Hinata Hyuga: "Mm, since I'm the one who brought him back, it's only natural he stays in my room.""I don't agree with that!!"
Hiashi Hyuga shot to his feet in protest.
There's no way he'd let his daughter, his five-year-old daughter, be corrupted by this blond brat.
Seeing her father so worked up, Hinata paused for a moment before calmly reminding him, "Father, have you forgotten? I have my reasons for doing this."
Hiashi frowned. Once again, he recalled how Hinata was a true prodigy. At just five years old, she had independently developed the Rasengan through experimentation with balloons, and had mastered chakra control techniques like tree climbing and water walking entirely on her own.
After a moment of mental self-persuasion, Hiashi still replied awkwardly, "Even so, I still don't approve."
"Sir, Uncle, I mean, it's not like that. We're both still kids. There's no way anything would happen," Lint interjected quickly, trying to calm the storm.
But that only made Hiashi's face darken further.
Uncle?
He almost called me father. This brat really has feelings for my daughter!
"Huff..."
Hiashi took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "I've said no. A good-looking face isn't enough to qualify you to stay in my daughter's room. Unless you get stronger, don't even think about it.
"Anyway, I'll arrange a guest room for you. That's final."
He stood up to leave the room and called to Hinata's bodyguard, Hyuga Fuyu, who had been waiting outside. "Keep a close eye on the young lady. If anything happens to her, I'll hold you personally responsible."
"Yes, sir."
Fuyu kneeled respectfully in response.
Hiashi gave a small nod, silently thinking:
With Fuyu from the branch family watching over her, that Lint kid wouldn't dare pull any funny business.
Right, about Lint's background. I need to look into that. The Hokage's office should have his file.
With that, Hiashi clapped his hands.
Whoosh.
Several branch family Hyuga appeared instantly using the Body Flicker Technique.
Hiashi handed his clan leader's seal to a trusted ninja and ordered, "Take this to the Hokage's office and request access to Lint's files from Lord Third himself.
"If he asks why, tell him the truth."
"Yes, sir."
The ninja accepted the mission and vanished in a flash, speeding off toward the Hokage Tower.
Hiashi then remembered he hadn't actually assigned Lint a room yet, so he summoned another ninja to prepare one—specifically instructing that it be as far from Hinata's quarters as possible.
Then he hesitated.
Wait, Hinata said she has some purpose for keeping him close… better not put him too far away.
"Actually, make sure his room isn't too far from Hinata's."
"Understood."
Whoosh!
The ninja disappeared.
"Huff…"
Hiashi stood alone once again, letting out a long sigh.
But then he remembered: the clan elders, his brother Hizashi, even his wife were all still waiting to hear his stance on the matter. Another headache.
Still, something had to be done.
He'd reveal Hinata's Rasengan feat—how she'd mastered an A-rank jutsu from the Fourth Hokage at age five without any instruction or access to the Sealing Scroll. That should be enough to prove she was the future of the clan.
Perhaps even the next Hyuga Tennin…
If he framed it that way, the elders and Hizashi would temporarily accept Hinata's bold behavior today.
Tap, tap.
Hiashi made his way to the clan council.
Meanwhile, back in the clan leader's bedroom…
Lint exhaled heavily. "Man, that was intense. Felt like the entire Hyuga Clan showed up. I seriously thought your dad was going to kick me out."
"If he dares kick you out, I'll dare to fight back."
Despite her young age and childish voice, Hinata's words rang with conviction.
Lint blinked. "You? You'd fight your own father in this life?"
"Don't underestimate me. I'm not the Hinata from the original story—I've reincarnated. I'm not shy or timid anymore. And I eat three full meals a day," she said, patting her belly.
Then she held out both hands. "Look."
With a soft whoosh, a spinning sphere of blue chakra—Rasengan—formed in her palms
"Wow, the Rasengan. That's amazing."
Although Lint had inherited some of Hinata's memories and already knew she'd replicated the technique, seeing it in person still filled him with admiration. She was reborn as the Hyuga clan's heiress—basically a princess.
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
Looking him in the eyes, Hinata instantly sensed Lint's feelings. Thinking of how he'd spent ten years alone as an orphan after reincarnating, she reached out and took his hand.
"You don't have to be. You are me, and I am you. From now on, the Hyuga Clan will treat you the same way they treat me. Just enjoy a good life here."
Lint chuckled, "So I'm living off you now?"
"Exactly. Be my freeloader, eat all you want." Hinata smiled, pointing to herself and then to him. "You are me, and I am you. When I grow up, I'll marry you officially. So feel free to live off me."
"…Seriously?"
Hinata didn't answer with words. Instead, she leaned over and gently kissed his cheek."I'm still too young to do more than this, but at least now you know how I feel."
Lint didn't speak. He slowly reached up and touched the damp spot on his cheek. Then he glanced at Hinata's flushed, adorable face and began spacing out.
My soul fragment was reincarnated as… Hinata Hyuga.
And not only did she bring me into her clan, feed me, and protect me—she's also planning to marry me when she grows up?!
Is this… is this a genjutsu?
Am I under Infinite Tsukuyomi?!
Sensing Lint's bewilderment, Hinata offered, "Want to test if it's genjutsu? Pinch yourself—or me. We're so in sync, our sensations are linked too."
She rolled up her kimono sleeve, revealing a pale, tender little forearm like polished jade.
Lint stared and gulped. Then, like a man possessed, he reached out his "claw."
"Ow! That hurts! You didn't have to pinch so hard! Hurry, rub it better!"
"S-Sorry, I wasn't thinking—here, let me…"
Lint: Damn, that felt amazing…
Hinata blinked her Byakugan eyes and said in a tiny voice, "Unless you block it, I can hear your thoughts. For example, when you just now thought, 'Damn, that felt amazing,' I heard every word."
Lint: "Ahem…"