Obtaining Help

His already keen eyesight had improved dramatically, and the world before him had become clearer and brighter than ever.

Even without activating his Byakugan, he could take in every detail of his surroundings, easily tracking the movements of tiny objects in the distance.

"This power will gradually merge with your body. As time passes, your body will slowly adapt to these high-purity Byakugan."

After hearing Hamura Otsutsuki's words, Hyuga Shinichi felt the world spin around him. It was as if everything were shaking, and the scene before his eyes gradually blurred, as though shrouded in thick fog.

Hamura Otsutsuki's figure, too, grew distant and insubstantial.

"Lord Hamura Otsutsuki, will I be able to see you again?"

"Once your Byakugan has successfully evolved and you've gained even greater power and abilities, we'll meet again..."

Hyuga Shinichi tried hard to make out everything around him, but his vision grew increasingly blurred. As Hamura Otsutsuki finished speaking, it finally lost focus completely.

He felt as though he were floating in midair, with nothing to support or steady him.

The weightlessness left Hyuga Shinichi unable to control his direction. He could only close his eyes, not knowing where he would drift.

Only when his butt hit the ground did Hyuga Shinichi open his eyes again. He realized he had returned to his mental space and could feel the power within him nourishing his body.

It was Yin-Yang Chakra! But he couldn't use it.

So the Yin-Yang Chakra was transforming his body? He had actually received help from Hamura Otsutsuki. Nobody would believe him if he told them.

Just then, as though he could feel his body slowly regaining sensation, his mental world vanished in an instant, and his thoughts grew clear.

Hyuga Shinichi struggled to lift his heavy eyelids. The world before him gradually came into focus. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across his face, bringing a touch of warmth, while a gentle breeze brushed his cheek, refreshing him.

He drew a deep breath. Fresh air flowed through his nostrils into his lungs, nourishing every cell. It felt as though he had awakened from a long, hazy dream. Everything seemed so real and beautiful.

"Ah, Zhenyi, you're awake!"

He turned toward the voice and saw a small figure with a thick mop of blond hair standing in the doorway, holding a wooden basin.

"Minato, what brings you here?"

Just then, a tall figure with an equally thick mop of white hair appeared in the doorway and reached out to ruffle Minato's blond hair.

"I met Minato when I came by and got to know him. Later, while we were talking, I heard you'd overused your chakra and needed to rest, so I thought I'd come check on you. What a good kid."

It was Jiraiya speaking. The two of them came into the room.

Namikaze Minato gently set the basin down, then bent over and dipped his hand into it to pick up the towel soaking in hot water. He wrung it out firmly, as if trying to squeeze all its warmth and comfort from it.

As he worked, water dripped from the towel into the basin, making a crisp sound.

Namikaze Minato carefully felt the towel's texture and temperature, making sure it was damp enough but not too wet.

At last, satisfied, he smiled and handed the wrung-out towel to Hyuga Shinichi.

Steam rose from the towel, and paired with Namikaze Minato's sunny smile, it was like a little torch of warmth, filling him with a sense of peace and ease.

"Oh, Minato had just arrived when he saw you fast asleep. Later, he noticed beads of sweat on your forehead and cheeks, so he wanted to wet a towel and wipe them off."

Hyuga Shinichi took the towel and felt its warmth. A warm feeling welled up inside him, too.

"Thank you, Minato."

"Why are you being so polite with me, Zhenyi? Hehe."

Namikaze Minato rubbed the back of his head and gave a goofy smile.

"How are you feeling, Zhenyi? Is anything still bothering you?"

"I slept for a while, and all my fatigue is gone. I feel like I'm back in top shape, Jiraiya."

"That's good."

After wiping the sweat from his forehead, cheeks, and neck, he went over to the basin, scooped up a handful of hot water, and splashed it on his face. Then he dried his face with the towel.

Hyuga Shinichi felt refreshed, and an urge to find someone and pick a fight rose in him.

"By the way, Jiraiya, how long was I asleep?"

"Just the whole morning. It's almost time for lunch."

The three of them chatted as they went downstairs to the living room. Only Nawaki and Uzumaki Mito were there; Tsunade and Dan Katō seemed to have gone out shopping.

"Ah! Shinichi, you're awake!"

"Yeah, I feel great now. Nawaki, I can give you that fight you wanted this afternoon."

"Great! This time, I'll show you how I knock you flat!"

Uzumaki Mito took a sip of tea and looked at Hyuga Shinichi. He knew what she meant, so he spoke first.

"Grandma, I'm fine now. I want to fight Nawaki this afternoon, and I'd also like to train this boy a little. Would it be all right if we practiced Sealing Jutsu tomorrow instead?"

"Forget it. You've already memorized most of the Sealing Jutsu; you just can't use it yet. There's nothing more I can teach you, so go ahead. Don't worry about me."

After speaking, Uzumaki Mito looked at Namikaze Minato, whom Hyuga Shinichi had drawn to his side. A gentle smile was always on the boy's face.

"And is this the younger brother you took in?"

"Yes, Grandma. His name is Namikaze Minato."

"Come here, child. Let Grandma have a look at you."

Uzumaki Mito beckoned Namikaze Minato over, and Jiraiya grew anxious.

"Lady Mito, Minato is Zhenyi's introduction to me as my student. You can't steal him away!"

"Shinichi has learned enough that he can practically graduate, and I'm getting on in years, with no energy to spare for teaching another student. Don't worry, Jiraiya. It's just that this child has a face that's especially pleasing to look at."

After resting and recuperating for a while, Hyuga Shinichi felt completely recovered, so lunch once again fell to him to prepare.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato was chatting merrily with everyone in the living room. His gentle and courteous nature made him instantly likable to them all.

Watching Namikaze Minato joke and talk with everyone in the living room, Hyuga Shinichi couldn't help thinking of the good impression Minato had always made in the original story.

He was always so humble, friendly, and willing to help. No matter who he faced, he always wore a smile and treated them with courtesy.

Those qualities had made him popular even before he became Hokage.

Just as Hyuga Shinichi was lost in thought, laughter from the living room interrupted him.

He knew it had to be one of those two jokers, Jiraiya or Nawaki, who had said something funny enough to make everyone laugh.

Hyuga Shinichi also quickened his hands and finished preparing lunch in no time.

When Hyuga Shinichi carried the last dish into the living room, he saw everyone gathered around the dining table, waiting to eat.

"Wow! That smells amazing!"

Namikaze Minato exclaimed excitedly.

"Haha, you're in for a treat today, kid. Sit down; it's time to eat."

Everyone took their seats and began enjoying the sumptuous lunch. They chatted and laughed together, and the atmosphere was warm and cheerful.