Just Kill Shinmoku

During the treatment, Hinata learned from Kurenai that the Shinmoku who had detonated that day was actually just his shadow clone.

She had misunderstood him; although he didn't know it, she still felt very sorry, and fortunately, she now had a chance to make it up to him.

She brought Shinmoku to a general store she frequented and paid out of her own pocket to buy him the knitting needles and wool yarn he needed.

"Thank you."

Shinmoku had intended to pay for it himself, but Hinata insisted, and since it didn't cost much, he let her be.

Afterward, they came to a park and sat down in the shade of a tree.

"What would you like to knit?"

"Anything is fine."

"Then let's go with a scarf; it's relatively simple and suitable for beginners."

"That works."

Hinata gave a faint smile, picked up the knitting needles with both hands, and gestured for Shinmoku to follow.

"Oh!"

Shinmoku picked up the needles, mimicking her hand movements.

"I'll teach you the most basic stitch first," Hinata said, her hands never stopping. "First, cast on, then knit flat. You need to pay attention while doing it..."

Listening to the techniques while watching her movements, all while trying to keep his own hands moving, Shinmoku even felt the urge to activate his Sharingan.

About an hour later, they had knitted a scarf about a meter long.

The final step was binding off, and once finished, the two of them stood up together.

"Finally done."

Shinmoku said as he unfolded the scarf, his expression turning awkward the next moment.

It was a head shorter than Hinata's, and because it was crooked and the color scheme wasn't as nice as hers—Hinata's was red and blue, while his was solid black—it looked like a caterpillar.

In short, it was incredibly ugly.

"It's actually quite good!" Seeming to notice Shinmoku's expression, Hinata encouraged him, "It's much better than my first time."

"Thank you, but you can tell the truth."

It was a bit ugly, but Shinmoku's goal wasn't to knit a perfect scarf; he just wanted to learn some basic techniques.

"I'm just doing this for training."

"Training?"

"Yes."

As he spoke, Shinmoku took out another ball of yarn. After getting ready, he slowly pulled his hands away from the needles, but his chakra remained connected, keeping them suspended in place.

"Wow!"

[Task: You have learned how to knit. Now, use this method to knit a perfect scarf!]

[Task Reward: A scarf.]

"???"

What kind of moronic task was this?

Shinmoku listened for a brief moment before ignoring it, as this training was even more difficult than he had imagined. There were many trivial movements; not only did the positions change, but the center of gravity of the needles was also constantly shifting. He had to pour all of his focus into it.

"Hey, you guys--"

Naruto's shout came from afar, drawing closer until he landed heavily right next to them.

He dropped a stitch!

Shinmoku was speechless; he hadn't expected this kind of accidental interference training.

He looked up to see Naruto's figure everywhere in the park.

"H-hello, Naruto," Hinata said in a small voice.

"What?" Naruto tilted his head to listen, then a moment later, "I can't talk now! Some perverted teacher is chasing me!"

He ran off as soon as he finished speaking, not giving them a second to react.

"What happened?" Hinata asked softly.

"Training, probably." Shinmoku recalled the image of Ebisu helping Naruto train. "Come to think of it, why didn't you call me Shinmoku-kun?"

"I... I don't think I've ever called you by your name."

Hinata felt a bit embarrassed as she said this. She had called his name in her heart, but indeed, she hadn't added the "kun."

"I suppose that's true."

Shinmoku blinked, then continued with his training.

Uchiha Shrine.

Shinna activated her Sharingan.

After the exam yesterday, she learned that the secret to the Uchiha clan's strength was hidden here. She came over after parting ways with Shinmoku this morning.

"You've come as expected?"

A hoarse voice echoed from a dark corner of the shrine.

Orochimaru slowly emerged.

After hearing what Shinna had said yesterday, he had told her about the secret of the Uchiha hidden within the shrine.

He didn't know if there was a secret or not; he had only deduced it. But it should be correct. As for the extent of his understanding of the Uchiha, some legitimate Uchiha clan members probably didn't know as much as he did.

"Do you want to become stronger?" Orochimaru said sinisterly, "Just kill Shinmoku."

"What a wonderfully agonizing relationship. The person you hate the most is also your only living relative. Sever it and become stronger!"

Shinna glanced at Orochimaru indifferently. She saw the stone tablet and its contents.

Judging by Orochimaru's reaction, it should only be visible to those who had activated the Sharingan.

He deduced it? That's truly impressive.

She didn't speak and turned to leave the place.

Orochimaru wasn't annoyed; the Uchiha were like this.

His form gradually faded, and he also left the place. He still had things to do.

The sun traced an arc across the sky; it was already evening.

While Shinmoku was training, Hinata hadn't left and had even prepared a bento for him.

With only the final step of binding left, Hinata stared intently, afraid of missing this exciting moment.

As the knitting needles crossed and were pulled from the scarf.

"Hooray!"

Hinata clapped her hands excitedly, while Shinmoku collapsed onto the grass nearby.

His hands were trembling, and sweat poured down his face.

The training results for the day were quite evident. He had been hesitant at first, but his movements were fluid in the afternoon.

Although still very slow, it was precisely because of this that he had ample time to think about how to place the stitches. The scarf looked much better than the previous one, good enough to be sold in a shop.

[Mission complete, rewards issued, can be claimed at any time.]

Quite thoughtful.

"Thank you," he said to Hinata.

"Mhm~ It's nothing."

"Let me treat you to a meal."

"No need."

"Yes, there is." Shinmoku got up. "Let's go, Ichiraku Ramen."

Seeing Shinmoku had already set off, Hinata didn't say anything else. She got up and followed.

A moment later, they returned. The newly knitted scarf had been left on the grass.

"Your scarf," she said, catching up to him.

"No, it's your scarf—I'm giving it to you."

"I..."

"Then forget it, it's not that good-looking."

Saying this, Shinmoku extended his hand.

Hinata, however, put the scarf away.

"It's very beautiful."

He's truly gentle!

Ichiraku Ramen.

Shinmoku ordered extra-large portions of ramen for both himself and Hinata. He had expended a lot of energy and was starving.

They ate in silence.

Shinmoku only left the soup base, but Hinata beside him didn't even leave the soup, her eyes fixed on the bottom of the bowl, looking unsatisfied.

"Uncle, give her another bowl."

"No, no..."

"Not enough? Then two bowls."

"Are you sure?" Hand-man asked doubtfully.

"Don't worry, it won't be a waste."

"Okay!"

"I..." Hinata's face flushed red, and she stopped speaking.

"Eat slowly, I'm leaving now." Shinmoku placed the money on the counter. "Goodbye."

"Mm."