Daily Life

Early the next morning, Hyuga K was already waiting outside Hyuga Iwa's house.

Thinking about it, K was full of grievances.

And it was all Hyuga Iwa's fault. Ever since running into Guy that time, after finishing his daily training, Iwa had gone to Guy's house every afternoon. K had come looking for him several times to play, yet had never once found him.

Moreover, K had recently heard some news from the adults, and it concerned Hyuga Iwa. Apparently, Iwa had fallen into self-indulgence and started hanging around with the son of Might Duy, that perennial Genin. He had no idea whether it was true.

Listening to K recount the rumors, Iwa could not help laughing. "So you came today to verify it with me?"

Seeing K nod with a serious expression, Iwa had no intention of lying to him. Smiling, he said, "If there isn't another person in the Hyuga Clan named Hyuga Iwa, then it should be me."

Hearing Iwa confirm it with his own mouth, K found it hard to accept for a moment. He said hesitantly, "Why? That guy is just a civilian, and only a Genin at that. Our Hyuga Clan is the Leaf Village's foremost dojutsu clan, while they..."

Before K could finish, Iwa cut him off. "K, you don't need to say it. I know what you want to say. I have my reasons. Besides, don't you think the Hyuga Clan relying solely on the Gentle Fist... Forget it, let's not talk about that. So, do you want to come with me?"

After some thought, Iwa decided there were some things he should not say to others, especially not to members of the Hyuga Clan. Some of his ideas were too unorthodox, completely different from the Hyuga Clan's philosophy. Saying too much would only be troublesome if word got out.

Besides, some things involved history from much further back, and Iwa had no idea how to explain them. He decided not to say anything. If others misunderstood, then let them misunderstand.

Hearing Iwa's invitation, K was tempted. "Fine. Since you're inviting me, Iwa, I'll go."

Iwa chuckled, slung an arm around K's neck, grabbed his arm with the other hand, and half-dragged him toward the little house by the river.

"Hey, Iwa, they'll welcome me, right?"

"They will. Don't worry."

"Oh, right. You're the one dragging me there. It's not like I wanted to go on my own."

"Yes, yes, I'm the one forcing you to come."

"Hehe, Iwa, is there anything fun over there? Why do you go every day?"

"Hehe, you'll find out once you get there. It's definitely a lot of fun."

"Why do I feel like your smile is really sinister..."

"K, I misjudged you. I never thought you saw me that way. I'm heartbroken."

"Huh? Wait, isn't this direction different from where we're supposed to be going?"

"Huh, you actually noticed? Oh, I mean, you're right, this isn't the way to Guy's house. I'm going this way because I like taking detours. Is that not allowed?!"

"I-I guess it is..."

"..."

It was not that Iwa was deliberately taking a detour. He chose a different route almost every day, treating it as a chance to observe the entire Leaf Village. By now, Iwa practically knew the village's layout by heart.

When Iwa and K arrived at Guy's house, Guy was already out running for exercise. He was always so diligent, never letting himself relax for even a moment.

As usual, Iwa and Guy began their routine training. However, with K joining them this time, Iwa suggested they do only one set, then spend the extra time having the three of them fight one another without any restrictions.

Guy agreed to the suggestion, while K, who had come along for the first time and knew nothing, was lured right into the trap.

Honestly, K had never imagined that this was the fun thing Iwa had talked about! If he had known, he absolutely, definitely would not have followed him here!

The sun gradually dipped below the horizon, and the sky soon darkened.

With a face swollen like a pig's head, K trudged ahead, huffing and puffing. Iwa and Guy followed behind him, occasionally letting out gleeful laughs.

"Ugh, Iwa, I'm cutting ties with you! I swear I'll never believe anything you say again!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"You're still laughing! Both of you are still laughing!"

"Alright, alright, we're not laughing. I'm not laughing. Guy is."

Iwa said this "honest truth" with his eyes wide open. Guy's eyes widened as he heard it. "Not me! I got beaten up by Iwa too. Look, here, here, and here... Ugh!"

"Mm, not bad, not bad. Nice and symmetrical. My technique is pretty good."

Iwa nodded in satisfaction and said, "You two need to work harder, especially you, K. You're from the Hyuga Clan, yet you can't even beat Guy."

Though he said that, Iwa had genuinely not expected Guy to be able to fight K, who was using only taijutsu, to a draw!

"Ugh, I just wasn't going all out. If I had used my full strength, he would've been knocked flat already." K was extremely dissatisfied. Ninjas did not compete in taijutsu alone. If he could use the Byakugan or chakra, he would have won long ago.

K rubbed his somewhat swollen cheeks and sighed. "Sigh, Dad and Mom will definitely scold me when I get home."

"It's fine. Just say you sparred with us and got beaten up like this."

K wailed, "Wouldn't that be even worse?! Not only would I have gotten beaten into a pig's head, I would've lost too! They'll definitely scold me to death!"

"Idiot, just say you won. Don't worry, Guy and I will keep it secret for you. Right, Guy?"

"Yeah, I absolutely, definitely won't tell anyone!" Guy nodded earnestly.

"Huh, that works?!" K grinned despite his aching mouth. "Then it's settled. You absolutely can't tell anyone!"

"Don't worry. We definitely won't say anything."

Having received their assurance, K happily turned around, about to speak, only to freeze on the spot.

"Mm, it is indeed a good idea. But I already know." An unfamiliar voice came from behind Iwa and the others.

"Ah!" Startled, Iwa instinctively leaped forward. The instant he landed, he spun around and faced the person behind him.

Seeing the man's appearance, Iwa gave a dry laugh, then greeted him as though nothing had happened. "Oh, hello, Uncle Huode. What a coincidence. Are you here looking for K? Don't worry, he's with us. Nothing will happen to him."

"So you're Hyuga Shan's son." Hyuga Huode gave Iwa a serious look. "You look very much like your father, though your personalities are rather different."

"Really? Uncle Huode knew my father too? What kind of person was he?"

"Hyuga Shan..." Hyuga Huode seemed to sink into memory and slowly said, "Your father did not speak much, but he was reliable. Unfortunately, he died in the war against Wind Country."

"Yes, that is a pity. So I need to live well, and live longer than anyone else."

The other two stared wide-eyed as if they had seen a ghost, watching Iwa chat idly with K's father. Blown by the cold wind, they both shuddered involuntarily.

Iwa secretly made a vow in his heart, but he said aloud, "Ah, it's getting late. We need to go home for dinner, or Mother will worry. Uncle Huode, we'll be going now."

After saying that, Iwa grabbed Guy and jogged away.

"Whew, that scared the baby to death. Good thing I reacted quickly. Wahahaha, I'm a genius after all!"

"..."

Hearing Iwa's words, Hyuga Huode's mouth twitched several times. As if he had thought of something, he turned and stared at K, a faint chill glinting in his eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?" Huode's voice was like a northern wind, icy and biting!

As the frigid wind blew over him, K shivered. Snot ran from his nose before he sniffed it back up.

"I-I was getting ready to go home."

"Hmph. Starting tomorrow, your training volume doubles."

"O-okay..." K followed Huode toward home in silence, his face miserable.

I'm doomed, totally doomed. What a coincidence. Dad actually caught me. Thinking about what had just happened, K sighed inwardly. Double the training volume meant no time to play. What a tragic life awaited him!

At that moment, the figure ahead suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, K bumped into him.

Before he could say anything, Huode's voice came over. "That other child is the son of that perennial Genin, isn't he?"

"Huh? Oh, y-yes, Dad." K answered uneasily.

Why was he suddenly bringing up Guy?

"Mm, I understand."

Huode responded and started walking again.

Huh, Dad wasn't angry?

What was wrong with him?

Was it just to ask who Guy's father was?

Whatever. As long as he doesn't scold me.

Simple-minded K thought happily.

"Duy's son... He doesn't seem as weak as I imagined!"