In truth, Hinata awakening the Byakugan wasn't because she got emotional—it was because of the simulator's reward: "seven years of Gentle Fist training results."
To match that power, her physical condition also received a comprehensive upgrade.
The explosiveness she showed in combat, her coordination, her chakra level… all of it proved that Hinata had reached the "maturity" needed to awaken the Byakugan in every respect.
Even Hyuga Kiyonari himself didn't actually know this. After all… he just made wishes in the script. The rest? Take it up with his correction points.
Hyuga clan members could awaken the Byakugan simply by training step by step, but what the true key factor was, no one really knew.
Maybe it was physical fitness, maybe age, maybe bloodline purity, maybe a layered combination of multiple factors.
But in any case, the result was: Hinata became the earliest Byakugan awakener in Hyuga history—
A genius.
She even awakened it slightly earlier than Neji had. At that point, even Hiashi had to admit it: his teaching methods had problems.
Looking at the common thread behind Hinata's recent bursts of progress, the pattern was obvious—she always spent time with Hyuga Kiyonari the day before, could relax enough to eat freely, and actually ate until she was full.
A fine steed may have the ability to run a thousand miles, but if it isn't fed, it won't have strength, and its talent won't show. How could you demand it run a thousand miles?
Hiashi had never read that essay, but the truth inside it was being forced down his throat bit by bit.
Throughout lunch—
Hiashi ate while watching Hinata from the corner of his eye. Her posture was proper, back straight, every movement in perfect accordance with the etiquette expected of the clan's young lady.
Their household followed the traditional separate-serving system, with each person receiving different portions. The food on Hinata's plate was always eaten cleanly—not a single grain of rice left.
In the past, Hiashi had always seen this as Hinata's virtue of thrift and discipline, proof of the qualities he'd cultivated in an heir.
Until Hyuga Kiyonari appeared, he'd never considered that Hinata was simply not getting enough to eat.
After that, Hiashi instructed the maids to prepare more food for her, but there was only so much a plate could hold at once. And as soon as Hinata finished what was in front of her, she would set down her chopsticks and say:
"I'm done."
But this time, when Hinata rose to leave, Hiashi suddenly asked, "Are you full?"
Hinata froze for a moment, then answered, "Yes, Father. I'm full."
Hiashi knew Hinata would never show that side of herself in front of him again—but he couldn't let something like this hold back her talent.
He took a deep breath and phrased it differently. "I saw your performance this morning. Your improvement is obvious… no, it's astonishing."
"The training plan I originally made for you has clearly fallen behind your current level. Until a new plan is ready… you may move freely. Go wherever you want. Do whatever you want."
After Hinata left, Hiashi closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
Then he summoned Hyuga Homon and asked, "It's almost time to distribute the clan stipend for orphans this month, right?"
Homon blinked, then replied, "Yes, Clan Head. About three days."
"Good." Hiashi nodded. "Increase Hyuga Kiyonari's share by twenty percent on top of last month. Also, quietly let him know: any expenses incurred when he goes out with the young lady can be fully reimbursed by the clan at any time. Tell him not to hold back."
"Yes. Understood."
There was no help for it. If Hinata couldn't relax in front of him, then… he would have Hyuga Kiyonari do it in his place.
…
The afternoon sunlight was warm. On a hillside on Konoha's western side, Hyuga Kiyonari sometimes came to lie down and think about nothing.
But today, his quiet little haven had been taken by another visitor.
Kurama Yakumo sat there quietly, a portable easel set up in front of her. A landscape painting on the board was mostly finished; she was adding the final details. From time to time she paused, narrowed her eyes to inspect, then continued painting.
Finally, when her last stroke fell, Yakumo let out a long breath and gently rolled her stiff shoulders and neck.
Few people came here. She'd already sensed Kiyonari when he arrived—but since he didn't come closer or speak, she kept her focus on the world beneath her brush.
Now that the painting was finished, it was time to leave.
"My name is Hyuga Kiyonari. Your painting is beautiful."
His voice made Yakumo's hand pause as she was packing up her tools.
"I'm Kurama Yakumo."
"It might be a bit forward, but… could I ask you to draw something for me? I'm willing to pay."
Yakumo was surprised by how familiar he sounded, but…
"Since you didn't disturb me… what do you want me to draw?"
"Something… very special." Kiyonari paused, and a trace of nostalgia—far too old for his age—rose in his eyes. "I'll describe it, and you draw it. Is that okay?"
"No problem." Yakumo sat back down at the easel, pulled out a fresh canvas and secured it. "Go ahead."
Kiyonari stepped a little closer, standing slightly behind and to the side so he could see the canvas without blocking her light.
"First, it's a humanoid outline… tall, upright—like a warrior."
Yakumo took charcoal and sketched the basic silhouette. In just a few strokes, she set the proportions and posture.
"Like this?"
"Yes." Kiyonari examined it carefully and continued. "The head needs to be special—not a normal human face, but… shaped like a Buddha statue. The eyes should be oval…"
Yakumo's charcoal paused, as if she were building the image in her mind. Then she adjusted the drawing bit by bit according to his description. A strange head shape gradually took form, and those oval eyes stood out the most—calm, yet piercing, as if they could see through you.
"Next…"
After more than ten minutes, Yakumo set her tool down and stared at the finished image, holding her breath.
It was a giant—clean, flowing lines in silver and red, yet carrying a powerful visual impact. On its chest was a round blue crystal; at Kiyonari's insistence, she gave it a glowing quality. The whole figure radiated a kind of sacred mystery that made you instinctively want to look up.
"What is this?" Yakumo finally asked the question she'd been holding back. "Did you imagine it?"
"Ultraman," Kiyonari said softly. "I call him Ultraman. In my story, he is… a hero."
"When every problem, every pain, every emotion… takes form as a monster."
Yakumo stared into his eyes, and strangely, she suddenly felt as if he could see straight through her heart.
Then his voice reached her ears, slow and steady.
"Ultraman can come and destroy it."
~~~
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