"Wow, it really works!" she cried out in delight.
Heavenly Dao nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. You've got real talent for chakra control. Keep this up and you'll reach the top sooner or later."
At the edge of the training ground, Inuzuka Kiba shifted uneasily. Seeing Heavenly Dao fully absorbed in guiding Ino and Sasuke, he quietly took a few steps backward, clearly planning to slip away and find something more entertaining to do.
The instant he turned around, a voice sounded from behind him.
"Kiba, where do you think you're going?"
Heavenly Dao folded his arms, a half-smile playing on his lips as he watched Kiba's stiffened back. "Skipping my special coaching? Are you sure you want to miss out?"
Kiba froze. Embarrassment crept up his neck. He scratched the back of his head and turned around with a forced grin. "N-no way! I wasn't trying to sneak off or anything. It's just… Akamaru's still hungry, so I thought I'd hunt something for him. That's all. Honest."
As if summoned on cue, Akamaru let out a pitiful yelp.
"Save the excuses," Heavenly Dao said, beckoning him over. "Better chakra control will help you fight in sync with Akamaru. Get over here and practice."
Kiba hesitated. But when he thought of his cousin, Inuzuka Akita—and the punishment that might come down on him through Heavenly Dao—his resolve crumbled. Muttering under his breath, he trudged back and joined the others, beginning his own tree-climbing practice.
Heavenly Dao's gaze then drifted to the far side of the training field.
Hyuga Hinata stood there quietly, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jacket. Her pale eyes were filled with longing, yet she didn't dare step forward. She wanted to ask for guidance, but fear of bothering him kept her rooted in place. All she could do was stand at a distance and watch him teach the others.
"Hinata."
Heavenly Dao raised his voice—not harshly, but with a gentleness that left no room for refusal. "Come over and give it a try."
Hinata jumped, her face instantly flushing red. With her head lowered, she shuffled forward, her voice barely more than a whisper. "H-Heavenly Dao-sensei… a-am I really allowed to?"
"Of course." He smiled and pointed toward the tall trees set aside for training. "There's no need to be afraid of failing. Ino and Kiba have both fallen plenty of times. Look how happily they're still training."
At the mention of her name, Ino glanced back. Thanks to her excellent chakra control, she had already surpassed Sasuke and climbed halfway up her tree. She had always liked the gentle, shy Hinata, so she flashed her a bright smile.
"That's right, Hinata! You can do it. Just go for it!"
Kiba, bruised and sore from repeatedly crashing back to the ground, managed to give her an encouraging grin as well.
Bolstered by their support, Hinata nodded slightly and took a deep breath. Carefully, she placed her foot against the trunk.
Slowly but steadily, she climbed step by step. She reached nearly halfway before her breathing grew uneven. Her chakra faltered, and she slipped, landing in a small heap on the ground. Still, it was far more graceful than Kiba's earlier rear-first fall.
"Whoa!" Ino clapped her hands. "Hinata, that was amazing!"
Approval flickered in Heavenly Dao's eyes. The girl clearly had talent.
In the original storyline, the purity of Hinata's Byakugan was exceedingly rare. The reason her gifts never fully blossomed came down to two things. One was her mindset—something that could only be changed slowly over time. The other factor, however, he was beginning to understand.
Heavenly Dao gently patted her bobbed head. "Your chakra control is better than most. Keep practicing."
Nearby, Sasuke lifted his head from the edge of the pond and silently watched the heartwarming scene unfold.
Wait a second. I'm the one who handed over the jutsu scroll. I'm the one who asked for help first. How did this turn into group instruction?
Despite his inner complaints, he couldn't bring himself to demand the scroll back. Swallowing his frustration, he stepped onto the water once more, channeling his irritation into renewed determination.
Splash.
"Hahaha!" Heavenly Dao's cheerful laughter echoed across the training ground.
Unfortunately, despite personally coaching Inuzuka Kiba and Hyuga Hinata, no new System quest appeared. His dream of farming missions all the way to Kage-level strength in a week—and Six Paths power in half a month—burst like a soap bubble.
Off to the side, Nara Shikamaru lounged lazily, munching on snacks while humming a tune with Akimichi Choji. The two of them had somehow avoided the entire ordeal.
Soon, the dismissal bell rang.
"You're free to practice tree climbing and water-walking on your own time," Heavenly Dao said as he took the test papers back from his shadow clone. "Understood?"
"Yes, sensei!" the students answered in unison.
The moment he waved them off, they scattered like startled birds.
Hyuga Hinata remained behind.
She stood there hesitantly, shifting her weight from foot to foot. After a long pause, she finally gathered her courage. "H-Heavenly Dao-sensei… I-I came to help tidy up today as well."
Heavenly Dao's lips curved upward. "Of course, Hinata."
The two of them worked quietly, one following behind the other as they organized the training ground. Hinata was meticulous, carefully rearranging every piece of equipment that Heavenly Dao had casually piled together. By the time they finished, the sky had been painted crimson by the setting sun.
Just as Hinata was about to say goodbye, her stomach suddenly growled.
Her face turned scarlet. She clutched her abdomen in panic and lowered her head so far it seemed she wanted to disappear into the ground.
Heavenly Dao pretended not to notice. "I'm hungry too. Come on—my treat. Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen."
"E-Eh?" Hinata looked up in shock. "B-But…"
"No buts." Heavenly Dao had already turned toward the village center, deliberately slowing his pace as if waiting for her. "You trained hard today, burned a lot of energy, and helped clean up. Treating my student to a meal is the least I can do."
He added lightly, "If you don't come, I won't dare let you help tidy up next time."
Hinata bit her lower lip, then hurried after him.
Ichiraku Ramen was quiet, its warm yellow lights and rich aroma of broth instantly soothing. Old Man Teuchi spotted Heavenly Dao entering with Hinata and greeted them with a knowing smile.
"Well, if it isn't Heavenly Dao-sensei," he said. "And this must be the Hyuga Clan's young miss. What'll you be having today?"
"Looks like you're a regular here, Hinata," Heavenly Dao teased.
Hinata lowered her head. She had originally come to Ichiraku often to be closer to Uzumaki Naruto, who had once helped her. Yet now, the figure occupying her heart was quietly changing.
"A large tonkotsu ramen, double chashu, one ajitama," Heavenly Dao ordered as usual. Then he glanced at her. "Order whatever you want. Don't hold back."
He added with a smile, "And don't worry about how much you eat. When the teacher's paying, you don't leave until you're full."
Hinata froze.
Does he know?
She had never let it show… or so she thought. Behind her demure appearance, the Hyuga heiress harbored a deep secret—she was a bottomless pit when it came to food.
In the original story, she had briefly revealed this side of herself, easily out-eating even the famously gluttonous Choji.
Realizing her secret might be exposed, Hinata felt an unexpected sense of relief mixed with nervousness. Within the Hyuga clan, especially in front of her father, the dignity of the main family had always weighed heavily on her. She never dared eat her fill, afraid of ridicule.
How wonderful it would be to share this secret with someone. She had often wished for that.
So, her voice trembling but hopeful, she whispered, "T-Then… I'll also have a large tonkotsu, double chashu, one ajitama… a-and some nori."
Teuchi laughed warmly. "Coming right up! Have a seat, both of you."
The ramen arrived quickly, steam rising from the bowls. Hinata cradled hers in both hands, her eyes stinging at the sight of the generous toppings.
"Dig in," Heavenly Dao said, lifting his chopsticks and slurping without restraint.
Hinata hesitated for a moment, then took her first sip. The broth slid down her throat, warmth spreading through her chest. She began to eat faster, bite after bite, until the bowl was completely empty. She even used the nori to wipe up the last traces of chashu sauce.
When she set the bowl down, she suddenly realized just how much she had eaten. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she sneaked a glance at Heavenly Dao.
He was smiling at her. "Full?"
"Y-Yes," she answered quickly. "I'm full."
He raised an eyebrow. "Tell the truth."
He really does know.
Hinata met his steady gaze, as if he could see straight into her heart. Lowering her head, she spoke softly but firmly. "N-No… I'm still hungry, Heavenly Dao-sensei."
"Then eat without worry."
"Yes, sensei."
In the end, Hinata polished off forty-six bowls of ramen, shattering Ichiraku's all-time record.
Watching Heavenly Dao force a strained smile as he paid the bill, the usually well-behaved girl walking behind him secretly covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with delight.
[Mission Complete: Hinata's self-confidence has increased. Reward issued: Gentle Fist Art · Tenketsu. Please claim it promptly.
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