Change is Initiated (2)

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

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[Hyūga Hanabi's POV]

Despite the many amazing tales of his exploits, Naruto-sensei remained humble. He had never boasted or even talked about his exploits unless asked. The stories mostly came from other Shinobi who happened to hear it from another Shinobi. Just like what happened in Kusa.

It was said that he killed one hundred Iwa Shinobi by himself in a flash, reminding everyone of the Yondaime's might. That event was said to be one of the reasons why Iwa decided to stop their war against Kusa.

It was unbelievable that such a great person was willing to spend time with me and teach me Fūinjutsu. I asked him about it once, whether he was bored of teaching me. He told me it was kind of monotonous, but he liked my quick progress. He had to ruin it by saying I was bordering intellectually challenged compared to him afterward.

He might sound disrespectful, but he was straightforward. I guessed that was why I enjoyed my time with him. I was tired of people sucking up to me. The branch family member taking care of me did that often. I knew he did that because he was afraid of my father. Naruto-sensei was different. He didn't hold back his opinion as he didn't fear anyone.

I wanted to be as strong as him. If I was as strong as him, maybe, I wouldn't have to put up this 'Miss Perfect' mask anymore. I wanted to get close to my sister and save her from this wretched family. Father couldn't do anything about it as he was afraid of change. I didn't care about it. If I had the power, my sister wouldn't suffer anymore.

"If eagles have your eyes, they won't dare to fly."

As such, I was learning from Naruto-sensei.

"Hanabi, that is not nice. He only accidentally bumped into me and already apologized."

"He didn't seem to mean it."

I remembered what Naruto-sensei told me. Don't take anything at face value. Everything casually thrown around is worthless. A begrudging apology is worth less than the money you extort from those who wrong you. When your adversary doesn't yield, beat them up or make them pay for their lives.

"Pay up or get beat up. Choose wisely."

I would put it into practice.

"Huh? B- But I already apologized!"

"You weren't sincere."

"Hanabi, it's okay."

Naïve Nee-san. She didn't understand how cold this world was. It was this attitude of hers that got her into a lot of trouble. She was more than capable of hurting her enemy but too kind-hearted.

"This kid is crazy, yo. You shouldn't teach your sister crazy stuff."

A frown marred my face at his condescending look toward Nee-san. I was about to say something when Nee-san beat me to it.

"Scram."

"Huh?"

"Fuck off."

"Hee-eeh!"

Nee-san was mad. I saw my sister mad for the first time. The fierceness her eyes showed contrasted with the look that I was familiar with. That look quickly faded, though. Nee-san put her hand on her chest and took a calming breath. Her face reddened and she refused to look at me. She was mumbling incoherently, but I swear I heard her mention Naruto-sensei.

We went home and decided to forget about what happened. Today would be Naruto-sensei's last tutoring. It would finally end after two weeks. Our supplies had run out which was why we had gone out to buy some. We already could make explosive tags and storage scrolls. It saved a lot of money since we didn't have to buy those anymore.

Naruto-sensei would test us in the last meeting. I was quite giddy but also sad. Given his schedule, I doubted he would show up at our compound after his mission ended. With a frown, I looked up at my sister. She was not good at hiding her feelings for Naruto-sensei. I wondered how she would react to it.

She seemed to be unbothered. I guessed it was expected as she was already a Ninja. She might have a chance to spend time with Naruto-sensei on a mission. If that didn't happen, I guessed the time they spent together in the last two weeks was already enough for her. She always stuck to Naruto-sensei's side, even though the same thing could be said for me.

"Well, hello, girls."

"Naruto-sensei!"

My eyes lit up as Naruto-sensei stepped into the room. He chuckled and patted my head as I hugged his waist. I liked it when he laughed. After all, it was hard to see an emotion on his face, which was quite hypocritical coming from a Hyūga.

"Yo, brat. Are you prepared to be tested?"

"Huh? Who are you?"

Uzumaki Karin was still as annoying as ever. I never liked her since she always tried to hog Naruto-sensei's attention.

"This brat is as cheeky as ever. Cute, isn't she?" Karin-san said it with a twitching lip.

"Well, if you forgot about her, this is Karin. She is going to test you today," Naruto-sensei explained with a faint smile.

"Not you?"

Naruto-sensei shook his head faintly. I looked at Karin-san skeptically. She stopped learning with us on the fifth day. She had mastered all of the basics and advanced her lesson ahead of us. Naruto-sensei informed it was because she was an Uzumaki. I knew she was talented, but I doubted she knew what she was doing.

"She has been tested and is more advanced than you. She knows what she is doing," Naruto-sensei assured.

"All right, then…"

"Ku-Ha-Ha! Take that, cheeky brat!"

"Shut up, Washboard!"

"W- What!?"

As usual, it was fun to rile Karin-san up. Naruto-sensei smirked as he watched us from the other side of the room. As Karin-san began to test us, Naruto-sensei peered at us. His crimson eyes meticulously watched every part of us. I knew he was making sure we would not mess up and accidentally blow up, but it still caused my cheeks to warm up.

***

[Hyūga Hinata's POV]

"Well, I guess you guys pass," Karin-chan exclaimed with an uncertain smile on her face as she looked at Naruto-kun.

"Yes! I am now a Seal Master," Hanabi declared proudly.

"Not quite yet, Chibi. You have to be as skilled as Naruto-kun to be deemed a Seal Master," Karin-chan scoffed.

Hanabi blew a raspberry at Karin-chan, causing her to scowl. She jumped at Hanabi, causing Hanabi to run. She chased after Hanabi and they disappeared from the study room, leaving me alone with Naruto-kun. My throat suddenly felt dry as my heart hammered loudly. Even after two weeks, I still couldn't get used to Naruto-kun's presence.

"We better chase after them before they cause a commotion," Naruto-kun suggested.

"Hm," I agreed shyly.

We walked out of the room and walked through the hallway silently. The silence was comfortable, but I didn't want to waste our alone time in silence. I tried to come up with a topic and it brought me to recall what Naruto-kun often told me: I needed to be more confident. I had followed a lot of his suggestions and they worked.

"T- This morning, I accidentally cussed at someone."

"Really?"

"Hm. He called Hanabi crazy and I couldn't stomach it. I cussed and glared at him, causing him to run away."

Naruto-kun looked at me silently. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach as I realized what I had done. I didn't want Naruto-kun to think I was weird. Then, he surprised me with a throaty laugh. It honestly sounded diabolical.

"Good job, Hinata. I am proud of you."

My face warmed up as Naruto-kun put his hand on my head. My body almost lost its power as his touch almost melted me.

"That is how you should behave all the time." He retracted his hand and curiously asked, "Any more courageous act you have done?"

I took a moment to regain my bearing. When my mind cleared up, I pondered for a few seconds before answering.

"I bought the clothes that I always wanted to wear."

Naruto-kun looked me up and down. "I don't see you wearing them."

"It's too… revealing."

"Oh? Does it reveal your sensitive parts?"

"N- No… but I don't have the courage—"

"Do it," Naruto-kun smirked. "Courage is not found but built. You have to try courageous things to have it."

A smile unconsciously raised crept up my face. His arrogant but encouraging smile gave me confidence. I swore to show it to him. We heard Karin-chan yelling at someone when I was about to tell him that. I chuckled nervously as Naruto-kun sighed heavily. My Byakugan told me Karin-chan had just bumped into someone I didn't want to meet.

"Hanabi-sama, why are you doing a useless thing with a useless person?"

"Who are you calling useless, huh, Baldie?"

"Firstly, I am not bald. Secondly, you are fated to forever become the maid of Uzumaki Naruto. It is the same as being useless. Everyone knows that man doesn't need anyone's help."

"That is true, but how dare you call me useless!"

Neji-kun was holding back, which was quite surprising. I guessed he didn't want to risk offending Naruto-kun. When we came into the scene, his eyes landed on me. A look of understanding flashed across his face.

"I see. You shouldn't mingle with a failure too much unless you want to become one, Hanabi-sama."

"Stop calling my sister a failure, Neji-san," Hanabi frowned. "She can kick your ass if she wants!"

Neji looked at me with a sneer.

"Her fate is already decided. She will never beat me."

I didn't know what compelled me to say it, but I figured I couldn't let Neji babble about fate anymore.

"Why don't we prove it, fuckface?"

Neji and I were equally surprised. Hanabi and Karin were too. Only Naruto-kun seemed to watch the scene in mirth. Recalling his words, a smirk crept up my face.