"I didn't bring a gift..." Hinata shook her head, then said, "But I can go back and prepare one. What does Naruto-kun want? I'll do my best if it's something I can manage."

"I don't have a habit of asking people for gifts whenever I please."

After a pause, Naruto continued, "But my new home is near the Hyuga Compound. Let's head back together since it's on the way. We can chat while we walk."

Hinata nodded and did not refuse.

As Naruto and Hinata walked down the street together, their pairing immediately drew the villagers' attention. Malicious gazes came from all around them.

Even Hinata could feel those stares boring into them. Confused, she asked, "Why are they looking at us like that? Did we do something wrong?"

"Maybe because I'm the Demon Fox."

Naruto said it with a smile. Yet Hinata only looked more upset. "But Naruto-kun, you've never done anything to wrong them. You only resisted their malice."

"Malice doesn't need a reason. They're just venting their emotions."

Naruto still wore a smile, but Hinata could not help frowning. "But that kind of behavior is wrong. Doesn't the village teach everyone to help each other?"

"If that's the case, why did those children bully you?"

Hinata's voice was soft and lacked confidence. "Maybe it's because they haven't received an education. They'll understand when they grow up, but those villagers..."

Seeing Hinata fall silent, Naruto stepped forward and patted her head. "Helping each other is only a slogan. Plenty of people shout it, but very few actually do it."

"That includes the Caged Bird system of your Hyuga Clan."

Hearing this, Hinata raised her head and looked at Naruto in confusion.

He continued, "The Caged Bird was originally meant to protect the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan from being taken by outsiders, but now it has become a tool for the Main Family to rule over the Branch Family."

Naruto looked at Hinata with a smile as he spoke. "Hinata, I remember you once said that Uncle Hiashi was the one who killed the Cloud ninja that raided the compound at night. So why was your uncle Hizashi the one handed over in the end?"

Hinata fell silent again. As the eldest daughter of the Main Family, she treated every member of the Branch Family equally.

But that was only her. The difference in status between the Main Family and the Branch Family was obvious, and in extreme cases, the Main Family even had the power to decide the Branch Family's fate.

That was why Uncle Hizashi had died, and why Brother Neji was so hostile toward her.

The village always preached that everyone should help each other, yet it allowed the Caged Bird system, something that so clearly violated the Will of Fire. Why?

For a moment, Hinata thought of many things. But unable to find a solution, she could only stand there helplessly.

At that moment, Naruto patted Hinata's shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't think too much about it. It's enough to focus on being yourself. Only by first becoming yourself and then growing stronger can you change everything you hate."

As they spoke, they had already arrived near the Hyuga Compound. It was time to part ways.

Although Naruto had comforted her, Hinata still looked troubled, as though the light had faded from her eyes.

After they separated, Naruto remained where he was, placing a hand on his head and sighing softly. "I really shouldn't expose a child to the harsh truths of the world. She was almost crying, and I'm not good at comforting people."

"Listen to you—aren't you a little brat yourself? Still, is it really all right to treat a girl who likes you that way? If it were me, I'd be more gentlemanly. I certainly wouldn't make a little girl sad so casually."

The Nine-Tails, who had watched the entire exchange, could not help coming online to complain as a love consultant.

Naruto snorted. "What do you know? Hinata's weak personality is completely unsuited to being a ninja, much less the heir of the Main Family. Besides, we're bound to go out into the world eventually."

The Nine-Tails sighed. After staring at Naruto for a long time, he said, "Naruto, sometimes I wonder whether you're really a child. Could you be the reincarnation of some old monster?"

Naruto glanced at the Nine-Tails and feigned curiosity. "I've wondered that too. You've lived for so long, big fox. Have you ever seen anyone who was reincarnated? Tell me about it."

The Nine-Tails suddenly felt irritated. "No, no. I'm not omnipotent."

Inside the Main Family residence.

Hinata changed into training clothes, found her father, Hyuga Hiashi, and asked to increase her training regimen.

Hyuga Hiashi agreed to Hinata's request, though he asked in confusion, "Your current training load is already very high. Why do you want to increase it?"

"Father, I want to become stronger, and then surpass Brother Neji."

Hinata spoke slowly, then added silently in her heart, Only then can I change everything I hate.