I, Your Father, Carry a Big Stick

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.)

With Hiruzen asking him to show Hinata around while he and Hiashi talked, Wu habitually led her to their usual spot at the training ground before turning to her and saying, "You should have refused when your Tou-san asked if you were willing. I wasn't lying when I said I was okay with the arrangement, but I wasn't expecting you to say yes. Not when you were actually given the option to refuse..." Blushing slightly, Hinata averted her eyes and uttered faintly, "Sorry...I thought if I said yes, I could...I'm not entirely sure..." Though she wanted to say she would pay Wu back for all of his kindness, Hinata wasn't sure how she would go about it. As far as she knew, there was nothing she could give Wu that he couldn't obtain himself. She could ask him if there was something he wanted, but Hinata was almost certain he would just ask her to try harder during their training. Shaking his head, Wu said, "What's done is done. All we need to do is set you up with Naruto, and everything will work out. To that end, use today's experience as motivation to develop your confidence. Not to sound rude, but, as it stands, Naruto is more creeped out by you than anything. If you can't even look him in the eye, how do you expect him to fall for you...?" Hearing Wu point out that Naruto found her creepy, the smile on Hinata's face visibly cramped. She knew Naruto didn't pay a lot of attention to her, but she assumed it was due to Sakura. Naruto had had a crush on Sakura since their first year in the Academy, so even though she had wanted to approach him numerous times, Hinata could never muster the courage to do so while he was fawning over the 'vexing' pinkette... While Hinata was visibly lost in her thoughts, Wu gave her a quick once over before pointing out, "In your current getup, neither Ino nor Sakura would be able to hold a candle to you. You have delicate features and a gentle nature, so there's really no reason you shouldn't be able to sway the heart of someone like Naruto. Even if you simply smiled at him, you should be able to make him feel nervous..." Blinking in surprise, Hinata raised her face to meet Wu's gaze as she asked, "Do you really believe that someone like me can shine brighter than girls like Ino and Sakura...?" Without any hesitation, Wu replied, "Ino is improving, but her status and personality will make it difficult for her to find a partner that can tolerate her. Sakura is very knowledgeable, but she is also self-centered. Before I pointed out what should have been obvious to everyone, she genuinely believed that Sasuke was just putting on an act whenever he called her and the other girls hindrances..." Recalling the interchange, Wu shook his head in genuine exasperation before adding, "As far as looks are concerned, well, that depends on the person doing the looking. Everyone has their own standards. However, as far as general appeal goes...you definitely stand out..." While Wu may not have called her cute or beautiful, Hinata could feel her heart beating as she blushed up to her ears. She knew Wu was probably just trying to help build her confidence, but she still felt gratified. The last time someone had unabashedly complimented her was during her initial encounter with Naruto. He didn't seem to recall the encounter, but it had left an enduring impression on her heart and mind. Freeing Hinata from her daze, Wu waved his hand in front of her face as he said, "This is something we'll need to work on. Blushing can increase a woman's appeal, but too much of anything is usually bad. If you pass out while trying to confess your feelings...well, let's not worry about that right now. First things first, I'm the realist...secondly, stand up straight, narrow your eyes, and try to speak more than a single sentence without pause..." Though she was a little confused, Hinata obeyed Wu's words, rising to her full height before narrowing her eyes. It immediately changed the sort of appeal she gave off, but that's what Wu was going for as he said, "Speak." in a firm, authoritative tone. Suddenly feeling nervous, Hinata's posture relaxed as she attempted to ask what she should say. Before she could, Wu's expression hardened as he repeated, "Back straight and eyes narrowed. If you're confused about what to say, tell me what you had for breakfast or something interesting that happened recently. It genuinely doesn't matter, so long as you don't avert your eyes or fumble your words." "Right..." Standing straighter, Hinata narrowed her eyes and attempted to recount what she had for breakfast that morning. Whenever she looked away or paused for any length of time, Wu would order her to change topics and start from scratch. It was a little...frustrating. However, understanding he was trying to help her, Hinata continued recounting the mundane aspects of her life until she got it right. Then, just as she thought that was the end, Wu offered a terse compliment and commanded her to start again...over, and over, and over again... ... .. . With Hinata eventually being 'saved' by her father, Wu was requested by Hiruzen to accompany the old man to his study. There, he had Wu sit on a cushion, a wisened smile on his face as he remarked, "I want you to know I'm proud of the 'performance' you put on during the wedding interview. I had hoped you speak out in young Hinata's defense, but seeing you stare down Lord Hiashi...well, let's just say I haven't felt this satisfied since the day I passed on my hat to the Fourth..." Since Hiruzen had made it clear, time and again, that his 'mask' couldn't fool him, Wu adopted a genuine glower as he said, "You knew damn well your words would put me in a compromising position. I trusted you, and you abused that trust...you made me a pawn in a game I had no interest in playing..." Instead of refuting Wu's words, Hiruzen nodded his head, a melancholy causing him to appear several years older as he said, "I'm not getting any younger, Wu...However, that doesn't change the fact I have an obligation to ensure the village's continued peace and prosperity. While it's true that I used you, I believed that someone of your considerable intellect would be able to understand and appreciate my 'resolve.' If you one day come to hate me, I will endure that burden. Just promise me you'll never let hatred consume you..." Furrowing his brows, Wu asked, "And why should I promise you anything? Trust, once shattered, may be mended. However, no matter the effort you put into repairing it, the cracks will remain..." Closing his eyes, Hirzuen allowed Wu's words time to settle, a tired smile developing across his face as he muttered, "Because you know, no matter how I scheme against you, we are not enemies. I genuinely desire what's best for you, Naruto, and all the children in this village...if I had the power, I would carry on Lord Hashirama's dream of a world where no child has to experience war or bloodshed..." Reaching up to massage his forehead, Hiruzen's voice softened into a weary murmur as he added, "I've been at this for nearly forty years, Wu-kun. While the world has slowly progressed forward, I have struggled to keep up. Konoha...no, the Elemental Nations have been on the cusp of a revolution that will usher in a new, more prosperous era. We simply lacked someone suitable to act a herald...until now..." Lowering his hand, Hirzuen stared directly into Wu's eyes as he asserted, "You are still young, Wu-kun, but I believe you have the potential to bring about the change many so desperately crave. To that same end, you also have an unprecedented potential to cause harm...if forfeiting my life might prevent you from deviating down such a path, I would gladly cut open my stomach. All that I would ask is that your hatred dies with me..." "..." Though he was still resentful about what had transpired with Hinata, Wu found himself floored by Hiruzen's conviction. The old codger knew he would never ask him to commit ritual suicide, but Wu got the impression he would actually do it. This was one of the things he most hated about Hiruzen, as, despite their infrequent contact, the man could see through him like a glass pane... Averting his eyes, Wu's expression was a mixture of anger, confusion, and bitterness as he groaned, "You really piss me off sometimes..." Exhaling a chuckle, Hiruzen reached for his pipe as he replied, "Someone has to keep you humble, at least until you have matured enough to do as you please. I know you're biding your time until you have the power to act freely, and I intend to let you act independently once you attain the rank of Jonin. For now, just humor this old man a while longer...we both know I don't just smoke this pipe for my glaucoma..." "..." Instead of answering Hiruzen, Wu rose to his feet and made to depart the room. Hiruzen made no attempt to stop him, so he stepped into the dimly lit hallway before looking back and saying, "Don't die too soon, old man...I still need your hat as an umbrella..." Amused by the apt comparison, a hearty laugh emanated from Hirzuen's throat. He planned to offer a retort, but by the time he was exhaled a few light coughs, Wu had already disappeared from the entryway. In his wake, Hiruzen adopted a truly grandfatherly smile as he mused, "I should check in on my actual grandson. I'm sure Wu-kun wouldn't mind another dozen or so students showing up to receive his guidance..." ... .. . Though it was still early in the afternoon, Wu retired to his room to collect his thoughts. A lot had happened in a short period, so he couldn't wait until later that evening to decompress and compartmentalize everything. Thus, starting from the moment Hiruzen appeared outside of his door, Wu replayed the day's events over and over again, his temperature gradually increasing as he strained his brain to think of ways he could have handled things better. After that, he weighed how his actions today would affect future events, barely noticing the passage of time as he created a script of sorts within his mind... ... .. . (A/N: I was genuinely disappointed by the amount of vitriol I got in response to the previous chapter. I've been doing my best to release chapters quickly so that everyone isn't left speculating about how things might end up. I thought I made it pretty clear that Wu isn't interested in relationships, yet there were several people crusading about the story was going to be like pokemon with the MC just arbitrarily collecting girls. If that was the case, why would I write tens of chapters building up said girls and showing how their actions influence and are influenced by the MC? All of these chapters are basically setting up the foundation for the rest of the story. Assuming Hinata will marry the MC when neither of them is in pursuit of such an outcome is just senseless. I would literally have to write Naruto to be a petulant asshole for Hinata to stop liking him, so all the people shouting NTR this and Cuck that need to get off their asses, go outside, and get some fresh air. Either that or put down the novel for a few days and then come back to verify if your 'predictions' were correct. Unless you're irredeemably delusional, you would quickly realize you were talking out of your ass.)

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... ... .. .

Chapter 20: Resolve