"Menma!!!"
A clear child's voice pierced the silence of the training room, interrupting the boy's contemplation.
Menma walked out of the training room and approached the second-floor window, pulling it open to see a small figure waving energetically below.
Hinata stood bathed in the morning light, her head tilted upward as she called Menma's name. Behind her stood a somewhat nervous boy with the white eyes, a forehead protector covering his forehead… He should be Hyuga Ko.
As a member of the branch family, his talent was probably second only to Neji's. In the future, during Pain's assault on Konoha, he would risk his life as a branch family guard to protect Hinata.
"What are you dawdling for?! Get down here!" Big Sis Hinata planted her hands on her hips, her voice carrying an authority that didn't match her petite frame.
Ko discreetly wiped cold sweat from his forehead, slightly intimidated by the young lady's alternate personality.
As a member of the Hyuga Clan's branch family, the eight-year-old Ko hadn't yet graduated from the Ninja Academy but already possessed the strength of a Genin. Being slightly older than Hinata, he had been chosen as her bodyguard.
Aside from protecting the young lady in daily life, he also served as her sparring partner.
If it were the gentler Little Hinata, Ko would be more affectionate, holding back during their matches and being extra careful.
But with this fiery-tempered version of the young lady, Ko didn't dare take it easy.
Every time they sparred, he ended up bruised and battered. Fighting her felt like facing someone who had mastered the Gentle Fist for over a decade… as if he were the one being trained.
"Coming!" Menma's lips curled into a smile before he quickly dashed downstairs.
Before long, two small figures were walking side by side along a park path covered in fallen leaves.
Ko maintained a respectful distance, observing from afar to avoid intruding on the young lady's private interactions, giving them space.
"Let me tell you, the old man in my family here is completely different from the one back home… He's so stubborn and traditional. Thankfully, Mom is still as kind and gentle as ever, which makes me feel guilty whenever I lose my temper around her..." Big Sis Hinata chattered away as she walked with Menma, venting about her experiences.
"I think I understand how you felt back then, but I still can't fully accept it." Hinata kicked a pebble, sending it arcing into a distant pond. Her white eyes narrowed slightly, her brows furrowed in frustration.
For her, the Limited Tsukuyomi World is her real world, where she had lived over a decade of her life.
Suddenly arriving in this world, where everything seemed the same yet the people she knew acted so differently, left her deeply unsettled.
This sense of unreality made Big Sis Hinata lash out at everything whenever she stepped outside, her temper flaring at the slightest provocation.
Only when facing her mother did she soften even a little.
"Do you miss that world sometimes?" Menma quietly moved half a step closer, their sleeves brushing as he felt the slight tremble in her fingers.
"Sometimes... but..." Bis Sis Hinata let out a sigh before suddenly grabbing Menma's hand.
"Back when I was with you, I'd already made up my mind to leave the clan." Big Sis Hinata revealed a secret she had kept buried for years.
In the Ninja World, many women retired from active duty after marriage, focusing instead on raising children and managing the household.
For example, Uchiha Mikoto, who was once a Jonin, completely retired from her Ninja Career after marrying Fugaku, though she still helped train Itachi and Sasuke at home.
Additionally, women often took their husband's surname after marriage. Haruno Sakura became Uchiha Sakura after marrying Sasuke.
While Yuhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma never officially married, they already had a child. So after giving birth to Asuma's child, Kurenai changed her surname to Sarutobi and joined the Sarutobi Clan.
So when Big Sis Hinata said she had already prepared herself to leave the Hyūga clan,
Menma was deeply moved.
But that warmth didn't last long.
"So-"
Big Sis Hinata pulled Menma's hand closer, her eyes narrowing with a grin: "If you ever dare betray me, I'll kill you~"
The killing intent in this smile was almost tangible, sending a shiver down Menma's spine.
In the distance, Ko quickly turned his head away, pretending to admire the scenery.
"Menma!" Suddenly, a cheerful voice called out from afar.
Big Sis Hinata turned toward the sound, and was stunned.
A little boy with spiky blond hair and whisker-like marks on his cheeks was running toward them, waving excitedly at Menma.
"He is..." Big Sis Hinata stared at him, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
"Uzumaki Naruto, my… friend." Menma said softly, giving her a meaningful look.
She immediately understood.
Her white eyes scanned the boy up and down as he stopped in front of them, 'He looked exactly like a younger version of Menma from back then.'
"Menma! Good morning!" Naruto beamed, his words bubbling with joy.
Menma was the first friend he'd ever made. No one had ever taught him how to talk to friends, and he had no experience playing with one.
Then, Naruto noticed the little girl beside Menma… she had a pair of white eyes and was very cute.
A hint of confusion flashed across his blue eyes when he saw their intertwined hands.
"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto introduced himself eagerly: "Are you Menma's friend?"
"Ah, I'm very good friends with Menma!" Big Sis Hinata smiled sweetly, then abruptly elbowed Menma in the gut.
"Gugh-!"
The blow was merciless, nearly making him vomit. If he hadn't been careful, that strike might've even dispelled his shadow clone.
"Good morning, Naruto." Menma straightened up and gestured to Big Sis Hinata: "Her name is Hyuga Hinata, my... close friend."
After all, they are still too young, so he can't exactly introduce her as his girlfriend.
"Then... do you want to play together?" Naruto asked expectantly.
Menma glanced at Big Sis Hinata.
Two mentally-teenaged individuals honestly had nothing in common with a three-year-old. Playing in the sand or other childish games felt unbearably dull.
But Big Sis Hinata also recognized that this Naruto should be Menma's younger brother in this world, or at least his counterpart… even if circumstances prevented them from acknowledging it.
So, Big Sis Hinata took the initiative: "Let's go fishing at the Naka River outside the village."
"Okay, then let's see who gets there first!" Naruto was already bouncing with excitement.
Thanks to their ninja talent, even at three years old, their physical abilities far surpassed ordinary children, and jumping several meters high was child's play.
Naruto, who often fished to supplement his meals, had even started practicing throwing things on his own.
Big Sis Hinata turned and leaped onto the rooftops in one fluid motion, her black hair fluttering. The fleeting tenderness in her smile was something only Menma could decipher.
The three children dashed off, soon chasing each other across the village rooftops.
Naruto sprinted ahead, overjoyed, as this was his first time playing with friends.
He glanced back.
Then he saw Menma and the cute white-eyed girl were following at a leisurely pace, chatting and laughing.
For some reason, Naruto felt an inexplicable pang of loneliness.