Chapter 4: The Ultimate Simp Trio and a Girl’s Admiration

When people encounter something novel, it's easy to get addicted for a while.

Previously entertained by cat's cradle or ninja games, Ino had yet to be deemed worthy of learning her clan's jutsu. The ninja academy mainly taught cultural knowledge at this stage, with few practical combat lessons.

Neither Ino nor Sakura even knew the Three Basic Jutsu.

So, when Ino first experienced defying gravity and walking on a tree, it was an exhilarating and enjoyable novelty.

Unfortunately, her limited chakra reserves quickly ran out.

As expected, Ino began losing her earlier momentum and failing repeatedly.

This didn't surprise Yagyu.

The hardest part of tree-walking wasn't chakra control itself but multitasking.

When one foot successfully clung to the tree, attention naturally shifted to the other foot. In focusing on gathering chakra for the second step, the balance of the first foot often faltered.

Yagyu himself had initially struggled with this.

When Ino had expended her chakra and was left panting, Yagyu turned to Sakura and said, "Sakura, your turn to try."

"Okay!" Sakura nodded eagerly. She had been waiting for this moment.

With both index and middle fingers raised, she formed the Ram seal and approached the tree dotted with small footprints left by Ino.

To Ino's astonishment, an incredible scene unfolded.

Sakura placed one foot on the trunk, lifted the other, and began walking up as if gravity didn't exist.

Her body formed a perfect 90-degree angle to the ground.

Hands still clasped in the Ram seal, Sakura took one step, two steps, three, four, five... six... seven.

When she reached a height of over three meters, her control faltered, and her small body began to fall.

"Ahhh!"

Sakura cried out in fear, instinctively closing her eyes.

But the expected pain never came. Instead, a familiar voice echoed, as comforting as it was when it had pulled her from darkness years ago.

"Don't worry, I told you I'd protect you."

Opening her teary eyes, Sakura saw Yagyu holding her, and her mind went blank.

After setting Sakura down, Yagyu praised her. "I didn't expect you to have the best chakra control among the three of us."

"Exactly! Sakura, you've been hiding your talent all this time!" Ino chimed in, nodding.

"No, no, I was just lucky," Sakura murmured, lowering her head in embarrassment.

Looking at this shy girl, reminiscent of Hinata's timid demeanor, Yagyu couldn't help but marvel at how love can change someone so profoundly.

Who would believe that this delicate girl would awaken a violent second personality and undergo a complete transformation?

As a protagonist often overshadowed by more popular female characters, Sakura had always left a positive impression on Yagyu.

In his previous life, the backlash against her stemmed from the audience's tendency to view the story through Naruto's perspective.

But seen through Sasuke's eyes, Sakura and Karin resembled ultimate simps like Obito.

Anyone familiar with simping knows that the object of their affection becomes untouchable and takes them for granted.

Who wouldn't want such devotion?

In Boruto, Sakura's evolution into an ideal wife redeemed her image significantly.

Yagyu had watched the "Cactus Series" countless times, so how could he let such a devoted partner slip away in this reality?

Sakura continued challenging the tree. Unlike Ino's inconsistent progress, Sakura's second attempt brought her five meters up the trunk.

By her fifth attempt, she had reached the treetop, mastering this advanced technique with ease.

"So beautiful!"

From the top of the tree, Sakura admired the snowy landscape, her voice filled with wonder.

Seeing this, the previously exhausted Ino felt a surge of determination and prepared to try again.

But Yagyu stopped her. "Don't rush. Wait for your chakra to recover. This technique isn't just about talent—it also tests emotional stability. It won't be perfected in a day or two."

"When you're at home, you can lay down a mat and practice on walls."

"…Okay."

Though reluctant, Ino nodded obediently.

Judging by her expression, she would undoubtedly work hard at home.

After all, Ino was a proud girl. In their small circle, she had always been the leader, Sakura's "big sister."

Being surpassed by the girl she protected was unacceptable to her.

This competitive streak was precisely what Yagyu wanted to see.

Teaching them techniques usually reserved for genin had its own purpose.

The trio stayed in the woods until lunchtime, after which Ino and Sakura reluctantly went home.

Once separated from the two girls, Yagyu decided to buy some groceries before heading back.

As he walked, snow began falling again, its white flakes blanketing the village.

Passing by a park, Yagyu overheard voices shouting.

"You white-eyed freak, don't you know how to apologize?"

"Kneel down and apologize right now!"

Yagyu froze.

The words stirred a memory, and his expression turned peculiar. "No way… such a coincidence?"

Sometimes, reality plays out like a story.

Following the voices, Yagyu soon spotted two boys bullying a girl.

The girl, head bowed and tears streaming silently, didn't resist.

Her frail demeanor only emboldened the boys, who shoved her shoulders, trying to force her to kneel.

Smack!

Two snowballs suddenly flew in, striking the boys squarely in the face.

"Ow, ow! Who did that?"

As the snowballs blurred their vision, two more followed, hitting them even harder and knocking them to the ground.

Their faces reddened, the boys began to cry, entirely losing their resolve.

"Get lost before you take more!"

Through teary eyes, they saw Yagyu standing with snowballs in hand. Terrified, they scrambled away without a second thought.

Having driven them off with his excellent aim from the recent exam, Yagyu approached the stunned girl. Smiling, he said, "It's you again. Lost, are we?"

"Yagyu-kun…"

Looking at him, Hinata's tear-streaked face turned an even deeper shade of red.

The joy of seeing him quickly replaced her earlier distress.

"Why didn't you fight back?" Yagyu asked curiously. "I remember your taijutsu scores were pretty high."

"I… I…"

Hinata instinctively lowered her head, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

Before she could respond, a voice called out.

"Lady Hinata!"

A young man wearing a green vest and a Leaf forehead protector approached, holding a bag in his hand.

Seeing this, Yagyu immediately understood.

Hinata had been waiting for her clansman when the boys targeted her.

Her white eyes, unusual to other children, often made her a target for bullying—similar to how Naruto was treated.

Smiling, Yagyu said, "Hinata, don't be so kind in the future. If someone bullies you, fight back. Otherwise, they'll keep finding satisfaction in tormenting you and might even hurt others."

"The only way to stop bullies is to make them afraid of you."

"Alright, your escort is here. See you at school."

With that, Yagyu turned and left.

Hinata watched his retreating figure, a memory surfacing from two years ago.

Back then, Yagyu had been much shorter than he was now, yet he still ventured out into the night alone.

Whether it was the younger or the current Yagyu, he had always been amazing.

A seed of admiration quietly took root in her heart.