đ€ŁInsert Some Funny Memes or GIFđ€Ł
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A few days later, Tsunade grew tired of running back and forth between Uchiha Hikaru's house and the Hokage Building. So, she and Shizune finally moved back into the ancestral home of the Senju Clan.
Shizune finally got a proper night's sleep after settling into their new residence.
As for Uchiha Hikaruâ
Over the past few days, his home had turned into a revolving door for clan leaders of all ranks, coming in and out non-stop. They discussed everything from reallocating village institutions to the division of shopfronts on Konoha's streets.
At the same time, he had agreed to the requests of Hiashi Hyuga and Shibi Aburame and was preparing to take both Hinata and Shino as his disciples.
But since the standard Genin team setup was one instructor and three students, Uchiha Hikaru considered another candidateâGekko Hayate.
After all, he had promised Gekko Hayate's father, Uchiha Hikaru's old friend from the battlefield, that he'd teach their clan's Yan Fan sword style to Hayate one day.
And now he was short one disciple. Why not choose him?
âŠ
The next morning, Hinata and Shino arrived early at an empty training ground within the Uchiha clan compound, each accompanied by their father.
Hiashi Hyuga and Shibi Aburame were the first to notice the sickly-looking boy leaning against a tree, flipping through a scroll.
It was Gekko Hayate.
Why was the Gekko heir already here?
Then they remembered the clan's situation. Most of the men with the Gekko bloodline had either died from the clan's hereditary illness or perished on ANBU missions.
Now, aside from a few women and children, Hayate was the only male with a surviving bloodline. His circumstances were bleak.
Whooshâ
A gust of wind suddenly swept through the clearing, stirring up a vortex of leaves at the center of the training ground.
As the gust dissipated, Uchiha Hikaru appeared in its place.
Following Hikaru's silent glance, Shibi Aburame vanished from sight, retreating behind Shino. Hiashi Hyuga gave a small nod, then turned and leapt into the trees, leaving quietlyâbut not before glancing back with a trace of worry in his eyes.
Hinata's timid nature was deeply ingrained. He could only hope that under Uchiha Hikaru's guidance, she would finally change.
Gekko Hayate looked up from his scroll as Hikaru approached. He immediately stood, coughed a little, and walked forward slowly.
Looking at the man in front of himâonly four years older, yet already the Hokage's assistantâHayate's eyes were filled with admiration, longing, and silent gratitude.
He was the young head of a declining clan, just thirteen, and had only just made Chƫnin. He didn't understand why Uchiha Hikaru would choose to teach him. But no matter the reason, Hikaru was the Gekko Clan's benefactor.
Of the three children, only Hinata was still hiding behind a tree trunk, peeking out nervously at Hikaru, too shy to approach.
Uchiha Hikaru looked at her flushed cheeks and sighed.
Honestly⊠with Hinata's personality, Hiashi really had the guts to entrust her to him?
Wasn't he worried she might end up even more corrupted?
Then again, could she really get worse?
Hinata saw the sigh and instantly felt dejected.
Had she already disappointed her future sensei⊠before they even started?
She lowered her head, a look of self-blame appearing on her face. Doubt crept in.
"If you're not coming over, then I guess I'll come to you."
Hinata flinched as Uchiha Hikaru suddenly appeared behind her, leaned in close, bent down, and stared at her from the side of her face.
"Ah!"
Her entire face turned scarlet.
Too close!
This was the closest she had ever been to anyone in her life. Even her own father had never gotten this close!
Flustered, she shut her eyes, turned around, and blindly stumbled forwardâ
Bonk!
She walked straight into the tree trunk.
The impact knocked her back onto the ground. She sat there holding her forehead with both hands as it turned bright red from the bump.
Uchiha Hikaru wasn't sure if she was blushing from embarrassment or from slamming her head into the tree.
Sighing, he raised his hand. Green chakra began to glow softly from his palm as he pressed it gently to her forehead.
He had only studied the most basic medical ninjutsu, but thanks to the vitality of Hashirama's cells within him, his healing was as effective as an A-rank medical jutsu. In seconds, the redness on her forehead vanished.
But the blush on her face remained.
Yeah⊠it wasn't the bump.
Hikaru finally confirmedâthis girl wasn't going to be easy to train. If she stayed like this, the efficiency of their sessions would drop drastically.
Without a word, he grabbed Hinata's hand, pulled her to her feet, and brought her to stand beside Shino and Hayate.
Facing the three Genin, Uchiha Hikaru crossed his arms, his expression turning serious.
"Your fathers entrusted you to me. My responsibility is to guide you until you graduate from the Academy."
"Hayate."
"Here!" Gekko Hayate straightened up immediately. The pressure radiating from Hikaru made his nerves tighten.
"Your Gekko Clan specializes in Kenjutsu. I'll be teaching you the sword style I inherited. Once you've mastered it, I'll consider my promise to your father fulfilled."
Hayate nodded firmly, though questions still stirred in his mind.
Was there an agreement between his late father and Uchiha Hikaru? Was that why Hikaru chose to teach him swordsmanship?
But he didn't ask. If Hikaru hadn't brought it up, there had to be a reason.
His father had died on a mission, the news delivered by a masked ANBU operative...
It was then that two uninvited guests suddenly entered the training ground.
"Brother Hikaru! I want to be your disciple too!"
A high-pitched, familiar voice rang out from the forest.
Uchiha Hikaru turned his head. Sasuke?
How the hell did he know I was here?
A second figure followed closely behind.
"I'm sorry, Hikaru. Sasuke insisted on coming here. He wanted to ask you personally if you'd take him as your studentâŠ"
"I couldn't stop him."
Itachi's voice was filled with helplessness. He had always doted on his younger brotherâafraid Sasuke would catch a cold if he touched the ground, and afraid he'd melt if held too tightly.
Uchiha Hikaru had once taught him some brother-rearing techniquesâno, child-rearing adviceâbut clearly, Itachi wasn't following any of it.
Sasuke stomped over to Uchiha Hikaru, pointing accusingly at his big brother.
"Ever since Onii-chan came back from his mission last month, he's been making me do mountains of homework!"
"That's not the kind of ninja training I want!"
"I don't want to train with him anymore! I want to train with Brother Hikaru! Brother Hikaru is way stronger than you!"
He ended his complaint by sticking his tongue out at Itachi
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