By the end of a long, exhausting day, Hinata met up with Kiba, Shino, and Kurenai-sensei for their next mission.
Kurenai handed them a stack of scrolls. "Six missions today—five missing-item retrievals and one roof cleanup. We'll focus on recon, as usual."
Their team's specialties were reconnaissance, tracking, and search work, so most of their assignments naturally fell under that category.
After completing the first mission, Kiba glanced at Hinata and asked curiously, "Hey, Hinata. You didn't mention a sparring match today. What's up?"
Hinata's heart skipped slightly. She smiled faintly, hiding her amusement. He took the bait~
Feigning hesitation, she said softly, "There are a lot of missions today… I'm not confident I can win again. Let's just do them together."
Kiba's eyes gleamed. He and Shino exchanged a look. "Really? Well, since we've already finished one, the rest shouldn't be too hard. You know… I've been thinking about our last match. How about a rematch after this?"
Hinata shook her head politely. "No… fighting wastes time. It's better to finish quickly."
Kiba chuckled, his suspicion fading.
That's right, he thought smugly. She might be stronger than me, but her chakra reserves are too low. She can't last long!
Feeling clever, he grinned. "Don't say that! Fighting's the fastest way to improve! Let's settle this once and for all!"
Hinata sighed softly, pretending to be reluctant. "Kiba, really…?"
But when he persisted, she finally relented. "Fine… just one round."
Kiba's grin widened. "Deal! Let's find a quiet spot."
The three of them moved toward a secluded alley nearby.
…
"Hehe! Hinata, I won't make the same mistake twice! Today, I'll show you what I'm really capable of! Shino, let's go!"
Kiba grinned fiercely, performing the Beast Mimicry Jutsu in one swift motion. Beside him, Akamaru transformed with Human Mimicry, taking Kiba's form perfectly. The two charged in from opposite sides, crisscrossing in perfect synchronization.
Shino followed closely behind, releasing a dense swarm of insects that filled the air like a living storm.
Having learned from their previous defeat two days ago, Kiba and Shino coordinated their attacks this time instead of fighting separately. They both knew Hinata's weakness—her limited chakra reserves. If they could prolong the battle, exhaustion alone would guarantee their victory.
…
Hinata calmly activated her Byakugan. Instead of retreating, she advanced to meet them head-on.
In a blur, she sidestepped Kiba and Akamaru's simultaneous strikes and went straight for Shino. His insects were capable of consuming chakra; taking him down first was the logical choice.
Shino, aware that he couldn't match her in close combat, immediately leapt back, widening the distance while unleashing wave after wave of insects.
Hinata's eyes flickered. She detected several distinct insect species hidden among the swarm—each serving a different purpose. Not yet sure of their function, she decided against charging in blindly.
She flipped backward several times, landing outside the insects' effective range. The instant her feet touched the ground, the soil where she had been standing began to crumble.
"Gotcha!" Kiba shouted triumphantly, his hand mere centimeters from Hinata's ankle.
But before he could grasp her, Hinata's body lifted gracefully into the air. Kiba, unable to halt his momentum, stumbled forward.
Hinata landed lightly, slid along the ground, and with a fluid motion, struck out to knock down several insects attempting to approach her. Then, pivoting on her heel, she drove her knee sharply into Kiba's back.
"Gah—!"
Kiba's body jolted, his breath leaving him in a strangled cry as if he might cough up his last meal.
…
Hinata twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding Akamaru's bite. Chakra flared from every pore in her body, connecting seamlessly into a spinning barrier of energy—an Incomplete Rotation. The whirlwind of chakra deflected the attacking insects, shredding several in an instant.
Though Hinata had long mastered the full Rotation, she deliberately refrained from using it. The complete version demanded far more chakra.
Techniques are fixed, but people are flexible, she thought calmly. Why waste strength on a full defense when a partial one is enough?
…
Shino's insects surged again, forcing Hinata to retreat.
"Are you alright?" Shino called out.
"Do I look alright?!" Kiba barked back, dragging himself up painfully. "Hinata's so heavy! When she kneed me just now, I thought I was gonna die!"
Then, spotting Hinata struggling under the growing swarm, his frustration turned to excitement. "She's almost out of gas! Now's our chance—attack together!"
"Wait—!" Shino began, but Kiba had already charged ahead, Akamaru right behind him.
Shino sighed inwardly. You idiot… the Hyūga specialize in close-quarters combat. You'll never even touch her at that range.
…
Hinata's breathing grew heavier. Her steps faltered, sweat dripping down her temples. Under Kiba's eager gaze, she looked seconds away from collapsing… but she didn't. Every time they thought she would fall, she steadied herself, driving Kiba to near madness.
Together, Kiba and Shino pushed harder, forcing her from the alley to a rooftop, and finally to a deserted street nearby.
Their battle raged for nearly half an hour before ending—with Hinata barely standing victorious.
"Damn it! So close!" Kiba groaned, collapsing onto the ground, utterly unwilling to accept defeat.
Hinata smiled faintly, shy and composed as ever. "Good work," she said softly, bowing her head slightly before turning to leave.
Once she was far from sight, her tired demeanor vanished. Her breathing evened out, her expression calm. She walked leisurely toward the food district, munching on snacks as she went.
…
Slow and steady wins the race, Hinata thought. If I crush them completely, they'll lose confidence—and then who'll take over the missions for me?
By letting them think victory was just out of reach, she ensured they would keep challenging her—and in doing so, keep volunteering for more work.
It was the perfect balance. Kiba and Shino would grow stronger from the experience, and Hinata would earn herself time and freedom in between.
It was, in every sense, a win-win situation.
…
After wandering the food stalls and treating herself to skewers, dumplings, and grilled snacks, Hinata returned home. The servants informed her that the books she had requested had been delivered.
On her way to her room, she was intercepted by Hanabi.
Seeing her adorable little sister, Hinata smiled warmly and handed over the leftovers—a skewer of takoyaki and grilled squid. "Here," she said gently. "Dip it in that sauce; it tastes better that way."
Hanabi's eyes sparkled with trust. She obediently dipped the food in the sauce—only to realize too late that it was pure wasabi.
"Waaaah! Cough—Onee-sama! My mouth's on fire!" Tears streamed down her face as she fanned her tongue desperately.
Hinata covered her mouth, struggling not to laugh. Having lived half her past life as a lonely assassin, she found small, harmless moments like this strangely precious. Being able to tease her little sister—having a family at all—was something she'd once never imagined possible.
After much coaxing and several sips of water, Hanabi finally calmed down. Hinata promised to take her out next time to make up for it.
…
Returning to her room, Hinata picked up one of the new books from her desk and examined the title:
"Introduction to Puppetry."
The rewards from her Homeland system had never disappointed her—Gentle Fist Mastery, Ten Divine Void Strikes, and two stages of Byakugan Optimization. The next promised reward mentioned Wireless Puppet Control, one of the rumored abilities tied to the Tenseigan.