A breakthrough

Genya turned around and looked at Hinata, who was staring blankly up at him.

A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he held out his hand.

"It's all right now. Come on, get up. Hinata, right? We meet again."

Looking at the lunch box in her arms, Genya understood.

The classic scene where delinquents pick on a girl?

Hinata looked at his outstretched hand, then at his smiling eyes, and her little face flushed bright red.

She hesitated before timidly placing her cool little hand in his warm palm.

"Th... thank you... Genya."

She spoke in a tiny voice.

She remembered his name: Genya Uchiha.

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +10!]

[Current affection: 55!]

Secretly delighted, Genya tightened his grip and pulled Hinata to her feet.

"No need to thank me. It was no trouble."

Genya smiled, then looked at the books scattered nearby.

Nami had already gone over and dutifully picked them up.

"Your books."

Nami handed the books to Hinata, a friendly smile on her face as well.

Although she was a little bothered by how much attention Genya was giving the Hyuga Clan's young heiress.

Her kind nature made her sympathize more with what Hinata had suffered.

"Th... thank you..."

Hinata hurriedly took the books and quietly thanked Nami as well, then lowered her head.

She seemed unsure what to say next.

"Be careful when you go out alone. Try to stay away from places with so few people."

Genya cautioned her in a gentle voice.

"Okay..."

Hinata answered softly.

"Let's walk you back to the Hyuga Clan Compound."

Genya suggested.

He knew Hinata was shy and worried she might run into trouble again on the way.

Hinata raised her head, gave Genya a surprised look, and nodded.

The three of them walked side by side along the snow-covered road.

Far away, however, a small, lonely figure was watching them.

With half his face buried in his scarf, Naruto Uzumaki had watched the entire scene as Genya beat the bullies and protected the white-eyed girl.

He watched the three of them leave together, talking and laughing.

Deep longing and envy spilled uncontrollably into his bright blue eyes.

"Why..."

He muttered under his breath.

"Why do they all have friends... people to walk with..."

He lowered his head and kicked at a clump of snow beside the road.

No one talked to him. No one smiled at him. No one would ever step forward when he was bullied.

A bitter ache welled up inside him. He rubbed his stinging nose hard, turned around, and silently trudged toward home.

Only a single line of footprints remained in the snow, stretching farther and farther away.

Genya walked in the middle, with Nami and Hinata on either side.

The mood was a little quiet, mostly because Hinata was too shy to start a conversation.

Genya did not deliberately search for topics either, only exchanging a few words with Nami now and then.

By not putting too much pressure on her, he actually helped Hinata gradually relax.

As they approached the entrance to the Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata stopped and bowed to Genya and Nami again in thanks.

"Th... thank you so much! I... I'm here now."

"Go on inside."

Genya smiled and waved.

Hinata raised her head and stole a quick glance at Genya. Her Byakugan eyes seemed to hold many unspoken words.

She whispered another "Goodbye," then hugged her books and lunch box to her chest and jogged through the Uchiha Grounds gates.

Watching Hinata disappear, Genya felt pleased.

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +5!]

[Current affection: 60!]

A heroic rescue, topped off with well-timed kindness and consideration. Exceptionally effective!

"Genya, do you know the Hyuga Clan's young heiress?"

Nami asked curiously beside him.

Genya explained without hesitation.

"I happened to meet her once before. She seemed to have gotten lost, so I helped her out a little. I didn't expect to run into her again today."

His explanation mixed truth with fiction, glossing over the important details.

"Oh..."

Nami nodded without asking any more questions. As she looked at Genya's profile, something else seemed to join the admiration in her eyes.

Genya really is amazing, and so kind...

[Ding! Uchiha Nami's affection +3!]

[Current affection: 68!]

Genya's smile deepened.

Looks like this "chance encounter" and "rescue" paid off handsomely.

On one side was his childhood friend, whose affection steadily grew; on the other was the Main Family's young heiress, falling for him on her own with an unexpected helping hand.

The road ahead was becoming smoother and smoother.

Snow continued to fall, covering the footprints they had left on their way there, as though hinting at something.

The courses of certain destinies were quietly beginning to change.

After parting ways with Nami,

he pushed open the gate to his courtyard.

"I'm home."

Genya took off his shoes, calling out as he always did.

"Welcome home, Xiao Ye."

A gentle voice reached him.

His mother, Uchiha Izumi, came out and looked at him.

"Was training tiring today? It must be cold outside. Go warm yourself by the heater."

"It wasn't too bad, Mother."

Genya answered.

When he entered the living room, he found his father, Sosuke Uchiha, watching him calmly.

"Father."

Genya greeted him.

Sosuke Uchiha nodded and motioned for him to sit.

Izumi brought over some hot tea and sat beside them, watching father and son with a gentle gaze.

After a brief silence, Sosuke spoke, his steady voice revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.

"Genya, did you get into a confrontation with some civilian children in the small grove at the edge of the village today?"

Genya was not surprised that his father knew. The Uchiha Clan ran the Konoha Military Police Force, and his father was its deputy captain. It was only natural that word would reach him.

"Yes, Father."

Genya admitted it openly, then added,

"They were bullying the Hyuga Main Family's young heiress, Hinata Hyuga. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I stopped them."

"Oh? The Hyuga Clan's young heiress?"

Izumi's eyes lit up at that, and her smile deepened as she teased him.

"So our little Xiao Ye was off rescuing a damsel in distress? You did the right thing. Boys should protect girls."

Sosuke glanced at his wife. She blinked playfully and said no more, but the encouragement in her eyes was plain.

Sosuke considered for a moment.

"I have a general understanding of what happened. You handled it... reasonably well."

"You didn't use chakra, only Taijutsu to teach them a lesson, and you caused no serious injuries."

"You struck a balance between upholding the Uchiha's reputation and keeping the situation from escalating."

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and continued.

"Genya, you're rather different from many of the Uchiha I've met."

Genya raised his head and looked at his father.

"Even some of the young people in our clan who are hailed as geniuses..."

Sosuke spoke very slowly.

Although he named no names, Genya could guess that his father might be referring to people like Shisui and Itachi.

"They may possess extraordinary talent and great strength, but they inevitably carry a certain... distinctly Uchiha sense of distance and underlying arrogance toward outsiders."

"It's a conceit born of bloodline and power. Sometimes it isn't deliberate, but it's rooted deep in their hearts."

"But you're different."

Sosuke's gaze sharpened a little, as though he wanted to see into his son's thoughts.

"What you did today wasn't simply motivated by your position as an Uchiha, or by consideration for her status as the Hyuga Clan's young heiress."

"You held back when you intervened, and afterward, you escorted her home... Those details show genuine kindness and... a sense of proportion."

"That's rare."

Sosuke Uchiha offered his assessment with approval.

"Hold on to your own judgment, but remember: strength and restraint are equally important at all times."

"Yes, Father. I understand."

Genya nodded earnestly.

He understood his father's warning. It acknowledged his way of handling things while reminding him of the delicate circumstances surrounding the Uchiha.

"All right, all right. That's enough serious talk."

Izumi smiled and interrupted at just the right moment.

"Little Xiao Ye did the right thing. He protected a friend without causing trouble for the clan. Mommy made your favorite grilled fish tonight!"