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"The head of the family," the young ninja bowed before addressing Hiashi, "Hinata's classmate, Shiki, is outside."
"Let him in," Hiashi responded immediately. He had wanted to approach Tsunade for some time but was rebuffed, so perhaps he could learn more through her student.
"Come in," the young ninja signaled for Shiki to enter.
Shiki walked into the courtyard, glancing around. Three words came to mind: rich dog owner. The Hyuga family was clearly wealthy.
"Shi... Shiki-kun?" Hinata spotted him and instinctively rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was dreaming. Could it be that she was still asleep?
"Good morning, Hinata," Shiki waved at her.
Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment, her face turning red.
"Ahem," Hiashi cleared his throat, reminding them of his presence. Despite Shiki being Tsunade's apprentice, ignoring him while chatting with his daughter right in front of him was a bit much.
"Big brother!" Just then, Hanabi ran over.
"Careful," Shiki quickly reached out to steady her.
"I want a lollipop," Hanabi grinned, holding out her hand.
"…?"
"Here," Shiki pulled out a lollipop—banana-flavored, of course.
He didn't do it on purpose; it was just that in the official canon, Hanabi was said to like bananas and milk, while she disliked celery.
"Uncle Hiashi," Shiki finally addressed him after thinking about what to call him. There was no need to say "Hiashi-sama" after all, and "Uncle" seemed just right.
"Come in and have some tea," Hiashi's tone was neither warm nor cold.
"No, I'm here to see Hinata," Shiki replied, declining the offer.
"…?" The corner of Hiashi's mouth twitched.
"Looking for me?" Hinata, hearing this, raised her head, cheeks blushing. Though she quickly looked away, she couldn't hide the joy she felt in her heart.
Meanwhile, Hanabi, happily licking her lollipop, observed the scene with her sharp Byakugan. Something was definitely happening.
"Let's talk in the living room," Hiashi instructed, "Go make two cups of tea."
"Excuse me, Uncle Hiashi," Shiki said, heading toward the living room with Hinata hurriedly following him.
"…?" Hiashi was once again left speechless. His normally well-behaved and polite daughter had just ignored him entirely without even saying hello.
"Hinata, please sit down," Shiki said as he glanced at Hanabi, who was peeking through the door.
"Um," Hinata took a deep breath and sat opposite him.
"Tea, please," a maid came forward and poured their tea.
Shiki picked up his cup and took a sip; it was slightly bitter. Hinata also drank but showed no reaction, clearly used to the taste.
"Did something upset you yesterday?" Shiki asked directly.
"Huh?" Hinata was caught off guard.
"Neji," Shiki added.
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise, worry flickering across her face.
"You don't want to tell me?" Shiki asked, a faint smile on his lips.
"No… no, it's not that," Hinata quickly shook her head. "I used to be very close to Brother Neji, but now…"
"Do you know why?"
Shiki asked calmly.
"Because of the caged bird," Hinata said with a gloomy face.
It was because she knew this that she felt powerless. She had asked her father, Hiashi, about it, but the answer she received wasn't enough to unlock the caged bird seal.
"You can't solve the problem just by talking," Shiki said, holding out his hand and clenching it. "We have to rely on our fists."
"Huh?" Hinata looked at him blankly.
"Go defeat Neji," Shiki said, pausing for a moment. "Even if you can't beat him, you need to make him recognize you."
"But...I..." Hinata waved her hand, her voice shaky. "Brother Neji is a true genius. I can never be his opponent."
Because of her status as part of the main family and Neji's as part of the branch family, they often sparred together, but she had never managed to defeat him. Over time, the gap between them only grew.
"I'll give you a gift." Shiki opened his hand, revealing a white Gu worm. "Don't tell anyone about this, not your father or your sister."
"So... so beautiful," Hinata muttered as she gazed at the milky white insect.
Shiki grabbed her wrist and gently placed the White Pig Gu in her palm.
After absorbing the Gu, Shiki felt his strength reach its current limit. Because his clan didn't give a second successor for this rare Gu, he had decided to give it to Hinata.
He thought of it as an investment in his future wife—not a loss at all.
A blush spread across Hinata's face, and her head felt light. It wasn't until the White Pig Gu had disappeared that she snapped back to reality.
"Hinata," Shiki said softly, not bothering to explain. "Are you hungry?"
Hinata, still in a daze, nodded.
"I'll talk to Uncle Hiashi," Shiki said, standing up. "You'll only have strength if you're well-fed."
He planned to attribute Hinata's increased strength to being well-nourished, concealing the truth about the White Pig Gu.
"I..." Hinata hesitated, unsure of what to say. She felt that eating too much would be seen as disrespectful by her father, Hiashi. But she couldn't bring herself to reject Shiki's request.
In the end, she nodded timidly.
[Achievement unlocked: "A good horse is common, but a good horse trainer is rare" for Hyuga Hinata. Reward: Fish Scale Gu.]
[Fish Scale Gu: A first-level Gu worm that can be combined with Hidden Stone Gu to become a second-level Hidden Scale Gu.]
[Would you like to merge the Fish Scale Gu with Hidden Stone Gu?]
[After merging, both Gu worms will disappear.]
[Merging successful.]
[Hidden Scale Gu: A second-level Gu worm. Its ability is to become invisible, turning the user and their clothes invisible as well.]
Shiki's mind raced as he imagined the possibilities of invisibility combined with his abilities, but he quickly shook his head.
Where was his morality? Where was his bottom line?
He was a serious man. Ahem.
Exchanging a first-level Gu for a second-level one was undoubtedly a win-win situation.
Shiki now had three second-level Gu worms: the offensive Moonlight Gu, the defensive White Jade Gu, and now the invisible Hidden Scale Gu. All he needed was an agility-type Gu to complete his set.
"Don't worry," Shiki reassured Hinata, patting her on the head. Then, he stood up and headed for the door.
"Big brother!"
Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, appeared, trying to slip away unnoticed. Shiki smiled and ruffled her hair.
Unlike Hinata's short hair, Hanabi's was long, straight, and black—just the way Shiki preferred. He couldn't help but think how pretty long-haired Hinata would be in the future.
"Where's Uncle Hiashi?" Shiki asked, glancing around the courtyard, but not spotting Hinata's father.
"He should be in the study," Hanabi said, narrowing her eyes like a kitten, enjoying the attention as he patted her head.
Shiki made his way to the study and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Hiashi's voice called from inside.
Hiashi was a bit surprised to see Shiki. Only a few minutes had passed—was their conversation already over?
"Uncle Hiashi," Shiki greeted him, kneeling down across the low table as was customary in the Hyuga household.
"Uncle Hiashi, I need to tell you something."
Shiki paused before continuing, "Hinata is a big eater."
"What do you mean?" Hiashi frowned.
"I'm not criticizing her," Shiki clarified. "But she eats at least nine bowls of rice at every meal."
Hiashi's face was full of confusion. Nine bowls? How had he not noticed this? She was only six years old—was Shiki joking?
"Chakra is a mixture of spiritual and physical energy," Shiki explained. "The more you eat, the more energy you have, right?"
"You're not lying to me?" Hiashi's expression grew serious.
"I have no reason to lie," Shiki replied calmly. "And you'll see for yourself if you try it."
"True," Hiashi said, studying Shiki's calm expression and slowly starting to believe him. If not for Shiki, he might never have discovered this secret.
For a moment, Hiashi felt as if the precious cabbages he had cultivated with care were being snatched away.
"Shiki," Hiashi said after a moment of silence, pouring him a cup of tea, "Who do you think the next Hokage will be?"
Although Shiki was only six, Hiashi was already deeply impressed by him.
"…?"
Shiki twitched, unsure how to answer. The question reminded him of old debates. Should he criticize Sarutobi Hiruzen's lack of strategy? Or Danzo's questionable wisdom?