Footsteps approached from afar, and Hinata appeared at the corner of the corridor, jogging. She was still wearing a form-fitting black training outfit, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead, clearly having just been called away from training.
"Kurenai-sensei... Eh!"
When she saw the person behind Kurenai, her voice suddenly stopped.
Her fair cheeks flushed with a faint blush as she murmured softly, "Ma... Mamoru-kun is here too?"
Mamoru's lips curled up as he chuckled. "Not welcome?"
Hinata hurriedly shook her head. "N-no, of course not. I was just a bit surprised."
Mamoru said, pointing casually at Kurenai with his thumb, "I just happened to run into her at the dango shop, and she dragged me along to bolster her presence."
Kurenai glared at him. "You brat, what nonsense are you talking?"
Then she turned back to Hinata, her tone returning to gentle. "Hinata, we're here to visit your father, Hiashi-sama."
Hearing Hiashi's name, a fleeting, complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Father is in the dojo. I'll take you there."
Kurenai nodded gently. "Sorry for the trouble, Hinata."
Hinata quickly bowed. "You're too kind, Kurenai-sensei."
Mamoru had already nimbly taken off his shoes and was stepping barefoot onto the dark brown veranda floor, the wooden surface letting out a faint creak under his feet.
He said, impatiently tapping his toes against the floor, "Alright, enough with the pleasantries. We're all on the same side. Let's get moving."
Kurenai sighed, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. "Can't you act a bit more like a guest?"
Seeing the relaxed interaction between the two, Hinata couldn't help but giggle behind her hand, her tense mood relaxing slightly.
She said softly, "Please follow me."
Hinata led the way, with Kurenai and Mamoru following close behind.
The three of them walked slowly along the winding porch of the Hyuga estate.
Passing through a winding corridor, Hinata stopped in front of a simple sliding door. From inside came the crisp shouts of a young girl, accompanied by the muffled thuds of bodies hitting the floor, seemingly undergoing some kind of training.
Hinata said in a low voice, her hands unconsciously clasped in front of her, her knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure, "Kurenai-sensei, father is inside."
Kurenai nodded, took a deep, solemn breath, and then announced clearly, "Excuse me."
She gently pushed open the sliding door, the wooden track making a slight sliding sound as she stepped inside.
Mamoru didn't choose to follow. Instead, he leaned lazily against the wall by the door with his arms crossed, admiring the elegant scenery of the inner courtyard as if none of this concerned him.
Hinata stood quietly beside him, her head bowed, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her face.
Mamoru glanced at her. "You're not going in?"
Hinata shook her head gently, pursing her lips without speaking, her face clouded with an indescribable loneliness.
Seeing her like this, Mamoru couldn't help but sigh inwardly, 'Just how nervous was this kid?'
To be so cautious in her own home... it really made one's heart ache.
Kurenai stepped into the bright dojo, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet space.
The entire space was floored with dark brown wooden planks, polished to a mirror-like shine that faintly reflected the moving figures. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, intertwined with the unique fragrance of wood.
At the end of the dojo, a towering figure stood in the center, like a mountain. He wore a traditional white training uniform, the collar folded meticulously. On the plain white wall behind him hung an ink-wash calligraphy scroll, with two powerful characters 'No Mind' standing out prominently.
Before him, a small figure was kneeling on the ground—Hyuga Hanabi.
Hanabi's slender shoulders rose and fell sharply with her rapid breathing. Her training uniform was disheveled, and the stray hairs on her forehead were soaked with sweat, clinging to her skin.
"Continue." Hiashi's voice was calm and steady, yet it carried an unquestionable authority that echoed through the empty dojo.
Hanabi bit her lower lip, pressed her hands against the floor, and struggled to stand up from the smooth surface. She picked up the dropped Kunai and with a sudden lunge, the Kunai sliced through the air, aimed straight at Hiashi's vitals.
Hiashi didn't even move his feet. With a slight turn of his wrist and a flick of his wooden sword, Hanabi was sent crashing heavily onto the floor again with a muffled thud.
"Stand up, Hanabi." Hiashi's gaze remained calm.
Hanabi curled up on the ground, her small body trembling slightly, unable to get up immediately. Her fingertips scratched at the floor, leaving a few shallow marks.
At that moment, Kurenai's cool voice broke the stagnant atmosphere. "Hinata will be my student from now on."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Hanabi on the floor. "However, is this really appropriate? Hinata is, after all, the heir to the Hyuga clan."
Hiashi remained silent, the wooden sword in his hand perfectly still, his gaze still fixed on Hanabi.
Kurenai continued, "The missions Genin undertake are accompanied by life-threatening danger."
What she was considering more was how to teach Hinata in the future. Her specialty was Genjutsu, and for the Hyuga clan who possessed the Byakugan, aside from basic ninja experience, what she could teach in terms of Taijutsu was quite limited.
"Do as you wish." Hiashi finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice.
Standing outside the door, Mamoru clearly heard the cold words coming from inside. Even as carefree as he was, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
No matter what, she was his biological daughter. This attitude... did it mean he had completely given up on her as the heir?
"What use does the Hyuga clan have for a failure who can't even beat Hanabi, who is five years younger than her?" Hiashi's words were like cold needles, piercing through the sliding door and clearly reaching Hinata's ears outside.
Her already small figure trembled violently, appearing even more desolate and frail.
The expression on Kurenai's face shifted. Several times she wanted to speak but stopped, eventually saying nothing and helplessly lowering her eyes.
"Tsk, this old geezer..."
Mamoru's face showed unmistakable displeasure as he muttered to himself, "This is why I hate these stale, rigid great clans."
He straightened up, turned around, and stepped forward.
"Mamoru..."
Hinata, affected by the movement beside her, subconsciously called out his name, her voice filled with confusion and worry.