Chapter 20 Determined to Grow
In the Hyuga clan leader's mansion, the family of four sat around the dining table. Breakfast was typically a quiet affair, but this morning was an exception.
Hinata's appetite stunned everyone at the table. Having devoured three servings of breakfast and moving on to her fourth, she didn't appear to have even a hint of discomfort. Her flat stomach showed no sign of change, and her determination to keep eating only deepened her parents' surprise.
Hyuga Keiko, carefully balancing little Hanabi in her arms, observed her eldest daughter as if seeing her for the first time. Across the table, Hyuga Hiashi, the stern clan leader, momentarily paused, chopsticks frozen mid-air.
Both parents exchanged a look, one of guilt and realization: **Had they neglected their daughter's needs for so long?**
---
Hinata placed her bowl down, her cheeks tinted pink as she whispered, "Father, I'm finished."
Hiashi, his usual stern expression softening, nodded slightly. Placing his chopsticks on the table, he looked at his daughter with a serious but not unkind expression.
"Hinata," he began, his tone measured. "You may not realize it, but your appetite is tied to your talent."
Startled, Hinata glanced up, unsure what he meant.
"The energy needed for physical activity, for sparring, for chakra extraction—these all stem from your body's physical energy. Eating well and replenishing your energy is crucial for a ninja. You shouldn't feel ashamed of your appetite," Hiashi explained. His words carried weight, but there was a trace of warmth in his tone, one rare for the clan leader.
"If you need more, Hinata, ask for it. As the future head of the Hyuga family, you must never hesitate to meet your needs."
Hinata blushed deeply, but her father's words filled her with a small flicker of confidence. She nodded timidly, whispering, "Thank you, Father."
---
After breakfast, Hiashi left for a meeting with senior Hyuga members. The recent attacks on Uchiha Shisui had prompted the Hokage to increase surveillance around the village. The Hyuga clan was tasked with monitoring for intruders using their Byakugan, and Hiashi didn't want his family involved in the turmoil.
Before leaving, he firmly instructed Keiko to ensure Hinata and Hanabi stayed within the clan compound. Though Hiashi didn't share the full gravity of the situation, his worry was evident in the tightened lines of his face.
---
Meanwhile, on the clan's training grounds, two figures faced off in an intense sparring match. The sound of palm strikes echoed as Hinata and Neji engaged in a battle of Gentle Fist. Dust swirled around them as they moved, their strikes precise but unevenly matched.
Hinata's face was flushed with effort, her breaths coming out ragged as she struggled to keep up with Neji's superior skill. Her Byakugan was active, veins protruding around her eyes as she tried to anticipate Neji's next moves.
Neji, on the other hand, moved effortlessly, his strikes sharp and calculated. His Byakugan pinpointed the chakra pathways in Hinata's body, and each attack was a precise blow to disrupt her energy flow.
Still, Neji couldn't help but feel surprised. This Hinata was different. Gone was the timid girl who hesitated at every step. Her strikes had more intent, her movements sharper, and she even dared to counterattack. **Yet, she was still too slow.**
"Miss Hinata," Neji said coldly as he deflected another strike, his voice tinged with frustration. "You can't win against me. Give up."
Hinata stumbled backward from the force of his palm strike, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Still, she stood her ground, trembling but resolute.
"Brother Neji," she said, her voice soft but firm, "please don't hold back. Show me your full strength."
Neji frowned, irritation flashing in his pale eyes. **Why does she keep pushing herself? Isn't it enough that she's protected by the clan?**
From the sidelines, Keiko watched with concern, holding Hanabi tightly. She stepped forward to intervene, but Hinata quickly raised a hand.
"Mother, this is my fight. I need to know the gap between us," Hinata said with conviction. "Only then can I truly grow stronger."
Keiko hesitated, but after seeing the determination in Hinata's eyes, she nodded reluctantly.
Neji, now visibly agitated, clenched his fists. **Why does she try so hard? Why can't she just stay weak and protected, as she's destined to be?**
With a sharp exhale, Neji launched into an offensive. This time, his attacks came faster and harder, leaving no room for Hinata to defend. His strikes targeted her chakra points with surgical precision, blocking her energy pathways and sending her stumbling to the ground.
Hinata tried to rise, but her body wouldn't respond. Neji's chakra had paralyzed her movements. Keiko rushed forward, catching her daughter before she could fall.
"This is enough for today," Neji said coldly, bowing slightly to Keiko before turning to leave. His steps were stiff, and his expression dark.
"Brother Neji!" Hinata's voice called after him, stopping him in his tracks.
He turned, his face impassive as he looked over his shoulder.
"See you tomorrow," Hinata said, her voice shaky but filled with determination.
Neji's hands clenched into fists at his sides as he walked away, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. **Why won't she give up?**
Keiko gently held Hinata, her expression torn between pride and worry. **Her little girl was changing, but at what cost?**