Even if he felt frustrated with his clan or the village, Neji Hyuga was the type who would swallow every emotion until the very last moment—until he was pushed to the edge of despair.
That was exactly why Naruto-kun's direct, sincere personality felt so precious. It was a warmth that spread everywhere he went, even into places as cold and rigid as the Hyuga Clan.
And of course, the reason Hinata had changed so much… was because of Naruto.
When she heard her father praise her for the first time, even in the smallest way, her heart trembled. Her eyes filled with tears she couldn't hold back. Just then, her younger sister Hanabi hopped into the courtyard and blinked in confusion.
"Sister? Why are you crying?"
Hinata jolted slightly before quickly wiping the corners of her eyes. She turned toward Hanabi with a gentle smile that carried a softness only she could give.
"No, it's nothing… These are just tears of joy."
"Tears of… joy?" Hanabi repeated, tilting her head in puzzlement.
"Yes," Hinata nodded shyly, "I'm really happy today."
Hanabi still didn't understand, but she nodded anyway. Then her face lit up with excitement.
"Then Sister! Can you train with me?"
Hinata smiled again, a smile so gentle that even Hanabi felt her heart wobble.
"Of course. But… not right now. I'm going out for a bit."
"Oh."
Hanabi's head drooped in disappointment.
She mumbled to herself, "My sister has been going out a lot lately… I wonder what she's doing?"
Hinata's cheeks reddened instantly. "I-I'm also doing training… A different kind of training…"
Hanabi narrowed her eyes sharply.
"Sister, you're blushing! Is this about the person you said you liked before?!"
"Ha—Hanabi!!"
Hinata spun around, but her beet-red ears betrayed everything.
"I-I'm leaving now! I'll practice with you when I return!"
Hanabi covered her mouth and giggled.
"I knew it~ hehehe…"
---
Naruto's Room—Training Time
Naruto was already deep in training. Sweat rolled down his forehead, his eyes blazing with determination. Whenever Hinata visited, she always found him like this—working hard, pushing himself, chasing goals no one else believed he could reach.
When he heard a knock on the door, his bright blue eyes lit up.
"Come in, Hinata!"
Hinata slipped inside, removing her sun hat. She gave him a small nod.
"Naruto-kun."
Naruto immediately walked up and grabbed her small hand.
"Perfect timing! There's something I can't solve and I've been waiting for you!"
Hinata froze.
Her entire body felt electrified.
"N-Naruto-kun… elin…"
Only then did Naruto realize she was gripping his hand tightly.
"Oh! Sorry, my bad!"
He let go with an easy laugh.
Hinata breathed a quiet sigh of relief…
but a small, strange loneliness tugged at her heart.
Pushing the thought aside, she leaned over the textbook and began explaining the problem. Naruto listened with his whole heart, nodding repeatedly.
"Hah! I get it now! Thanks, Hinata!"
Hinata smiled warmly. Naruto had improved so much—his academic score was above eighty, and he was quickly becoming one of the better students in the entire academy.
"Your improvement is amazing, Naruto-kun… If you keep this up, you'll get full marks soon. And with your Ninjutsu and fighting skills? You'll definitely be number one."
Naruto puffed his chest out.
"Exactly! I'm aiming to graduate first in the final evaluation!"
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"But um… I couldn't do this without you helping me, Hinata."
Her face glowed with happiness.
"You're welcome, Naruto-kun."
---
Naruto's Idea
As they studied, Naruto suddenly stood up with a spark in his eyes.
"Hinata! We shouldn't just study academics together. Let's also train in Ninjutsu and fighting!"
Hinata blinked rapidly.
"A-A spar… with me?"
"Yes! Let's help each other grow!"
Hinata's heart fluttered.
She wanted to become stronger.
She wanted to spend more time with Naruto.
This was the perfect excuse.
"O-okay… Let's do it."
The two headed downstairs and stepped out onto the empty street, facing each other seriously. They pressed their palms together in the Seal of Confrontation.
"Please guide me, Naruto-kun," Hinata said politely.
"Just like that! Alright, I'm going first!"
Naruto charged forward with his signature Taijutsu.
"Leaf Tornado!"
Hinata activated her Byakugan, veins bulging around her pale eyes. She took the stance of the Hyuga's ancient art:
Yumuşak Yumruk Sekiz Üçgen Avuç İçi!
"Hah!"
Her arms moved gracefully but explosively, colliding with Naruto's kick and redirecting it perfectly. Naruto spun awkwardly in the air, landing on his knees.
"Wow! As expected of Hyuga's Gentle Fist!"
But Naruto quickly twisted his body, unleashing another attack.
"Yaprak Güçlü Kasırga!"
It was fast—deceptively fast.
Hinata countered again with Nazik Yumruk Sekiz Trigram Avucu, but even she was pushed back this time.
Naruto grinned. He could feel the heat of the match rising.
"Hinata, watch out! I'm using a Ninjutsu I just learned!"
Hinata drew in a breath, Byakugan sharpening.
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
---
The Strongest Strike
"Rüzgar Salınımı: Kasırga Yumruğu!!!"
Wind chakra surged instantly from Naruto's body and spiraled around his fist like a roaring storm. Even before the punch reached her, Hinata felt the wind whip against her face.
"N-Nasıl bir Ninjutsu bu?!"
She quickly formed the defensive variation of her clan's style—
Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palm Defense!
But—
BOOM!!!
A violent shockwave sent Hinata flying backward!
"Ah—!"
She collided with the wall.
---
Naruto's Rescue
"Hinata!!"
Naruto panicked. His body instantly shifted into a blur, the wind exploding beneath his feet.
This was his self-created secret wind technique:
Rüzgar Beden Titreşim Tekniği!!!
He reached her in an instant and caught her before she hit the ground again.
Hinata gasped.
"Na-Naruto-kun… Böyle bir Vücut Titreşim Tekniği… nasıl…?"
"Heh! Pretty cool, right? I created it myself!"
"It's… incredible…"
But then—
She realized she was in Naruto's arms.
Her entire body went red.
Steam practically rose from her head.
"Kyaaa—!"
She shoved him away with sudden panic.
Naruto smashed into the wall face-first.
"Ow! Hinata, why—"
He stopped.
Hinata's body was trembling.
Her cheeks were crimson.
She looked like she was about to faint.
"H-Hinata?! Are you okay?!"
He rushed to her, catching her again—this time as she completely collapsed into his arms.
---
Aftermath
Naruto carried her upstairs princess-style, gently laying her on the bed.
He squatted beside her, frowning deeply.
"I'm such an idiot…"
He clenched his fists.
"To test a new Ninjutsu, I went all out like a fool… And after everything Hinata has done for me, I repay her like this?! How could I be so stupid?!"
He sighed, guilt twisting in his chest as he watched her sleep peacefully, cheeks still pink from embarrassment rather than injury.
---
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)