Ninjutsu

"Ah!"

Hinata cried out in pain.

But she still didn't fight back. Tears as big as beans spilled from her eyes.

It was a heart-wrenching sight.

That chubby boy was clearly very strong!

"Let her go!"

Nanfeng's expression turned cold.

The chubby boy's face darkened, too. He let go of Hinata, then walked toward Nanfeng, clenching his fists. "Who do you think you are?! Don't you dare yell at me! You're just some orphan with no—"

Before he could finish, a thud rang out.

A heavy blow struck his stomach. His upright body doubled over like a shrimp, curling into a ball.

Clutching his belly, his eyes bulged and he struggled to breathe... He couldn't even scream.

"What did you say?"

Nanfeng clenched his fist and stared coldly at the boy lying at his feet, his voice laced with menace.

Under Nanfeng's gaze, the chubby boy, already writhing in pain, began trembling violently.

"Tch!"

Nanfeng scoffed, dismissing him with contempt. He stepped over the boy and headed toward Hinata.

"H-he attacked him by surprise!"

"Don't be scared, there are more of us!"

"Get him!"

The remaining children were clearly frightened by what they'd just seen. Their faces showed fear, but they still thought they could take on Nanfeng because they outnumbered him.

With several shouts, they charged at Nanfeng all at once.

Smack, smack...

"Ow!"

"Ah!"

Nanfeng's ankles shifted several times as he nimbly dodged each attacker. Every time their bodies crossed, he struck swiftly, landing punches on vital spots.

A mere ten seconds later, after several cries of pain, he reached Hinata. Behind him, not one of the others remained standing. They had all fallen to the ground.

They were beaten so badly they couldn't get back up...

These children were far too slow.

They couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes.

"Are you all right?"

Hinata had short, pale purple hair. She was so young that her face still held a hint of adorable childishness. As she wept, tears streamed down her cheeks. Nanfeng held out his hand to her.

"Don't cry... You won't look good if you keep crying."

Meeting Hinata's gaze, Nanfeng grinned, showing a row of white little canine teeth.

Hinata froze for a moment. Soon, her cheeks flushed, and she shyly lowered her head.

There was a commotion behind them. The kids struggled to their feet, then cast fearful, panicked looks at Nanfeng before helping one another run off. Nanfeng had known how to hold back.

"Th-thank you."

Hinata took Nanfeng's hand, and he pulled her up from the ground.

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

It was so quiet that Nanfeng almost didn't hear her.

That made sense... Hinata was like this at this age...

She's so cute. Why would anyone think she looks bad? Nanfeng wondered.

He couldn't understand the aesthetic sense of the people in this world.

At first glance, Hinata's eyes felt a little strange... They had no distinction between iris and white. But with her slightly chubby cheeks, timid expression, and kind, gentle demeanor, she was a delight to look at...

At the very least, she was nowhere near ugly.

Nanfeng kept his gaze fixed on Hinata's face, making the girl even more embarrassed.

Still, she bowed to him.

"It's so late. Why are you dressed like this?"

Seeing her in a kimono, Nanfeng asked curiously.

"I... I came out... to buy something..."

Hinata stammered.

Nanfeng also noticed a trampled plastic bag on the ground nearby. It contained a few things, apparently including a gift box...

The Hyuga Clan had strict rules, and Hinata was the Main Family's eldest daughter, no less.

Her father, Hyuga Hiashi, wouldn't make this kind of mistake.

So... it was safe to assume Hinata had sneaked out on her own for some reason...

"Come to think of it, we've met before, back in winter. I remember you were being bullied then, too. I think... what was his name... Oh, right, Naruto saved you... I didn't get the chance to step in."

"Funny how fate works. I ran into you again!"

"You can't keep letting people bully you... You need to hit back. Otherwise, they'll just keep pushing you around."

Nanfeng said a few words.

"Mm..."

Hinata kept her head down, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

"If I remember right, your name's Hinata Hyuga, right? The young lady of the Hyuga Clan!"

"My name's Akiya Nanfeng. Pleased to meet you!"

Nanfeng introduced himself.

Hinata raised her hand and shook his.

Nanfeng's hand was warm, almost scorching. Hinata's hand, by contrast, was a little cold.

The moment the boy's hand enveloped hers, Hinata's heart began to pound.

Without thinking, she pictured Naruto's face.

For a moment, the two figures overlapped in her mind.

"You're bleeding?"

Nanfeng suddenly noticed a scrape on Hinata's arm. He immediately took hold of her arm and used the Healing Technique.

Specks of light drifted down. In an instant, the scab fell away, and her skin was restored.

"Ninjutsu?"

Hinata's mouth fell open in surprise.

"Keep it a secret for me!"

Nanfeng shushed her.

"Mm."

Hinata nodded.

Nanfeng had used Ninjutsu in front of Hinata because he was sure she wouldn't tell anyone.

System: Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have treated a patient and received +1 Attribute Point!

At the same time, the system's notification rang in his mind.

Just as I thought... As long as I treat someone, I get Attribute Points, regardless of the result...

Nanfeng's heart stirred with excitement.

Incredible!

"If anyone bullies you again... If you're scared, you can tell me. I'll teach them a lesson, and I guarantee they won't dare bother you again!" Nanfeng added.

He sounded like a big brother next door.

He didn't have any romantic feelings for Hinata. To him, she was just a child, while his soul belonged to an adult. He only felt sorry for her...

But after he said that, he noticed Hinata looking at him with shining eyes.

To a child with simple, pure thoughts—especially Hinata—he must have seemed pretty cool right now...

Well, being handsome was a lifelong matter. You couldn't afford to be careless.

Then Nanfeng bent down to pick up Hinata's plastic bag. Without the slightest hesitation, he took her hand. "Come on, I'll walk you home!"

Hinata clearly hadn't expected a strange boy to take her hand so naturally. She froze, looking dazed.

She followed along without thinking.

Her face was red as a kettle on high heat.

"You're not safe on your own. Those brats might circle around and try to ambush you again. And it wouldn't be good if someone else saw you alone, either," Nanfeng explained.

"Mm..."

Hinata's face was nearly buried against her chest.

The two little figures walked off, one in front of the other, and disappeared at the end of the road.

"That just now was..."

But in the darkness... a gaze followed Nanfeng's retreating figure, and a voice murmured in surprise.