Chapter 979: Marriages & Dates
“The winner is Hyuga Hinata!” As the referee declared the result, discussions broke out in different areas. Among the judges, Kakashi couldn’t help but praise the young Kunoichi from the Hyuga Clan.
“The two Jutsu she used… I have never seen any Hyuga use them. Is it some secret Jutsu limited to the members of the main family?” Kuroto shook his head, “No, those Jutsus are not the secrets of the main family. That girl has created them on her own.”
Shisui was surprised and said, “The two Jutsu that Hyuga Hinata used to defeat Tenten; the first one is at least a Rank-C, while the second one can be easily categorized as a Rank-B. And she created both of those Jutsu on her own despite being this young?”
Kakashi suddenly recalled another thing and said, “Now that you mention it, a while ago, even Hyuga Neji used two Jutsu that I haven’t seen any Hyuga clansmen use. So, I guess, it’s not just Hyuga Hinata, huh?” Then he turned to Kuroto, who was smiling ear to ear, “I guess you are awfully happy, Kuroto.”
Kuroto nodded with a smile, “It’s as you say, Kakashi. The children of the Hyuga Clan are getting creative and creating new Jutsu. Obviously, this makes me happy. I don’t want them to restrain themselves within the set standards of the Clan.”
“I see,” muttered Kakashi.
…
Somewhere in the audience
“Onee-sama won,” said Hanabi, observing Hinata’s return to her place alongside Tenten. The way the fight unfolded was a little unexpected, but Hanabi was genuinely pleased that her ‘Onee-sama’ emerged victorious.
“Thankfully…” said Hiashi, and after a pause, he muttered, “But that Jutsu that she used…”Sitting beside Hiashi, Hizashi remarked, “It’s not a Jutsu from the clan, right? Hinata-sama should have created it on her own.”
Hiashi nodded, “Yes,” and continued, “Even the Jutsu that Neji-kun used against Uzumaki Naruto… those two Jutsu as well… from the way I see it, they aren’t much different from one another. Hinata is converting her Chakra into the form of a Chakra Blade that she is releasing from her Tenketsu, while Neji-kun is releasing his Chakra from his Tenketsu in the form of bursts or explosions… their approach is quite similar, but the end result is different because they are aiming for different outcomes… I see, well, this Jutsu is not that difficult, but, well, whatever…”
Hizashi couldn’t help but look at his brother in confusion. He had a feeling that when Hiashi was analyzing the different approaches of Jutsu used by Hinata and Neji, he wasn’t specifically thinking about Jutsu and thought to himself, ‘I wonder what’s going on in his mind.’
…
Among the instructors
“Hinata-chan really won, Yui-san, she really won!” exclaimed Izumi excitedly as she hugged Yui. For a moment there, Izumi was genuinely worried, thinking that perhaps Hinata wouldn’t be able to win this fight, especially when Tenten used the ‘Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.’ However, it turned out that she was worrying for nothing; Hinata had the entire situation under control.
“All the training and hard work Hinata-chan has been doing has started to pay off!” nodded Yui as she wiped her eyes and returned the hug.
For Yui, Hinata is not only her disciple but also a younger sister akin to her daughter. Therefore, watching Hinata succeed, and all her hard work finally pay off, made Yui tear up a little. “Ah, Hinata-chan has really started to grow up; soon, she will become a Kunoichi and perform dangerous missions. I am already starting to get worried.”
Izumi looked at Yui with a dumbfounded expression and said, “Yui-san, you really sound like you are her mother.”
Yui smiled, “Do I?” and clasped her hands, nodding, “It can’t be helped, I suppose. I may not be the one who gave birth to her, but I have raised her for the past ten years and taught her everything I could. It’s like she is my daughter, although Hinata-chan only calls me ‘Sensei’ or ‘Onee-san,’ but well, that’s understandable as well.”
“Hehehe,” Izumi giggled and said, “Looking at you like this… I suddenly feel like I want a daughter as well.”
“Don’t tell me… Izumi-chan, are you?” Yui’s eyes widened as she looked at Izumi’s belly.
Izumi quickly shook her head with a blush, “No no no… it’s not what you think, Yui-san. I was just thinking that…”
“I see,” muttered Yui.
Izumi asked, “What about you, Yui-san, do you want a son or a daughter?”
“Ehh well…?” Yui entwined her fingers, unsure of how to answer. Her cheeks reddened as she said, “Well, since Hinata-chan is already like my daughter, so well… I want a son… but well… I don’t know when that’s going to happen.”
Izumi suddenly thought of something and questioned, “Come to think of it, Yui-san, why haven’t you and Hokage-sama married yet? Both of you have been together for as long as I can remember…”
“Ah…” a smile appeared on Yui’s face as she answered, “It’s because Kuroto-kun isn’t ready yet to settle down.”
“Hokage-sama?” muttered Izumi with a thoughtful expression.
Yui nodded and explained, “I don’t know the exact reason, but I am certain that Kuroto-kun isn’t yet ready for marriage. Maybe it has something to do with the Akatsuki and other stuff, or maybe it’s something else that I don’t know about. His mind is always preoccupied with something. Marriage, it’s a big thing, and once you are married, everything changes. I am sure you understand what I’m talking about, right, Izumi-chan? I don’t want him to feel burdened while he is preoccupied with other stuff. So, I guess that’s it. I will wait until he completes his thing, and then we can… Since it’s Kuroto-kun, the wait is worth it.”
“You really love Hokage-sama, don’t you, Yui-san? And well, I understand what you mean. More so after Itachi-kun and I got married. A lot of things have changed, but well, since it’s Itachi-kun, so everything is worth it,” nodded Izumi in understanding.
…
Among the trainees
As Hinata and Tenten returned, they were greeted by excited classmates, especially Shion. The moment Hinata returned, she ran up to Hinata and gave her a tight hug, “I knew you would do amazing, Hinata-chan…!”
Hinata was embarrassed; she didn’t expect Shion to suddenly hug her, but she was happy. As Shion released Hinata, Naruto came beside the two and praised Hinata, “Hinata, that Jutsu was amazing… did you create it on your own?”
“I… I had help from Yui-Sensei,” answered Hinata shyly. The moment Naruto came beside them, Hinata’s cheeks became red. Shion grinned mischievously, “Heh,” she put one arm around Naruto’s shoulder and the other around Hinata’s shoulder as she spoke, “So, Naruto, are you interested in the Jutsu that Hinata-chan used?”
“Yeah, it was really amazing, I have never seen anything like it!” nodded Naruto.
“Great!” spoke Shion with a grin, and then turned to Hinata, “Hinata-chan, you can give Naruto some tips about how to improve his own Ninjutsu… what was it called, Rasengan, right?”
Before Hinata could speak, Naruto asked in surprise, “You can, Hinata?”
“Ah, I… I…” Hinata tried to speak once again, but Shion beat her to it, “Of course, she can, don’t you see? She created a Jutsu on her own, then improved it to create another Jutsu… I am sure she can help you.”
“Great, then I really look forward to it.” Nodded Naruto excitedly.
“But I…” Hinata tried to speak something; however, Shion once again beat her to it, “Good, in that case, once this Graduation Exam is over, Hinata-chan can help you.”
Naruto was about to nod, but he suddenly remembered something and said, “Hmm… but I am not sure if Kuroto-Sensei will allow me to wander off like that…”
Shion grinned and assured, “Don’t worry… since it’s Kuroto-nii, I will get permission for you. I am his dearest imouto, so he won’t refuse my request.”
“If that’s the case, then I am looking forward to it!” nodded Naruto.
After that, Shion sent away Naruto, and Hinata finally had an opportunity to speak, “Shion-chan, I… I won’t be able to help Naruto-kun… I know nothing about his Ninjutsu!”
Shion shrugged, “You are so earnest, Hinata-chan… you don’t have to be like that; this is an opportunity to spend some alone time with Naruto, think of it as a date.”
“A date?” smoke appeared out of her face imagining herself going on a date with Naruto. Then suddenly, she remembered that she would have to help Naruto improve his Ninjutsu, she once again panicked, “But… but what about that promise you made to Naruto-kun?”
Shion thought about it for a moment and suddenly had an idea, “I know… since it was Kuroto-nii who taught Naruto that Ninjutsu, then he should be able to help. Suppose I use my super-secret lethal weapon, the ‘puppy-dog’ eyes. In that case, he will definitely help me… that way we can get some simple tips on how to improve Naruto’s Ninjutsu, then we can devise a proper step-by-step plan to help Naruto, which you will be able to use to help him.”
“But… but… making such a selfish request from Hokage-sama… I don’t think it’s right.” Hinata was still a little worried.
Shion replied nonchalantly, “It’s not right for others… but it’s okay for me. Kuroto-nii is Hokage-sama later, but my Onii-chan first, so don’t worry.”
“I see,” nodded Hinata with a blush. In this way, she suddenly earned herself a date with Naruto.
At this time, the referee announced the participants of the next match, “Uchiha Kiyomi vs Shimizu Mika.”