Hinata's Training

The courtyard was not particularly large, but it was exquisitely laid out. Precious flowers and trees were arranged in perfect harmony, while several koi that were clearly no ordinary fish swam through the clear pond. A few Japanese-style buildings, with layered terraces and slightly upturned eaves, were nestled throughout the courtyard.

Looking at the luxurious mansion he had never seen in either of his two lives, with his feet planted on polished wooden floors bright enough to reflect light, Tahm muttered, "Hinata, do you live in this whole courtyard by yourself?"

"Yes? What about it?" Hinata replied in a matter-of-fact, questioning tone.

"Nothing... I think I've latched onto a rich family..."

Hinata: ...

"Your room is that one." The Hyuga clansman in charge of showing him around pointed to a fairly large room beside the main house.

So big... so luxurious. I've never even seen a room like this in my previous life, have I? As expected of an old noble family, the Hyuga Clan really has deep roots. Even a room for a summoned beast is this nice. Tahm stared intently at his future room, his country-bumpkin nature on full display. However, the Hyuga family's upbringing was indeed excellent. Even though a trace of disdain inevitably rose within him, the Hyuga clansman leading the way still wore a smile as he said, "Please, Tahm."

After settling in, it was soon time for dinner, so Tahm sat down to eat with Hinata. He had finally fulfilled his greatest dream since coming to the Naruto world: having a proper meal of human food!

Wuwu... finally, no more live bugs! After eating bugs for a year, I was really going to turn into a frog! Tahm stuffed mouthful after mouthful of expensive, delicious food into his mouth, completely ignoring the shocked expressions on the servants' faces. Gradually, the empty plates on the table piled up into a small mountain, and Tahm finally gained one of the traits of a hot-blooded manga protagonist: they were all incredibly good eaters.

Suddenly remembering something, Tahm temporarily stopped his assault on the delicacies and turned his gaze toward Hinata. Hinata's manner of eating was exceptionally elegant. She sat upright, slightly rolling up the sleeve of her ornate yukata with one hand while gently picking up a piece of food with pointed wooden chopsticks and carefully placing it in her mouth, savoring it delicately. She looked nothing like a child, possessing an extraordinarily refined and noble air.

Hinata keenly sensed Tahm's assessing gaze. A flush spread across her face, and she also set down her chopsticks before asking with slight embarrassment, "What is it, Mr. Tahm?"

"Don't you usually eat with your parents?" Tahm's train of thought always caught Hinata off guard.

"No... Ever since I began training at the age of three, I've lived in my own courtyard and eaten alone..." Hinata had long since grown accustomed to this, but when Tahm suddenly brought it up, a touch of sadness welled up inside her.

Tahm said nothing. He simply stood up, lifted his small table in one go, carried it over, and set it down in front of Hinata, joining it with the table where she was eating to make one large table. The noble family's separate dining arrangement was instantly changed into the commoner style by Tahm.

Ignoring Hinata's astonished gaze, Tahm smiled and said, "I'm afraid you're going to lose your peaceful solitude from now on. I'll be staying here for quite a while, after all. Haha." As he spoke, Tahm once again began grabbing food without restraint and shoving it into his mouth.

"Mr. Tahm really is a gentle person." Hinata said this for no particular reason, then picked up her chopsticks and continued eating. Her movements, however, had taken on some of Tahm's careless boldness. The tranquil noble bearing she had displayed earlier was gone, replaced by a different kind of vibrant beauty.

Night fell. The bright moonlight spilled into the small courtyard, and the koi gliding through the pond stirred tiny ripples across its surface. Everything was peaceful and beautiful. It was time to rest. Tahm walked to the door of his room and naturally bid good night to the little girl he had known for less than a day. "Good night, Hinata."

"Good night, Tahm." Hinata answered in perfect understanding.

The doors creaked shut, and the small courtyard returned to silence.

That night, Tahm slept especially soundly.

"Tahm!" In his dreams, Tahm vaguely heard a pleasant voice calling his name.

Opening his bleary eyes, he saw Hinata standing beside his bed in a simple, well-fitting training outfit, shaking his arm.

"Tahm, it's time to get up." Hinata seemed to feel that she was being somewhat improper, and her face once again flushed with habitual embarrassment. "Father said that you're my summoned beast, so you have to get up early and train with me."

Huh? Tahm raised his head and looked out the window. The sky was still completely dark. Even though Tahm considered himself a training fanatic these days, he had never gotten up this early before. Konoha at four in the morning... The Hyuga Clan's strength really wasn't something that had fallen from the sky.

"Let's go!" Tahm took a moment to recover, but his superhuman body quickly adjusted to the situation. Soon, he said to Hinata with high spirits, "Let's go!"

After the two of them had a simple breakfast, they went to the training dojo, where Hinata's father, Hyuga Hiashi, was already waiting. The spacious dojo was filled with all kinds of training equipment, but only the three of them were present at the moment. It was probably Hinata's private dojo as the eldest daughter.

Hiashi still wore his characteristic cold expression. Seeing his daughter holding Tahm's hand and displaying a liveliness unlike her usual self, however, he seemed somewhat displeased. "You're late today."

"I'm sorry, Father." Hinata immediately straightened up and replied cautiously.

"Begin training." Hiashi said no more and watched as Hinata went to the Wooden Dummy to practice the basics of punches and palms.

Tahm felt somewhat awkward standing to the side. Wasn't I called here to train too? Why is he ignoring me? ...Forget it, I'll start training on my own. I can't slack off on this, not even for a day. Thus, Tahm went over to the side, chose several suitable weights, and began his physical training.

Hiashi took notice of this, and his impression of Tahm improved considerably. Tahm knew how to choose weights according to his own condition, his physical-training movements were also very reasonable, and he carefully manipulated chakra to infuse his limbs whenever he moved. This was undoubtedly an advanced training technique. It seemed that the title of direct disciple of Mount Myoboku was not false after all. No amateur could understand this kind of training method.

Time passed second by second, and the sun had already climbed high into the sky. Tahm estimated that at least three or four hours had passed. He stopped exercising and looked toward Hinata, only to find her young body still striking the Wooden Dummy palm after palm. Her entire outfit was soaked through with sweat, and her small face was flushed an unusual red from exhaustion. Her heavy breathing echoed through the empty dojo along with the dull thuds of her strikes. Hinata clearly had little strength left, and every palm she struck was labored.

"Stop and take a break, Hinata!" Tahm couldn't bear to watch any longer.

"Hm?" Hinata stopped, her breathing still ragged, but she cast a pitiful, questioning look toward her father.

"Don't stop! If you can't even complete this training, what right do you have to inherit the name of the Hyuga main family?" Hiashi's expression grew increasingly severe. "Neji of the branch family is only seven, yet he can already perform the complete Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. And you? You still can't even control the release of chakra and force in the basic punches and palms!" This was the standard tactic parents loved to use—comparing their child with someone else's. They never realized that words like these hurt children the most.

As soon as she heard her father's reprimand, Hinata immediately resumed her stance and began training again. She did not even dare take the time to wipe away the thick layer of sweat on her forehead.

"That's enough!" Tahm could not help shouting. "Lord Hiashi, I don't think your training method is doing any good!"