At this moment, Hiroki, who had been sitting formally, stood up, straightened his kimono, and gave Mamoru a gentle smile. "I must go visit a friend now, so please excuse me."
Unlike the serious and distant attitude he had during their first meeting, Hiroki's demeanor was now noticeably softer, even the fine lines around his eyes seemed gentler.
"Thanks, old man." Mamoru waved his hand casually. "For letting us stay here for the next few days."
"Don't mention it. Komatsu is my junior, and you are his saviours. Naturally, I must treat you well." Hiroki nodded slightly, then turned and left.
"Where is Komatsu?" Mamoru looked at Kurenai, tilting his head.
Kurenai explained softly, "He went to the Trading Firm early this morning to handle business. Since he just took over the Trading Firm, there must be a pile of messes waiting for him to clean up."
She paused, adding, "Before he left, he specifically asked me to tell you: 'I won't forget our agreement. Please bear with me for a few days, and I will certainly fulfill my promise.'"
"Oh, got it." Mamoru replied carelessly.
Then, as if remembering something, a cold smirk appeared on his lips. "What about that Tiroshi? Is he dead yet?"
"His name is Hiroshi." Kurenai corrected him helplessly, letting out a soft sigh.
"Komatsu doesn't intend to kill him, he's just placed him under house arrest."
"Too soft-hearted." Mamoru snorted coldly, a hint of disapproval flashing in his eyes.
Most of the past that Hiroshi recounted about himself and Okawara was actually fabricated by him. Looking later, he heard another version from Komatsu.
There was only ever one heir to the Nishimura Family, and that was Komatsu's father, Okawara.
Hiroshi, born to a concubine, had no right of inheritance at all, and the supposed sibling rivalry was completely made up.
And the woman named Sakura, who was Komatsu's birth mother, had never actually interacted with Hiroshi. Everything was merely his one-sided obsession and delusion.
Before he could fully process the absurdity of it, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Mamoru."
Mamoru snapped back to attention and looked up at Kurenai standing nearby. "What is it?"
Kurenai said, crossing her arms and looking directly at him, getting straight to the point, "I have a mission to give you next."
Mamoru raised his bandaged right hand. "Are you kidding me? Can't you see I'm injured?"
Kurenai sighed helplessly. "I'm not asking you to complete it right now."
Mamoru pouted. "Fine. Tell me what the mission is first. If it's too troublesome, you should just find someone else."
Kurenai tried to make her tone sound more persuasive. "This mission might be complicated for others, but for you, it shouldn't be difficult."
Mamoru raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Is that so? Tell me first."
Kurenai stated calmly, "Train Hinata for me."
Mamoru thought he had misheard, and instinctively dug at his ear, letting out an incredulous sound. "Huh!?"
Kurenai lowered her voice, glancing outside the room. "That child came to me today saying she wanted to become stronger. She was probably motivated by not being able to help much during this mission."
Mamoru raised his hand to interrupt her. "Wait! Why me?"
"Though I hate to admit it, since you are more proficient in Taijutsu than I am, you are clearly better suited to instruct Hinata."
Kurenai paused, her tone becoming subtle. "Besides, I have a feeling... you might have a way to help that child."
Mamoru scratched his head. "Don't make it sound so simple. Besides, I've never taught anyone before. How am I supposed to know how to instruct her?"
"This is a perfect chance for you to experience what it's like to be a teacher." Kurenai adopted an expression that said, 'I'm doing this for your own good.'
"Should I thank you then?" Mamoru retorted grumpily.
"You're welcome." Kurenai smiled. "Just practice with Hinata and offer some guidance when appropriate."
"Do you really think anyone can instruct the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist?" Mamoru couldn't help but ask back.
"Stop talking nonsense, this task is yours." Kurenai dropped her smile, her tone implying no refusal. "Otherwise, in the mission report when we return, I'll write that you disregarded your superior's orders and acted on your own."
"Are you joking!" Mamoru nearly jumped up. "You want me to go back to the Ninja Academy and retake the course?"
"If you don't want that, then just follow orders obediently." Kurenai added lightly.
The image of himself sitting in the same classroom as brats like Konohamaru instantly flashed through Mamoru's mind, making him shiver.
"Fine, whatever, I'm just idle anyway." He finally conceded reluctantly.
Having said that, he stood up and walked straight outside.
"Where are you going?" Kurenai asked behind him.
"Didn't you say I should help Hinata train?" Mamoru said without turning around. "I'll go test her current strength first."
"Wait, is your hand okay?" Kurenai looked worriedly at his right hand.
"It's fine, I can manage with one hand." Mamoru waved his hand dismissively.
Walking out of the room, he went behind Hinata and lightly patted her shoulder. Hinata turned around, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Spar with me." Mamoru said straightforwardly.
Hinata had vaguely overheard the conversation between Kurenai and Mamoru just now. Regarding her teacher's decision, she felt both gratitude and apprehension.
"Mhm." Hinata quietly agreed and stood up.
Suddenly catching sight of Mamoru's exposed chest, her face instantly turned crimson, and it looked as if smoke was rising from her head.
"Idiot!" Kurenai quickly walked out of the room and smacked the back of Mamoru's head angrily. "At least change your clothes before coming out."
Mamoru looked down at his loose and casual sleepwear. It really wasn't appropriate.
—
When Mamoru reappeared in the courtyard wearing his usual clothes, Hinata was already waiting in the yard.
"Don't hold back at all, just attack me." Mamoru adjusted the sunglasses on his nose, a casual smile on his lips.
"I... I understand." Hinata replied quietly, but her gaze involuntarily drifted elsewhere, unable to meet his eyes.
Seeing this, Mamoru frowned imperceptibly. "You can start now."
"Yes."
Hinata formed hand seals with both hands and shouted softly, "Byakugan!"
Veins bulged around her eyes, and she adopted the standard starting stance of the Gentle Fist.
"Come on."
Mamoru raised his uninjured left hand, signaling her to attack.
...
A moment later, Mamoru returned to the room, his brows furrowed, his face etched with confusion.
"It's over already?" Kurenai was surprised.
Only a few minutes had passed since she noticed the two beginning to spar.
"What do you mean 'already'!?" Mamoru's reaction suddenly became very agitated. "I'm super persistent, okay."
Kurenai was startled by his sudden outburst, confused, and asked, "Weren't you helping Hinata train?"
"I don't think I'm suitable. You should find someone else to instruct Hinata." Mamoru scratched his temple with his finger, looking troubled.
"What happened?"
This was the first time Kurenai had seen such a mix of helplessness and embarrassment on his face.
"It's hard to explain." Mamoru sighed, turned around, and walked outside again.