Chapter 54: Hinata’s Invitation

Sixth match: Haruno Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino.

These two had once been best friends. But after they both fell for Sasuke, things took a turn. Now, fate had brought them face to face in the Chūnin Exams.

Both exhausted, they exchanged one final blow and collapsed simultaneously. Neither could continue—resulting in a tie.

Seventh match: Temari vs. some random from Konoha.

One wave of her iron fan, and Temari easily secured the win.

Eighth match: Nara Shikamaru vs. Akimichi Chōji.

Both raised their hands to surrender almost at the same time—but Chōji spoke just a bit faster, giving Shikamaru the win.

"Hehe, good thing I planned for this," Chōji said, munching on chips. "You better win the next round, Shikamaru!"

"What a drag..." Shikamaru muttered, gazing at the clouds.

Ninth match: Chiba Mokushū vs. a random from Kumogakure.

Hyuga Gakuya stepped into the ring and sent out a pulse of sound. The opponent was instantly knocked out. Easy win.

Tenth match: Karui vs. Tenten.

Konoha's ultimate rich girl, Tenten, pulled off her Twin Rising Dragons technique. Under the barrage of her massive ninja tool arsenal, Karui couldn't hold out.

Hyuga Gakuya nodded approvingly from the sidelines.

"Not bad for my future sister-in-law. Strong and rich too. I'd say she's worth Neji marrying into her family."

Eleventh match: Gaara vs. a Konoha extra.

The poor soul died a horrific death. Judging from the looks of it, there wasn't even a full corpse left—his body was completely crushed by sand.

Twelfth match: Rock Lee vs. a shinobi from Sunagakure.

Lee didn't even bother removing his weights. A single Front Lotus was enough to end it.

The preliminaries came to a smooth end. Nothing too unexpected happened.

Ten candidates moved on to the third round: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Omoi, Hyuga Neji, Temari, Nara Shikamaru, Chiba Mokushū (Hyuga Gakuya), Tenten, Gaara, and Rock Lee.

At the arena, Gekkō Hayate did a quick round of grouping. Hyuga Gakuya was placed in the second group, paired to fight against Rock Lee.

The participants were given one month to prepare. A month later, the third round of the exam would officially begin.

...

Nightfall.

In an apartment in Konoha, Hinata and Hanabi lay together on a bed, Hanabi resting against her sister's shoulder.

After the Hyuga clan was wiped out, they no longer had any need for their massive clan compound.

The village had bought it back for a hundred million ryō, and the sisters used that money to purchase a modest two-story apartment.

Hinata lay absentmindedly on the bed, Neji's voice echoing in her mind.

"Hinata, you're not suited to be a shinobi. I know you want revenge for Gakuya..""Then I'll beat you using his techniques. That way, you'll understand just how wide the gap between us truly is.""You'd be better off focusing on rebuilding the Hyuga clan. Find a good man, start a family—that's the right path."

And then, Chiba Mokushū's face surfaced in her thoughts.

Hinata felt lost, like a girl standing at a crossroads with no clear direction.

Is this what it's come to? Let go of hatred... and marry someone for the sake of the clan?

Hanabi suddenly spoke. "You're thinking about what Neji said, aren't you?"

"Mm... n-no," Hinata replied, caught off guard. She felt embarrassed—Hanabi trained hard every day, while she was stuck in thoughts of romance.

Hanabi suddenly climbed on top of her sister, staring into her eyes under the dim light.

"I support you finding someone to carry on the clan's bloodline. Are we really going to let revenge blind us to everything else?"

"Father's greatest wish was to continue the Hyuga line. What you're thinking isn't wrong at all. If Mom and Dad could see you now, they'd be proud."

"But still..." Hinata hesitated.

"No 'buts,'" Hanabi said, gently pressing a finger to Hinata's lips. "You're not as talented as me. I'll take charge of the revenge. You handle continuing the family."

"Do you really want us both to die chasing revenge? That would mean the Hyuga bloodline ends with us."

Hinata was moved. She understood now—preserving the clan was just as important as revenge.

"I get it... Thanks, Hanabi."

Hanabi snuggled into her sister's chest. "Well, you are my big sister."

"So, tell me the truth. You bringing this up all of a sudden—must mean there's someone you've got your eye on, right? Bring him over for dinner. I'll check him out."

"I... I'm not even sure if I like him. I just think about him a lot lately. His image pops into my head all the time."

Hanabi lightly bonked her sister's forehead. "Dummy. That's what we call liking someone."

"So? What's he like? How did he get you wrapped around his little finger?"

Hinata thought for a moment, then answered sincerely,

"He's... really gentle. That kind of quiet, warm gentleness."

...

The next morning,

Someone knocked on Hyuga Gakuya's door.

He opened it to find a petite girl standing outside—Hanabi.

Trying to play dumb, Gakuya said, "And you are?"

"I'm Hyuga Hanabi, Hinata's little sister," she said quickly. "My sister wants to thank you for healing her. She's inviting you to dinner this afternoon. Dress nicely."

"This is the address. Don't go to the wrong house."

Without waiting for a reply, she shoved a piece of paper into Gakuya's hand and ran off.

Gakuya smiled as he looked at the note.

Perfect.

Everything was going according to plan—make Hinata fall for him under this fake identity, and at the right time... reveal the truth.

That was his goal. To toy with their feelings, just like the Hyuga clan once toyed with Neji's mind.

Using soul control would've been boring. This way was much more fun. He'd already written Hinata's entire script.

...

That afternoon,

Gakuya put on a stylish coat and layered himself with an allure-based genjutsu—a minor charm spell he'd learned from Tagorihime.

The jutsu enhanced one's personal charm and influenced the heart directly, making people subconsciously develop favorable feelings toward the user.

He also swung by Yamanaka Flower Shop and picked up a bouquet of white roses.

White roses symbolize purity, romance, and innocence.

Perfect for a girl in the ambiguous stage of love.

(You guys taking notes? Now you know what to bring next time.)

He also bought a fruit basket—two gifts in one go.

At exactly 3 p.m., Gakuya knocked on the Hyuga sisters' door. Almost instantly, it swung open.

Hanabi coughed a couple times and crossed her arms, pretending to be the overprotective guardian.

"Just leave the fruit on the table. My sister's still cooking."

Gakuya crouched to meet her eye level and smiled.

"So you're Hinata's sister. You're the one who brought the message this morning, right? You are pretty cute."

He ruffled her hair, changed into indoor slippers, and stepped into the living room. He placed the fruit basket on the table, keeping the bouquet hidden behind his back, and made his way quietly toward the kitchen.

There, he found Hinata, busy stir-frying something.

He gently tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hanabi, not now. I'm cooking," she said without turning around.

He tapped her again. This time, Hinata finally turned around—only to find Gakuya holding out a bouquet of white roses.

"May our dear Hinata always stay beautiful and kind."

"T-thank you!" she said, accepting the flowers with heartfelt sincerity.

...

Later that night,

After a hearty dinner, Gakuya returned to his hotel room, only to be met with a certain someone's sulky glare—Karin.

She looked like she couldn't care less about him... and yet he was out there flirting with other women.

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