Chapter 36: Admiration is the Emotion Furthest From Understanding
"Old man! My fight doesn't need your interference! And it certainly doesn't need this shameful cursed seal!!"
Hearing Hinata directly call him 'old man' and call the Caged Bird a shameful cursed seal, Hiashi was instantly stunned.
Even Neji, rolling on the ground wailing, stopped crying out, staring blankly at Hinata.
However, Hinata glanced at him and said coldly: "Get up. Is rolling around on the ground so comfortable?"
Then she kicked him directly.
"Ah!"
From that day on, everything seemed to change, yet also seemed unchanged.
In daily life, Hinata was still that gentle and weak little Hinata, like a delicate flower bud.
But as soon as she was in combat, it was as if she became a different person, striking incomparably ruthlessly, each move merciless.
Directly transforming from a flower bud into a thorny rose.
And then, just like this...
"Why did you do that? Don't you know it's dangerous?!"
Hiashi called Hinata before him, asking with a worried frown.
But she seemed to have reverted to that weak Hinata again.
Eyes averted, she mumbled: "I... I just wanted Father to acknowledge me..."
"You... I... Sigh!"
Faced with Hinata like this, Hiashi was completely speechless.
He knew Hinata was definitely hiding a secret from him, but whenever the topic came up, Hinata always evaded the question.
No matter how Hiashi tried – soft tactics, hard tactics, pestering – the usually timid Hinata surprisingly remained tight-lipped about her secret.
If not for multiple checks confirming it, he would suspect Hinata had been placed under the Tongue-Destroying Seal by someone.
"Father, I..."
"Say no more. Training is strictly forbidden for the next few days."
Before Hinata could say anything, Hiashi waved his hand dismissively: "You're not far from entering the Academy anyway. Go review etiquette knowledge for now!"
He felt completely numb right now, his mood incredibly complex.
Previously, he always worried his daughter's nature was too soft, unable to suppress those rebellious branch family members, likely unable to bear the heavy responsibility of Hyūga clan head.
But now, her combat talent had suddenly skyrocketed, and she trained as if courting death, yet this instead made him feel intensely uneasy.
It gave him the feeling his sweet daughter had turned into a functional ninja tool (lit. ninja vest).
Thoughts drifting, Hiashi sighed inwardly and wanted to leave the courtyard, opting for 'out of sight, out of mind'.
But after taking just a few steps,
He suddenly stopped, saying without turning back: "Come with me to the family meeting first!"
With that, ignoring Hinata's reaction, he walked out of the courtyard without looking back.
"Father..."
Facing her father's coldness, Hinata's small head drooped even lower, but she still followed his steps closely.
Simultaneously, a more mature voice sounded in her head:
"Pay him no mind. Although it's a different world, the old man is still stubborn but soft-hearted. He'll accept reality after a while."
That voice's tone then shifted: "Of course, if you don't want this, just find that guy Menma and return my soul body to him. I imagine he wouldn't mind."
Hinata lowered her head, her expression showing slight hesitation.
But finally, she didn't say anything about that, instead asking: "Big Sister, why are you only a soul body?"
Some time ago, this big sister's voice had appeared in her head.
However, she initially thought she was just imagining things.
But then, during that previous sparring match with brother Neji, she was again spurred by her father's disappointed gaze, and various thoughts of giving up appeared in her mind.
Just then, this sister, also calling herself Hyūga Hinata, appeared again.
"That guy Neji! Little Hinata, open your mind! Let me beat him up!!"
Hearing this, Hinata paused, then did as instructed and opened her mind.
Subsequently, this sister took control of her body, while she watched 'herself' defeat brother Neji from a third-person perspective.
And she also saw the flash of strange brilliance in her father's eyes.
For the first time, she defeated her brother.
For the first time, she made her father look at her differently.
All of this made little Hinata feel dizzy, as if in a dream.
Facing little Hinata's question, Big Hinata didn't mind her changing the subject.
"Menma and I came from another world. That guy tried to leave secretly behind my back, but I caught him in the act."
She spoke nonchalantly: "But to cross world boundaries, my strength was far from sufficient. I also couldn't understand the reality he spoke of, didn't meet the conditions."
"He couldn't persuade me otherwise, so he had no choice but to bring my soul body here with him. But I was asleep until recently."
Little Hinata hesitated for a moment, then asked: "Then, Big Sister, will you take over my body?"
Realizing something, she quickly added: "Please don't misunderstand! I, I just..."
But before she could finish, she heard Big Hinata chuckle: "Little one, I'm not interested in your flat-board figure."
"If you feel you don't need me, you can absolutely hand me over to Menma. He'll help me find a suitable body."
Flat... flat-board...
Little Hinata instinctively looked down at her chest.
Realizing what was said, her face instantly turned beet red, steam practically puffing from the top of her head.
"Big Sister, are you and brother Menma... lovers?"
Little Hinata stammered for a long time, unable to get the words out.
Finally, Big Hinata said playfully: "Lovers? Do you think we are?"
"Your relationship seems so good, you must be, right?"
Big Hinata chuckled, somewhat helplessly: "Then I'll have to disappoint you. He didn't accept my confession before he left."
"Huh? Why?"
Little Hinata felt very conflicted, but mostly surprised.
"That guy loves to split hairs. Said the Tsukuyomi World was fake, that he would definitely leave there someday."
Big Hinata said resentfully: "It's all bullshit! When I see him next time, I'll definitely beat him up severely!"
Little Hinata heard this, poked her index fingers together, wanting to say something but hesitating.
"You admire him a lot?"
Big Hinata's sudden question instantly made little Hinata's brain crash.
She even lost her composure, blurting out rashly: "N-No! How could I..."
"Hm?"
Hiashi, walking ahead, heard this and stopped, turning towards Hinata with a deep frown.
"What did you just say?"
"N-Nothing, Father."
Little Hinata explained, on the verge of tears, while Big Hinata's voice sounded again in her mind.
"Regardless of what you think, I have to give you a piece of advice."
Her tone became more serious: "Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding."
"That guy Menma yearns to be understood, and admiration is the emotion that disappoints him the most."
(End of Chapter)
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