Chapter 19: Stupid!

Chapter 19: Stupid!

Summer nights in Konoha always carried a slight chill, a stark contrast to the warmth of the day.

But for someone deep in training, whose spirit and blood surged from constant motion, the drop in temperature was hardly noticeable.

As Ryosuke stepped onto the darkened training grounds, he spotted Hinata.

She was running laps in the shadows, her breath heavy, her figure tense with effort.

It seemed Neji's harsh words earlier had gotten to her.

According to her father, she hadn't rested after dinner and had come straight here.

Thankfully, today was a rest day—no training during the day.

Otherwise, pushing her body like this at night would've been dangerous.

"You remember what I told you?"

Ryosuke called out from a distance with a faint smile. "At your age, your body's still developing. Overtraining now could mess that up."

Hinata slowed to a stop, panting heavily.

Seeing Ryosuke approach, a small smile formed on her face.

"You're back."

He walked over and casually sat on a large rock beside her.

"Let me guess... you're still hung up on what Neji said today?"

Hinata nodded, her expression serious.

"He's not wrong," she said quietly. "As the heiress of the Hyuga clan, I can't fall behind. At the very least, I should be able to match him. I should be at the top of our class."

But Ryosuke didn't nod in support.

This time, his tone was firm, even stern.

"That's foolish," he said bluntly. "You should know your limits. If your father's already disappointed, it's because he understands your current level."

Hinata's eyes widened slightly, startled by his uncharacteristic harshness.

"I'm not saying this to hurt you," Ryosuke continued. "But it's important to be honest with yourself. Recognizing your strengths—and your limits—is a key part of growing."

"I told you to work hard. I didn't say you could achieve anything just by trying. Some goals are simply out of reach. You need to know the difference."

"Confidence is good—but don't mistake that for arrogance. If you keep chasing something you can't catch, you'll only wear yourself down."

Hinata's recent growth had been impressive.

She was no longer the timid, fragile girl she used to be. Her personality was maturing, her mentality stronger.

But talent... talent was another story.

The Hyuga clan's training methods were designed to strengthen young bodies early, making it possible for most children to start learning the Gentle Fist by age six or seven.

Despite all the resources the clan poured into her, Hinata had only just mastered the basic body strengthening method this year.

At her current rate, she'd likely reach the standard needed to begin Gentle Fist training by age seven—just like the most average branch family child.

To aim for first place in the academy? That wasn't just ambitious—it was unrealistic.

Ryosuke didn't want Hinata to become arrogant chasing a dream too far out of reach.

Hinata stood still, her breath steadying, her hands clenched at her sides.

Her expression wavered.

"You're not okay with that, are you?" Ryosuke asked.

He could see it in her eyes—her frustration, her stubbornness.

But even now, she didn't look away. She wasn't retreating into herself like she used to.

That, at least, was something to be proud of.

"I…"

Hinata opened her mouth, trying to argue—but no words came out.

"If you don't want to listen to me," Ryosuke said more gently, "then don't."

His stern expression softened. He gave her a small smile and shrugged.

"If you really want to be clan head, the first thing you need is the ability to think for yourself."

"Neji said you should aim to be the top of your class. So now you're doing it?"

"I said it's not worth it, so now you're reconsidering?"

"If you live your whole life doing what other people tell you, Hinata… you'll never be the leader this clan needs. You'll just be a puppet with the title of clan head."

Hinata slowly relaxed her clenched fists.

The chill of the night air seemed to return, seeping into her skin and cooling her heated emotions.

He was right.

Her talents weren't suited for hand-to-hand combat dominance, and she'd likely never master Gentle Fist fast enough to outshine others at the academy.

Setting a goal like being first in the entire grade would only damage her confidence in the long run.

"But… if I can't surpass the Uchiha, won't that bring shame to the Hyuga?" she asked quietly, a trace of disappointment in her voice.

"Father already sees me as a failure. If I fall short again…"

"You're overthinking it," Ryosuke interrupted bluntly.

"Your father never expected you to take the top spot. Honestly, I doubt he even considers it a possibility."

"And besides, being a ninja isn't just about fighting."

Hinata blinked in confusion.

"The academy doesn't grade students only on combat," Ryosuke explained. "There's also theory. Written tests. Strategy. Leadership. Most people focus on fighting and assume the top fighter is the top student—but that's not always the case."

"If you can't beat the Uchiha with your fists, then beat them on paper."

"Get first in theory. Show your father and the clan that you have strengths in other areas. That way, even if others question your place, the Hyuga will have something to stand behind."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

"Strength is important—but so is this." He tapped her forehead lightly.

"Use your head. You're the future clan head. That means you'll be commanding ninja of every rank one day—Genin, Chunin, even Jonin."

"Even if you don't personally have that level of strength, you'll still hold that power through the people who follow you."

"You don't need to fight every battle yourself. As clan leader, your job is to look at the bigger picture. Plan for the future. Secure the clan's interests. If you can do that, people will respect you—regardless of your combat skill."

Hinata stared at him in wide-eyed silence.

It was the first time anyone had said something like that to her.

The first time someone told her… she didn't have to chase power just to prove her worth.

"Did you know that the village has advisors?" Ryosuke asked with a chuckle.

"Military advisors, Hokage advisors. Positions that don't rely on strength, but on wisdom and leadership."

Hinata nodded slowly.

"The military advisor is Shikaku Nara," she said, "and the Hokage's advisors are Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane. They were classmates of the Third."

Ryosuke raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you've been eavesdropping on my conversations with Father."

He gave her a playful look but didn't scold her.

"Well, now that you know who they are, you should also understand what they do," he continued.

"They make decisions for the good of the village. They plan. Strategize. Advise the Hokage. They live and die with the village."

"You're the same.

You'll be the head of the Hyuga clan—the one responsible for our future. So don't ever look down on yourself just because you're not a prodigy in combat."

"There are many paths to becoming a ninja. Some people specialize in genjutsu, some in ninjutsu, others in taijutsu. All of those are valid. The same goes for being a clan head. There's no single mold you have to fit into."

"Your father's way might not be your way. You have to find your own path."

Under the quiet light of the moon, the two of them sat side by side on the large rock in the training field.

Ryosuke spoke with steady calm.

Hinata listened with quiet intensity.

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