A bridal carry

A textbook bridal carry!

Hinata went completely stiff, her mind blank. Toru Kujyo held her securely in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest-not especially broad, but firm-and she could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

His warmth surrounded her, making her feel as though she had been dropped into boiling water. From her cheeks to her ears and down her neck, her skin burned.

"You're improving quickly." Toru Kujyo looked down at the flushed, flustered girl in his arms, a barely perceptible hint of amusement in his voice. "Eight steps on only your second try. Hinata, you're a genius."

"Huh?" Hinata abruptly looked up and met his approving eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. A g-genius?

Kujyo said she was a genius? Ever since she was little, aside from her mother's occasional gentle encouragement, she had mostly heard her father's stern reprimands and her clansmen's disappointed sighs. This was the first time anyone had praised her so openly-and it was Toru Kujyo, the boy she had always quietly watched.

An indescribable rush of joy and excitement filled her heart, even eclipsing her earlier embarrassment and nervousness. She felt as though she were floating among the clouds, her whole body brimming with strength.

Toru Kujyo gently set her down. Seeing her sparkling eyes and the slight tremble of excitement running through her body, he knew his "sugar-coated assault" had worked.

"I-I want to try again!" This time, Hinata's voice was noticeably louder, filled with newfound determination and confidence. Being acknowledged felt so wonderful that she wanted more! She wanted to prove she was not the "failure" everyone called her. She could do it, too!

Watching her positive change, Toru Kujyo nodded inwardly in satisfaction. Good. That's exactly how it should be. Hinata was far too timid and withdrawn, which severely limited how much of her talent she could bring out.

The Hyuga Clan's bloodline, inherited from Hamura Otsutsuki, held limitless potential. The red trait [Princess of the Byakugan] was certainly not just for show.

What he needed to do was keep giving her positive reinforcement, break the shackles in her heart, and help her become truly confident, fully awakening the pride and power that belonged to an Otsutsuki descendant! This was not just for Hinata's sake, but also for his own future plans.

Encouraged, Hinata charged toward the tree again. On her third attempt, she was clearly more practiced and confident, climbing more than a dozen steps in one go! Although she eventually fell after using too much chakra, she did not panic this time, because she knew Toru Kujyo would be waiting below to catch her.

Sure enough, Toru Kujyo caught her effortlessly once again.

"Again!" Hinata did not even blush as she had the first two times. She simply took a moment to steady her breathing, then immediately asked to make a fourth attempt.

This time, she focused completely, concentrating all her attention on the Chakra Control at the soles of her feet. One step, two steps... ten steps... twenty steps... She climbed higher and higher, her movements growing smoother, as though she had been born knowing how to walk up a vertical tree trunk.

The scenery around her grew smaller, and the wind whistled past her ears. Without stopping, she climbed straight to the spot Toru Kujyo had marked earlier, then went beyond it, only coming to a halt when she was nearly at the crown!

"Hah... hah..." Hinata braced herself against the rough trunk, breathing a little heavily as she looked down.

Toru Kujyo stood beneath the tree, looking up at her with unmistakable approval on his face.

"Kujyo! I-I did it! I climbed all the way up!" Unable to contain her excitement and joy, Hinata waved vigorously at Toru Kujyo below and called out. Sunlight fell across her little face, flushed with excitement, making her look full of life.

"Yes, that was excellent, Hinata." Toru Kujyo's voice was quiet, yet it reached her ears clearly. "I knew you could do it."

More praise! Hinata's spirits soared as though she were riding a roller coaster, her happiness almost overflowing. Holding on to the trunk, she looked down at the boy who had given her encouragement and confidence, her heart full of gratitude.

At that moment, she could not help thinking of her father. Whenever he taught her Gentle Fist, his expression was stern and his tone harsh. He demanded perfection in every movement, and even the slightest mistake brought a reprimand. That oppressive atmosphere always left her nervous and afraid, turning training into a heavy burden.

But training with Kujyo was completely different. He guided her patiently, encouraged her when she failed, and sincerely praised her when she succeeded. There was no pressure, no scolding, only ease and joy. So training could be this much fun! She was beginning to genuinely enjoy the feeling of growing stronger.

Hinata carefully climbed down from the tree. Her legs were still a little shaky when she reached the ground, but a radiant smile lit up her face.

"Kujyo, a-are we going to practice Water Walking next?" she asked eagerly, full of anticipation for the training to come.

"Water Walking is harder than Tree Climbing. It requires finer control over your chakra. You need to maintain a steady, continuous output to stand on moving water," Toru Kujyo explained. "You only just mastered Tree Climbing today, and you've already used quite a bit of chakra. There's no need to rush into Water Walking."

Seeing the eagerness in Hinata's eyes, he added:

"But you can try it in a bathtub or a basin when you get home, just to get a feel for applying chakra to the water's surface. The next time we train together, I'll properly teach you the trick to Water Walking, along with... the Shadow Clone Technique."

"Yes!" Hinata nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation for the future. The Shadow Clone Technique! She would get to learn it soon!

"All right, that's enough Chakra Control training for today." Toru Kujyo changed the subject. "It's still early. Let's get our bodies moving."

"Get our bodies moving?" Hinata looked a little puzzled.

An almost imperceptible smile curved Toru Kujyo's lips as he looked at Hinata. "Yes. Let's spar a little with Taijutsu. I'm very interested in the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, especially its legendary ability to strike chakra points and block chakra pathways. I've always wanted to experience it for myself."

His tone sounded like nothing more than simple curiosity and academic interest.

Innocent as she was, Hinata did not think much of it. She only felt that Toru Kujyo was giving her a chance to practice Gentle Fist, and she was a little proud to have the opportunity to show him her clan's fighting style.

"O-okay!" Hinata immediately agreed, assuming the opening stance of Gentle Fist as she looked at Toru Kujyo earnestly. She had no idea that she was walking, step by step, into someone's carefully laid "trap."

"O-okay!" Hinata immediately agreed, assuming the opening stance of Gentle Fist as she looked at Toru Kujyo earnestly.

She set her feet slightly apart and lowered her center of gravity, holding her pale palms in front of her, one ahead of the other, her fingertips drawn lightly together. It was the standard stance of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist.

Although a faint blush still lingered on her face, her gaze had become focused, revealing a trace of the reserve and pride befitting the Hyuga Main Family. She wanted to show Toru Kujyo the fighting style her clan was so proud of.