As Hyuk stepped out of Kurenai's house, he noticed Hinata Hyuga, the princess of the Hyuga clan, lurking behind a tree. She was watching Naruto from a distance, her cheeks flushed with a mix of admiration and shyness. Finding the scene amusing, Hyuk couldn't resist teasing her.
"Hey, Princess, is that a new training technique? Because you look like you're trying to become a master of stealth," he called out, a smirk playing on his lips.
Startled, Hinata jumped and turned bright red. "I-I wasn't—" she stammered before running off, her heart racing. Hyuk chuckled to himself, enjoying the light-hearted moment.
Meanwhile, Sakura sat under a nearby tree, her thoughts a whirlwind. She couldn't shake the feeling that her feelings for her cousin Hyuk were starting to mirror her crush on Sasuke. It was confusing and troubling. "This isn't possible," she muttered to herself. "He's my cousin... I shouldn't feel this way." She tried to suppress the emotions, convincing herself that she had to focus on her goals and friendships instead.
On the other hand, Orochimaru was lurking in the shadows, plotting his next move. His anger simmered beneath the surface as he contemplated how Hyuk had interfered with his plans, especially after the incident with the three Sound ninjas. "That pink-haired brat thinks he can just kill my subordinates without consequences," Orochimaru hissed, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "I'll deal with him during the Chuunin Exam. This time, they won't escape so easily."
With his plans set, Orochimaru began to formulate a strategy to capture Sasuke, determined to use Hyuk's growing reputation against him.