"A gathering?"
Sakura and Ino smoothly entered the Hyuga clan's estate, guided by a servant who led them to Hinata, whom they hadn't seen in quite some time.
Hinata was currently in the training room, practicing Gentle Fist. Her opponent was a Byakugan-wielding little girl, five or six years younger than her.
Hyuga Hanabi.
Aside from a few servants standing by, ready to serve, there was only one other person in the room—a middle-aged man seated in the main position. He was Hinata and Hanabi's father.
Hyuga Hiashi.
"Lord Patriarch."
The servant bowed low, eyes respectfully downcast, and approached Hiashi to inform him that Sakura and Ino had come to see Hinata.
Hiashi's expression remained unchanged. Through the window, he caught sight of that unmistakable pink hair and promptly instructed the servant to bring Sakura and Ino inside.
"Hah!"
The palm wind of a Gentle Fist strike whistled past Hanabi's ear.
Though Hanabi was only seven years old, her combat talent far surpassed Hinata's. Despite the significant age gap, it was Hanabi who dominated the spar from start to finish, overwhelming Hinata.
Hiashi observed the two sisters facing off, his face betraying no trace of surprise.
After countless disappointments, this Hyuga patriarch had completely given up hope for his heir.
In the future, all he needed was to find a good husband for Hinata. As for Hinata herself, she could simply serve as the Hyuga clan's mascot.
If no reliable man could be found to support Hinata, then Hanabi would have to take up the role of clan head.
"That's enough for today."
Hiashi's words brought the sisters to a halt, both looking at their father with some surprise.
"Hinata, your friends are here."
Hiashi stood, gesturing toward Sakura and Ino standing at the entrance.
"Yes, Father."
Hinata was somewhat caught off guard by Sakura and Ino's arrival.
Though they were within the village, the Hyuga clan was exceptionally well-informed about outside events.
Not to mention, many Hyuga clansmen had perished in the Land of Frost.
After Sakura and Ino arrived on the battlefield, they swiftly dismantled the Cloud's guerrilla tactics, allowing the Hyuga to catch their breath.
Sakura herself had gained immense renown through this war.
Her first time on the battlefield, she captured a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki alive. Her second time, she cut down the Raikage in combat.
Either of these feats was enough to shock the world, and now both were attributed to a girl not yet thirteen years old.
"Senior Hiashi."
Sakura gave a slight nod toward Hyuga Hiashi.
In terms of rank, Hiashi was a Jonin of the village, and after the war, Sakura had also been promoted to Jonin.
The two were of the same rank.
Given that he was much older, it was reasonable for Sakura to address him as "Senior."
"No need for 'Senior.' You and Hinata are classmates—call me Uncle instead."
Hiashi softened his usual stern demeanor, his expression warming as he looked at Sakura.
"Uncle Hiashi."
Sakura politely complied, and Ino, standing beside her, quickly followed suit with a call of her own.
"This is Yamanaka's girl, isn't it?"
"Tell your father to come drink with me sometime."
Looking at Ino, Hiashi's smile remained.
He had been present at Konoha's post-war debriefing the previous day.
The discussion had covered how the Cloud's guerrilla tactics were countered, emphasizing Ino's critical role.
Moreover, as the heir of the Yamanaka clan—closely tied to the Akimichi and Nara clans, and deeply trusted by the Hokage—even the Hyuga clan could only seek to maintain good relations.
"Of course, Uncle Hiashi."
Ino responded with obedient politeness.
"Hinata, you're excused from training today. Spend some time with your friends."
Only then did Hiashi glance back at his daughter, who was slightly out of breath from her practice.
"Y-Yes, Father."
Hinata replied, a touch flustered, as she looked at her father.
"That's all. You girls talk."
Hiashi waved a hand dismissively and left.
Hinata watched her father's retreating figure before turning her gaze to Sakura and Ino, who had come to see her so unexpectedly.
"S-Sakura… it's been a while…"
Hinata's eyes lowered slightly as she looked at the pink-haired girl.
Her father had once compared her to Sakura, and there was no question that she had been utterly outclassed.
With the best resources, the best training partners, and the best lineage, she still couldn't measure up to a child from an ordinary civilian family.
So, seeing Sakura made Hinata feel a bit uneasy.
If Sakura were merely exceptional, Hinata could cope. But the gap between them was simply too vast.
Sakura's brilliance was beyond the realm of normal people.
"Hina—"
"You're Haruno Sakura?"
Before Sakura could greet Hinata, a childish voice piped up from behind her, a small head peeking out.
It was Hyuga Hanabi, Naruto's future sister-in-law.
Those in the know would understand.
"Hanabi, don't be rude!"
Hinata scrambled to make Hanabi apologize to Sakura.
But Sakura had already stepped forward, meeting Hanabi's curious gaze. She reached out and gently placed a hand on the girl's head.
"Huh?"
Hinata was startled by Sakura's gesture.
Truth be told, Hinata didn't know Sakura all that well.
Back at the Ninja Academy, Sakura had been relentlessly driven, spurred by the threat of the Yin Seal, while Hinata's attention was entirely focused on Naruto.
In two years, Sakura graduated from the Academy and immediately dove into ANBU.
During her four years in ANBU, Sakura had only appeared in Hinata's field of vision once. By the time Hinata graduated, Sakura had inexplicably reemerged, dazzling everyone with her brilliance.
From Hinata's perspective, the pink-haired girl before her was a classmate who had been relentlessly driven since childhood.
Hanabi, too, was surprised.
She had assumed the renowned Haruno Sakura would be aloof and cold.
But she seemed unexpectedly approachable.
"Little one, being so rude might get you dragged off by Uncle to catch goldfish."
Sakura's eyes curved into crescent moons as she grinned at the Byakugan-wielding little girl.
Hanabi: I take back what I just thought.
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