"Medical Ninjutsu?"
Hiashi's eyebrows slightly twitched in surprise.
At twelve years old, he had already mastered Medical Ninjutsu?
Then he recalled Hyūga Kō's earlier words — even Lord Third seemed to favor the boy — and his gaze narrowed as he pondered the situation.
But no matter how much he thought about it, nothing note-worthy came to mind.
Is he truly a child of civilian background?
Yet, the chakra reserves visible within Ryuku's body clearly spoke otherwise — they were pitifully low. Even Hanabi, at just seven years old, had three times his amount, and the gap with Hinata was even greater.
Hmph... No matter how much a worm wriggles, its fate is still to be preyed upon once it leaves the underground...
For now, he chose to simply observe from afar.
But if Ryuku so much as showed the slightest hint of inappropriate intent toward his daughters...
He would not hesitate to break the boy's limbs — even if the Hokage himself favored him.
----
"Alright, I'm done," Ryuku said with a smile, deactivating his Mystical Palm Technique, a little amused by Hanabi's look of surprise as he healed all the bruised and bloodied fingers in a matter of seconds. "See? Good as new, just like I told you."
The dark-brown-haired girl, seated on the wooden corridor, stared at her little hands — now fully healed and free of pain — and nodded her head ever so slightly, almost unconsciously. It was as if she didn't want to admit it, but the noble etiquette etched into her bones betrayed any possibility of reluctance.
Standing a few steps away, Hinata leaned back against a pillar, her fluttering gaze switching between Ryuku's smile and Hanabi's hands. Whatever the reason, she couldn't help but feel a strange emotion stirring within her — something that made her feel distant, uncomfortable.
Why did she feel so uncomfortable?
Was it because Ryuku healed her sister's hands?
Was it gratitude? No... it wasn't that.
The feeling gnawed at her, too familiar to ignore yet something she desperately tried to deny.
I'm jealous?
Was she?
"No," she unknowingly blurted aloud, her pale lavender eyes widening as if she had seen something terrifying.
Ryuku and Hanabi immediately turned to her. The former asked in a gentle tone, "Hinata? Is something wrong?" while the latter wore a worried expression.
Nee-san's acting strange...
Hinata's face flushed in embarrassment as she shook her head swiftly. Remaining quiet as usual but feeling awkward, she decided to return to her room immediately — though not before giving a small nod toward Ryuku.
"I'll see you at 12:30 then..."
She heard his calm voice, and her body flinched briefly.
"Mm," she barely hummed, almost inaudibly, and rushed inside the main residence without looking back.
Was she feeling left out? Or was it jealousy...?
Well, either was fine. As long as it helped her overcome her hesitation and other issues...
A gentle breeze blew through the Hyūga residence, cooling his sweat-soaked body.
Damn, I need a bath...
"You reek," Hanabi said bluntly, clenching her nose without hesitation — unlike her sister.
Oh...
A teasing smile played at Ryuku's lips as he replied flatly, "And how are you so sure it's coming from me?"
Hanabi's sharp eyes narrowed at him, only to pause a moment later, realizing he might have a point. Feeling defeated, she stood up and walked away, muttering loudly, "Pervert," her smirk hidden beneath her tone.
"..."
Her character is so different from Hinata's... Are they really sisters? Haha...
Shaking his head slightly, he then glanced toward a particular direction and offered a respectful nod with the grace of a noble before vanishing with a Body Flicker.
Inside the Main Hall, Hiashi clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Damn brat knew it all along."
Still, he couldn't help but acknowledge — if only slightly — the boy's talent and discipline, regardless of his civilian background.
To detect his presence, despite the twenty meters or so between them, and through both doors and wooden walls... Was Ryuku a Sensory-type Ninja too?
What's Hokage-sama planning?
A civilian background brat, with reserves far behind someone from a Ninja clan's lineage, catching the attention of the strongest Ninja in the village?
Suspicious.
There must be something unique about this Genin, something that justifies the interest of someone as sharp-minded as the Third Hokage. Unless...
"Unless his raw talent is... even beyond someone like the Fourth Hokage."
Was this brat, Ryuku, truly someone of that caliber?
Hiashi fell silent, his mind quickly connecting the dots, and arriving at a final conclusion.
I'll have someone monitor his movements, secretly.
His gaze turned serious, and he muttered aloud, "If his talent is worth nurturing..."
----
Phew... What intense chakra pressure that old man was giving off... I could barely breathe under the weight of his Byakugan's pressure. Though he says Hinata is useless or doesn't meet their clan standards without any shred of emotion, his overprotective nature clearly shows the fatherly love he has for his two daughters.
From his actions, it was likely he was implying: Have any ill thoughts about my daughters and you're dead...
Ryuku contemplated with a dark gaze, his face devoid of any emotion.
The feeling of being at someone else's mercy was not a good feeling, especially for someone like him, who deeply cherished his freedom above all else.
Thankfully, Hiashi wasn't petty. He couldn't harm a Genin who simply helped both his daughters without asking for anything in return.
However, it was a different story for Ryuku. His extreme anger over his stupid fate was clearly masked by his poker face as he moved across Konoha's roofs with a speed twice as fast as when he had carried Hinata earlier.
No need to think any more about the Hyūga clan...
Clearing his mind, he began to focus on his next actions.
I guess it's time to give Hiruzen another shock... Let's see how the monkey reacts this evening, heh...
Arriving at the hospital shortly after, he landed outside the entrance and quickly went in to inform Hosho about his leave for the day.
Yet, as he tried to move, he suddenly stumbled, nearly falling down if not for the wall beside him.
What the...
Using the wall for support, he looked down and immediately frowned as he noticed his legs trembling with such intensity, as if there were an earthquake beneath him.
Shit... Strain on chakra networks...