Naruto: Wood-Wood Fruit

At that moment—

At the Hyuga house.

On a quiet training ground—

Thud…. thud….

Huff…. ha…

Two figures, one large and one small, were locked in an intense sparring match, skillfully exchanging blows. 

Nearby, a graceful woman held the hand of a young girl with long hair, who looked about four years old, both watching with keen interest.

What stood out was that each of them shared the same pure white eyes.

"Such a big improvement in just one afternoon."

Blocking his daughter's strikes with ease, Hiashi's gaze remained fixed on the young girl, who continued her rapid onslaught.

He couldn't hide his surprise. Could his eldest daughter, usually so timid and lacking in skill, have suddenly had a breakthrough?

"Forgive me, Father."

Veins pulsed near Hinata's eyes as she focused intently, her pale eyes brimming with determination. 

She shifted into a stance, and an invisible field of the Eight Trigrams formed around her father, Hiashi.

"Eight Trigrams: Thirty-Two Palms."

She moved with sudden swiftness, her Byakugan's 360-degree view locking onto her father with precision. Her hands shot out, launching attacks that fell like a torrential storm.

"Two Palms! Four Palms! Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms!"

Thud…. thud….

"What?"

Hiashi's eyes contracted as he blocked his daughter's strikes. 

Despite the ease with which he countered her attacks, their difference in strength made him feel secure, even slightly impressed. However, the look on his face revealed his shock.

If he hadn't known his daughter so well, if he hadn't assigned guards to discreetly keep an eye on her, he might have suspected that she'd been holding back all along. 

Perhaps his harsh scolding today had pushed her to stop hiding her true abilities.

"Thirty-Two Palms!"

With the final strike, a sweat-drenched Hinata stood, catching her breath in deep gulps.

"Nee-chan is amazing—" gasped the little girl by the woman's side, her eyes wide with admiration.

Since when had her older sister grown this powerful?

"Well done…. It seems you've truly had a breakthrough."

Hiashi looked at his daughter, who was now nearing her limit. 

He forced down his own doubts, nodded with approval, and said.

"You've mastered the Gentle Fist much more than you had this morning, your progress is impressive… Now, this is how a Hyuga heiress should look."

"Yes, Father."

Hinata bowed slightly, hiding her excitement. Her heart was still brimming with joy.

Kiyoshi really was something else. In less than two hours, he'd helped her improve so much.

"Alright, that's enough for today," Hiashi finally said, nodding with rare gentleness. "Get some rest, you have school tomorrow."

Just as he was about to leave, his gaze shifted to his younger daughter, Hanabi, who was standing nearby. A hint of hesitation crossed his face.

He had been contemplating the possibility of designating Hanabi as the Hyuga clan's successor. 

Given Hinata's previously weak aptitude, he had started training Hanabi to ensure the family's future leadership.

This would also serve as an excuse to protect both daughters from the curse of the caged bird seal. 

Yet, with Hinata's sudden growth, his confidence in his eldest was rekindled, though he was now conflicted.

Even as the head of the Hyuga clan, he couldn't simply ignore the clan's centuries-old rules.

Hanabi was already four, and according to tradition, only the eldest child—son or daughter—could inherit the main branch. 

If Hinata became the heiress, Hanabi would inevitably face the same fate as Hiashi's own brother, Hizashi, and be marked with the caged bird seal.

"Perhaps it's best to wait a while and observe further." Hiashi sighed inwardly. Even though Hinata's skill had progressed, he couldn't yet be certain if she'd truly become a genius.

"Nee-chan."

At that moment, four-year-old Hanabi bounded over, taking Hinata's hand, her face filled with joy. Her pale eyes sparkled with admiration.

"You're amazing, Nee-chan. You can do Thirty-Two Palms now. When did you learn it? I didn't even know."

She pouted, feeling slightly left out, as though her sister had kept a secret from her.

"No, no."

Hinata blushed, about to explain to her little sister. Then, remembering something, she paused.

This was a secret between her and Kiyoshi, she wasn't supposed to tell anyone.

"Hmm?" Hiashi, who hadn't yet walked far, caught the hint of their conversation. He glanced back at Hinata, who looked a little anxious, as if fearful he would probe further.

Without saying anything, he turned and left.

---

At the Ishikawa house.

After saying goodbye to Anko, the self-proclaimed seductress, Kiyoshi chatted casually with Karin and her mother for a bit in the living room.

After a refreshing bath, as Kiyoshi was about to relax, he suddenly sensed something.

His figure disappeared from his room in an instant.

"Kurenai-nee."

By the staircase, Kurenai had just returned from a mission when she felt someone grab her from behind. 

She froze, her skin prickling, ready to retaliate. But then a familiar, almost nostalgic voice reached her ears, filling her with a mix of surprise and joy.

"Kiyoshi? You're back?"

"Hehe, it's been a while, Kurenai-nee."

Kiyoshi grinned, embracing her tightly, his face beaming with a touch of mischief. He gently rubbed his face against her, asking in a teasing tone, "Did you miss me?"

"Brat, you've been gone for two years and just now decided to visit me."

Kurenai turned around, looking at the face she remembered, now even more charming and handsome than before. 

Noticing his height nearly matched hers, she couldn't help but smile as she gently touched his cheek.

"You've grown so much… and you look more handsome, too."

Without realizing it, the mischievous kid who used to cling to her had grown into a striking young man.

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