Hinata, Stop Pretending

Wonderful, truly wonderful. Just look at how many predecessors had crossed over and gradually grown stronger in that legendary forest, leaving behind their successful footprints there.

But for the current Hinata, all she could say was, "Heh." Going alone to train in the Forest of Death? That was just asking for trouble!

Just look at how many people in the ninja world coveted these eyes. The Branch Family was bound by the Caged Bird, so if they wanted those eyes, they could only target members of the Main Family.

Hinata was the eldest daughter of the Main Family. She had already awakened the Byakugan, yet her strength was low. If she ran off to the Forest of Death alone and caught the attention of someone with ill intent, she would definitely attract a bunch of perverted old men.

So, for her own safety, she decided she should endure it for now! Following the normal course of events, she would only have a little freedom—and a bit of the strength needed to protect that freedom—after successfully graduating from the Ninja Academy, which was still four years away.

But constantly holding herself back felt pretty awful too! Hinata pondered in secret for a while. What other options did she have? If nothing else, she could learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Although she had too little Chakra right now and could not afford the Shadow Clone Jutsu in the System Store, this seemed like the best option at present. She estimated that in another year, her Chakra reserves might be enough to use a Shadow Clone.

Then she could send the Shadow Clone to train in the Forest of Death while she quietly remained a good little student at school.

Then again, Hinata actually felt that the trees in this world were rather pitiful. Think about it—whenever powerful fighters battled, wouldn't huge swathes of vegetation be destroyed?

Fortunately, the plants in this world were resilient enough. Otherwise, the people living in the Land of Wind would definitely give you brilliant smiles, because you would absolutely be one of their own. No question about it.

After training for a while, Hinata went to take a bath. When she came out, breakfast was already prepared—a table full of food. According to Aunt Yamada, Hyuga Hiashi and Hanabi did not plan to come over for breakfast, and another cook had delivered a separate meal to them.

The meaning of that was self-evident. Hinata immediately stopped hesitating. She gently picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and placed it in her mouth, chewing slowly before stuffing in a mouthful of rice with an "ah-woo."

In less than ten minutes, Hinata had completely wiped out enough food to feed four or five adults. Satisfied, she rubbed her stomach.

Aunt Yamada, whose face bore a few wrinkles, maintained a smile the entire time, as if this were perfectly normal. Hinata inwardly snarked, Hey, you're definitely an extra among extras. Even the author can barely be bothered to give you any screen time.

Lecherous Jiraiya and Gambling Granny Tsunade

By noon, a remote town somewhere in the Land of Soup welcomed a new visitor outside its borders.

He wore wooden sandals, had a head full of white hair, and was dressed in an extremely bulky outfit. A large character for "oil" was printed on both the red cloak behind him and the forehead protector on his brow.

Jiraiya reached up to wipe the sweat on his face caused by the sunlight. His expression was somewhat—well, his eyes shone with brilliant light.

The long journey had long since grown tiresome for him. For someone who claimed he would become a famous figure in the ninja world, there had been no subjects to gather material from in these barren mountains and wilds.

All his creative inspiration had vanished, but when he saw the faint rows of houses ahead...

A wild roar erupted in his heart: A small town on a distant journey, hot springs that intoxicate one beyond reason! Regardless of east, west, south, or north, the invincible white-haired brat, toad messenger, Sage of the Toads Jiraiya of Mount Myōboku, has arrived!

The moment he finished speaking, he was lightly tripped by a stone. A startled cry followed, and then he landed face-first like a dog eating dirt.

He got to his feet and rubbed his reddened nose, thinking to himself, Today is not a good day to go out.

As he drew closer, plots of fertile farmland appeared outside the town, and from time to time, he could see people busy working in the fields.

He picked his nose, then lightly pressed with his pinky and thumb, sending the booger flying far into the distance.

The scorching sun, hardworking farmers, the sprawling town in the distance, and this traveler from afar—what kind of bizarre artistic style was this?

So he decisively broke the strange atmosphere by picking his nose.

Then he thought with some complaint, It seems like I haven't returned to Konoha in many years either! I wonder what Konoha is like now.

I wonder whether the name of the great Jiraiya is still being passed around. Are there many beautiful young women deeply enamored with me?

At that thought, waves of indecent images suddenly surfaced in his mind. His face began to flush, a lecherous grin spread across his lips, and an unidentified liquid occasionally dribbled from the corner of his mouth.