"It's not Shino, and it's not Kiba either. It's Hinata!"
Hikari stated his chosen candidate.
Kurenai was stunned.
Hinata?
How could it be Hinata?
In her eyes, Hinata was just a quiet, obedient girl. Yes, she had a good bloodline as the Hyūga clan's eldest daughter, but her talent... wasn't anything exceptional.
"I didn't misspeak. It's Hinata," Hikari said with a smile. "The reason Hinata is weak right now is because she has no confidence. Moreover, her previous training methods weren't suited for her, and Hiashi didn't pay much attention.. I believe her future achievements will not lose to Naruto or Sasuke."
Naruto and Sasuke?
Hearing those two names, Kurenai was genuinely shocked this time.
Naruto possessed the Uzumaki bloodline and had the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. As long as he developed steadily, he was guaranteed to become one of the shinobi world's biggest names.
Sasuke was the last surviving Uchiha. The Uchiha bloodline he carried was terrifying in its potential. Once he unlocked his own power, he could stand equal to Naruto.
But... Hinata? What did she have?
Although Kurenai was Hinata's jonin instructor, her understanding of Hinata was only surface-level.
Not only her—even Hyūga Hiashi, Hinata's father, had never truly understood his daughter.
"If what you're saying is true, then I'll be looking forward to seeing it," Kurenai said. "But you'll still need Hiashi-sama's permission before you can teach her."
She was surprised, but she wouldn't stop Hikari's good intentions.
In her view, even if Hinata's potential wasn't that high, letting Hikari try wouldn't hurt.
"I'll visit him personally. But since you're Hinata's instructor, I wanted to notify you first." Hikari said.
Kurenai smiled. Being respected like this felt quite nice.
"All right, I understand. As long as Hiashi-sama doesn't object, you may train Hinata. But let me say this upfront: if you can't make her stronger, she will remain under my guidance!" Kurenai warned.
She didn't want Hikari being stubborn and delaying Hinata's future.
She admitted Hikari's strength, but being strong didn't mean he could teach well.
"Don't worry. If I truly can't make Hinata stronger, I will return her to you without complaint."
"It's a deal!"
---
Hyūga Clan Compound.
After announcing his arrival, Hikari was allowed in without trouble.
Looking at the large, imposing estate, he felt a stifling heaviness. The Hyūga walking past rarely had smiles on their faces.
Living in such an environment—Hikari knew he could never stand it.
"Hikari-dono, for a busy man like you to visit, why didn't you tell me in advance!"
As one of the four village advisors, even though Hiashi didn't manage Konoha's internal affairs much, he had certainly heard of Kamizuki Hikari's strength.
Regardless of the truth behind those rumors, keeping the Hokage at ease was the priority.
As a clan with a thousand-year lineage, especially after what happened with the Uchiha, the Hyūga understood very well the importance of self-preservation.
Usually, Hiashi only walked around the Hokage building, pushing most tasks onto Shikaku, Shizune, and Kakashi. He only helped when they were truly overwhelmed.
Everyone understood why he acted like this, and no one accused him of slacking.
"I wouldn't come to your esteemed residence without a reason, Hiashi-dono. If you wish to see me, we can arrange a private meeting another time. Honestly, coming into the Hyūga compound makes me a little uncomfortable."
"Perhaps that's the difference between someone raised in a small household," Hiashi replied lightly.
"Then next time I'll invite you out for a drink!"
What man turns down a chance to socialize?
Hikari was Tsunade's trusted aide and ridiculously strong. Hiashi wasn't stupid—why wouldn't he maintain such a relationship?
In his eyes, Hikari had a real shot at becoming the Sixth Hokage someday. Building a relationship early only made sense.
"I'll accompany you anytime," Hikari replied.
"But today, I'm actually here to discuss something important."
The serious tone made Hiashi subconsciously suspect Hikari was planning a coup.
With Hikari's strength, combined with the Hyūga clan's support, success wasn't impossible.
But the Hyūga absolutely didn't want to be involved in such things. Hiashi prepared to refuse.
"Hikari-dono, aside from protecting Konoha, our Hyūga clan isn't suited to participate in anything else. I hope you can understand."
This principle was the source of the Hyūga clan's stability.
As long as the Hokage didn't deliberately oppress them, they endured calmly and obeyed without hesitation. That was the foundation of their survival—something Hiashi would never abandon.
"Participate in what?" Hikari blinked. "I'm planning to guide Naruto and Sasuke in their training. I also think Hinata's talent is good, so I want to include her. Since she is your daughter, I needed to speak with you."
So he wasn't planning rebellion!
Hiashi felt relief—but also a hint of disappointment.
He knew Naruto and Sasuke's potential very well. They would undoubtedly become Konoha's future representatives in the shinobi world.
But why did Hikari choose his elder daughter Hinata instead of his younger daughter Hanabi?
Thinking this, Hiashi's gaze turned suspicious.
'Could it be that Kamizuki Hikari wants to use "training" as an excuse to get close to Hinata and develop feelings?'
As for their age difference—Hiashi completely ignored it.
Strong men had privileges. And Hikari wasn't some old man. Hiashi actually wouldn't mind if he became a Hyūga son-in-law.
"If you say so, of course I agree. Hinata's talent is average. I also have my younger daughter Hanabi—if you're not satisfied with Hinata, you can teach Hanabi as well."
His words carried a double meaning, but Hikari—who wasn't thinking along those lines at all—didn't pick up on it.
He preferred mature, beautiful women—at least the legal marriage age in the shinobi world.
As for little girls like Hinata, he had no such thoughts.
"Hinata's talent, in my view, is no worse than Naruto or Sasuke. If we dig deeper, her future strength might even make her the second 'Sky God' of the Hyūga clan."
Tenjin—the pride of the Hyūga clan.
Just like Uchiha Madara was the pride of the Uchiha, Hyūga Tenjin was the pride of the Hyūga.
Hearing Hikari compare Hinata to Tenjin, Hiashi was truly shocked.
This time, he seriously examined Hikari. His suspicion about romantic intentions quickly faded.
'Could Hinata really have such untapped potential?'
With that doubt lingering, Hiashi didn't ask further.
"Then Hinata is in your hands. If she disappoints you in any way, you can scold or discipline her as you wish. I won't interfere."