Regret My Shadow, Your Sun!

"N-no... no need, Cangwu-sensei, I'm not hungry, I already had breakfast."

Hinata scrambled to sit up, thanking Ino as she did.

She shot Cangwu a somewhat reproachful glance, a wisp of black smoke flickering in the depths of her eyes.

Cangwu-sensei had said something about her awakening memories... and seemed to know her well... and even said he wanted to marry her...

But why did he have to say it right in front of Ino... how embarrassing~!

Ino watched Hinata with a knowing, half-smile.

She had naturally long noticed Hinata was awake, but had kept her eyes closed the whole time.

Earlier, whenever Cangwu mentioned appetite or eating, Hinata's small frame would tremble slightly.

If you looked closely, you could even see Hinata's long eyelashes quivering.

A blush slowly crept across her little face.

"I see... then let's head back to class first." Cangwu let out a soft laugh at Hinata's resentful look.

He too had noticed that Hinata had been awake for a while.

But why had she fainted in the first place?

"Cangwu-sensei, we'll be going now~"

Ino gave a sweet smile, then pulled Hinata along as they left.

After stepping out of the office, Hinata still felt a bit dazed.

"Ino... thank you... and, what happened to me?"

"You suddenly collapsed at the school gate."

"Cangwu-sensei happened to be right there, so he had you lean on him and brought you to the office first."

As she spoke, Ino looked at Hinata with keen interest.

"Hinata, I heard your appetite... haha, ahem, why did you get so worked up all of a sudden?"

"When I held you, your face was all flushed, like you'd just come out of an oven~"

At that, Hinata's little face heated up again.

Seeing this, Ino blinked, finding it a bit unbelievable.

How amusing~!

So she leaned in a little closer and whispered, "Could it be... that seeing Cangwu-sensei got you so excited..."

Mmph~!

Ino: "..."

By the time Hinata woke up again, she was already in the classroom.

Beside her, naturally, was Ino.

Ino propped her cheek on one hand, smiling as she watched Hinata.

But this time, she wasn't being so excessive.

Hinata didn't know what her little head was thinking, but her face turned red again.

Watching Hinata, whose ears were even reddening, Ino felt like she'd discovered a new continent.

A few seats ahead, the pink-haired girl frowned and turned her head.

'Why isn't Ino-pig fighting me over Sasuke-kun today?'

'Hinata?'

'When did those two get so close?'

The pink-haired girl couldn't figure it out, watching Ino whisper cheerfully to Hinata, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.

She glanced at Sasuke, and suddenly felt her fighting spirit wane quite a bit.

By the time the pink-haired girl turned back, Ino happened to glance over her shoulder.

Then she subconsciously looked at Sasuke.

Suddenly, it all felt a bit pointless.

Back in third year, when she'd discovered the treasure of a teacher, she'd completely lost all interest in Sasuke.

Most of the time, she just fooled around with Sakura for fun.

But...

Ino looked back at Hinata, who was nearly talked into a stupor.

'So cute~'

Why had she never noticed before how cute and fun Hinata was?

No, she couldn't waste any more time on pointless squabbling.

With the remaining school days, it was time to have some fun teasing cute little Hinata~

"What if... I mean, what if Cangwu-sensei doesn't refuse?"

Hinata blinked. Hadn't she just said she liked Cangwu-sensei?

How did it suddenly turn into her confessing to him?

Hinata couldn't help but recall Cangwu's muttering to himself yesterday.

And the look in his eyes when he faced a girl.

Her face flushed again, heating up.

This time, even her little head started to steam.

"Hinata... huh?!"

Ino was completely thrown off.

Steaming?

That... that's not scientific~!

Ino grew even more excited, hugging Hinata and whispering softly:

"Embarrassed?"

"Oh dear, looks like I hit the mark. But it makes sense—Cangwu-sensei is so handsome, it's only natural for Hinata to be smitten~!"

Hinata quickly covered Ino's little mouth.

"No... no... don't talk nonsense..."

For a moment, Hinata forgot who she was.

She instinctively glanced at the back of the figure sent out to stand as punishment.

The feeling... wasn't as strong anymore.

The admiration in her heart had been shattered by yesterday's experience.

Because a new admiration, one that shook her heart more deeply, had appeared.

A maiden's feelings aren't complicated.

Ino was the proud daughter of the Yamanaka Clan.

A little coaxing, and shy little Hinata would spill everything.

Sure enough, Ino immediately pinpointed the essence of Hinata's admiration.

"Is... is that so?"

Hinata asked weakly.

Ino crossed her arms and nodded with great confidence.

"Then... I..."

"That's right, you're done for—you've fallen in love~!"

Ino said with a grin.

This time, Hinata fainted outright.

She hadn't told Ino everything she'd heard.

For example, Cangwu muttering about his memories recovering.

But a little mischievous thought made her say that Cangwu, while dozing off, had muttered about wanting to marry her.

Hinata didn't notice the trace of envy in Ino's eyes.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Hokage Building, in the Hokage's office.

Might Guy pushed a wheelchair in.

Kakashi sat in the wheelchair, his expression grim.

Well... he wore a mask, but the heavy dark circles under his eyes were unmistakably real.

"Kakashi, has your condition improved at all?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with concern.

Kakashi shook his head.

He tried to speak, but the sound that came out was worse than a drake's croak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.

"Enough. In that case, we'll have to find someone to take your place for now."

Hearing this, Kakashi closed his eyes.

"Yo~!"

"Yes..."

Might Guy was just about to start his usual loud declaration when Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly moved to cast a technique.

"In that case, rest well during this time. Kakashi is in your care, Guy."

"Got it~!"

After Might Guy pushed Kakashi's wheelchair out of the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally set down the report in his hands.

The cause of Kakashi's illness still remained undiscovered.

And the Ninja Academy graduation was only a week away.

"Summon Cangwu to see me."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Whoosh—

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, a respectful voice sounded from behind him.

Bang—

And just as that Anbu ninja vanished, the Hokage's door was shoved open.

One could even say it was kicked open.

"Sarutobi!"

"Since Kakashi can't serve as the Jonin Instructor for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the last bloodline of the Uchiha,"

"then hand them both over to me!"

"I'll return to you two tools absolutely loyal to Konoha!"

The one who barged in was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi's old flame—Shimura Danzō.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Danzō. He suddenly suspected that Kakashi's sudden health issues might have something to do with this old friend of his.

"No need. I already have my own arrangements."

As if—hand them over to you and expect them back?

Hearing Sarutobi's flat refusal, Danzō's face instantly darkened.

"Sarutobi, have you forgotten how dangerous a Jinchuriki can be?!"

"If you assign just anyone, it will eventually threaten the village!"

"Enough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi cut Danzō off.

"Danzō, I am the Hokage. This matter will be carried out in the name of the Hokage. Do not bring it up again."

"Sarutobi, you will regret this!"

Bang—