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As Neji stepped through the corridor of the Hyuga compound, the faint echoes of two familiar voices caught his attention.
He stopped, pausing just outside the training hall. Inside, two distinct auras danced Hinata, calm and focused, and Hanabi, fiery and unpredictable.
He didn't enter just yet. Instead, he observed in silence, letting the rhythm of their sparring speak.
Hinata's style had transformed.
No longer the hesitant girl who once trembled on the battlefield she now stood firm like a mountain against a storm. Neji's teachings had taken root. She fought with grace, absorbing and redirecting every strike with the fluid calm of the sea.
Across from her, Hanabi was a blazing contrast aggressive, creative, bold. Her movements carried the unorthodox flair of someone who had secretly copied Neji's teachings from the shadows, mixing them with her own flair.
She was wild and unpredictable, sometimes brilliant, sometimes chaotic, but always dangerous.
Unfortunately for Hanabi, Hinata had become the immovable object of her unstoppable force.
With a final burst of effort, Hanabi lunged only to collapse to the floor with a dramatic huff.
"Ugh! You're cheating! That was totally unfair!" she groaned.
Hinata offered a sheepish smile, dabbing her forehead with a towel. "I'm sorry…"
Hanabi rolled over, arms sprawled, clearly faking exhaustion now. "Whatever. I'll beat you next time. Just you wait."
Then, her expression softened.
"…I wonder how Neji-nii is doing."
Hinata sat down beside her sister, gazing quietly at the ceiling.
"I'm sure he's doing something important. He'll come back to us, like always."
Hanabi clenched her tiny fists. "Of course, he will! Neji-nii never loses!"
---
Outside, Neji smiled.
Good. They're doing well.
He stepped into the room, voice gentle but warm.
"I'm back."
"NEJI-NII!!!"
Hanabi shot up like a bullet and launched herself at him, all teeth and hugs.
Thankfully, she didn't use her full-body tackle this time. Neji caught her effortlessly, chuckling as he ruffled her hair.
"Welcome home!" Hinata added, bowing respectfully, her face alight with happiness.
From within Neji's arms, Hanabi peeked out and grinned. "Sis, aren't you gonna hug him too? He's finally back!"
Bonk!
A light chop from Neji silenced her teasing.
"You're still too small for that. Hinata's a grown-up now she has to be more refined."
Hinata flushed crimson, frozen mid-step.
I-I was going to…
Hanabi shot her brother a curious glance.
Wait… doesn't he know Father already made that decision?
---
The three of them soon sat outside along the wooden veranda, the siblings chatting under the soft rustle of leaves.
Neji finally revealed the good news: his eyes would recover soon.
Both sisters were ecstatic.
Hanabi practically bounced. "That's amazing! I can't believe those old geezers finally gave in! Miracles do happen!"
Hinata nodded, her joy evident. "They used to say it was against the clan's rules. I'm so glad… Neji-nii, you'll be stronger than ever."
Neji blinked. 'Wait… they mentioned this before?'
Apparently, his self-inflicted blindness after Hizashi's death had shaken Hiashi deeply and moved the elders enough to reconsider tradition.
Hanabi leaned forward, chin in hand.
"So… how long till your eyes are fully healed?"
"Not too long. Just a little more rest," Neji replied.
"And then you'll finally get to see how pretty I've become! Hehehe."
Neji chuckled, poking her cheek.
"I've always known you're cute. Just… you could care a bit more about brushing your hair."
"Hey! That's my aesthetic!" she pouted.
"Messy is a style!"
He laughed again. She's such a handful.
Neji had only ever seen her through blurred chakra vision never truly with his own eyes. He missed the year she was born. He hadn't even seen her baby face with his own sight.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said warmly. "To see both of you properly."
Hanabi beamed. "Then just wait! You're gonna be blown away!"
"And I'm a little beauty now too," she added smugly.
Hinata sighed. "Hanabi…"
The younger girl simply winked and gave her sister a few subtle hand signs.
Hinata understood—and blushed deeper.
Neji smiled softly.
They've grown so much. Has it really been eight years?
"Hinata, you used to be so small. And now…"
"Neji-nii!"
"Right, right." He held up his hands in surrender. "I'm just proud. That's all."
---
After a bit more teasing and laughter, Neji stood up.
"It's been a while since we sparred. You two come at me together."
Hinata and Hanabi shared a look.
Excitement sparked in their eyes.
---
One hour later.
Two sisters collapsed, panting, flat on the floor.
Neji stood above them, only slightly winded But just slightly.
Hinata had become a master of endurance and defense. She held out long enough to blunt even Neji's edge.
Hanabi was pure chaos her surprise strikes nearly tagged Neji more than once. If not for her low stamina, things might've gone differently.
But together?
Together they'd pushed him to the limit.
He could see it clearly: One day, when their growth caught up to their creativity, he might actually lose.
"Not bad," Neji said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Very not bad."
I've taught them almost everything I can. The rest… is up to them now.
---
As Neji departed for the lab, the sisters remained on the mat.
Hanabi groaned. "Ugh. So close!"
"Next time," she vowed, punching the air. "We'll get him for sure. We just need a better plan."
Hinata smiled. "We'll train harder. Together."
Their eyes gleamed with shared determination.
Sister tag-team.
Unbreakable.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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