Hinata Hyuga clutched the edges of her clothes, nervously watching Chinatsu. Her soft voice trembled slightly, just like in the original canon where she struggled with confidence due to her Hyuga branch-family upbringing.
Hinata was naturally shy, and this premature opening of her mouth disrupted Chinatsu's planned rhythm, catching her completely off guard.
How did she recognize me before I even spoke? Did Hinata activate her Byakugan last time? I didn't notice anything unusual…
The Byakugan… it is the Hyuga clan's kekkei genkai. In Naruto canon, it grants nearly 360-degree vision, telescopic sight, and the ability to perceive chakra networks. In some aspects of perception range, it even rivals or surpasses early-stage Sharingan observation.
See-through vision… that ability is way too dangerous!
Chinatsu briefly considered that possibility, and her face suddenly flushed for no reason at all.
"Sister… why is your face red?"
"No, it's nothing. But little sister, recognizing an ANBU member in public isn't very polite." Chinatsu reached out to pat Hinata's head, but before her hand could touch her, Neji stepped in.
With a sharp "smack!", Neji grabbed Chinatsu's wrist firmly. Despite his age, his Hyuga training made his grip surprisingly strong, reflecting the disciplined branch-family combat style of Gentle Fist practitioners.
"Please don't touch Hinata-sama."
Neji released her hand after speaking, his expression calm but firm. Chinatsu looked at him with mild surprise.
In the original Naruto storyline, Neji initially harbored deep hostility toward Hinata due to the Hyuga main branch vs branch family ideology and his father's death during the Cloud Village incident. That resentment fueled his harsh attitude during the Chunin Exams fight, prompting intervention from multiple jonin.
However, in this altered timeline, Chinatsu has already changed that outcome Neji's father did not die, softening his hatred and slightly altering his fate trajectory.
Seeing Neji's protective stance, Chinatsu couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"What are you laughing at?" Neji asked, frowning.
"Nothing, nothing… just thought of something funny." Chinatsu giggled, covering her mouth.
Neji narrowed his eyes, still confused. Something about this woman felt off, like she was reading the flow of fate itself.
Chinatsu: Like a little puppy~
Neji: Huh???
A teasing expression appeared on Chinatsu's face. Neji instinctively took a half-step back, as if she were some unpredictable variable outside Hyuga logic.
"Hahaha, I'm not some kind of monster. No need to be so wary. Besides, I even saved your young lady before this attitude is really hurtful."
Chinatsu dramatically placed a hand on her chest like an overacting shinobi in an Academy play. Neji's expression twisted slightly, unsure how to respond.
While Neji was distracted, Chinatsu slipped past him smoothly and appeared beside Hinata. With a playful grin, she gently pinched Hinata's soft cheek.
So soft… so warm… this is pure healing energy…
"Ahhh, why didn't I get reincarnated into the Hyuga clan instead? Hinata, you'd definitely be my adorable little sister~"
Chinatsu continued squishing Hinata's cheeks with shameless joy.
Sasuke: ∑(°Д°) …Yeah!!
It's not that I don't love Sasuke… it's just that Hinata's healing factor is too strong. One is a potential future emo prodigy, the other is pure emotional support unit. Easy choice.
"Big… sister…" Hinata mumbled weakly under the cheek-pinching assault.
"Hm? What is it?"
Hinata finally gathered courage as Chinatsu released her face. Her cheeks were flushed red, contrasting with her pale skin and pale Byakugan eyes.
She took a breath and said clearly, "Big sister! Can I become like you in the future?!"
"Big sister?!?"
Neji snapped his head toward Hinata in shock.
The young lady becoming like this woman? Impossible. The Hyuga main branch would never allow such deviation from tradition. Even Hyuga elders would object.
But Chinatsu understood immediately Hinata meant strength.
"Yes. Eat well, train daily, do push-ups, squats, basic chakra control exercises, and practice consistently. In a few years, you'll definitely become strong, Hinata."
"Can I become as strong as big sister?!"
"Hmm… maybe even stronger than me." Chinatsu smiled, patting her head lightly.
But internally she hesitated.
Wait… if Hinata actually follows my training method too literally, will she turn into a taijutsu monster like Might Guy? That would be… unexpectedly terrifying.
But… Hyuga clan training already includes Gentle Fist and chakra control. She should be fine… probably.
Hinata nodded enthusiastically, taking every word seriously as only a pure-hearted Hyuga heiress could.
Neji, meanwhile, was sweating slightly. He felt like if this continued, the future of the Hyuga clan might take a very unpredictable direction.
"Young lady, don't we have matters to attend to? We should go."
"Oh… right. Big sister, goodbye…" Hinata waved softly.
Neji quickly led her away from the "dangerous influence zone" that was Chinatsu.
"She runs away fast. Do I really look like some kind of villain?" Chinatsu muttered, though she was in a good mood after achieving maximum Hinata-cheek-pinch satisfaction.
Just as she was about to leave, a green blur suddenly flashed behind her.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't help overhearing!"
A loud, passionate voice echoed, vibrating with almost physical enthusiasm.
"I never expected someone so young to speak such profound words like 'push-ups, squats, and running'! This is the essence of youth!"
That voice… it was burned into Chinatsu's memory.
The energetic presence… the bowl-cut aura… the green jumpsuit…
Youthful brother… no
Chinatsu stiffly turned her head.
Of course.
Might Guy.
The eternal rival of Kakashi Hatake, the man who would one day open the Eight Gates and kick Madara Uchiha across a battlefield.
"Little girl! I am currently doing ten laps around Konoha! Would you like to experience the beauty of youth with me?!"
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