Konoha, December 21st, Year 54
Before anyone realized it, the second semester had already come to an end.
This semester, the first-year students had undergone noticeable transformations.
During the first semester, they had only studied cultural subjects and participated in physical education. Lacking any real combat experience, they weren't much different from ordinary children before entering the Ninja Academy.
The addition of taijutsu duels in the second semester, however, pushed them to grow—through pain. It helped strip away their innocence and childish illusions. But it also brought about an unintended consequence: students began resolving problems through violence.
Disagreements turned into fights, fights escalated into brawls, and bullying became a frequent occurrence. More concerning was the fact that neither the teachers nor the Ninja Academy intervened in these conflicts.
Clearly, in the academy's eyes, weaklings didn't deserve to become shinobi. It was better for them to experience the harshness of reality early on. Rather than dying on a mission post-graduation, it was better to be bullied now and voluntarily drop out—returning to the path of an ordinary life.
Because of this mindset, every grade level and classroom witnessed a recurring pattern: the underachievers trying to bully the elites.
Just like Uchiha Itachi once was… Like Hyuga Neji… Like Uchiha Sasuke…
These individuals all shared some common traits: they were handsome, brilliant, aloof, and immensely popular with the girls. Yet despite their popularity, they didn't like to mingle or form cliques. They were indifferent, whether to girls or boys.
That loner nature, ironically, only made the boys dislike them more. Fueled by jealousy or pride, these students often tried to "teach them a lesson."
Unfortunately, these bullying attempts never ended well. Not only did they fail, but they often got beaten up in return.
Being beaten was humiliating enough. But losing so badly—despite superior numbers—was utterly embarrassing.
And it didn't end there. Afterward, they were often targeted by the elite's fan clubs, ostracized by the girls, and sometimes even scolded or disciplined by older students who admired the genius in question.
Bitterness turned into hatred. Over time, they even started to resent anyone from the same clan as those elites.
Take today, for example.
It was snowing heavily, a white blanket covering the village.
After the snow had finally stopped, a small figure cheerfully exited the Hyuga clan grounds. Unlike in the past, Hinata no longer needed Juuyabiru to disguise himself as Ino Yamanaka and sneak her out.
Now, with special permission to go out freely, she happily trotted to their usual meeting spot to wait for Juuyabiru.
Hinata was dressed in a snow-white snowman outfit, with a red scarf wrapped around her neck. She looked chubby and adorable.
Over the past six months, Hinata had grown her hair out—on Juuyabiru's suggestion. It now reached her shoulders. Today, she tied it into pigtails using simple hair ties. Her goal was to change styles once it reached her waist.
Her cute, round face still retained its baby fat. In the cold winter air, it was slightly flushed—a sight that made people want to reach out and pinch her cheeks.
She didn't knock on Juuyabiru's door. Instead, as part of their unspoken understanding, she waited for him in the clearing outside the Ninja Academy.
Suddenly, she heard a few boys' voices approaching from behind.
"Is that kid from Neji Hyuga's clan?"
"Those eyes—no mistake. She's a Hyuga."
"Come on, let's teach her a lesson!"
Before she knew it, three older boys—likely a year or two above her—ran up and surrounded her.
Their faces were full of malice.
"Umm… Do you need something?" Hinata asked gently.
Though her tone was soft, she didn't lower her head. She simply looked at them with a puzzled expression.
"Those disgusting eyes… Just like that Neji Hyuga guy!" one of the boys snapped.
"What are you looking at with those creepy Byakugan eyes? Do you know you've offended me? Hurry up and kneel—apologize to me right now!"
Hinata tilted her head slightly, visibly confused.
But upon hearing her cousin's name, she asked curiously, "Are you friends with Neji Hyuga?"
"Friends? With that bastard?" another boy shouted.
"We're his enemies!"
"Now kneel, shout 'I'm sorry' at the top of your lungs, and apologize for that Neji guy. Otherwise, we're going to beat you senseless!"
The third boy reached out, trying to grab Hinata by the shoulders—intent on forcing her down and humiliating her.
But before he could touch her, Hinata's expression changed.
Her small hand, still gloved in white, swiftly extended her index and middle fingers. Like a silver needle, they struck his chest faster than the eye could see.
"Ah—!"
Despite the glove and his heavy winter clothes, the boy screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground.
Without hesitation, Hinata moved to the remaining two.
Poke—poke!
Two sharp jabs landed on their chests. They, too, screamed and fell to the snow, clutching their chests in agony.
"It hurts! Ahh—it hurts so much… Wahhh…"
They tried rubbing the pain away, but the stabbing sensation wouldn't fade. Instead, it throbbed deeper—from the skin to the muscles beneath.
Looking at Hinata, they suddenly felt as if Neji Hyuga himself was standing before them. The same overwhelming power. The same terrifying calm.
Panic overtook them. Tears streamed down their faces. They scrambled to their feet and ran away, tripping over themselves as they fled.
Hinata tilted her head again.
She hadn't even injected Chakra into their bodies. Why were they crying?
Were these really Neji's enemies?
Suddenly, a slow clapping sound echoed through the clearing.
Hinata turned toward the source of the applause.
The moment she saw who it was, her face lit up with joy.
"Juuyabiru! You're here."
"You looked super cool just now, Hinata," Juuyabiru praised, walking over in his own snowman outfit.
He gave her a big thumbs-up. "That's exactly how you should deal with bullies. If you hesitate or show mercy, they'll just get bolder and worse. You have to shut them down decisively."
"Mhm, mhm!" Hinata nodded vigorously, obedient as ever.
Looking at her now, Juuyabiru felt an overwhelming sense of pride.
In the original timeline, Hinata had been bullied repeatedly.
For the heiress of the powerful Hyuga clan to be pushed around by a few commoner boys—that was outrageous.
What made it even worse was that she had already learned Gentle Fist techniques at that point. And yet, she was still bullied to the point of tears?
Clearly, the problem wasn't skill—it was her personality.
But now?
Today, Hinata had fought back instinctively. She didn't even use chakra. And yet, she made her attackers cry.
The transformation was undeniable.
Her personality was no longer timid and weak. She had developed mental resilience. She wasn't someone who would easily give up anymore.
She was still kind. But she wouldn't sacrifice herself for others without reason. She had grown more decisive, and her reflexes in combat had become automatic.
Unlike the delinquent-style gang leader portrayed in Limited Amaterasu, this Hinata was different.
She was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside.
And Juuyabiru was the one who had nurtured this growth. In just six months, he had reshaped her personality.
Of course, he felt accomplished.
It was fortunate he had started the process early. Had he waited until Hyuga Hiashi and Neji had broken Hinata's spirit, reforming her would've been nearly impossible.
Surely, Hiashi would be grateful to him.
The fact that Hinata now had permission to leave the clan compound freely was likely the clan's way of rewarding his efforts.
"Let's go train!" Juuyabiru said brightly.
"Okay!" Hinata replied, full of energy.
Two small figures in matching snowman outfits walked off toward the abandoned training ground.
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