Little Hinata was all about being adorable and considerate.
She even asked Gua not to hit those bullies again. Her only tiny request was to stay outside and play a little longer.
Gua's heart nearly melted. As far as he was concerned,
She just wanted to come out and play for a while. What had she done wrong?
So Gua turned and called out to the lackeys who hadn't gotten beaten up earlier.
"Stop."
The lackeys had been about to run away, but at the sound of Gua's voice, they burst into frightened tears.
Gua didn't care.
They were only three or four, while he was six. He'd spent two more years steeped in Konoha's culture than they had. His Will of Bullying was every bit as strong as anyone else's here!
Gua gave each of them a beating.
Only then did he let them leave.
"Gua... big brother..."
Little Hinata seemed a little scared and tugged on Gua's sleeve from behind.
"Will you really be okay after hitting them?"
Gua nodded. "It's fine. I've beaten up plenty of people."
Little Hinata: ...
Ignoring Hinata's shocked expression, Gua turned to continue toward Naruto's home.
"If you want to play, I can find you a playmate."
Little Hinata blinked, looking a little lost.
"A playmate?"
"Yeah."
"Can't I play with you, Big Brother Gua?"
Gua paused midstep.
He turned and stared at little Hinata for a long time. Embarrassed by his gaze, she lowered her head, her cheeks faintly pink.
She thought Gua had offered to find her a playmate because he felt she was too young and would be a burden tagging along with him. That was why she'd asked.
After all, older kids generally didn't like inviting little kids to play.
Big Brother Neji was like that.
Gua couldn't