Hinata, Stop Pretending

"The movements are already quite standard. As for some of the shortcomings, you'll be able to make up for them once you awaken the Byakugan."

Although Hinata could not even defeat the weakest of the genin for the time being, compared to Hanabi, she had already awakened the Byakugan and had been refining Chakra from her body for quite some time. Naturally, she had received far more instruction than Hanabi.

But considering that she should not mislead Hanabi, Hinata decided she could not teach her from her own perspective. She believed Hyuga Hiashi must already have a plan.

So she said, "Hanabi, you're amazing. Your sister doesn't know what she can teach you either. How about this? Let's train together today. When Father returns, we'll have him teach us."

After hearing that, Hanabi said, "Sister, I understand."

Next, Hanabi and Hinata began their respective training. In the end, Hinata was still limited by her physical condition and scant Chakra reserves, unable to fully bring out the true essence of the Gentle Fist Style.

But when she performed the Gentle Fist Style infused with Chakra, it still cut through the air with fierce force. Seeing this, Hanabi immediately shouted, "Sister is amazing!"

Half the morning had passed, yet Hyuga Hiashi had not returned. Hinata guessed that he and some of the village's other ninja clans might still be wrangling at the Hokage Building with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the three advisors—Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō.

She and Hanabi had long since finished training. She did not know what the former Hinata thought of cultivation, but the current Hinata felt her blood surge from the exhilarating training just now.

What she wanted even more now was another equally passionate battle.

A Chance Encounter with Sakura

By the time Hyuga Hiashi returned, it was nearly two in the afternoon. There was no visible change in expression on his calm face.

As for the final outcome of the wrangling that had lasted nearly half a day, perhaps only those present knew for sure, though the general conclusion had likely already been reached.

Hinata now suspected that the Hokage's cause of death might have been having to constantly deal with these calculating, scheming people, leaving him no time to eat and mentally exhausted, on top of his aging body.

"Tut, tut." Then his beloved disciple Orochimaru suddenly stabbed him in the back, and feeling that life had become meaningless, he decided to end his life in battle.

So the Hokage's death had actually been inevitable. Of course, that was merely Hinata's wild imagination.

After Hyuga Hiashi returned, and Hinata and Hanabi had greeted him, Hiashi said, "Hinata, continue attending the Ninja Academy tomorrow."

Hinata nodded and quietly replied, "Yes, Father."

It seemed things had calmed down again. Perhaps the period that followed would be Konoha's most peaceful and tranquil time.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were both rather reclusive types. Hiruzen Sarutobi was the kind who genuinely wished for the village to remain forever peaceful and harmonious. As for Shimura Danzō...

He was probably busy transplanting Sharingan onto himself now, and would not suddenly emerge to stir up trouble.

That night, the moon shone bright amid sparse stars. The moon was especially full and round today. Hinata and Hanabi sat on the steps of the corridor, with two plates of food and a pot of steaming tea beside them.

From time to time, Hinata picked food from the plates and stuffed it into her mouth, while quietly gazing at the moon.

Hanabi was much quieter. She held a teacup in her hands, but a look of helpless confusion showed on her small face. The breeze brushed past, stirring her bangs and the tips of her hair.

She did not know what was wrong with her sister. She had asked several questions, yet Hinata had chosen not to answer any of them, only staring straight at the moon. Though the moon was big and round today, so what?

Did I do something to make Sister unhappy? Hanabi fell into deep thought.

Hinata reached toward the plate with her hand. Ah? She withdrew her gaze from the moon and looked at the plate beside her. It was empty; Hinata had long since finished all the food.

This left Hinata somewhat dissatisfied. When she raised her head, she saw Hanabi caught up in her worries. After thinking for a moment, Hinata lifted her hand and gently patted Hanabi's head.

Hanabi, lost in her confusion, suddenly felt a small hand gently resting on her head. She raised her head and looked at the owner of that hand with her pale eyes.

Softly, she murmured, "Sister!"