The mission's results had been extraordinary, so Hinata didn't rush into new assignments right away. She gave herself a full week to adjust—to familiarize herself with the transformation her body had undergone.
Her strength had nearly doubled. The old 1,600-jin weighted suit was now obsolete, replaced by a newly customized one weighing a total of 3,100 jin, her current limit.
Because of that, Hinata could no longer sit down casually; even with chakra reinforcing her, cheap wooden floors cracked beneath her weight if she wasn't careful.
Swimming would've been better training than running, but with weights over three thousand jin, she would sink instantly. So, running became her main training method.
During her runs, she often crossed paths with Guy's Team—with Guy himself leading the charge, followed by Lee, Neji, and Tenten.
They were frequently hospitalized due to their brutal regimen, but their progress was just as remarkable.
Despite her strength, Hinata couldn't keep pace with them, barely managing to stay alongside Tenten.
During one break, she shared her breathing techniques with Tenten—methods that helped conserve stamina and extend endurance during exercise. In return, she learned something surprising.
Both Tenten and Neji had begun training in the Eight Gates Technique, though neither could open as many as Lee.
Neji had mastered the first two gates and was pushing toward the third—an incredible feat, considering it was once impossible for him. His improvement was proof of his relentless effort over the past few months.
Geniuses were already terrifying. But when a genius worked as hard as a madman, they became something beyond terrifying—and that was Neji.
His progress pushed Lee even harder. Lee's philosophy was simple: If a genius runs 500 laps, I'll run 3,000. If he throws 5,000 punches, I'll throw 30,000.
Lee believed that hard work could surpass talent—and he backed it up every single day.
Seeing Lee's unyielding determination, Neji in turn realized that human potential had no ceiling. If you hit a wall, it simply meant your will wasn't strong enough yet.
And so, both of them kept pushing forward—breaking limits that shouldn't have been breakable.
If not for Guy-sensei spending his own money to buy Lee medicine and supplements, Lee might've collapsed from exhaustion long ago.
…
"Lee has Guy-sensei watching over him," Hinata murmured one day as they ran together. "But what about Neji-nii?"
Her question made Tenten falter for a moment.
Hinata knew that as a member of the branch family, Neji didn't have access to the same training resources as she did. He still had to give up sixty-five percent of his mission earnings as tribute to the main house. With limited funds and restricted support, sustaining such intense training seemed impossible.
When Hinata asked him directly, Neji only stammered awkwardly before quickening his pace to avoid the question.
Even Tenten—usually talkative and easygoing—grew unusually quiet when Hinata brought it up.
Determined to find answers, Hinata later asked another relative from the branch family, only to meet the same silence.
Finally, she turned to Lee, whose mind revolved around nothing but training and surpassing geniuses. Surely, if anyone would tell her something without thinking twice—it would be him.
…
"You mean Neji and Tenten? They're together!" Lee exclaimed energetically while walking upside down on his hands.
"Together…?" Hinata blinked, momentarily confused—then her eyes widened slightly in realization.
Neji was handsome, refined, and calm. Tenten was beautiful, confident, and strong. It wasn't hard to imagine the two growing close.
"They're lovers!" Lee said proudly, flipping upright with a grin. "Neji gives all his mission earnings to the main family, and even sold his house. Now he's living and eating at Tenten's place!"
Hinata froze in place, as if a wild boar had just fallen from the sky and crashed right onto her head.
"Ah, right! When Neji confessed to Tenten, it scared her half to death!" Lee continued animatedly, waving his arms. "But he told her it was partly because he needed more money—to support you, Hinata! He said his feelings for Tenten could grow naturally over time. That as comrades, they'd eventually become true lovers. Tenten has that charm, you know!"
Hinata didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Neji—stoic, serious Neji—had actually chosen to become a live-in son-in-law for her sake.
That doesn't really count as being kept… right? she thought helplessly. After all, Neji was still working hard and earning his own keep.
…
That evening, when Hinata returned home, she immediately brought up the matter to her father.
"Yes," Hiashi said calmly, setting down his teacup. "Neji already informed me."
Hinata's shoulders relaxed. "Then… since Father doesn't object, I suppose it's fine."
She had been worried that Neji was acting in secret—that his actions might anger her father and cause unnecessary conflict between the main and branch families. Thankfully, Hiashi's calm tone reassured her.
…
The next day, while running laps around Konoha, Hinata once again encountered Team Guy.
Approaching them with her usual gentle smile, she called out sweetly, "Good morning, Sister-in-law~"
Tenten's face turned crimson. "W–what did you just—?!" She quickly covered Hinata's mouth, flustered beyond words, earning laughter from Lee and even a faint smirk from Neji.
Hinata's friendship with Tenten deepened after that. Tenten was straightforward and generous by nature; once she accepted someone as family, she treated them wholeheartedly.
She began gifting Hinata tools—kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and scrolls—without hesitation.
"Whether you need them or not is your choice," Tenten said, pressing a pouch into Hinata's hands. "But since we're family now, don't treat me like an outsider."
Hinata smiled, touched. "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
…
Later, Hinata accompanied Tenten home and met her parents. They were kind, open-minded people who welcomed her warmly.
"As long as our daughter's happy, that's all that matters," Tenten's mother said. "If Neji treats her well, we'll be satisfied."
After sharing a meal together, Neji insisted on escorting Hinata home.
On the way back, Hinata glanced at him thoughtfully. "Neji-nii… about your home. The one you gave up—is that…"
Neji nodded. "It was one of the few things my father left behind." His expression didn't waver. "But it doesn't matter. My fate has always been to protect you, Hinata-sama. It's just a house. Even if my father were still alive, I believe he would've agreed with what I've done."
Hinata shook her head firmly. "I don't want Neji-nii to die for me. I'm strong now… strong enough to protect myself."
Neji gave a faint, almost wistful smile. "Yes."
Hinata's gaze softened, but her tone turned resolute. "When you have a child, I won't allow that child to bear the Caged Bird Seal."
Her words carried immense weight—spoken not just as his cousin, but as the heir to the Hyuga main family.
Neji was silent for a long time. When they reached the clan's gate, he finally exhaled a long breath.
"If Lord Hiashi had said the same back then," he murmured, "perhaps my father wouldn't have died with such resentment."
He gave a small bow, turned, and walked off into the night. His figure disappeared beyond the lantern-lit streets, leaving Hinata standing quietly by the gate.
…
Why are there still people coveting the Hyuga's Byakugan?
Because we're not strong enough.
Hinata clenched her fists.
Once the cost of seizing our eyes outweighs the benefits, no one will ever dare to touch us again.
"Not enough…" she whispered. "I'm still not strong enough."
…
Memories of her past life flickered in her mind—tales of destruction, of villages wiped from the map, of techniques powerful enough to cut the moon in half.
Compared to that, her current strength was nothing.
She needed to become stronger—strong enough that no one would ever bully the Hyuga clan again. Strong enough that they could protect their own bloodline, without relying on the cursed seal of servitude.
---
[Translator's Note:
Daily updates will be 2-3 chapters.
If the Power Stones goal is achieved, updates will be more!!
Power Stones ↔ Chapters Exchange:
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
Monthly Ranking Bonus:
1st place in the monthly ranking = 5 bonus chapters per day, in addition to regular extra chapters!]