AN:
Here's another early chapter for you guys! Enjoy and let me know what you think!
P.S.
Sorry for the double update. Still getting used to Patreon.
It was the night before the Chunin exams. Everyone had since been sent home to prepare for it. Frankly, I should be doing the same. So, why in the ever-loving hell was I currently sipping tea with mother-fucking Hyuga Hiashi right now?
The blank-faced contender for worst father of the year in another universe was piercing my soul with his pale stare after inviting me to sit down.
Since not even I can truly explain how this happened, it might be helpful to step back a bit.
-Obligatory anime flashback scene-
Watching as Hinata easily gained control over her enhanced Byakugan was breathtaking. I mean, I knew the girl was good, but to go from fainting to pinpointing a specific kunai hidden beyond Konoha’s walls in less than a day? Madness!
There were drawbacks, though.
“Surrounding details are still indistinct?” Tsunade asked.
“Yes, Tsunade-sama.” Hinata seemed really put out as she answered.
“Can you still switch?” the Sannin asked while jotting down on her clipboard.
“Hai.”
So saying, the iridescent eyes were replaced with the regular old freaky, veiny x-ray ones. Well, an improved version of them, anyway.
“Range is unchanged?” was the clipped question.
“Two kilometers, Tsunade-sama.”
“Better fidelity, though?”
“I, um, ye-yes.”
“What is it?”
“I, that’s, um.”
“Ah, never mind, then.”
“What?” Naruto cut in from the side. “What’d she see?”
“For the love of all that’s good and holy, Naruto, shut up!” Sakura immediately interjected, face flushed.
“Hey!”
“Let’s move on,” Tsunade said in a loud voice. “How’s the strain?”
“I can hardly feel any,” Hinata reported, looking relieved that she wouldn’t have to describe what she saw.
Poor girl. I just hoped it wasn’t a pair of wrinkled fogeys. Then again, she was a Hyuga. They’re probably used to accidentally seeing such things.
“For both versions of the Dojutsu?”
“Yes, Tsunade-sama.”
While the blonde was running the girl through additional questions, Sayo and Reina were debating to the side.
“It can’t have been the cells!” Sayo insisted. “There are no signs of –”
“But what else could it be?” Reina shot back. “Her tenketsu remain the same and –”
They’ve been at that since Hinata had recovered enough to test her eyes again. As Tsunade predicted, she was just fine. More than fine, actually, since she woke up feeling refreshed and energized. She then argued that with the Chunin exams so close, there was no more time to waste.
So, after agreeing to additional medical supervision and precautions, the test restarted. The mysteries compounded from there.
In essence, none of us could figure out how the hell Hinata has a second ocular power. No, wait, that doesn’t really paint a clear enough picture of how bat-shit insane this was. Let’s try again.
None of us could figure out how the hell Hinata managed to develop a second ocular power on top of the one she already has, and can apparently switch between the two with ease. More than that, we couldn’t figure out how it works.
It can see farther, but she can only find things that she’d previously seen. Her regular Byakugan was now more powerful in that the images were clearer and she can process the things she sees much faster.
How did that happen? Fuck if I know!
“A remarkable development, wouldn’t you say, Kenta-kun?” asked the merry old man standing beside me without a care in the world.
I shot him a sideways glare. “This doesn’t bother you?”
“Should it?” he responded, affecting mild confusion.
My answer was forced through gritted teeth. “Yes. Her new ability makes no sense, and if it makes no sense, we can’t help her if something goes wrong.”
Hiruzen raised a finger. “It makes no sense, for now.” He then nodded, as if he just solved the issue.
When the fuck did this old man turn into Uncle Iroh?!
“Stop worrying so much, Kenta,” Yamato admonished. “You’re smart enough to know that spiralling over things we can’t control is a waste of time and energy. Focus on the things you can do something about.”
I wanted to shout “I know!” but held off. Blowing off steam in my private training chamber had taken the edge off my worry over Hinata, but it didn’t get rid of my self-loathing completely. Exploding at my teacher would be stupid, too, since he was right.
The urge to break something was still there, though, despite the evidence that the girl was doing well. We had three medically trained, highly professional, incredibly capable badasses in this room. They had absolutely no reason to lie about my friend’s condition.
Still, why can’t I fucking get over it?
“How’s it feel to have the second-best eyes in the village, Sasuke?” I heard Naruto taunt, momentarily pulling me away from my pointless thoughts.
“You’re still a molerat compared to me, you idiot.”
“What’d you say, you bastard?!”
“Can’t we go one day without you two embarrassing me?” Sakura whined.
“He started it!”
“Wha–you literally took the first shot!”
“Your face took the first shot!”
I snorted. Then I giggled. Then I laughed. Uproariously.
For one insane moment, I couldn’t help myself. But to my relief, Hiruzen started chuckling and so did Kakashi. Naruto began whining about something or other, but I couldn’t really hear anymore.
Through the tears blurring my vision, I saw Sayo and Reina stop bickering to shake their heads at the duo’s antics, while Hinata looked over and smiled. When that smile fell on me, I felt something unclench in my chest, and I finally stopped guffawing like a donkey.
In exchange, I gave her a smile of my own, so wide that I felt my cheeks hurt.
She was okay.
She was okay, and that’s all that matters.
Later, the tests were finally done, and the results were collected for analysis. Nothing would be leaving the test site, and with the new Seals covering every inch courtesy of Jiraiya, it would take a miracle for anyone to get inside without permission.
The Hokage probably has several dozen layers of protection that I didn’t know about, as well.
We were being debriefed, and the details were unsurprising. Team 7 could go all out. Hinata didn’t have to hold back, either, and Kurenai was already informed of the girl’s role in showing off during the exam.
All four could still earn the Chunin flak jacket, but it was made clear that a promotion wasn’t the goal. Only a certain bratty blond had any real complaint about it, and mostly because he thought it’d delay his dream of becoming Hokage. That lasted until we reminded him of a tidbit that Tsunade had already highlighted a few days ago.
“Naruto, you do remember that sensei is practicing cultivation, too, right?” Jiraiya asked.
“Yeah?” Naruto responded. “And?”
“And do you remember what Tsunade said about cultivation’s effects?” the Toad Sage prompted.
“That it makes us super strong?” The idiot’s face actually contorted, as if to say ‘Duh!’
“Oh, for–it extends our lifespans, you moron!” Sakura barked. “That means we can live longer, and that goes for Hokage-sama, too!”
There went the lightbulb moment, which would’ve been great if it didn’t also make Naruto realize something else. “Wait a sec!” he yelped before rounding on Hiruzen. “If you live forever, then how’ll I be Hokage?!”
“I can just give you the hat, Naruto.”
“Oh, right. I forgot about that.”
“If we’re done with the sideshow,” Tsunade grumpily cut in, “I’d really like to get this over with.”
With the hyperactive knucklehead placated, the debriefing proceeded. Though everyone was given a clean bill of health, caution was still advised.
It wasn’t until the Hokage asked for any last-minute questions that Hinata raised her hand.
“Ano,” she began, “you said nothing about Kenta-kun, Hokage-sama. Is he not participating?”
Bastard that he was, the wrinkled dick threw me under the rampaging Biju. “Kenta-kun? Would you like to answer Hinata-chan’s question?”
“I’m not entering,” I said bluntly, shooting the grinning old man a glare that promised retribution.
“Why not?!”
I started giving reasons while ticking them off my fingers. “Because I have no team? Because I’m more of a researcher than a field agent? Because I'm basically the expert in cultivation and I have to focus on that? Because I have so many projects going that I literally have to offload some of them to others? Because there’s no point to me becoming a Chunin? Take your pick.”
Naruto then started saying the word “but” a few times, but the others were more contemplative. Sasuke was the quickest to accept my reasons. Sakura came second, where she tilted her head and scrunched her brows before nodding at me.
Hinata, on the other hand, shot me a look of concern, and I wanted to sigh in defeat.
Someday, I will be able to get something past this girl.
In the end, though, even the blond couldn’t come up with an argument to counter all of my listed excuses, so he just went on and on about how I should watch him kick ass. I promised him that I would, of course.
Like I was gonna miss their performances.
As the four kids were sent home, I stayed behind, saying that I had to help with the gathered data. I had to promise that I’d meet with them on the morning of the exam, but I was already planning on doing that.
Finally alone with the adults, minus Reina and Sayo, who were tasked with organizing all of the information we collected, all joviality evaporated. We were standing around a large table, and all of our faces were as serious as the dead.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Kenta-kun?” Hiruzen asked gravely.
“It may be my best opportunity, Lord Third.”
“And it has to be one of them?” Jiraiya gestured at the documents spread over the table.
“You know the requirements.”
“This seems like a huge risk for something that’s not even guaranteed to work.”
“If you can give me a better option, Tsunade-sama, I’d absolutely love to hear it.”
“Ease up on the sarcasm, brat. I’m just pointing out the flaws in your plan.”
“I don’t have a choice. This is the only path forward.”
“Yeah, I still don’t understand your rush, Kenta-kun. You’ve already made it so that your personal intervention is unnecessary if ever a conflict ignites.” Kakashi wasn’t reading his pervy book, so I answered him with the same gravity.
“We need to know if this is the limit, Kakashi-san. Controlled scenarios simply aren’t enough. Konoha can’t rely on a weapon that is of limited use, and this is the best opportunity that we’re gonna get short of sparking a war. All of the necessary elements will be here.”
Throughout the meeting, only Yamato stayed silent, stone-faced and resolved. Of everyone here, only Hiruzen has a better understanding of my motivations.
Speaking of which, the old shinobi finally heaved a deep sigh as he came to a decision. “Very well. I will give out instructions to the appropriate people.”
“Thank you for accommodating my selfishness, Lord Third.” I smiled in gratitude.
“No thanks necessary, Kenta-kun. Simply come back safely.”
“I’ll try.”
When I finally got home, looking forward to just shutting my brain off, my mother met me with so much excitement that she could hardly speak. I flatly turned to my father for answers, who then gave me a piece of paper.
Upon reading it, my body was flooded with dread.
-End of obligatory anime flashback scene-
Okay, even after running my mind through all of that, I still don’t know why I was suddenly invited to the Hyuga compound. Surely Hiashi already knows about Hinata’s participation in the sessions. He would’ve had to sign off on it after getting a personal visit from Hiruzen.
And if this was about her brand-spanking-new eye trick, I still wouldn’t be the person he should speak with.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I invited you over, Shiozaki-san.” The man finally breaking the silence made me sit up straighter.
“I wouldn’t presume to guess your intentions, Hiashi-sama,” I said with a short, formal bow. “The honor of receiving your esteem is enough for one of such lowly rank as I.”
No eye contact, straight posture, don’t speak unless spoken to, and always maintain a humble countenance. Man, dealing with high-society, hoity-toity types of folk is exhausting!
“You speak well,” Hiashi commented casually. “It’s a mark of excellent parenting. Please pass on my compliments to your mother and father.”
I bowed again. “They will receive your words with great pride, Hiashi-sama.”
Not a lie, though I wasn’t sure which mattered most to my mom: that he was the Hyuga patriarch or that he was Hinata’s dad. She couldn’t seem to decide before she dressed me up in my best traditional clothes and kicked me out of the house.
“The praise is deserved,” he said. “They raised a remarkable son.”
Okay, something was definitely up. Hyuga Hiashi doesn’t meet up with random kids just to flatter them like this. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what he could possibly want!
And what does he mean by ‘remarkable’ anyway? Hardly anyone in Konoha should even know my name. Then again, he is a clan head. So, he might be privy to more information than the average shinobi. He also controls people who can literally see through walls, but would Hiashi risk the Hokage’s displeasure by spying on me?
Dammit, this is why I hate politics!
This whole thing has to have something to do with Hinata. She’s the only connection I have with the clan. Well, there was Hanabi, too, I suppose. But the little chaos gremlin pretty much just goes wherever she wants, leaving mayhem in her wake.
And either way, the dude probably has retainers keeping a constant eye on both of his daughters. So, he should already know what we typically get up to!
“I receive your praise in the spirit in which it was given.” This time, I simply nodded.
There was such a thing as bowing too many times. In these kinds of meetings, I should only do it again if I’m saying farewell or if I’m asking for forgiveness. Hopefully, I won’t have to do the latter, though I wouldn’t bet on it.
“As well you should,” Hiashi said. “My impression of you is largely informed by what both of my daughters have shared with me.”
A crawling, creeping chill just ran down my spine. What the fuck have those two been saying about me?
“Hinata-sama and Hanabi-sama have been most gracious acquaintances,” I replied neutrally.
“Acquaintances, you say?” The man’s tone sharpened, causing me to go rigid.
Oh, you dickbag! You know full well that I can’t claim to be their friend in such a formal setting without coming off as a grasping, ambitious commoner! Unfortunately, I couldn’t say any of that. Instead, I had to be polite.
“I would not presume closer relations with your children, Hiashi-sama.”
“Would you not?” he challenged.
Right, this wasn’t going in any direction that I expected, and I refused to waste more time trying to wheedle the answer out of him. So, the direct route it is.
“Perhaps it would be best for us to dispense with the formalities, Hiashi-sama?” I suggested, still keeping my tone light.
“Agreed.”
“Why am I here?” I asked bluntly.
“You are here to answer my questions.”
“And those questions are?”
“What are your intentions toward Hinata?”
That stumped me for a good half second before I scowled. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, boy.” Hiashi was hunching now, looking rather deranged. “What are your intentions? Why do you keep coming up whenever I speak with my daughters? You’re planning something, aren’t you? Admit it!” he finished with a manic gleam in his pale eyes.
What the fuck?!
“Look, I –”
My denial was cut short by a series of banging noises and rapid footsteps that ultimately culminated in the sliding doors practically flying apart. Framed against the suddenly open space was Hinata herself, looking rather harried.
Hiashi recovered first. “Daughter, I will speak with you later. For now –”
He didn’t get to finish, either. Giving off an air of absolute menace, Hinata daintily stepped into the room, smiling a razor-sharp smile.
“Pardon my interruption, father. However, I do believe Kenta-kun is needed at his home. Don’t worry, I will escort him back personally.”
“What?! I –”
“Furthermore,” the girl completely bulldozed over her father’s objection with a voice so cold that I was surprised it wasn’t snowing, “I will ensure that he is not waylaid. Rest easy, father. Should anyone get in our way, they will be dealt with… no matter who they are.”
The frozen smile was then turned in my direction. “Come, Kenta-kun. Your parents must be worried.”
It didn’t even occur to me to object. My body practically got up on its own and, after bowing to a slack-jawed Hiashi, I followed in Hinata’s wake. As we passed through the entryway, though, she paused and looked back.
“Oh, and father? We will be having a long conversation later. Please wait for my return.”
With those words spoken, we made our quiet way through the Hyuga compound. I didn’t even try to talk. Hinata was clearly in a dangerous mood.
Along the way, I saw holes in the floor, the walls, and the ceiling. Making the scene even more macabre were the bodies dangling on, in, or over those holes. Thankfully, every single one was groaning, but the sight still reinforced my decision to keep my mouth shut.
Whatever was going on in this clan, it’s best if I stay out of it.
Once we were several streets away from the compound, Hinata spoke up. “I’m sorry, Kenta-kun. Father shouldn’t have done that. He was out of line.”
“Is’all gewd,” I squeaked and slurred at the same time, fear having robbed me of coherence.
“Kenta-kun?” The scary girl had stopped walking (forcing my legs to freeze, in the process) and looked at me with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Nothing! Nothing’s wrong. Everything is a-okay, all the way, José!”
Yeah, I don’t really know what I’m saying anymore, either.
Hinata scrutinized my grinning face before looking down in despondency. “Are you afraid of me, Kenta-kun?”
“Afraid? Of you? Psshaw! Nah, girl, we good! We homies!”
Instead of being reassured, Hinata only sagged even more. “I see,” she whispered. “I guess I will see you tomorrow, Kenta-kun. Good night.”
She started turning, looking devastated, and that’s when my brain finally got unstuck. Well, sort of.
My hand, entirely of its own volition, snapped forward to grab her wrist. She froze. I froze. We both froze. She looked at where my hand was. I looked at where my hand was. Was I just repeating shit, now? Yes, I was. But that’s because I can’t believe what’s happening.
To be more specific, I can’t believe that I might just be in the process of accidentally enacting one of the most cliché romantic scenes ever devised.
I can already hear the generic K-Drama OST blaring in the background as everything moves in slow motion, the frames zoom in and out for no particular reason before the credits roll, and the seasonally popular singer croons ‘Saranghae’ an unnecessary number of times.
And I was afraid that if I let my thoughts move beyond that repetitive loop, I might do something I would regret. Like snatching my hand back, looking embarrassed or alarmed, and possibly hurting Hinata’s feelings that would then lead to a series of misunderstandings, which would ultimatelyleadtoourfriendshipgettingruinedohmygodwhatamIgonnado!
Before either of us could do anything, though, someone wolf-whistled from somewhere. Looking toward the source, I saw a familiar trench coat over mesh underclothes, and a malicious grin.
“Look at you, lover boy! So, it’s not just older ladies you’re into, huh?”
…
…
…
“It’s the meshboob lady,” I blurted.
“I told you not to call me that!”