Hinata's Ninja Grades Weren't Very Good

After chatting for a while, Uchiha Itachi suddenly said, "Denji-kun, Lady Tsunade has taken you on as her student, and you're also friends with Sasuke. I'd like to ask you to train with him from time to time."

"Do I really need to train with him?"

Uchiha Sasuke, sporting a topknot, asked with some indignation.

Akihichi Denji considered it for a moment. "What can I do to help Sasuke?"

"Sasuke has started learning ninjutsu. Having the Sharingan will make learning much faster, but he still lacks some control over his chakra."

"I heard you used Strength of a Hundred when you fought Sasuke. I know how much chakra control that technique requires, so you must have excellent control. I spend most of my time training with the Anbu and don't have much time to guide Sasuke. That's why I'm making this somewhat presumptuous request. It's just a selfish wish of mine as his older brother."

Akihichi Denji thought it over. He didn't have any real objections; helping Sasuke train wouldn't be a hassle.

Besides, when he trained Uchiha chakra, he could use the Taotie Technique to eat a little of it. That wasn't unreasonable, right?

"And with you as someone for Sasuke to look up to, I'm sure he'll be more motivated," Uchiha Itachi added slowly.

"Who said I wanted to look up to him?" Uchiha Sasuke muttered, disgruntled.

Uchiha Itachi tapped Sasuke on his topknot, and Sasuke finally shut his mouth, looking thoroughly unhappy.

"Of course, I'll also offer you a reward afterward." Uchiha Itachi pulled a thick stack of envelopes from inside his clothes.

It had to be said: this future Great Love Immortal Venerable of the Uchiha wasn't as extreme as Denji had imagined. When it came to his younger brother Sasuke, there wasn't a single flaw in his words or actions.

After a moment's thought, Akimichi Denji nodded. "Sasuke is my friend. Helping a friend is an honor for the Akimichi Clan."

He smiled and accepted the stack of envelopes.

Uchiha Itachi nodded.

Everyone was pleased.

Denji knew Uchiha Itachi wasn't just asking him to provide guidance. He might also have considered Denji's status as Tsunade's student.

For someone from the Uchiha's peace faction, an opportunity to grow closer to the Hokage's side could bring significant benefits.

Sasuke was friends with the Hokage's student, and they would train together. With a little effort, it might even improve the Uchiha's reputation.

Uchiha Itachi wanted to follow Kagami Uchiha's example and strengthen the clan's ties with the Hokage. Even if the Hokage didn't take Sasuke on as a student, having a connection to the Hokage's faction would be an excellent thing.

And if nothing else...

Uchiha Itachi's expression grew complicated.

When that day came, at least Sasuke might be spared.

"Ding! Uchiha Itachi's wish has been fulfilled: [This is a small step for Sasuke, but a giant leap for the Uchiha]. Wish Point +1."

Looking at the panel, Akimichi Denji smiled even more broadly.

Uchiha Sasuke, of course, knew nothing about this. He simply vowed to learn ninjutsu as soon as possible, surpass Akimichi Denji, and make everyone eat their words.

He'd make everyone who looked down on him see him in a new light.

Just then, someone knocked. Akimichi Denji opened the door and saw Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hinata.

Akimichi Denji sized up the man before him. This was his first time meeting Hyuga Hiashi.

The head of the Hyuga Clan wore rather old-fashioned clothes and had a rigid expression.

Hyuga Hinata stood beside him, carrying a bag of things and looking timid.

"You must be Akimichi Denji," Hyuga Hiashi said, recognizing the boy before him.

In the Akimichi Clan's territory, where everyone had Ryoko's build, Akimichi Denji was easy to pick out: a slender boy with short red hair.

"Hello," Akimichi Denji greeted him politely.

"I'm Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan," Hyuga Hiashi said. He hesitated, seemingly worried Denji might not know who he was.

He added, "I'm also Hyuga Hinata's father."

"Hello, Clan Head Hyuga!" Akimichi Denji welcomed them inside.

The greeting "Clan Head Hyuga" seemed to please Hyuga Hiashi. He smiled with satisfaction.

Hyuga Hiashi entered the room, only to find that they already had a guest: Uchiha Itachi, the Uchiha's genius ninja. A little kid stood beside him, someone Hiashi didn't recognize.

Itachi was quite famous in the village. Hiashi even wondered if his strength was already close to his own.

Had someone beaten him to it? And the Uchiha, of all people.

The Uchiha and the Hyuga were often mentioned together in the village.

Both possessed top-tier Kekkei Genkai, which gave them a somewhat special status in the village.

The Uchiha, because of a series of historical circumstances and the Nine-Tails Incident, were regarded by the village as a terrifying threat.

The Hyuga, meanwhile, were often targeted for the power of their Byakugan. They kept to themselves and rarely interacted with the village, sending out only those who possessed the Byakugan. Their relationship with the village was also rather distant.

That was why the two clans had come to offer their congratulations.

"Is Itachi-kun here too?" Hyuga Hiashi greeted him.

"Hello, Clan Head Hyuga," Itachi replied. "Since Denji-kun has a visitor, we won't take up any more of his time."

He had already accomplished what he'd come for today, so Uchiha Itachi took Uchiha Sasuke by the hand and left.

"I'll be counting on you to look after Sasuke, Denji-kun."

"Is the Akimichi Clan Head not here today?" Hyuga Hiashi asked with a frown.

"My father hasn't returned yet."

At that, Hyuga Hiashi said nothing more and nodded.

He glanced at the table. What was that?

Chakra Metal? And that book—was it a ninjutsu manual?

The Uchiha had really gone all out!

Hyuga Hiashi looked at the gifts he'd prepared: just some ordinary shuriken and ninja tools, a cash gift, and some premium meat. Sending food to the Akimichi Clan was a choice that couldn't go wrong.

He'd thought he'd prepared everything well, but now...

Hyuga Hiashi felt a little embarrassed.

But Hyuga Hinata had already handed Akimichi Denji her gift.

"My father heard that Lady Tsunade took you on as her student, so he prepared this gift especially for you. I hope you like it."

Akimichi Denji cheerfully accepted it.

Hyuga Hiashi cleared his throat and said solemnly, "It's only a small gift. The Akimichi Clan Head and I have always been on good terms. If there's anything you'd like, Denji, just tell me. I'll arrange it for you."

Akimichi Denji replied politely, not taking the offer seriously. "That's very kind of you, Clan Head Hyuga."

If he said he wanted to learn Gentle Fist and broaden his taijutsu skills, Hyuga Hiashi would probably have to chop him to pieces.

"Did Uchiha Itachi ask you for something just now, Denji-kun?" Hyuga Hiashi asked, voicing his curiosity. "When he left, he said, 'I'm leaving Sasuke in Denji's hands.'"

Akimichi Denji didn't hide anything. "Itachi-kun thinks I'm strong, so he asked me to train Sasuke."

His words were spoken casually, but they struck a chord with someone listening.

Hyuga Hinata, who had kept her head down, felt her heart stir.

Denji would be guiding her.

Would that mean she could spend more time with him?

Without that girl from the Yamanaka Clan getting in the way...

As she thought about it, Hyuga Hinata's cheeks flushed.

The Hyuga ninja's expression shifted, too.

Even Uchiha Itachi had asked Denji for help?

He turned his gaze toward Hyuga Hinata.

Hinata's ninja grades weren't very good...

She was timid, and she hesitated whenever she had to strike during a fight.

If possible, perhaps he could ask Akimichi Denji, who was the same age as Hinata, to train her too.

That might also help strengthen ties between the Hyuga, the Akimichi, and the Hokage's faction.