This Is a Transaction

It is unknown how much time had passed, but Hinata Hyuga had been sitting quietly in the corner of her room, her eyes gradually becoming clear and resolute.

"I have already successfully changed the fate of the Hyuga Clan once; this time... I will certainly succeed again."

She took a deep breath, preparing to close her notebook and put it away, when suddenly, new text appeared on the page.

[Detecting...]

[Life Simulator function upgrade complete, new feature added--Simulation Rewards]

"Simulation rewards?"

Her gaze remained fixed on the page, fearing she might miss a single word.

[Based on the comprehensive evaluation of this simulation, the host may choose one of the following two rewards]

[Option One: Acquire all of your own insights into the Gentle Fist Technique from three years into the future of the simulation]

[Option Two: Inherit your own training progress in the Gentle Fist Technique from three years into the future of the simulation]

[Please choose carefully, host; only one reward may be selected per simulation]

Hinata's breathing nearly stopped. So... the simulator could not only reveal the future and provide possibilities for change, but it could also grant her tangible power?

If this were true, then... changing the fate of the Hyuga Clan would...

Hinata was not foolish. She knew that the more outstanding she appeared, the more likely she was to gain her father's support; the more she resembled a qualified head-family heir, the more she would earn the trust of the clansmen.

And at this moment, this power descending from the heavens was exactly the help she needed most.

These two options each had their own pros and cons.

The first option meant she could master techniques and their essence more quickly, effectively compensating for her lack of natural talent. However, if her physical training progress could not match this level of understanding, she would feel inadequate in actual combat.

If she chose the second, it would be equivalent to skipping the process of hard training and arriving directly at the result. But while rote knowledge could be used, it was difficult to adapt flexibly.

"What... exactly am I lacking?"

She recalled the hard training she had endured day after day since she could remember, the version of herself that would always struggle to climb back up no matter how many times she fell under her father's disappointed gaze, regardless of the season.

"I think... I shouldn't be lacking in effort."

Hinata pressed her fingertip against the first option.

In an instant, a warm current surged from the page into her palm, rushing up her arms and straight into her mind. After the brief, throbbing pain faded, an indescribable sense of enlightenment washed over her.

Hinata opened her eyes, feeling as though everything had suddenly become clear: "So that was where I went wrong during the sparring match with Father today; if I improve that, I only need to..."

The Gentle Fist Technique was actually this simple?!

The Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms could be used like this?!

So... this was how the world looked through the eyes of Neji!

Excitement flickered in Hinata's eyes, but soon, new text slowly appeared on the page, cooling her enthusiasm.

[Important Note: Life Simulator mechanism refined--simulation duration is positively correlated with cooldown time]

[Current simulation duration: Three years]

[Corresponding cooldown time: Thirty days]

"A month?"

Hinata was stunned for a moment, then felt relieved. If she could obtain such powerful strength from every simulation, then a one-month cooldown was understandable.

"I am no longer the person I used to be."

Hinata closed the notebook, put it away, and took out paper and pen to make a brief plan.

"When encountering problems, I cannot just sit and wait for death. Just as Hyuga Kiyonari taught me, first determine the goal... change the established fate of the Hyuga Clan."

"Next is to determine the direction, hmm... it is to investigate the truth about the border. Break the big goal down into small goals, start from where I can, and since the border is under the responsibility of Tsunade, then..."

"I still need to go find Hyuga Kiyonari."

On the other side, Hyuga Kiyonari opened his eyes, a satisfied smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Finally... she took the bait."

In truth, he had long wanted to add a reward function to Hinata's Life Simulator, but it had been shelved due to a lack of Correction Points.

As for why?

Because in any world, if one wants to accomplish something, power is necessary.

Ideals are beautiful and plans are perfect, but without sufficient power to execute them, everything is just a castle in the air.

For Hinata, power was not just capital for combat; it was the catalyst for her inner self, the foundation of her confidence to act.

A child who has been denied and ignored since childhood does not need the encouragement of others as much as she needs achievements she can show for herself. Only when she truly becomes strong and truly gains recognition will the self-abasement and doubt in her heart gradually dissipate.

Moreover, Hyuga Kiyonari knew very well that if he wanted to continue hiding behind the scenes, merely talking was not enough.

He could provide Hinata with direction, help her avoid mistakes, and let her see the possibilities of the future. But the one who truly stood at the forefront, the one who truly faced those challenges, would always be Hinata herself.

Rather than letting Hinata become a puppet that only acts according to his instructions, it would be better to truly cultivate her, allowing her to possess the ability to stand on her own.

Only when she is truly strong, and when she has sufficient confidence and conviction, can she become a key figure capable of changing the Hyuga Clan, and perhaps even the entire ninja world.

As for him, he only needs to provide a push at the critical moment and point out a clear path; that will be enough.

Although this path will be extremely difficult, Hinata will also gain a brand-new self within this script.

She will become the person she wants to be.

This is the promise Hyuga Kiyonari has given her, and he, too, will harvest the self he wants to become from behind the stage curtains.

This is a fair trade.

"Next, it all depends on your performance."

Hinata...

Kiyonari closed the system panel, lay back down on the bed, and closed his eyes amidst the night.

The next morning, he was awakened by a pleasant, crisp ringing sound.

When he opened his eyes, his head still felt a bit groggy; he rolled over and squinted toward the window. The sky was just beginning to brighten, the sun had only just poked its head above the horizon, and the entire Konoha was still shrouded in the morning mist.

So early? Who would come at this hour? Is it Hinata?

Kiyonari let out a yawn, grabbed the clothes he had left by the bedside to pull them on, and walked barefoot to the bathroom.

The moment the cold water splashed onto his face, most of his sleepiness dissipated. After a quick tidy-up, he looked much neater in the mirror.

Kiyonari walked toward the entrance. He pulled the door open, and the person standing outside made him pause in slight surprise.

It was Hinata Hyuga.

But... she was wearing a light purple hoodie, her fair face appearing exceptionally clear in the morning light. What was most striking was the smile on her face—bright, radiant, and carrying a sense of ease as if victory were already in her grasp.

"Good morning, Kiyonari."

Hinata's voice was soft, yet possessed a bit more vitality than usual.

"Good morning, Hinata."

Kiyonari responded, though his mind was racing.

He had anticipated seeing all sorts of Hinata—nervous, sad, or perhaps seeking his help the moment they met... but in any case, he had never imagined a scene like this.

Buhao, my script!

Hinata looked up, her face—usually prone to shyness and blushing—appearing remarkably composed at this moment.

"Could you walk with me for a while?"