CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116

"What are you guys doing for summer vacation?" Ino asked, her curiosity shining as she skipped alongside Choji and Shikamaru.

"Sleep," Shikamaru replied with a long yawn.

The recent practical training and the nightmare that was Shadow Sewing Jutsu had drained him to the bone—mentally and physically. Summer vacation was, in his mind, invented for napping.

"Eat," Chōji said around a mouthful of potato chips, as if that explained everything.

Ino stared at the two of them, utterly exasperated. "Seriously? Don’t you have any ambition at all?"

"What ambition do I need?" Shikamaru said earnestly, hands tucked behind his head. "Life’s short. Best thing you can do is enjoy it."

"You’re six," Ino deadpanned. "You don’t get to talk like some retired old man."

"Almost seven," Shikamaru corrected lazily. "And after surviving Kitazawa-sensei’s training, I’ve already grasped the meaning of life."

Chōji licked the salt from his fingers and turned to Ino. "So, what about you? Got any plans?"

"Training!" Ino clenched her tiny fists, determination blazing.

Shikamaru side-eyed her. "Hopeless. Completely beyond saving."

"What do you mean hopeless? I’m gonna crush Sakura this summer!" Ino declared with fiery resolve. "She’ll be buried in double the homework by the time I’m done!"

"Scary woman," Shikamaru muttered under his breath.

He knew exactly what she meant. Ino’s summer "training" involved sparring with Sakura. Ino would attack with the Mind Body Switch, Sakura would heal whatever got sprained or bruised, and whoever lost the most matches had to double their homework.

Given Sakura’s absurd talent for medical ninjutsu, Ino lost... a lot.

"I’m home," Ino said, waving as she split off toward the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

"See ya," Chōji called.

Not long after, Shikamaru trudged through the door of the Nara household.

"You’re back, and you didn’t even say anything?" Shikaku called from the living room, raising an eyebrow.

"No energy," Shikamaru mumbled, kicking off his sandals.

"You’re so lazy you can’t even say ’I’m home’ now?" Yoshino emerged from the kitchen, arms crossed, her glare sharp enough to pin him to the wall.

Shikamaru quickly changed the subject. "Why are you both home already?"

"Finished early today," Shikaku said, grinning as he held out his hand. "Well? Hand it over."

"Hand over what?" Shikamaru flopped onto the sofa—then froze as his mother’s eyes narrowed. He sat up ramrod straight.

"Your report card," Shikaku said dryly. "Today was your final exam, wasn’t it?"

"It’s gonna be sixty again," Yoshino huffed, though her eyes betrayed her curiosity.

"Not necessarily," Shikaku said, a teasing smile on his face. "I have some faith in Kitazawa."

Shikamaru squinted. "...Wait. Kitazawa-sensei’s threat to me—was that your idea?"

"What threat?" Shikaku blinked in genuine confusion.

"Never mind," Shikamaru muttered, handing over his report card with mock dignity. "Just so you know, this summer... no one’s allowed to bother me."

Shikaku unfolded the paper—and froze.

"...Huh."

"What is it?" Yoshino leaned in, her curiosity spiking despite herself.

"First place in theory. Fifth in practical," Shikaku said slowly, as if reading a foreign language.

Yoshino rubbed her eyes. "Is this... actually our son’s report card?"

"Yep." Shikamaru sounded bored.

"This isn’t like you at all!" Yoshino exclaimed. "How did you jump from barely passing to first place?"

"What’s so strange about that?" Shikamaru replied, feigning innocence. "I’m a Nara. Being smart comes naturally."

"Then why were you scoring sixties before?" Yoshino’s voice sharpened.

"I was... young and ignorant back then," Shikamaru said solemnly, hands raised in surrender. "From now on, I’ll listen to you in everything, Mom."

Yoshino’s expression softened despite herself. He had done well this time, after all.

"But why only fifth in the practical exam? You even learned the Shadow Imitation Technique!" she pressed.

Shikamaru twitched. "Because my class is full of monsters, that’s why!"

Shikaku chuckled and began listing the names—Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Shino Aburame, Ino Yamanaka.

"No wonder..." Yoshino murmured. Against a lineup like that, fifth place was practically a medal.

She also knew who Naruto really was—the son of the Fourth Hokage. There was no way that boy would be mediocre.

"But I have to admit, hiring Kitazawa as a home tutor was worth every ryō," Yoshino said, satisfied.

"That was Hokage-sama’s suggestion," Shikaku said with a smirk. "I wouldn’t have thought of it on my own."

"Huh?" Shikamaru’s face went blank.

So the real culprit behind his suffering... was the Third Hokage himself.

"In any case, we’re hiring Kitazawa again next semester," Yoshino said firmly. "No objections."

"Of course," Shikaku agreed.

Shikamaru opened his mouth, then shut it again. If he argued, they might invite Kitazawa over tomorrow

, and his entire summer would evaporate.

’Forget it. Future me can deal with the pain. Present me... is going to enjoy this nap.’

—

"Rice balls, rice balls... all rice balls~"

Hinata hummed her self-made rice ball song as she skipped lightly down the street, a rare smile on her face. On a whim, she changed the lyrics mid-tune:

"Sensei... Kitazawa-sensei is the best~!"

She kept humming happily until she reached the gates of the Hyūga compound.

Though she had grown braver in recent months, the strict rules of the clan were ingrained in her. Her steps slowed, posture straightening, and she slipped quietly into the courtyard.

’Father isn’t here...?’

She glanced around but saw no sign of Hiashi.

The Uchiha clan leader, Fugaku, was often away on Military Police duties—but the Hyūga were different. They held no official Konoha positions. Main House members, wary of the Byakugan’s secrets leaking, rarely left the compound except during wartime.

’He’s probably in the study.’

Hinata started toward her room, but a thought made her pause. Taking a small breath, she turned and padded toward the study door. She hesitated for a heartbeat, then knocked.

"Come in."

Hiashi’s deep voice resonated from inside.

"Father," she said softly as she slid the door open, kneeling neatly before him.

"You’re back," he said with a slight nod. "How did you perform in the exam?"

Ever since she had awakened her Byakugan, his attitude toward her had shifted—less cold, more expectant.

"Third place," Hinata answered, voice quiet but clear.

"Only third?" Hiashi’s brows lifted.

In his eyes, she had already mastered the first four strikes of the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. With that, she should have dominated the Academy.

"The top two were... Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke," she admitted, a touch of embarrassment in her tone. "I’m... still behind them."

Hiashi fell silent for a moment.

Uzumaki... Uchiha.

He immediately understood.

Naruto, son of the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki.

Sasuke, son of Uchiha Fugaku and brother to the prodigy, Itachi.

It was reasonable that Hinata, still new to her own strength, could not yet surpass those heirs.

"You do have great talent," Hiashi said at last, his voice measured. "But your training time has been short. Do not be discouraged. If you focus this summer, next semester you may surpass them."

The Hyūga name was no less prestigious than Uzumaki or Uchiha. In Hiashi’s view, Hinata’s late awakening was the only reason she lagged behind.

"Mm." Hinata nodded softly. "With Kitazawa-sensei’s guidance... I’ll work hard to catch up."

Hiashi allowed a faint chuckle. "What could an outsider possibly teach you about Gentle Fist?"

But Hinata’s face grew serious. "Kitazawa-sensei... knows a lot. He’s helped me improve."

Hiashi studied her for a long moment, then changed the topic.

"Starting tomorrow, you’ll stay home. I will personally drill you in Gentle Fist every day."

"I... I have to attend Kitazawa-sensei’s summer training during the day," she said hesitantly.

Hiashi’s frown deepened. "What use is training with an outsider? I do not approve."

"No!"

The word burst out before Hinata could stop herself.

Hiashi blinked. This was... the first time his daughter had defied him.

Realizing what she had done, Hinata’s heart pounded. Her small hands trembled on her knees—but she didn’t back down.

"I already promised Kitazawa-sensei. I... I can’t break my word," she said, summoning all the courage she had. "You taught me to keep my promises."

Silence fell.

To his own surprise, Hiashi felt... pleased. For the future clan head to have her own will was a good sign, even if the reason for her defiance was peculiar.

"...Very well," he said at last, voice deep. "You may go. But if your Gentle Fist is hindered in any way, the training ends immediately."

Hinata bowed low, relief washing over her. "Yes, Father."

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