"Actually, I have a hidden ability that lets me predict the future. Do you believe me?"
Shin's answer was basically a piece of nonsense meant to avoid the question. After all, how was he supposed to explain that he was a transmigrator? That excuse would have been even less believable.
Yet, to his surprise, Hyuga Tamamo nodded with a serious expression and said softly, "I see. No wonder you were able to seize so many opportunities during the Warring States Period. No wonder it seemed like you knew Konoha would be founded from the very beginning."
Seeing how serious she looked, Shin's expression turned slightly strange. "Hey, you don't actually believe that, do you?"
To his surprise, Hyuga Tamamo suddenly smiled. "My acting wasn't too bad, was it?"
"..." Shin was suddenly speechless. "It wasn't bad, but... you've changed, Tamamo. You never used to make jokes like that. It looks like meeting Hinata has put you in a good mood. Heh, seems I should find some time to visit that little girl."
Hyuga Tamamo looked at him suspiciously and said in a low voice, "You aren't harboring any improper thoughts, are you? Let me warn you, she looks very much like I did back then. An old bull eating tender grass is unacceptable."
"Cough... cough..." Shin had just lifted his teacup when he choked, breaking into a loud coughing fit.
His expression became increasingly strange. If the Tamamo before him were not someone he knew so well—and if no one in this world could use a Transformation Technique in front of him—he would have nearly shouted, "What demon are you? Reveal your true form at once!"
How could Hyuga Tamamo have become like this? Or had meeting Hinata awakened a second personality she had hidden for years?
Of course, Shin