Chapter 9: Simulation, Activate!
Hyuga Hinata took a deep breath, her small hands forming the Gentle Fist stance as she rushed toward Hyuga Hiashi.
Hiashi merely shifted his body slightly to evade her attack, then extended a single finger to tap her wrist, cutting off her follow-up motion.
Tap!
The crisp sound echoed repeatedly.
Day after day, this scene played out in the training hall.
Attack, get blocked, get subdued easily. In the past, after three to five exchanges, Hinata's movements would gradually deteriorate as her strength failed her.
But today was different.
When Hinata got deflected, instead of retreating like usual or choosing a conservative approach, she pushed hard against the tatami mat, using the momentum to stabilize herself. Her other palm struck toward Hiashi's lower body at a somewhat awkward but determined angle.
Hyuga Hiashi's eyebrow twitched slightly, but he immediately countered, easily resolving her attack. His movements remained unhurried, yet his palms followed like shadows, pointing directly at several major pressure points on Hinata's body.
Though Hinata's form looked somewhat disheveled as she retreated and dodged under her father's assault, Hiashi could clearly see that her eyes no longer fixated solely on his hands as they used to. She was dividing her attention, watching his waist and abdomen.
She was searching for his openings.
More precisely, she was seeking to attack!
Excellent!
Hyuga Hiashi cheered inwardly, though his face remained expressionless—his hands even moved a bit faster.
He wanted to see just how far Hinata could push herself this time.
Sweat quickly soaked the bangs on Hinata's forehead. Her breathing became rough and labored, her stamina nearly depleted.
"Hah!"
She suddenly shouted and charged directly into her father's incoming palm strike, throwing a desperate punch.
A flash of surprise crossed Hiashi's eyes. His wrist turned lightly, and what seemed like a casual pushing palm precisely intercepted her momentum.
Hinata felt a soft force transmit through her strike. Her entire body tilted backward beyond her control, and she sat down hard on the cold floor.
The sparring session had ended.
Hyuga Hinata lowered her head, small fists clenched tight, waiting for the inevitable reprimand. Because... she still hadn't accomplished anything.
Dead silence filled the training hall, broken only by her own ragged breathing. Time seemed to stretch endlessly before Hiashi's voice finally came from above.
"Stand up."
Hyuga Hinata pushed herself up and stood properly, head bowed, ready to accept criticism.
However, what she heard was something completely unexpected.
"Today... you did well."
Hinata's head snapped up, unable to believe her ears, her pale eyes filled with shock.
Her father's face still wore that unchanging stern expression, but what he'd just said wasn't "not enough yet," wasn't "too slow," wasn't silent disappointment. It was approval.
This was the first time she could remember receiving praise from Father.
The door softly closed behind her with a crisp click, as if sealing away the outside world entirely.
Hyuga Hinata stood with her back against the door panel, staring blankly at the familiar furnishings in her room for several seconds, those pure white eyes gazing vacantly.
"I really can do it."
She held that murmur between her lips and teeth, like responding to a promise made to someone.
Hinata pulled the black notebook from her drawer and opened it, waiting for the Life Simulator's cooldown to reach zero. The instant it did, she selected [Begin Simulation].
The previous simulation's results vanished. Starting from the first page, new text appeared on the paper.
[Konoha Year 54. The Cloud Village delegation arrives, and Father becomes increasingly busy. I find an opportunity to slip out of the estate again, intending to search for Neji.]
[However, just outside the compound wall, I notice a suspicious figure. The person has dark skin, very similar to someone from the Land of Lightning.]
[I have three choices.]
[1. Shout loudly that there's an enemy village spy here.]
[2. Ignore it and continue searching for Neji.]
[3. Do nothing and return to my room.]
"Huh?"
Hyuga Hinata felt somewhat surprised. The conditions were identical to the previous simulation, yet this time there was an additional option.
Should she choose that one?
She unconsciously fidgeted with her fingers. Though the Cloud Village had already expressed intentions to negotiate peace, their envoys still had some days of travel across two countries before reaching Konoha.
Whatever. She'd stick with her original plan.
Hinata made up her mind and selected the first option.
[This time, I shout loudly. The Cloud ninja immediately looks my way.]
[His figure rapidly enlarges in my vision. Just then, Father—who'd already gone to bed—rushes over and strikes the Cloud ninja's chest with one palm. The man doesn't even have time to make a sound before his breathing stops.]
[He's dead.]
[However, the Cloud Village's retaliation comes without warning. They twist the truth, claiming Konoha acted in bad faith—not only sabotaging peace talks but brutally murdering their messenger. They demand Konoha hand over the killer as recompense, or they'll respond with war.]
[If a single person's life could quell a war, the trade seems incredibly worthwhile.]
[Not just others in the village—even Father begins to waver. Before long, the killer's corpse is handed over.]
[Father and I stand side by side, looking at that body with features identical to Father's. Finally, I understand.]
[The "killer" was Uncle Hizashi.]
"How can this be?!"
Young Hyuga Hinata hadn't yet witnessed the world's darker side, couldn't comprehend the complex machinations involved. Her tender heart was brutally pierced by this cruel truth.
Just then, a line of text slowly materialized on the page.
[World line has been anchored. View simulation results?]
Hinata took a deep breath, barely controlling her trembling voice. "View them."
[The Cloud Village got their recompense. Konoha Village got its peace. The Hyuga got their clan head. And the price for all of this? Merely the life of a branch family member.]
[But those accustomed to lofty heights—how could they lower their noble heads to see that Hyuga Neji had lost his father, to see that a child had lost his entire world?]
[Konoha Year 58. The Uchiha are massacred in a single night, leaving only one survivor. This incident has massive impact, seeming to inspire a certain someone.]
[Konoha Year 63. Orochimaru orchestrates the Konoha Crush Plan. Hyuga Neji seizes the opportunity to kill all main family members except you in an extremely short time, then defects.]
["My foolish little sister—if you want to kill me, then hate me, curse me, and live on pathetically."]
[Simulation complete.]
[Evaluation: Some things are fine for fooling the branch family. Don't fool yourself too.]