I, Your Father, Carry a Big Stick

After calming down and reminding himself that it wouldn't be particularly wise of him to beat up his 'friend' just because he wanted to play, Wu rose to his feet, exhaled a sigh, and said, "Sorry about that...this week hasn't been the easiest..." in a voice just loud enough for the other boys to hear. Never one to overthink things, Naruto immediately regained his smile and answered, "It's no problem, Wu..." before realizing he should probably be at least a little concerned, asking, "Want to talk about it?" Returning a smile of his own, Wu mused, "That depends...do the four of you really want to hear what it's like dealing with four girls every single day? Let me remind you that one of them is Ino..." Answering on behalf of the group, Kiba groaned, "Yeah, that's a hard pass from me..." Releasing Akamaru from his grasp, Kiba bounced to his feet, asking, "So, what now? I feel a little guilty, especially after the effort you've put into helping Kaia-chan get stronger. If you're still down for it, I'm willing to join you and train for a bit." Taking advantage of Kiba's words, Naruto hopped up and shouted, "Yeah! Let's do this...!" as if he wasn't the one who had nearly sent Wu teetering over the edge just minutes prior. Surprising the two boys, Wu shook his head, answering, "Maybe next time. In hindsight, I realize that my actions were pretty selfish. I should have discussed the specifics with each of you before inviting you here today. Leaving things vague and open-ended was a mistake on my part..." Though he did want to train, there was no way in hell Wu was going to help people who believed they were in a position to pity him. Even if all four similarly aged boys were to team up against him, he would trounce them without effort. Thus, unless they expressed a sincere desire to train in the future, he would never again invite them to accompany him. As neither boy was particularly known for their intellect, Naruto and Kiba accepted Wu's decision at face value. Shikamaru also didn't say anything, though he clearly wanted to, while Choji just munched on a bag of potato chips. The latter had better grades than Naruto and Kiba, largely thanks to Shikamaru, but he was unquestionably the most simple-minded of the group. He barely even spoke... ... .. . After the debacle near the beginning, Wu showed the guys around the manor and let them into his room. Then, they just hung out together for the better part of six and a half hours. Wu and Shikamaru mostly played Shogi, Kiba and Naruto played with Akamaru, and Choji engorged himself on the snacks provided by the manor's servants. It was an exceptionally slow and monotonous day, but at least Wu got in some Shoji practice. He lost every single game, but each defeat was a stepping stone toward his first victory... ... .. . "Begin." Hearing the sound of her father, a fairly tall man with long, nearly black hair and fierce features, Hinata grit her teeth. Across from her, standing nearly a full head shorter, was her younger sister, Hanabi. She was only four years old, but her mastery of the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist had earned her the recognition of the Clan Elders. Since her sister didn't move, Hanabi, a 104cm tall girl with fair features and long brown hair that cascaded down the sides of her face, charged forward. Their father had informed them that this was a very important match, and Hanabi took it seriously. Surprising both Hanabi and the middle-aged man, Hiashi, Hinata didn't immediately back down or backpedal. She had a vexed expression on her face, but she was able to bat away each of Hanabi's strikes as if she were swatting bugs out of the air. Wu's training had helped her strengthen both her core and legs, so she was as firm as a heavy boulder as she deflected all of her sister's attacks. Realizing she couldn't break through her sister's defense, Hanabi backed away for a moment and asked, "Since when did you get so strong, Hinata-neesama? Is it due to your training at the Hokage Manor?" Interrupting the discussion before it could begin, Hiashi's face hardened as he said, "Enough idle chatter. Continue." Regaining her seriousness, Hanabi spread her legs a little further apart, a tense atmosphere permeating the courtyard where she and Hinata were fighting. The veins around her eyes began to bulge, causing her quite a bit of discomfort, but she retained her focus as pale blue light began to emit from the tips of her index and middle fingers. Moving nearly twice as fast as before, Hanabi began targetting Hinata's arms rather than aiming for her body. For an ordinary person, focusing on such a small, fast-moving target would result in tunnel vision. Members of the Hyuga Clan, however, had their Byakugan. Though there was a small blind spot near the back of their head, they could see 'everything' within a given area. Hanabi's maximum range was only thirty-two meters, but that was exceptional, considering she was only four years old. Despite the pain in her fingers and forearms, Hinata continued to block her sister's attacks without committing to any counters. She did launch the occasional feint, but her movements were noticeably telegraphed, at least from Hiashi's perspective. Hanabi was so focused on her attacks and dodging that it never even crossed her mind that Hinata was holding back. Spotting a gap in Hinata's defense, a triumphant smile bloomed across Hanabi's face as she attempted to take advantage of it. The moment she lunged forward, however, Hinata stepped back for the first time, resulting in Hanabi briefly stumbling forward. At that exact moment, Hinata could have easily landed a counter, but she simply didn't have the heart to hurt her little sister. Out of sheer panic, Hanabi caught herself and immediately launched a 'counter.' Hinata's hesitation had created another opening, but before Hanabi's fingers could impact the Tenketsu beneath her diaphragm, the elder Hyuga abruptly twisted her body, spinning around Hanabi's lunge and ending up behind her. Seeing Hinata fail to take advantage of yet another opening, a profoundly exasperated sigh emanated from Hiashi's throat. It was clear that Hinata had improved tremendously in a fairly short period, but she still lacked the 'decisiveness' necessary for the leader of the Hyuga Clan. Interrupting the battle, Hiashi's expression and tone hardened as he said, "That's enough. Both of you, come here." Ceasing their battle immediately, Hinata and Hanabi rushed over to their father, both bowing slightly once they reached him. The Hyuga Clan was the most 'traditional' within the village, so manners and respect were very important. Gesturing with his right hand, Hiashi said, "Raise your heads..." Both girls immediately complied, but Hiashi didn't speak. He had yet to make up his mind on the Hokage's proposal as, despite his stern demeanor, he didn't want either of his daughters to suffer. He had already sacrificed too much for the sake of the Clan and village...too much, but never enough... Forming his resolve, Hiashi met Hinata's gaze and said, "Tell me about this boy, Sarutobi Wu. What manner of person is he? What are his values? His dreams? His ambitions...?" Taken aback by her father's questions, Hinata didn't immediately respond. The truth was that she didn't really know Wu that well, only that he was a very earnest and studious person. He also took his training 'very' seriously and encouraged others to do the same... Recalling the words Wu had said to her near the start of their training, Hinata eventually replied, "I don't know much, but I know he believes in 'mastering oneself.' He is constantly trying to improve and does his best to encourage and support others. As for his dreams and ambitions...I'm not sure. I believe he just wants to be the best 'him' he can be..." Nodding his head, Hiashi responded with a curt, "I see..." before falling silent. He didn't doubt his daughter's words, but it was difficult to believe she was talking about an eight-year-old boy. Most boys his age just cared about playing around and having fun with their friends. It was generally only after they had become Shinobi and were forced to face the reality of their 'chosen' path that most boys began their journey to becoming men... Deciding to be honest, the reason he had conducted the 'test' in private, Hiashi opened his eyes and revealed, "There is a good chance one of you will be engaged to Sarutobi Wu in the future. Be sure to steel your hearts for when the time comes." Hearing her father's words, Hanabi was equal parts surprised and curious. Hinata, however, opened her mouth slightly as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. It didn't show on her face, but she suddenly felt like her entire world was on the verge of collapse... Meeting Hinata's gaze, Hiashi could feel his throat tightening but forced himself to say, "Due to his status, Sarutobi Wu cannot marry the heir of a founding clan. If you find this arrangement disagreeable, prove yourself worthy of becoming the next head of the Hyuga Clan..." Without waiting for either of the girls to respond, Hiashi raised his hand and said, "Return to your positions. This is not your final bout, but know that, henceforth, your every action will factor into the decision of myself and the Elders..." Having been taught never to question her father's decision, Hanabi gave an affirmative nod before returning to her position. Hinata did the same, but her movements were dull and lifeless. Her Byakugan was active, but she seemed to be staring off into space, not even bothering to put up her guard. While Hinata didn't hate Wu, she had never once imagined that they might be engaged. Marrying him meant giving up her pursuit of Naruto, but defeating Hanabi meant consigning her little sister to being engaged to a man&mdash;a boy she didn't even know. Wu might be one of the better options for a political marriage, but Hanabi's young age meant she might not even be able to attend the Academy or experience a 'normal' childhood... Though he waited several seconds for Hinata to get into her form, Hiashi eventually slipped his hands into his sleeves and said, "Begin." in a calm, almost chilling tone. Instead of immediately rushing toward her sister, Hanabi looked to her father for confirmation. Hinata clearly wasn't ready to begin, so it didn't feel right to attack her. Unable to meet his daughter's gaze, Hiashi closed his eyes and repeated, "Begin..." in a slightly softer tone. This time, Hanabi rushed toward Hinata, but there was very little intensity to her attacks. More surprisingly, Hinata was able to weave and evade most of them with minimal movement. Having never witnessed such a scene, Hanabi's pearl-white eyes widened before she began accelerating her attacks. Her hastened pace seemed to snap Hinata out of her daze, but the older girl didn't immediately retaliate. There was an extremely unwillingness in her eyes, but veiled beneath the conflict was a compassionate glimmer that could be repressed but never extinguished. Just as the tempo of the fight reached the level of their usual sparring, Hinata surprised Hanabi with a sharp counterattack. The palm of her left hand struck the smaller girl directly in her chest, but the force behind the blow was virtually nonexistent. As a result, Hanabi was able to bounce back and continue her assault unabated, her expression now serious as the veins around her eyes thickened. Hearing the sound of a collision, Hiashi opened his eyes to a scene he had once thought impossible. Hinata was evading each of Hanabi's attacks by a hair's breadth before immediately launching a counterattack. There was no power behind the blows, but they were swift and precise, each finding its mark on Hanabi's body. Yet, despite her clear superiority, it was Hinata who was knocked back in the end, her guard lowering at the last moment to allow Hanabi's attack to impact her lower abdomen... ... .. .

Rising around an hour before dawn, as usual, Wu went through his usual routine of cleaning his face, brushing his teeth, and checking his body for stray fleas or ticks. The latter was no longer necessary after his departure from Jigokudani, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Just as Wu was preparing to head outside and conduct his early morning workout, a faint knock emanated from his door. His face briefly contorted into a scowl, but it had returned to normal by the time he opened the door to find Hiruzen standing on the opposite side. Preempting Wu's greeting or complaint, Hiruzen said, "Worry not, Wu-kun. I have not come here to interrupt your training. I merely wanted to ask if I could borrow some of your time later, specifically around 11 AM." Since it gave him a decent amount of time to prepare, Wu nodded his head and answered, "Sure, no problem." before asking, "Where should I meet you...?" Adopting one of his grandfatherly smiles, Hiruzen said, "I'll need you to heave over to Sara-san's place, our Clan's personal Seamstress. She has some clothes for you to try on. After that, I would like you to accompany me to a meeting. Don't worry, you aren't going to be tested or anything. It's just a formality." Though he instantly regretted his decision to accept Hiruzen's request, Wu returned a curt nod, asserting, "I'll be there." Hiruzen had done him several favors in the past few months, and Wu hated being indebted to others. If it turned out Hiruzen was luring him into some kind of trap, the old man would lose his trust, and that was that. Understanding that Wu didn't like deviating from his schedule, Hiruzen returned a cut nod before turning away and meandering down the hall at a slow, leisurely pace. He could feel Wu's gaze boring a hole into his back, so he did his best not to give anything away... ... .. . Contrasting the kata, form, and weight training he did in the afternoons, Wu's early morning regimen revolved around cardiovascular exercises. Kurenai may have thought he had infinite stamina, but the truth was that he was constantly circulating his Chakra while simultaneously absorbing energy from the atmosphere through his mouth, nose, and pores. In fact, except for when he was sleeping, Wu was constantly absorbing what old man Enma referred to as Natural Energy. Despite what he had said to Ino, Wu's reserves didn't increase the same way as an ordinary person's. No matter how much he trained his body or focused his mind, his reserves would barely increase. He had tested this by 'not' training for a short period, and the increase was pretty much the exact same. Thus, while other people could train, meditate, or consume a special elixir to increase their Chakra capacity, Wu's only method of doing so was aging. As terrible as Wu's situation sounded, the truth of the matter was that he was incredibly blessed. He didn't know precisely how fast it regenerated, but his ability to absorb Natural Energy from the environment allowed him to replenish his reserves in minutes. Other people would need to sleep for around 8-10 hours to achieve the same feat, so, as long as he didn't exert himself too much, Wu had functionally limitless Chakra. Fortunately, while Wu's reserves appeared to increase slower than some of his classmates, this was mainly because they were entering their rapid growth period. As their bodies transitioned from children into adults, their physical parameters and mental acuity would increase rapidly. However, without consistent effort, they would eventually hit a wall that could only be surmounted with considerable willpower. Unlike his classmates, Wu's unique form of growth meant his progress would never plateau. Even if he didn't train, he would continue to grow stronger, seemingly without limit. Since he 'did' train, Wu was confident that his strength would remain well ahead of his peers for the rest of his life. He could already give a skilled Chunin a run for her money, so by the time he graduated, Wu anticipated he would be able to do the same with a Jonin... ... .. . After changing into a black and grey yukata with the symbol of the Sarutobi Clan sewn onto the back and chest, a stone-faced Wu was escorted to one of the guest houses on the Sarutobi Estate. It was a place prepared for foreign dignitaries and high-ranking members from other Clans. Hence, various thoughts, mostly negative, pervaded Wu's mind as the elderly man heralded him inside. Just as Wu was psyching himself up to encounter someone important, the metaphorical wind was taken out of his sails as Hiruzen guided him into a tea room containing Hinata and a middle-aged man from the Hyuga Clan. The former had been dolled up with makeup and garbed in an expensive-looking, predominately white kimono, so it wasn't difficult to imagine why Hiruzen had requested his presence. Interrupting Wu's brief pause, Hiruzen placed one hand on his shoulder while gesturing to one of the flat cushions opposite the pearl-eyed duo, saying, "Please, take a seat, Wu-kun. I can tell you've already guessed the purpose of this meeting, but I can assure you. The decision is yours and Lady Hinata's to make." Without responding to the conniving man's words, Wu took his seat and stared at Hinata. She currently had her head and eyes facing downward, but that was customary during these procedures. This was obviously the setup for a marriage interview, but, as neither he nor Hinata were adults, it was up to their respective Guardians to negotiate the terms. Hiruzen may have said it was up to them, but Wu knew things couldn't be so clear-cut. As the most senior person present, by a long shot, Hiruzen was given the responsibility of initiating the interview, gesturing to Hinata and the older Hyuga as he revealed, "This esteemed gentleman here is the Patriarch of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi. He has brought his daughter here today to discuss the possibility of marriage between our two Clans." Bowing his head slightly, his back as straight as a board, Hiashi stated, "I believe this union benefits both our houses. My daughter has progressed considerably these past few weeks, and the responsibility for that growth lies in your tutelage, Sarutobi Wu-kun. It is my desire to see her reach her full potential, but I would not have you devote your time and effort to her without recompense. Therefore, I have proposed entrusting my daughter to the care of the Sarutobi Clan, fortifying the union between our houses and ensuring the prosperity of the forthcoming generation." Though it would ordinarily be his turn to state the positives and negatives of such a union, Hiruzen looked to Wu and said, "I am interested to hear your opinion on this matter, Wu-kun." Surprising the two adult men, Wu didn't need to consider his words before responding, "I am not against it. However, as Lord Hiashi pointed out, I've been observing and training Lady Hinata for several weeks. The two Lords may not be aware, but there is another that has captured the heart of the Hyuga heiress, Uzumaki Naruto. While it is reasonable to assume that she would become powerful if left in my care, it is beyond my ability to change her heart and guarantee her happiness. If Lord Hiashi truly wishes to see Lady Hinata reach her full potential, he will support her decision and allow her to follow her chosen path. People do not become extraordinary at the behest of others. True power comes from a desire to attain or protect the things closest to our heart..." Though it was an extreme faux pas, Hinata couldn't help raising her head ever-so-slightly to meet Wu's gaze. She doubted his words would be able to convince her father to retract the proposal, but she appreciated that he had tried. She could only dream of having the same courage... Leaving Hinata stunned beyond words, not that she intended to speak, Hiashi nodded his head and said, "There is considerable wisdom in your words, Sarutobi Wu-kun. Lord Third was equally wise to have suggested we defer to you on this matter. Now, even if the proposal falls through, I can be certain my daughter will double her efforts moving forward..." Raising her head, Hinata looked up at her father with a mixture of hope and disbelief as she softly inquired, "Does this mean...?" Revealing a 'very' rare smile, Hiashi nodded his head and reiterated, "As Lord Third mentioned before, the decision is ultimately yours, and young Sarutobi-kun's to make. A coerced union jeopardizes the stability of both houses, so we will not proceed if either of you is against it. Sarutobi-kun has already expressed his approval, so the final person to decide is you." "I..." Not expecting to be given the option to refuse, Hinata found herself at a complete and utter loss for words. She almost felt like she was dreaming, but, at the same time, she also felt guilty. It was true that Wu was going out of his way to foster her growth, both as a Kunoichi and as a person, so part of her felt like she owed it to him to say yes... Irreversibly complicating things, Hiruzen chimed in to explain, "Even if you agree today, your marriage will not be officiated until the two of you reach a suitable age. If either of you changes your mind between now and then, the engagement can be annulled at any time. Furthermore, to ensure the honor and integrity of both houses, your engagement would not be made public until arrangements for the ceremony have been completed." Listening to the words of Hiruzen, someone every citizen of Konoha had been taught to fear and respect from a young age, Hinata began feeling a little lightheaded. He wasn't using any special techniques or Genjutsu, but the elderly man's calm, grandfatherly words penetrated her mind, filling her with the sense that everything would be okay... With the assurance that she could annul the engagement any time, Hinata softly and absentmindedly replied, "I'm not...unwilling..." Hearing Hinata's response, the faint smile on Hiashi's face visibly twitched while Hiruzen exhaled a soft yet throaty chuckle. Contrasting this, Wu had no reaction at all, his expression and smile seemingly frozen in time as he gazed into Hinata's eyes and internally screamed, ("All you had to fucking do was say no...!") Though he could technically annul the engagement whenever he wanted, the persona Wu had cultivated during his stay in Konoha meant he would need a good reason to refuse. He currently wasn't willing to compromise his position as a member of the Sarutobi Clan, so Hinata's acquiescence meant he was stuck with her until she decided otherwise. As her senses gradually returned and she found Wu staring back at her, a soft blush colored Hinata's cheeks. However, while she did lower her head slightly, she didn't avert her eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips as she held Wu's gaze. It was strange, but now that they were engaged, she suddenly felt a lot closer to her golden-eyed classmate... Seeing Hinata's smile, Wu's internal cursing became louder, contrasting the softening of his expression. In reality, the only thing preventing him from flipping over the table separating them was the notion that he now had a perfect excuse to increase the intensity of Hinata's training. At least that way, even if they 'were' forced to marry, she wouldn't be completely useless... ... .. . (A/N: For those of you who think this guarantees Hinata a spot in the harem, please refer back to the comment at the end of Chapter 17. Have a nice day.)

After making a show of cutting ties with the posse she had formed over her past two years at the Academy, Ino made herself at home with Wu's group. Sakura was also present, so each of the seats at their lunch table was now filled: Wu, Kaia, and Naruto on one side and Sakura, Hinata, and Ino on the other. Though Naruto felt a little uncomfortable being surrounded by so many girls, he was content so long as he and Sakura were sitting at the same table. As for Wu, he couldn't care either way, so even when Ino acted as though she was now the group's leader, he just shut off his brain and let her prattle on, only speaking when prompted to do so. Despite her bravado, Wu could tell that Ino was forcing herself. Cutting ties with people she had known even before the Academy wasn't as easy as she made it appear. She was secretly afraid that she would be kicked out of Wu's group and find herself without any friends, so she was doing her best to maintain a confident front. Fortunately for Ino, Wu didn't care if she was the biggest bitch in the world or even more bashful than Hinata. So long as she made an effort, he would at least tolerate her existence. After all, if she aggravated the others enough, there was a chance their training group could dissolve on its own. He would still be stuck with Kaia, but she was fairly easy to get along with as she, more or less, obeyed him without question. With school ending without any other notable incidents, Wu returned to the Sarutobi Estate with Kaia, Sakura, Hinata, and Ino. The latter took the lead, never shutting up for more than a few seconds at a time, but it didn't really matter as their destination was the same... ... .. . "Is this seriously all you do? Standing like you're about to poop while practicing Chakra control...?" After seeing what Wu had Sakura, Hinata, and Kaia doing, Ino couldn't help feeling like she had made a grave mistake. She had expected Wu to have a secret training regiment developed by the Third Hokage. Standing atop a log and squatting down until their legs gave out just seemed like a convenient excuse for Wu to touch their bodies. Maintaining a blameless expression, Wu calmly explained, "Strengthening the body and improving your Chakra Control is the foundation atop which all other techniques are derived. Chakra is the aggregation of a person's physical, spiritual, and mental energies, so what could possibly be better than training that promotes all three?" Furrowing her brows, Ino muttered, "You say that...but how does letting you stare up at our butts help promote anything? Like, I get what you're saying, but this just seems so...suspicious..." Shaking his head, Wu flatly replied, "Then just don't get up on the log. I already showed you the Tree-Sticking Exercise and explained the idea of spreading your Chakra through the ground. If you want to sit on the side and stick leaves to the soles of your feet, be my guest. However, before you complete this training, you simply aren't prepared for anything more advanced." Perking up slightly, Ino remarked, "So there is more to it. Tell me, what comes after we master sticking to things? You should have at least one or two super-secret Ninjutsu, right?" "..." Though he was tempted to tell Ino to leave, the truth of the matter was that Wu had, in fact, prepared a technique for the girls to use. Watching Hinata perform the Gentle Fist had given him all kinds of ideas, so instead of answering her with words, Wu extended his hand, surprising Ino as the air around her seemed to 'harden.' While keeping the visibly trembling girl firmly in place, Wu's expression and tone flattened as he explained, "Chakra can flow through virtually any medium, be it the ground beneath your feet, the water in a lake, or the air around you. Once you master diffusion and hardening, the only thing that can limit you are your reserves and Chakra Control." As the technique he was performing was incredibly taxing on his reserves, Wu released the teary-eyed Ino from his grasp, preempting her outburst by pointing out, "If your body was stronger, you could have easily broken free from such a technique. Do you think your tears will stop your enemies from killing you?" Though she was briefly cowed by Wu's words, Ino's jaw began to visibly quiver, eventually culminating in her shouting, "You're a real jerk...!" before storming off toward the nearby treeline. She needed to vent her emotions, and she didn't want Sakura, or anyone else, to see her crying. Exhibiting no remorse for his actions, Wu turned to the stunned Sakura and Hinata, asking, "What? It's infinitely better she hears these things from me than someone who genuinely wishes her harm. The duties and responsibilities of a Shinobi include hunting people down and killing. Our enemies will not show us mercy, so lessons like this are a kindness that won't be afforded to you in the real world. Remember that." Turning away from the duo, Wu forced his expression to soften as he said, "Come, Kaia. Let us continue where we left off on Friday." Completely unaffected by Wu's apparent cruelty, Kaia smiled broadly and replied, "Yes, Aniki~!" in a spirited tone. As Kiba had demonstrated during Wu's first day, the Inuzuka Clan could be fairly cruel to one another. They lived a rigidly hierarchal lifestyle, so Kaia didn't even question the method Wu used to 'discipline' his packmates... ... .. . After calming to the point her tears were no longer flowing freely, Ino stared off into space with a listless look on her face. The technique Wu had used against her made it impossible for her to breathe, so she was suffocating for the duration of his explanation. She 'knew' Wu wouldn't kill her, but that didn't make the situation any less frightening... Having been spying on Ino with her Byakugan, Hinata waited until the former had calmed down a bit before approaching her hiding place, her voice soft, gentle, and caring as she asked, "Are you okay, Ino-chan...?" Taking a moment to wipe away the remnants of her tears, Ino forced herself to smile as she replied, "Yeah, I'm okay. It'll take a lot more than that to break my spirit. I'm just pretending to be upset to make Wu-kun feel sorry for what he did." Blinking in surprise, Hinata briefly considered pointing out that Wu didn't appear to feel even remotely guilty for his actions. Instead, she sat down next to Ino, an awkward silence lingering between them before she softly whispered, "I don't think Wu-kun is a bad person...he just..views things differently than the rest of us..." Rolling her eyes, Ino hugged her knees and replied, "You don't need to make excuses for him, Hinata-chan. Wu-kun 'is' a jerk. He's just a jerk for the right reasons. I know he was trying to scare me so I would take the training seriously, but that doesn't make him any less of a jerk..." Unable, or, more accurately, unwilling to argue with Ino, Hinata just gave a faint smile. She knew that Wu was only being a 'jerk' because of the way Ino was behaving. Wu was very patient and understanding if you worked hard or seriously asked for his advice. He would even explain things more than once if you didn't understand his initial explanation, so it didn't feel fair to regard him as a jerk. He was just...earnest... Feeling awkward due to Hinata's silence, Ino bounced to her feet, her smile regaining a bit of its confidence as she said, "We should probably get back. I'm tempted to get Wu-kun into trouble with the Hokage, but I don't want him to kick me out of the training sessions just yet. Until I can catch him in that same technique, I'm not going anywhere." Extending her hand to Hinata, Ino's smile cramped when the former didn't immediately accept her assistance. Instead, the pearl-eyed heiress just stared at her outstretched hand for several seconds, seemingly oblivious to Ino's good intentions... ... .. . Though things were noticeably awkward for the first few days, Ino never complained a second time about the 'efficacy' of Wu's training. She would sometimes get frustrated, but that was mainly due to her 'need' to be the best in the group. Sakura's impressive and improving Chaka Control gave her a massive advantage when it came to sticking to the log. Ino refused to play second fiddle to a girl that had required her rescuing several times in the past, so she was at her wit's end trying to catch up. Fortunately, instead of interfering with the group's progress, Ino's fiercely competitive nature spurred the others to train harder. Friendly competition was a powerful motivator, so Sakura and Ino were improving rapidly while Hinata continued at a slower but steady pace. Her goal was different from the two rivals, so she didn't feel as much pressure to improve. As for Kaia, well, she was just having fun... ... .. . "Wait, are we really going to train? I thought that was just an excuse we gave our parents so we could hang out together?" Having never witnessed how serious Wu was about his training, Kiba was surprised when the former dragged him, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji out to his usual spot before asking them to demonstrate their regular routines. Narrowing his eyes slightly, Wu replied, "We're supposed to be preparing ourselves for a career as Shinobi. The Academy already consumes a lot of our time, so we must train hard when the opportunity presents itself. Don't you want to get stronger...?" Scratching the back of his head, Kiba replied, "I mean, yeah? Of course, I want to get stronger. But I already do a bunch of training back at the Clan Compound. At least give me my weekends off..." "..." Shifting his attention from Kiba, Wu passed his gaze over Naruto, Choji, and Shikamaru, his expression and tone hardening as he asked, "Do the three of you feel the same way...?" Smiling awkwardly, Naruto replied, "Come on, Wu. We can still train while having fun. No need to be all serious." Though it was only noticed by Shikamaru, Wu's right eye twitched when he heard Naruto's words. Ever since Naruto had learned about his mother and began receiving a bigger allowance, he no longer exhibited the same sense of 'urgency.' He still tried his best to prove himself at the Academy, often challenging Sasuke to spars, but that was primarily to try and show off in front of Sakura... Surprising the group of boys, Wu reached up to massage his forehead and eyes, muttering, "I need a minute to process this..." Then, without waiting for the group's response, he abruptly sat down, continuing to conceal his eyes as he fought hard to suppress his rage... Feeling awkward and concerned for his friend, Naruto tentatively inquired, "Hey, are you okay? Wu...?" Before Naruto could make the grave mistake of shaking Wu's shoulder, Shikamaru placed his hand on the former's shoulder, shaking his head as he softly yet firmly asserted, "Just leave him be, Naruto. When people say they need time to process, you give it to them. Come on, let's go sit in the shade." "But..." Shaking his head a second time, Shikamaru pulled Naruto along, Choji and Kiba following soon after. His father had advised him to keep an eye on Wu since the latter first appeared at the Academy, so Shikamaru could tell when the usually affable boy was genuinely angry. Thus, while the others were more than a little confused, he made a mental note to never intrude upon Wu's training unless he was serious about joining in... ... .. .

Chapter 19: Inner Turmoil