The Wealthy Hyuga Heiress

The dagger gleamed with cold light!

With the slightest exertion, he could easily kill the person before him.

But then—

Where had that smell of cat poop come from...

"Ah..."

Haku sighed, and his killing intent slowly faded.

He put away the dagger and nudged the two of them.

"Hey, the morning dew is cold. You'll freeze."

Chiye Jun slowly woke up. Looking at the delicate face before him, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked, "You are...?"

Haku smiled.

"I'm a young lady. My name is Hashimoto."

Pah! You've got vegetables too... Chiye Jun sneered inwardly.

But he quickly smiled and asked:

"By the way, this big bird... young lady, why are you in the forest at the crack of dawn?"

Haku smiled and pointed at the basket.

"I came to gather some herbs to stop bleeding and treat injuries."

At that moment, Hinata also slowly woke up, rubbing her drowsy eyes.

"Mmm... where is this?"

"Sweetie, you're awake?"

Chiye Jun revealed an indulgent smile.

Hinata quickly noticed there was someone else beside them, and her face immediately turned bright red.

Like a swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself into Chiye Jun's arms and buried her head deep inside.

"Hehe, little ostrich." Chiye Jun laughed.

Haku also smiled. "What an adorable girl."

Hearing the older sister praise her, Hinata finally poked her head out, the blush on her face growing even deeper.

"By the way, you two are ninjas, right?" Haku pointed at their forehead protectors.

Chiye Jun smiled. "Yes, we're ninjas from Konoha Village."

"Wow, that sounds amazing."

Chiye Jun said modestly, "I'm still very weak. I can only handle A-rank missions..."

Then he looked at Hinata with deep affection in his eyes.

"But I'll grow stronger and protect the person I cherish most."

"The person you cherish most? Are you... talking about me?" Hinata froze.

"Yes..."

"Jun..."

"Sweetie..."

Their lovey-dovey display nearly choked Haku to death. He hurriedly got up and left.

"If fate allows, we won't meet again..."

Actually!

Chiye Jun had already woken up the moment Haku approached them.

He had silently summoned the invisible Blackie.

If Haku had truly made a move, Blackie's claws would have pierced his heart without hesitation.

"Jun, that was the masked person from yesterday, right? And that person secretly rescued Zabuza too, didn't he?"

Hinata poked her head out and nestled against Chiye Jun's arm.

Holy crap! She noticed too?

The Byakugan really is insane...

It turned out—

Hinata had used her Byakugan to inspect the girl's chakra earlier.

That feeling was exactly the same as the masked person from yesterday!

And Hinata's perception was exceptionally sharp.

Chiye Jun nodded.

"He had every chance to attack just now, yet he still gave up."

Hinata murmured, "He probably isn't a bad person..."

"That person feels crystalline and pure to me, completely untainted. But why would he follow Zabuza...?"

Chiye Jun laughed inwardly. Zabuza's got some serious charm!

Then, seeming thoughtful, he said:

"Actually, everyone fights for what they care about most. Li Wanji works to resist Kado, Kakashi-sensei works to protect us, Sasuke works to restore his clan, Naruto works to become Hokage, and I work to build a palace..."

"A palace? What palace?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Ahem... nothing."

At that moment, Chiye Jun inadvertently glanced over.

Hinata had not fully developed yet.

He could not imagine—

The enormous weight that would rest there in the future...

The sun gradually rose.

The mist dispersed, the birds awakened, and the forest came alive.

The two little figures leaned against each other.

"Being in love feels so good!" Chiye Jun was brimming with sweetness.

Hinata suddenly remembered something!

She pulled several "pieces of paper" from her pocket and handed them to him.

Chiye Jun accepted them in confusion.

Holy shit!

One, two, three...

There were a full ten 10,000-ryo notes.

"Hinata, what are you doing?" Chiye Jun was stunned.

"Jun, you're too thin. You need better nutrition, so buy yourself something tasty. And don't work so hard running a casino to make money..."

What she really meant was: This young lady will support you!

Holy crap!

As expected of the Hyuga clan.

That was one generous move.

Although Chiye Jun had money now, he had never flaunted his wealth or pulled out stacks and stacks of cash.

After all, there was still someone in this world named Kakuzu...

Naturally, Chiye Jun would not take her money.

Even if he had no money himself, he still would not take it.

He would not become a kept man.

Seeing Chiye Jun refuse, Hinata could only put it away.

But in her eyes, Chiye Jun became even more manly!

Just then, a shout came from the distance: "Breakfast is ready!"

Only then did the two get up, holding hands as they ran toward the village.

Meanwhile, by the seashore.

The rising sun shone brightly, and the waves rolled endlessly.

Sasuke was drenched in sweat.

Last night, he had discovered Chiye Jun training in the forest.

So he had also come to the shore and trained for most of the night.

Now—

Weariness was washing over him, yet he remained resolute.

The palm trees on the beach still bore the marks of his strikes.

Some had even been scorched...

Sasuke had pushed his physical strength to its limit, practicing taijutsu and ninjutsu alike.

He raised his trembling arm and looked toward the rising sun.

His pupils turned completely blood-red.

"I will definitely become stronger. Strong enough to make those who destroyed the Uchiha clan pay a terrible price. Strong enough that even that man... will have to look up at me!"

Meanwhile, Naruto was still lying in bed.

Chiye Jun gave him a slap on the butt.

"Hurry up and get out of bed for breakfast. Huh? Where's Sasuke?"

Naruto looked at the empty bed opposite his and shook his head.

Chiye Jun suddenly remembered that goofy task...

After hearing it, Naruto was overjoyed!

"You want me to perform? Great! Then it's settled—Naruto Uzumaki has to be the one. You're not allowed to replace me with anyone else!"

Chiye Jun smiled and nodded.