"From today onward, Hinata will be under my guidance."
Yūhi Kurenai arrived at the Hyūga residence.
As Hinata's new teacher, it was only proper for her to personally pay a visit to such a prominent clan.
"Hm."
Hyūga Hiashi's expression was cold. He didn't even bother to meet Kurenai's eyes, his attention entirely focused on Hanabi's movements before him.
"Then, may I ask if there's anything else—"
Kurenai finally understood why Takeshi harbored such disgust toward the Hyūga clan. With an attitude like this, anyone would feel the urge to spit at their doorstep.
"Stop."
Before she could finish her sentence, Hiashi suddenly halted Hanabi's actions.
Glancing at Hinata, who was hiding timidly behind a pillar and unwilling to move, Hiashi's expression shifted slightly. Yet, he said nothing more. Instead, he turned his head and gestured for Kurenai to follow him inside.
Though puzzled, Kurenai—both as a guest and a jōnin of Konohagakure—showed no sign of hesitation. She silently followed his lead.
Once the two were out of sight, Hanabi immediately sprang free of restraint, hopping joyfully onto Hinata and rubbing her head against her sister's chest.
"I'm so tired~"
"Uh… Hanabi, you're squeezing too tight—I can't breathe."
"Ehh, don't push me away~"
...
"Please, have a seat."
Hiashi was the first to kneel, motioning for Kurenai not to stand on ceremony.
Once Kurenai had seated herself, Hiashi calmly lifted a teacup, blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface, but didn't drink.
"Hinata's temperament was very weak when she was young."
After a long and awkward silence, Kurenai finally heard his first words.
"Her talent was ordinary, though she was filled with kindness. To be honest, after seeing her as a child, I never intended for her to become a ninja."
It was impolite, but Kurenai really wanted to say, Isn't she still like that now?
"But ever since she met that boy named Naruto, Hinata… has changed a little."
After all that buildup, Hiashi had finally reached the real point.
"Changed?" Kurenai asked instinctively.
"Yes. Changed. I don't know whether it's because of Takeshi, the Fifth Hokage, or because of the son of Minato… but whenever Hinata becomes emotionally stirred, she turns into someone neither I nor her late mother can recognize."
Hiashi's eyes were deep, and his expression revealed that he was recalling something troubling.
"In any case, I'll entrust her to you. Whatever happens, do not let her get too close to Naruto. Otherwise—"
Hiashi didn't finish the sentence. He left it hanging in the air, granting Kurenai's imagination all the space it needed to fill in the rest.
Before leaving the Hyūga estate, Kurenai glanced once more at Hinata, who was laughing and playing with Hanabi.
She couldn't help but wonder—what would Hinata be like when it came to Naruto?
She'd have to find out one day.
...
Amegakure, outer defense line of the Akatsuki.
A clenched hand snapped the neck of an unknown ninja. A tossed the corpse aside casually.
"No idea which village this spy came from. Why hasn't that man withdrawn yet?"
Yōwan shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Just an insect."
The news of the Five Great Hidden Villages cooperating had already reached his ears. But when he reported it to Jigen, there was no reaction—only an order to proceed as planned.
"Message from the Land of Snow: they've spotted traces of Hatake Kakashi from Konoha."
Hearing that, A didn't argue further, instead delivering the latest report.
"Hatake Kakashi, huh? Heh… the friend and right hand of the Fifth Hokage."
Yōwan sneered and shook his head.
"Just a slightly stronger jōnin. Nothing to fear."
A disagreed. "He's still the son of the White Fang of Konoha. He must have considerable skill. Kazahana Dotō may not be his match."
He voiced his concerns, then mentioned another name.
"And Takeshi—are we really letting that damn brat keep stirring up trouble?"
Ever since learning that the Five Kage Summit had been his idea, A's unease toward Takeshi had only deepened.
"When it comes to deceit and cruelty, he's no less than his father, Shimura Danzō. And when it comes to cunning and hypocrisy, he even surpasses Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"Such a man—too calculating, too bloodthirsty, too lucky. Those three together defy the heavens themselves."
"He won't live long."
That was Yōwan's judgment of Takeshi. "Just wait and see. His schemes have already provoked the wrath of many. Our chance to deal with him will come soon enough."
"You think that's why the Daimyō of the Land of Fire has been so obedient lately?"
A's heart trembled. Yōwan's final words reminded him that the sudden docility of the Fire Country's nobility was far too suspicious.
"You mean—"
"Prepare yourselves. Our opportunity is coming soon."
A cold smile crept across Yōwan's face as he thought of the plans he had already set in motion.
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