Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

"Punch!"

"Punch again!"

"Find the right spot before you throw the punch!"

"You need to find the weakest point on the wooden dummy!"

Inside the training grounds of the Hyuga clan compound.

Hiashi Hyuga, dressed in a loose white training uniform, was teaching Hinata the basics of Hyuga Gentle Fist.

However, the more Hiashi Hyuga taught, the more his anger grew, which he found difficult to control.

Although he had prepared extra portions for Hinata after learning that she had a larger appetite recently, he did so for a while.

After eating her fill, Hinata's strength did indeed increase considerably, and the palm prints she made on the wooden dummy were clearly visible. However, she still couldn't quite pinpoint the location of her strikes.

This shows that Hinata's punches still lack offensive power.

The Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist is not just about gentleness. Although it is not as powerful as the Hard Fist, it is still very ruthless. The strikes must be swift and vicious in order to seize opportunities in battle and inject chakra into the enemy's pressure points.

Hinata's current actions are not aimed at the enemy's weak points.

"Hinata! Stop!"

After watching for a long time, Hiashi Hyuga couldn't stand it any longer and sternly told him to stop.

Hinata, who was waving her little hand wholeheartedly, was startled and trembled, like a child who had done something wrong, shrinking her neck and standing there waiting to be scolded.

Seeing this, Hiashi Hyuga sighed, his anger subsiding by half, though his expression remained stern.

Although his daughter's obedience made him very happy, as the daughter of the clan chief, this personality was really not presentable.

To be honest, he didn't expect Hinata to be as outstanding as the one from the Uchiha clan; he just wanted her to be decent and average.

Even if it's doing reasonably well now, there's still a long way to go.

Hinata doesn't have much time left...

A struggle flashed in Hiashi Hyuga's eyes, but even he couldn't defy the fate of his clan.

"Neji, you demonstrate."

Hiashi Hyuga glanced at Neji Hyuga beside him, and waited for the expressionless Neji Hyuga to walk in front of the wooden doll.

He then raised his hand to greet Hinata, his tone slightly gentler.

"Watch carefully, learn well. Your punches must be powerful and fierce, hitting vital points. They can't just be weak and showy."

Hinata nodded obediently, watching Neji punch the wooden stake with a cold face, her eyes filled with a hint of envy and longing.

She also wanted to meet her father's requirements, but every time she practiced, the thought of what if the opponent was a real person made her unconsciously reduce the force of her punches and avoid vital points.

If Aoba-kun knew, would he also be disappointed?

Hinata immediately thought of Shirakumo Aoba.

Even though a long time has passed, it still feels like it happened just yesterday whenever she thinks about that night.

That scene would occasionally appear in her dreams.

That was the first time someone stood up to protect her, the first time someone treated her to delicious ramen, and the first time someone learned that she actually had a big appetite.

First times are often memorable, let alone so many first times.

Therefore, Hinata Hyuga lost focus.

Then both Hiashi Hyuga and Neji Hyuga noticed Hinata's distraction.

Neji's expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent, as if he cared nothing about anything, but the contempt in his eyes was even stronger.

Is this guy the future heir of the main family? Just because of his background, should he pay with his life for such a piece of trash?

His malice intensified, but he managed to control himself well, because the caged bird was in great pain.

Hiashi Hyuga's eyes also showed some displeasure, but for him, it was more of a feeling of strangeness.

In the past, Hinata was very well-behaved and sensible. Although she hadn't made much progress, she always practiced extremely hard and never experienced anything like this.

Recently, it seems like I've been getting distracted more often like this.

Sometimes it happens while chatting, sometimes while eating, and now it's even happening during practice sessions.

This is clearly something on her mind.

This left Hyuga Hiashi with no choice but to take it seriously.

'Looks like I need to find some time to talk to Hinata.'

Hiashi Hyuga made a decision in his heart, and then spoke to Neji in a low voice.

"Let's skip practice today, Neji, you can go home now."

Hinata's current state is not suitable for practicing martial arts; she's distracted and can't concentrate on anything.

Neji left the practice room without saying a word or saying goodbye, filled with resentment.

Hiashi Hyuga watched Neji's small figure leave, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if suppressing some kind of anger.

This kid probably thinks he's done a great job hiding it.

Hiashi Hyuga sighed softly and glanced at his daughter, who was still lost in thought.

Sometimes he thinks that if they lived in an ordinary family, they might be happier.

-

As time passed, night quietly fell.

Moonlight streamed in through the window.

Hinata sat in front of Hanabi's cradle, her hands supporting her face, staring blankly at Hanabi inside.

A cute little face was lifted up by two tiny hands and squeezed towards the center. The face was squeezed, but it still couldn't affect her cuteness.

Hanabi, in the cradle, smiled happily at Hinata's cute little face, babbling and stretching out her little hands, trying to touch her, but her short arms couldn't reach her.

Hinata, on the other hand, was thinking about how she could meet Shirakumo Aoba again.

"Miss, dinner is ready."

The maid's voice came from outside the door, interrupting Hinata's thoughts.

"I see."

Hinata, regaining her senses, immediately responded and took Hanabi, who was still tiny in the cradle, out.

At this moment, Hanabi finally managed to touch Hinata's cute little face.

He immediately laughed even more heartily.

Hinata didn't know why Hanabi was so happy, but seeing her younger sister's adorable appearance, she smiled too.

At the dinner table, as dinner was ending, Hinata finally made up her mind and mustered up her courage.

"I'd like to go out for a bit tomorrow..."

"go out?"

Both Hiashi Hyuga and Ayako Hyuga were somewhat taken aback.

This was the first time they had ever heard Hinata Hyuga make such a request.

Hinata is quite introverted. She doesn't like to play with outsiders, and even when she meets people of her own clan, if she's not familiar with them, she'll hide behind her parents and won't dare to greet them.

Why did you suddenly want to go out?

Seeing her parents still in shock, Hinata clenched her clothes and spoke again.

"Can I... go out for a little while? Just for a little while?"

A soft, sweet voice rang in Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Ayako's ears, bringing them back to their senses.

Ayako Hyuga wanted to agree immediately, but Hiashi Hyuga stopped her.

He immediately understood why Hinata had been so distracted and absent-minded these past few days.

It wasn't until Hinata said she wanted to go out today that he finally understood.

Hinata wants to see that brat named Shirakumo Aoba.

He originally thought the two had only met once, but he never expected it would have such a big impact on Hinata.

"Hinata, have you forgotten how you were almost bullied by those commoner kids before?"

Hiashi Hyuga deliberately put on a stern face, wanting to see just how much courage Hinata truly possessed.

"Not this time." Hinata shook her head firmly. "I won't be bullied anymore. This is... this is what I promised him..."

When Ayako Hinata saw her daughter's appearance, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes. Her adorable daughter had finally grown up a bit.

When Hiashi Hyuga saw this, he suddenly felt a pang of heartache, as if he were seeing his own little cabbage chasing after a pig.

He instinctively clenched his chopsticks, but seeing Hinata's teary eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"You can go out for a while tomorrow afternoon, but remember to come back for dinner."

"Thank you, Father!" Hinata replied cheerfully, her whole demeanor different from before.