Hinata, Stop Pretending

If not for the possibility that the table might not have held it all, there might have been even more.

The two of them called out, "Let's eat," and then Hinata instantly went into full-on devouring mode. In less than five minutes, there was barely any food left on the table.

After Hinata finished eating to her heart's content, she looked up and saw Hanabi sitting there stiffly with her bowl in hand, her chopsticks still raised in midair.

Hinata immediately felt her face grow hot and hurriedly said apologetically to Hanabi, "Sorry, I was too hungry, so I couldn't help myself."

Hanabi stared blankly at the now-empty table and thought, Big Sister seems to have gotten even better at eating, but she also seems really amazing.

Hearing Hinata's voice, she immediately came back to her senses and said, "Big Sister, it's fine. I'm not very hungry. If I get hungry later, I'll ask Aunt Yamada to make me some more desserts."

Hinata nodded and changed the subject. "Mm, I wonder when Father will be back. It's actually pretty boring staying at home. I wonder when I'll be able to return to the Ninja Academy!"

Hanabi immediately perked up when she heard that and asked, "Is the Ninja Academy really that fun? Is it more interesting than having Father accompany us while we practice Gentle Fist at home?"

Hanabi's question stumped Hinata. Although she had memories of life at the Ninja Academy, the current Hinata was no longer the Hinata of the past.

Now that she thought about it carefully, from her more mature perspective, neither seemed all that interesting. It was just that she had yet to personally visit the Ninja Academy in this life, so she was full of curiosity about it.

After all, this was the place that had produced figures such as Minato Namikaze and Kushina, people whose names had shaken the ninja world, as well as Obito Uchiha, one of its final bosses.

There had once been a saying online: Whether the ninja world was in chaos or not depended on Konoha's dead last.

Seeing Hinata space out, Hanabi asked in confusion, "Big Sister, what's wrong? Can't you tell me?"

Hinata immediately shook her head. "No, I was just thinking about how to explain it to you. But after thinking about it, I realized this feeling can't really be put into words. It just feels pretty happy and blissful," she silently added, I guess.

Hanabi was a little disappointed after hearing that. Though she was only three years old, the temperament she displayed was probably comparable to that of a high school student from Hinata's previous life.

After feeling disappointed for a moment, she immediately grabbed Hinata and said, "Big Sister, you have to go to the Ninja Academy at other times, and even when you have some free time, you have to train on your own."

"Practice with me today! Big Sister, Father said I have great talent for cultivating Gentle Fist."

Hinata immediately nodded. Although she was only eight this year and was no longer the Hinata she used to be, the memories she had inherited and her body's instinctive reactions after training—

All of it proved that although Hinata Hyuga looked adorable, her diligence in training was enough to make anyone sigh in admiration. Of course, compared to Might Guy and Rock Lee, she could not be mentioned in the same breath.

It was precisely because Hyuga Hiashi had seen how diligently Hinata trained that he had begun to feel hope. Yet Hinata's personality and the incident that had occurred created such a stark contrast.

As the saying went, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. That was why Hyuga Hiashi always paid attention to her, yet always wore a disappointed expression.

As they spoke, Hinata led Hanabi to a spacious, quiet courtyard. This was the dojo where Hinata and Hanabi usually trained.

The surroundings were also exceptionally tranquil, with crisp birdsong occasionally drifting through the rustling of the trees.

In the courtyard, Hanabi had already assumed a decent opening stance, then began a familiar series of Gentle Fist movements. Though she was only three, it was clear that Hyuga Hiashi must have trained her quite strictly in private.

However, Hanabi was still not even four years old. Her Byakugan had yet to awaken, and she had probably only just begun learning Chakra refinement.

To Hinata, who had already learned the Gentle Fist Style, it was merely a flashy form. If they truly fought, it would be full of openings.

But for a three-year-old child, this was already exceptionally impressive. Thus, when Hyuga Hiashi began to lose hope in Hinata, discovering Hanabi's potential gave him a new source of hope.

Before long, sweat had already formed on Hanabi's small forehead. She was simply too young; stamina and physical fitness were not things training alone could make up for. Perhaps once she grew a little older, Hanabi would be able to reveal her true talent.

After finishing a set of Gentle Fist Style movements, Hanabi immediately ran over happily and asked, "Big Sister, what do you think?"

Hinata nodded. "Hanabi, you're already amazing. You're even better than your big sister."