As the new school year begins, making friends is naturally a delightful event. Inuzuka Kiba, being friendly, quickly took a seat beside Hyūga Seiji.
A middle-aged man in a chunin vest pushed open the classroom door and was slightly surprised to see the three children already inside. Iruka Umino scanned their faces and recalled the student files he had studied thoroughly yesterday.
It wasn't surprising to see a child from the Hyūga clan arrive early, and the Inuzuka clan, who were used to caring for their ninja dogs, were also accustomed to early mornings.
Nodding towards the three children, Iruka sat at the teacher's desk at the front of the room.
"He seems like a responsible teacher, arriving so early," Kiba muttered quietly.
Not wanting to ignore his new friend, Seiji nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Hinata, still holding Akamaru, looked up and softly asked in her usual small voice, "Why?"
Kiba, a bit slow to understand, asked, "Why what?"
Hinata shook her head, avoiding the question.
Seiji, resting his chin on his hand, translated Hinata's words: "She's asking how you concluded that 'arriving early' means 'being responsible.'"
Kiba was stunned for a moment, surprised by the interpretation. He looked at Hinata, who, feeling his gaze, lowered her head even more.
"It's just something you kind of figure out…" Kiba began.
"Woof!"
Akamaru, resting on Hinata's lap, suddenly barked, interrupting Kiba's explanation.
"Huh? What are you talking about, Akamaru?" Kiba asked, confused.
"Woof woof!"
"No way!" Kiba stared, wide-eyed, pointing to himself. "Are you calling me an idiot?"
Akamaru nodded, then nuzzled into Hinata's hand for comfort.
Seiji sighed and shook his head, thinking, Some things never change... There's a reason why some people are still single in the Boruto era.
Turning to Hinata, he said, "There isn't a direct connection between 'arriving early' and 'being responsible.' Kiba's answer is based on his own life experiences."
Hinata, holding Akamaru, mumbled from under her bangs, "Life experiences?"
Seiji felt a slight headache; explaining the concept of life experiences to a six-year-old wasn't easy.
Sensing his struggle, Hinata asked quietly, "Am I making things difficult for you?"
"No, that's not it," Seiji shook his head but also fell into silence.
Before he was transported here, Seiji was just a fourth-year university student training to become a teacher—not some genius orator. He had dealt with all kinds of kids during his internship, but none like Hinata.
More than the cursed seal on his forehead, it was Hinata who truly resembled a caged bird.
Suddenly, Seiji remembered something wise he once heard from a certain "Dog Whisperer": "I only chewed one electric wire. One was enough to almost kill me."
There was also an unofficial teaching saying: "It's not logic that educates a child; it's life's hardships."
Ordinary families can't afford to let their children hit rock bottom, so they try to rely on principles to guide them.
But Hinata isn't an ordinary child.
Seiji looked at her quiet and melancholy eyes, then spoke: "Life experiences come from living. The more meaningful experiences you go through, the more you'll naturally understand things."
A faint sparkle appeared in Hinata's eyes. "What is a meaningful life?"
"I don't know either," Seiji admitted, shaking his head. "I'm the same age as you. The things you don't understand, I might not understand either. But the things I understand and you don't are because I've lived through them. Just think about how our lives might be different."
Hinata thought back to that morning and asked, "Do people wake you up every day?"
Seiji nodded.
"Do they help you dress and wash your face?"
Seiji shook his head.
Hinata didn't lower her head this time. Instead, she looked directly at Seiji and asked, "Why?"
Seiji thought for a moment before replying with another question: "Does anyone help Lord Hiashi brush his teeth and wash his face every day?"
Hinata shook her head.
But then, without needing Seiji to explain further, she seemed to understand what he meant.
"I understand. Starting tomorrow, I'll wake up by myself and wash and dress on my own."
In the past, Hinata would feel suffocated under her father's expectant gaze, unsure of what he really wanted from her.
But now, she seemed to have some clarity. The ideal heir her father had in mind must be someone like him. If that's the case, then all she needed to do was work toward becoming like him.
Her eyes, once filled with uncertainty, now carried a sense of determination.
Seiji wasn't sure what she was thinking, but he could tell from her expression that she understood his point.
Some caged birds, even when given freedom, are no longer suited for the harsh realities of the wild.
Humans are the same way.
Just then, a system prompt appeared in Seiji's mind:
[Hinata Hyuga has gained confidence due to your careful guidance. Free attribute point +1.]
[You now have 5 free attribute points available for distribution to your target.]
Seiji mentally commanded: "Open panel."
[Welcome to the Maiden Training System, at your service. Please choose an action.]
Though Seiji didn't know why this system had chosen him, he swore he treated it as more of a "mentor system" than anything else!
[Target: Hinata Hyuga]
Age: 6
Chakra Level: 3
Ninjutsu: 1
Taijutsu: 4
Genjutsu: 0
Knowledge: 2
Current Affection Level: Acquaintance
Assessment: A child burdened by heavy expectations and responsibility. She tends to doubt herself and needs to build her confidence.
Achievement: You have unlocked a new accomplishment. Claim your reward.