In the Hokage's office.
Kurenai Yuhi was chatting with Natsume about some recent lighthearted things.
At some point, she had grown accustomed to sharing her daily life with him.
"How has Yakumo been lately?"
Natsume leaned back in the Hokage's chair and asked, looking at Kurenai's gently smiling face.
"She's doing fine."
Kurenai replied with a smile. "After you said she could continue being a ninja, she became noticeably more cheerful."
"Next time, remember to remind me."
Natsume said a bit awkwardly. "I meant to help with her condition, but I forgot because of various things."
"That's okay though," Kurenai shook her head. "Her condition hasn't gotten worse. You can handle it when you have time."
A knock came from the door.
"It should be Hinata." Natsume raised his eyebrows slightly. "I called her over. I plan on taking her with me to the Land of Demons."
Kurenai immediately stood up, straightened her skirt suit, and tidied her appearance.
Within moments, she returned to her sharp secretary image.
She gave Natsume a slight nod before opening the door.
"Kurenai-nee."
Hyuga Hinata hesitated briefly, then bowed politely.
The Hyuga clan's ninjas always had impeccable etiquette.
"Come in."
Kurenai stepped aside with a smile.
Hinata walked forward a few steps and stood before the desk. Her eyes locked onto Natsume, and obvious delight appeared on her face.
"Natsume-nii," she said shyly.
Mainly because she felt Kurenai watching her intensely.
That made her uncomfortable.
But fortunately, this unease ended quickly.
Kurenai left the room and closed the door behind her.
"Hinata..."
She frowned slightly.
Even though Hinata was young, Kurenai still felt a strong sense of danger from her.
Just like Ino Yamanaka.
She sighed quietly to herself.
Having such strong rivals was truly troublesome.
Kurenai realized that winning over Natsume would take quite some effort.
"Hinata."
Natsume stood up, took her hand, and they both sat together on the sofa.
"The bow I gave you—have you gotten used to it yet?"
He took her hand naturally.
Her hand was as soft as a doll's.
"Yes."
The warm touch felt like turning on a heater inside Hinata, causing a faint blush across her face.
Though it wasn't very obvious.
After all, she was already used to such familiar touches.
"What about [Vacuum Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Strikes]?" Natsume asked again.
"I'm… sorry." Hinata lowered her head slightly, apologetically. "I haven't mastered it yet."
"What do you have to apologize for? How could you possibly learn it in just a few days?"
Natsume reached over and ruffled her hair. "I just want to check your progress."
Hinata exhaled in relief. "I should completely master it in a few more days."
"You never disappoint—great job, Hinata."
Natsume genuinely praised her.
After being modified by Kaguya Otsutsuki, this ninjutsu saw a dramatic surge in power and was far more challenging than its original form.
For her to have gained even basic control over it in such a short time was already quite impressive.
"W-Who... Who said that?"
Hinata Hyuga dared not look at him directly, yet a quiet smile subtly appeared on her face.
Natsume's praise made her genuinely happy.
*So cute.*
Natsume couldn't help but pinch her cheek lightly.
Hinata tensed slightly, her face growing even redder.
"Back to business."
Still gently pinching her cheek, Natsume said, "I called you here because there's a mission—we're going to the Land of Demons. You'll be helping a miko seal away foreign demons—it'll be tough and dangerous."
Hinata wanted to nod, but found it inconvenient, so she simply responded with a soft "Mm."
To Hinata, an S-rank mission wasn't especially significant. She didn't really have much of a concept about it.
He released her cheek and smiled as he asked, "Do you want to go?"
"Whatever my brother decides is fine."
Hinata showed no personal opinion—perhaps more accurately, she willingly gave up the initiative to Natsume.
"Then we'll go together."
Natsume looked down at her and said, "I want you to try using the bow."
Of course, he had no intention of letting Hinata deal with Moryo herself. It was the so-called army of undead he meant for her.
Because he suspected the legion was composed of souls or Yin Release energy.
A bow forged with the Box of Supreme Bliss would undoubtedly counter it effectively.
Plus, it could absorb enemy energy to become stronger itself.
"Mm."
Hinata instinctively nodded before asking, "Brother Natsume, what's the bow's name?"
Natsume paused. That was actually a good question.
He hadn't really thought about it.
What about "Bliss Bow"?
For some reason, that didn't sound right.
"Hmm… call it Banishing Bow."
The name came to him naturally—inspired by their destination, the Land of Demons, and their battle against foreign demons.
Hinata's eyes brightened, clearly pleased with the name.
"Let's go now."
Natsume stood up and asked, "Is there anything else you need to do?"
"I didn't tell Father before I left."
Hinata quickly said, "I'd like to go back and say goodbye to him."
"I'll take you."
Natsume activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant, the two of them appeared in the courtyard of the Hyuga clan.
*Hmm... adorable.*
Once she regained her balance, Hinata headed straight for the study.
Natsume followed closely behind.
"Father."
Hinata knocked on the door. After hearing a response, she opened it.
She took off her shoes at the entrance before stepping forward and kneeling into a seated position.
Natsume could only see the small part of her feet peeking out from her white socks.
Hiashi Hyuga lifted his head with a serious expression, then suddenly froze upon noticing Natsume standing outside.
He immediately stood up, putting on a smile. "Hokage-sama, please come in."
Hinata's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Her father's sudden shift in attitude struck her deeply.
But thinking that was undeniably disrespectful.
Hinata quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
Natsume waved his hand and said, "Hiashi-san, why don't you tend to your own matters?"
Hiashi Hyuga understood his implication, turned around, returned to the room, and sat down across from Hinata Hyuga.
He instinctively wanted to wear a stern expression, asserting his authority as both the clan leader and a father.
But then he remembered Natsume.
Hmm... probably not the best idea.
"Hinata, what did you need me for?"
Hiashi softened his expression and asked calmly.
Hinata was still slightly unaccustomed to this.
"Father, I'm going to the Land of Demons to carry out a mission. I won't be back for a while."
The Land of Demons? That's quite a distance.
Hiashi instinctively felt reluctant.
The main branch of the Hyuga clan isn't burdened with the Caged Bird Seal, which makes field missions especially risky.
In the original story, Hinata had been placed on a reconnaissance team—it was likely no coincidence that the Hyuga clan had arranged it.
Hiashi glanced at Natsume and asked, "Is it with Hokage-sama?"
Hinata nodded and said, "Yes."
Hiashi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
With Natsume's protection, safety was guaranteed.
Though still uneasy, the request made sense, so he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"Stay safe. Come back soon."
Hiashi instructed, "Don't act recklessly while you're away. Follow everything Hokage-sama arranges."
"Yes."
Hinata bowed and stood up. She caught sight of Natsume and gave a shy smile before walking toward the door.
One hand rested on the doorframe while she changed her shoes.
Then she ran lightly over to Natsume.
Her steps were light and lively—utterly unlike the composed elegance expected of the main branch's young lady.
Most likely because this was a rare opportunity to travel so far.
"Hokage-sama, please take care of Hinata."
Standing by the doorway, Hiashi bowed slightly.
Natsume nodded, and together with Hinata Hyuga, appeared in the Land of Snow.
He intended to bring Kaguya Otsutsuki along. After all, what he'd just done to her meant he couldn't abandon her now.
Of course, more importantly, he wanted Hinata to become her apprentice.
With such a formidable patron, the divide between the main and branch families would become irrelevant.
Later, he'd even let Kaguya take Hinata to the moon and defeat Toneri Otsutsuki to unlock the Tenseigan.
That would be ideal.
Hinata looked confusedly at her unfamiliar surroundings.
Soon, the door opened.
She instinctively turned her head—and froze.
So stunning—like a graceful older sister.
No, wait.
Why did she feel an overwhelming sense of pressure, yet also an undeniable blood-bound connection?
Was this person also from the Hyuga clan?
Hinata frowned.
Given those unmistakable traits, if this person were part of the Hyuga clan, Hinata would surely have seen her before.
Kaguya Otsutsuki didn't spare her a single glance. Her attention was locked entirely on Natsume.
She stepped forward and grabbed his collar.
Natsume noticed her expression immediately and panicked inwardly.
Again?
He swiftly grasped her wrist. "Let me introduce her—this is Hinata Hyuga, my student."
At the word "student," Kaguya finally showed a flicker of reaction. Tilting her head slightly, she turned her gaze toward the Byakugan-wielding girl.
"E-Excuse me... h-hello?"
Hinata Hyuga immediately felt like her thoughts had been completely exposed.
Though startled, she quickly masked her discomfort and offered a polite greeting.
"Hinata, this is Shinguji. She's a Jonin from Konoha's Anbu stationed outside the village."
Natsume casually lied, "She's from the same clan as you, but her identity must remain confidential. You can't tell anyone, not even your parents."
He said "same clan," not "Hyuga clan."
Natsume's wording was careful—technically speaking, his statement wasn't incorrect.
Hinata misunderstood, thinking that Shinguji was another member of the Hyuga clan.
Although she'd never met her before, she believed Natsume's explanation.
After all, there were many hidden ninja in Konoha Village who remained unknown to most people.
"I understand."
Hinata nodded and replied.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the trio departed the palace in the Land of Snow and made their way toward the Land of Demons.
This time, Natsume chose not to use the Flying Thunder God Technique—instead, they opted to take the train.
Conveniently, the Land of Demons lay directly to the south of the Land of Snow.
The two countries were neighboring nations.
During the train ride, Hinata could practice [Vacuum Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Strikes].
Out of respect for Natsume, Kaguya Otsutsuki casually offered a few pointers.
This helped Hinata progress rapidly.
Natsume took the chance and ushered Kaguya into the next train compartment.
"Kaguya, what do you think about her bloodline?"
"No good."
Kaguya Otsutsuki answered bluntly.
Natsume realized he had just asked a rather foolish question.
To her, even the bloodlines of Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Hamura Otsutsuki were barely noteworthy.
"Sleep."
Kaguya whispered, her voice low and teasing, before her lithe form coiled around him like twisting vines.
"..."
Startled, Natsume quickly responded, "No using Amenominaka."
Three thousand words. P.S.: Yesterday's Chapter 216 ("Kurenai Yuhi's Lap Pillow") was delayed over ten hours due to moderation. If you haven't read it yet, masters are encouraged to check it out earlier in the feed.
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