"Did you see that?"
"I did. Kaiza died because he wasn't strong enough—but Brother Neiki made Kado listen because he had power."
"You saw why Kaiza died… but do you understand why Kado is still alive?"
"Uh…"
"Because he still has value."
The idea that an ordinary person could possess "value" was something Hanabi couldn't fully grasp.
Brother Neiki left again.
And this time, he didn't take her with him.
Yet that absence carved a truth deeply into Hanabi's heart—
Strength decides everything.
Brother Neiki had solved a problem that more than fifty thousand people on the island couldn't resolve.A problem that even Inari's stepfather, Kaiza, failed to solve—despite giving his life.
If that didn't explain everything, then what did?
For the first time, Hanabi felt a burning desire to become stronger.
Brother Neiki hadn't taken her this time because she wasn't strong enough.
Only by becoming stronger could she help him.Only by becoming stronger could she stay by his side.Only by becoming strong enough that one day—she might even surpass him.
Hanabi's cheeks warmed at the thought.
In Neiki's brutal logic of survival—where strength determined everything—surpassing him would naturally mean taking the initiative.
It would mean she could ask him for things that weren't too excessive.
For example, asking him to hold her while she slept.For example, demanding that he teach her personally instead of relying on clones.Or other similar things.
When everyone around her—her parents, her sister, everyone—had become frightening and unfamiliar, when the Hyuga manor felt like a cage she couldn't escape…
It was Neiki who appeared like a blade of light cutting through hell, carrying her away from that terrifying place.
Although Hanabi had been asleep when Neiki took her from the clan estate, she clearly remembered the moment her nightmare turned into a gentle dream—wrapped in Neiki's scent.
That scent felt as though it forcibly rewrote her fear.
That was why she clung to him so deeply.
It had been raining for several days.
Neiki still hadn't returned.
The novelty of the Land of Waves had long since faded. The endless rain, coupled with Neiki's absence, drained Hanabi's desire to go outside.
Most days, she sat beneath the eaves watching the rain fall, waiting.
When she wasn't waiting, she trained.
At the practice ground, Hanabi diligently practiced the Gentle Fist and the taijutsu Neiki had taught her.
"Eight Gates—Gate of Opening!"
Green steam erupted around her body.
Moments later, she staggered, panting, as the chakra dispersed.
Although she could only maintain the Gate of Opening for a few seconds, it was still clear progress—she could now activate it steadily.
This technique was recorded in the Forbidden Scroll. Neiki had once told her that when she mastered the Eight Gates, he would give her a reward.
That promise was her greatest motivation.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A knock sounded at the door.
Pochi barked loudly.
Hanabi's eyes lit up. Thinking Neiki had returned, she rushed to open it.
"Brother Neiki, I missed you—!"
Her voice cut off.
Standing outside wasn't Neiki.
It was Inari, holding an umbrella, his expression awkward.
"That voice just now…" Inari muttered.
"What are you doing here?" Hanabi interrupted coldly, instantly regaining her composure.
Girls, regardless of age, had an uncanny ability to salvage their dignity.
Inari bit his lip. After their argument that day, they had never truly reconciled. And after Kaiza's death—even if he didn't want to admit it—
He had lost.
Kaiza hadn't changed anything.
"I came to take Pochi home," Inari said, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Pochi, come here."
The dog immediately leapt into his arms.
Hanabi's expression darkened. With Pochi gone, the courtyard would feel even lonelier.
"Take him and go already. I've wanted to get rid of that stupid dog for ages," she said flatly.
It was an obvious lie.
After a moment, Inari spoke again.
"You were right."
"Right about what?" Hanabi asked, confused.
"Begging for peace doesn't work," Inari said quietly."Only strength decides everything. What can't be gained through negotiation must be taken by force."
If only Kaiza had understood that sooner… he thought.
"Oh… I see," Hanabi replied absentmindedly, her thoughts drifting over his words.
That sounded… kind of cool.
"So I've decided," Inari continued, his voice firm,"I'm going to join the Hidden Sword Village and become a ninja."
Hanabi froze.
"…Become a ninja?"
"It's a newly established ninja village in the Land of Waves," Inari said, pulling out a notice.
The proclamation issued by the Daimyō of the Land of Waves read:
In response to the increasingly complex international situation, the Land of Waves has established the Hidden Sword Village to form its own ninja force and prepare for future crises.
"…Why not call it the Hidden Wave Village?" Hanabi muttered. "That name's strange."
Inari scratched his head. He didn't know either. Maybe "Sword Ninja" just sounded stronger.
But that wasn't the point.
"Kado has gotten worse," Inari said quietly."He keeps raising shipping fees. He's even been smashing private boats."
The reality was harsher than his words.
Shipping fees had tripled in just a few days. Fewer people dared go to sea. And yesterday, Kado destroyed every remaining private boat.
For the fishermen of the Land of Waves—
Boats were like bowls.
Without bowls, how could they eat?
Kado's cruelty, combined with Kaiza's death, reignited the anger buried deep within the people.
Negotiation failed.Pooling money to hire rogue ninja was impossible.They were turned away when they tried to commission missions in Konoha.
With no one left to rely on—
They could only become strong themselves.
The newly founded Hidden Sword Village instantly became the focus of hope.
Without realizing it, Hanabi finally understood the answer.
Why was Kado still alive?
Because he had value.
He was the target—the focus—of the people's hatred.
After training in the Hidden Sword Village, many planned to return as heroes, drive Kado away, and reclaim their lives.
This had become the shared dream of the oppressed.
"The tests are strict, but they're free," Inari said, stroking Pochi's head."Even if you fail, they'll still teach you the training methods."
"And once you're strong enough, you can officially join later."
He hesitated.
"There's just one drawback."
Hanabi looked at him.
"Your eyes might hurt for a few days."
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