[Uchiha Clan District]
After Naruto left, Hinata came to the training grounds.
She knew the Rengoku here was probably a shadow clone, but Hanabi was here too, and she needed to bring her sister home.
The training grounds were divided into different areas. Since Hinata wanted to deal with the matter concerning her father first, she deliberately avoided Hanabi's area and headed farther inside.
Before she even got there, she noticed it was very bright.
Looking carefully, she realized it was Rengoku's shadow clones training Lightning Release.
Each person had a blazing white glow in their hands, like light bulbs. No wonder it was so bright here.
Yet Hinata couldn't hear a single sound.
She continued forward until she passed through an invisible barrier.
Only then did she hear a dense buzzing noise, like the sharp cries of birds.
Hinata wasn't mentally prepared. The sudden bird-like sounds blasted her ears so hard she felt like she was going deaf.
She quickly stepped back twice, and the noise instantly disappeared from her ears.
Hinata immediately let out a sigh of relief.
But now she wasn't sure how to go in and talk to Rengoku.
Besides the shadow clones, Rengoku had also left behind a dojutsu clone inside, which was used to directly observe the training progress.
When he saw Hinata arrive, he immediately flashed out.
"What's wrong, Hinata? It's so late. Why aren't you resting?", Rengoku asked gently.
All of Hinata's main family relatives were gone. Only she and Hanabi depended on each other.
Rengoku didn't want this child to suffer, so he fully supported Hinata and Hanabi in terms of resources and finances.
When he had first brought Hinata to live here, he often went to see her and Hanabi.
But later, he had been swept away by the Dragon Vein for five years, which had made Hinata somewhat distant.
Hinata bowed to Rengoku, took a deep breath, and told him everything that had happened yesterday and today.
She didn't know that Sota had already come to Rengoku and reported this matter.
"Father was the one who mostly raised Hanabi when she was little. Hanabi feels bad after seeing Uncle and Sota come back."
"I don't know if I can help her through it, so I wanted..."
"I wanted..."
Hinata hesitated awkwardly.
"I wanted to ask if Lord Rengoku has a good way to solve this."
Rengoku rubbed his chin.
Hanabi wasn't even twelve years old yet. She had been close to Hiashi when she was young.
Missing Hiashi now was only natural.
And after seeing Hizashi and Sota return, it was inevitable that she would feel it was unfair.
Although reviving Hiashi would be very simple, the branch family definitely wouldn't agree.
Hiashi was a shackle and also a blade hanging over the Hyuga main family.
"Your father, Hiashi, can't be revived..."
When Rengoku said that, Hinata's eyes dimmed.
"However..."
Rengoku cared a lot about the mental health of the children from the Uchiha kindergarten.
If this wasn't resolved and it remained a knot in their hearts, that wouldn't be good.
Besides, it was only a small matter to him.
"However, there is a secret technique that can temporarily bring Hiashi back. If you want to meet him, that's possible."
Hinata cried out in surprise, and her eyes lit up.
"Really, Lord Rengoku?"
Rengoku smiled and nodded.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Thank you! Thank you, Lord Rengoku!"
Hinata bowed repeatedly. The joy inside her was almost overflowing.
Rengoku patted her hair.
"You child always keep too many things on your mind."
"Remember, when I brought you into the clan, I became an elder to you and Hanabi. If there's something you can't handle, just come to me."
"Even though I was gone for a while, the Uchiha clan has always been your home."
Hinata felt somewhat embarrassed.
Those five years Rengoku was gone had indeed created some distance.
"Then I'll go tell Hanabi the good news. She's training in the practice grounds right now."
Rengoku waved his hand.
"You go back first. I'll handle this matter."
"Then I'll be leaving first, Lord Rengoku."
Rengoku looked at Hinata as if he were unhappy.
"Shouldn't you change the way you address me?"
Hinata froze for a moment.
Thinking of Shion and Hotaru calling him Clan Leader, she understood that Rengoku wasn't concerned about the title itself but wanted to bring them closer.
Hinata bowed, "Clan Leader."
Rengoku nodded slightly and waved with a smile, telling Hinata to leave first.
After Hinata left, Rengoku came to the outer training grounds and quickly found Hanabi, who was still practicing Gentle Fist.
But he didn't approach right away and instead watched from where he stood.
It was already eleven at night, yet Hanabi was still drenched in sweat as she struck a wooden training post.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The dull sounds continued as the entire post spun nonstop from the blows.
Hanabi moved her feet as well, finding pressure points on the rotating post and striking them.
The ground around her feet was completely wet from sweat.
In Rengoku's eyes, Hanabi could be called exceptionally talented.
Whether in talent or character, she was better than Hinata.
Some people simply weren't born to enjoy fighting. There was nothing that could be done about that.
Long ago, he had already planned that whether it was Hinata or Hanabi, both possessed excellent Hyuga bloodlines.
Rengoku wouldn't overlook any child with potential, but before he could nurture someone, that child had to be worth nurturing.
He understood Hinata's personality very well, and he also understood Hanabi's.
But now the paths of the two girls were different. At least in the original timeline, Hinata hadn't been this strong, nor would she have known to come ask him how to handle something like this.
As for what was in Hanabi's heart, Rengoku needed to understand that as well.
His eyes narrowed slightly as an idea formed in his mind.
———
Hanabi trained for a long time until she was completely exhausted and sat on the ground.
Seeing that it was getting late, she prepared to head back.
But before she could stand up, the sound of wind suddenly came from beside her.
Before Hanabi could react, everything went dark, and she lost awareness.
Carrying Hanabi, Rengoku rushed out of the clan district.
When the Uchiha guards saw that it was Rengoku, they found it strange. They came forward and subtly surrounded him.
"Clan Leader, how may we assist you?"
The guard was named Reny. Rengoku had some impression of him.
He made a tactical hand signal used within the Uchiha and smiled.
"What, your left hand recovered, so now it's your turn for guard duty?"
After confirming it was Rengoku, Reny relaxed. He gave a hand signal, and the others dispersed.
"Sorry, Clan Leader. It just seemed strange seeing you carrying Hanabi."
Rengoku raised a finger to his lips, signaling them to keep their voices down.
"It's fine. Being responsible is a good thing."
"I'm giving this child a small test. Just pretend you didn't see me."
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
Reny returned to his patrol.
Meanwhile, Rengoku carried Hanabi through the clan district and arrived at the forest outside the outer city.
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