"I really am... looking forward to it more and more!"
---
"Brother, hurry up! Guy-sensei is already at the training ground!"
The ever-energetic Tenten stood with her hands on her hips, a bright smile on her face as she urged Tian Yu to get moving.
"Don't get too proud just because you had the best results in the last physical test! Lee and I will catch up to you soon!"
"Understood."
Tian Yu placed the custom kunai he had forged into his storage ring, then changed into his training clothes before following Tenten towards Konoha's training ground.
On his right index finger, he wore a silver-white ring—the primary Na Ring he had successfully forged a month ago.
After binding it with his blood, Tian Yu became the sole owner of the ring. No one but him could access its storage. To others, it appeared to be just an ordinary ring, but within it, Tian Yu stored the three custom kunai he had previously forged, along with shuriken, explosive tags, and other ninja tools for emergencies.
However, he had only managed to create a single primary Na Ring. The two-star difficulty of the forging process meant it was exceptionally challenging, and his success had been partly due to luck. Additionally, one of the key materials—moonstone—was rare. While not expensive, it wasn't commonly stocked, and after several failed forging attempts, Tian Yu had exhausted his supply.
For now, he had to wait for his parents to return from their business in the Land of Iron with more materials.
---
"Brother, did you hear that? A strange noise?"
On their way to the training ground, Tenten suddenly halted, her sharp senses picking up something unusual.
"This way," Tian Yu nodded. He had also heard the sound and quickly pinpointed its source.
"Let's check it out!"
Without hesitation, the ever-curious Tenten grabbed Tian Yu's arm and pulled him in the direction of the noise.
---
Soon, they came upon a distressing scene.
A young girl with short dark-blue hair and pure white Byakugan eyes was backed into a corner, trembling. Tears welled in her eyes, her small frame curled inward as if trying to disappear. Surrounding her were several older boys, around eight or nine years old, sneering and taunting her.
"Look at her freaky white eyes!"
"She's a monster! A cursed Hyuga!"
"If we defeat the monster, we'll be heroes of Konoha! Let's go!"
One of the boys raised his fist, preparing to strike.
"STOP!"
Tenten rushed forward without hesitation, planting herself between the girl and the bullies. Arms spread wide, she glared at the group, her voice full of righteous fury.
"You're not allowed to bully people! Or you'll all be in big trouble!"
The boys hesitated for a moment before regaining their arrogance. They laughed at Tenten, their eyes filled with amusement.
"Trouble? You think you can stop us, wild girl?"
"You're not even bigger than us!"
Tenten huffed, unfazed. "If you want to fight me, you'll have to get through my brother first!"
She pointed directly at Tian Yu, who stood behind them, watching with a bored expression.
Tian Yu: "???"
Sister, is this your idea of 'seeing injustice and drawing your sword to help'?
The boys turned to see Tian Yu, their confidence unshaken.
"Brothers, get him!"
The group lunged forward, fists raised.
Tian Yu sighed. "Boring. Who has time to fight kids?"
With a flick of his wrist, a sharp gleam flashed in his hands—shuriken.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of slicing air filled the alleyway as the shuriken zipped past the boys, barely grazing their cheeks, sleeves, and pants, leaving small cuts on their clothing and light scratches on their skin.
Tian Yu had measured his strength precisely, ensuring the cuts were minor—just enough to instill fear.
As expected, the moment they felt the sting and saw the shuriken embedded in the walls around them, their bravado shattered.
One of the boys hesitantly touched his cheek, feeling warmth. Looking at his fingers, he saw red.
"B-blood?! I'm bleeding!"
Panic spread like wildfire.
"My arm! I'm bleeding!"
"Murder! Someone's trying to kill us!"
"MOM! SAVE ME!"
With a cacophony of screams and tears, the boys scrambled away, their earlier arrogance replaced by sheer terror.
Tenten turned and gently helped the girl stand.
"Don't be afraid! Those jerks are gone now! My name is Tenten, what's yours?"
"M-my name is Hinata… Hinata Hyuga," the girl whispered, her Byakugan eyes still wide with shock. She slowly turned her gaze toward Tian Yu.
"That's my brother, Tian Yu," Tenten said proudly. "He's really strong!~~"
"T-thank you, Tian Yu-kun…"
Hinata lowered her head, her cheeks flushing red. She felt as if he radiated a dazzling light, like a prince from a fairy tale. Just glancing at him made her heart pound faster.
"Why are you here alone?" Tian Yu asked.
His voice was calm, yet to Hinata, it sounded incredibly gentle. Her face burned even hotter, and she shyly mumbled, "I-I got lost…"
"The Hyuga Compound isn't far from here," Tian Yu mused. "We'll take you back."
Tenten raised an eyebrow. Huh?
Her brother usually hated unnecessary trouble, yet today, he was volunteering to escort this girl home?
Could it be… Tian Yu had taken a liking to this timid Hyuga girl?!