Chapter 149: The Results of the Training

Chapter 149: The Results of the Training

Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

Dialogue

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 149: The Results of the Training

Three weeks later, Hyuga Compound

"What have you been doing all this time?!" Lord Hiashi was not amused upon their return.

"Training, remember? We had a deal that I would train her for a month. It's only been three weeks, and you sent her to bring us back." Naruto pointed at the Hyuga attendant standing beside Hiashi.

In truth, Naruto had planned to return around this time anyway. Jiraiya was expected to arrive soon, which meant Naruto could finally leave the village for a while.

So, when Asami, Hinata's personal attendant, arrived and informed them that her father wanted to see them, Naruto wasn't particularly bothered.

"I haven't forgotten that," Hiashi replied, "but you took her to the Forest of Death...for two weeks!" he said with evident anger in his voice.

The Hyuga Lord would never admit it, but he'd been worried sick about his daughter's safety in that forest, even though he made sure that someone was always watching over her.

"So? It was the best place to go. After all, we weren't allowed to leave the village," Naruto explained.

Initially, he'd planned on taking Hinata outside to do some hunting or even attack a few bandit camps. However, he hadn't been allowed to take one step beyond the village walls.

Naruto found himself in a difficult position. His team had been dissolved after Sakura's death, and Kakashi had resigned from his position as Jonin Sensei. Team Seven was no longer active, leaving Naruto as a genin without a team.

On top of that, he was the Jinchuuriki, and a dangerous group of criminals was out to capture him.

Without substantial protection, he wasn't allowed outside the village, at least not until Jiraiya returned and officially took him as a disciple, or until he reached Chuunin rank.

Because of this, he'd chosen the Forest of Death as their training location. He needed a place where he could experience real combat, and the forest was filled with dangerous creatures.

If he declared Hanabi as the heir, the elders would likely push to place the cursed seal on Hinata. But he wouldn't permit it.

'I'll fight them if I have to... I just want my daughter to be happy. If the ninja life isn't for her, then we'll find another path,' Hiashi resolved.

But he didn't want to jump to conclusions. Seeing Hinata's confident posture and demeanor sparked a glimmer of hope in the Hyuga Lord. It was as if all her previous doubts had been washed away.

Hiashi glanced at Naruto, who was calmly seated on a cushion, sipping tea. "Why is she there?..." His eyes moved to the person next to Naruto.

"Are we ready to begin, my lord?" A clan member, acting as the referee, approached Hiashi.

Pushing his concerns aside, Hiashi addressed the man. "Yes, ehm...go ahead."

"Very well..." The referee looked over at Neji and Hinata, who had already taken their positions.

Neji eyed Hinata with curiosity. Much like Hiashi, he'd immediately noticed there was something different about her.

And he wasn't the only one.

"What did you do to my sister? She seems... different," Hanabi asked, seated next to Naruto.

"You'll see soon enough. Now, pour me more tea, Firecracker," Naruto said, moving his cup closer to her.

The young girl furrowed her eyebrows. "You idiot! My name is Hanabi, not Firecracker!"

"Is that the way to address me?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Ugh... you're insufferable," Hanabi grumbled, though she still poured him tea.

The referee then explained the rules of the duel: the participants were restricted to using only Hyuga clan techniques, and no outside jutsu was permitted. Other than that, he didn't put in place any restrictions. After all, he knew that his Lord would want to push his daughter to her current limits.

With a gesture, the referee announced, "This duel can... begin!"

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