Chapter 3: Neji Hyuga

As I stepped onto the training grounds, I took my stance. Neji was indeed a tough opponent, just as Dad had warned; each of his strikes was perfect.

Three days passed, and I still couldn't land three perfect hits on Neji, but I did manage two, and every day the count reset. It was the fourth day, and I hadn't landed a single hit on Neji yet. I could keep up with him but couldn't make contact.

During our fight, Neji suddenly stopped attacking and said, "Do you think I'm a joke? Why won't you use your Byakugan? It's been four days, and you still haven't activated it once. Is it because I'm from the branch family?"

I scratched the back of my head and replied, "Oh, sorry. It's because I don't like how I look when I activate my Byakugan, so please forgive me. But I won't be using it in our fight."

As we continued, I sensed Neji growing angrier with each attack. I seized the opportunity and landed three perfect hits on him.

With a smile, I said to Neji, "Thanks for the training. Bye!" before running off to find Naruto.

As I stepped onto the training grounds, I took my stance. Neji was indeed a tough opponent, just as Dad had warned; each of his strikes was perfect.

Three days passed, and I still couldn't land three perfect hits on Neji, but I did manage two, and every day the count reset. It was the fourth day, and I hadn't landed a single hit on Neji yet. I could keep up with him but couldn't make contact.

During our fight, Neji suddenly stopped attacking and said, "Do you think I'm a joke? Why won't you use your Byakugan? It's been four days, and you still haven't activated it once. Is it because I'm from the branch family?"

I scratched the back of my head and replied, "Oh, sorry. It's because I don't like how I look when I activate my Byakugan, so please forgive me. But I won't be using it in our fight."

As we continued, I sensed Neji growing angrier with each attack. I seized the opportunity and landed three perfect hits on him.

With a smile, I said to Neji, "Thanks for the training. Bye!" before running off to find Naruto.

I found Naruto looking at a mask. Deciding to buy it as a gift, I waited for him to leave. When the shopkeeper started yelling at him and he tripped and fell. The shopkeeper then grabbed the mask and threw it at Naruto. I barely caught it as I appeared in front of Naruto, saying, "Hello, sir. I'm Hinoka Hyuga. I don't think a grown man should be throwing things at a kid. I mean, what if you had hurt him? Anyway, I would like to buy this mask and that one, please." I said with a smile.

The shopkeeper looked surprised and a bit afraid. "Y-You're Hinoka Hyuga, heiress to the Hyuga clan, the first Hyuga to awaken the Byakugan at the age of 3, and just after that, knocking out an experienced ninja. Claimed to be a child prodigy. Of course, in fact, you can have the mask for free."

With a smile on my face I said, "How kind of you. And one more thing, if you ever think of hurting this boy again, you're dead. Well, bye!" leaving the shopkeeper frozen in fear as I turned to Naruto.

I offered him my hand to help him up, he took it, and we left. Naruto invited me his house, which was a mess he then told me that he lives alone. I gave the mask to him, saying, "It's for you. I'll take the second one."

Naruto smiled and accepted the mask, while I took the second one. He then prepared some instant ramen for us.

As we were waiting for it to be done, I asked Naruto if he was always treated like that.

Naruto looked taken a back by my question as he said, "Kind of."

"Well, if anyone else ever tries to bully you again, just tell me, and I'll beat them up," I said with a smile.

Naruto laughed, his smile returning, and said, "I bet no one wants to fight with you, Hinoka. Thanks."

As we both laughed, I said, "No problem, that's what friends are for." We ate the instant ramen, talked, pulled a prank on the shopkeeper, and then I had to go home.