After giving that creepy guy a thorough beating, Mirai felt much better.
Disgusting people like that shouldn't even exist in this world.
He needed to have someone investigate that weirdo's identity. If that guy belonged to a ninja clan, then maybe that clan had no reason to keep existing either.
As he passed by a sweets shop, Mirai casually bought a dozen skewers of three-colored dango. Munching on them, he strolled leisurely through Konoha.
Looking at the village he had personally reshaped, a strong sense of accomplishment filled his heart.
The shinobi world should really be thanking him. Without his influence, there's no way they'd be enjoying their current peaceful lives.
While basking in his own self-satisfaction, Mirai suddenly heard a chorus of mocking laughter.
Turning toward the source, he spotted a short-haired little girl wearing a black winter coat and a red scarf standing under a large tree. She was surrounded by three slightly older boys, their faces full of malicious glee as they shoved her back and forth.
"Hahaha! Hey, you freak with the white eyes, are you a spy sent by another village?"
"You're terrifying! With a face like that, you should just stay inside and never come out!"
"Let's teach you a lesson today, for the sake of Konoha!"
Getting bolder, one of the boys pushed the girl to the ground. Another deliberately kicked the tree, causing snow to tumble down and cover her.
Seeing this scene, Mirai's eyes lit up.
Isn't that Hinata?
Did I just trigger a mission?
With that thought, Mirai stepped forward, ready to perform a swift and stylish "hero saving the damsel" act.
However, just as he was about to intervene, Hyuga Hinata suddenly lifted her head.
"The Byakugan is the pride of the Hyuga Clan! How dare you insult it?!"
With that declaration, Hinata sprang to her feet and charged at one of the boys.
"You still dare to resist, freak?!"
The boy sneered and clenched his fist, swinging it at Hinata.
Hinata ducked low, dodging the attack, and in the next instant, she was right in front of him.
"Gentle Fist!"
BAM!
Her palm struck the boy's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground, clutching his ribs in pain.
Without hesitation, she turned on the remaining two boys and attacked.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
With a series of dull thuds, all three boys lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.
"Hmph!"
"And you thought you could bully me?"
After defeating them, Hinata smugly clapped her hands, shaking off the metaphorical dust.
But as she turned around, she suddenly caught sight of Mirai approaching.
She froze for a moment, then—
"Waaaahhh!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she dropped to her knees and started sobbing.
"M-My eyes were something I was born with… Why do they have to bully me over it…?"
The boys, who had been groaning in pain moments ago, were now completely dumbfounded.
Wait… what?
Why are YOU crying?!
We didn't even touch you!
Mirai found the scene hilarious.
Looks like my butterfly effect has really shaken things up. Even Hinata's personality is different now.
Then again, it makes sense. With the Caged Bird system abolished and Hiashi Hyuga holding absolute power, Hinata never had to suffer the same oppression as before.
With Neji and Hanabi both around, it wasn't surprising that her personality had changed a little.
That said, from the way she pulled her punches earlier, she still retained some of her original kindness.
Lost in thought, Mirai reached the group and put on an angry expression.
"What's going on here?!"
Seeing him, the three boys immediately stiffened in fear, unable to form a proper response.
Meanwhile, Hinata, still kneeling in the snow, looked up at him with teary eyes and whimpered,
"Mirai-sama… I just wanted to play in the snow, but then these older boys showed up."
"They said my eyes were ugly, that I'm a freak."
"They even pushed me into the snow… And now my whole body hurts… Waaaahhh…"
Hearing this, the three boys were utterly shocked.
"She—she's saying exactly what WE were gonna say!!!"
Mirai waved a hand dismissively, pretending to be annoyed.
"Enough. You three are not to bully other kids again. If I hear about this happening, I'll throw you all in the Konoha Police Force's dungeon."
He wasn't actually going to punish them. They were just kids, after all. Given their ignorance about the Byakugan, they were obviously from civilian families. Hinata had already taught them a lesson, so there was no need for Mirai to escalate things further.
Of course, if they kept acting this way in the future, they'd eventually face severe consequences.
After all, in the shinobi world, there was no such thing as a "juvenile protection law."
Once the boys scurried off, Mirai turned to Hinata, who was still sitting in the snow, and extended a hand.
"What's your name?"
She glanced up at him, hesitated for a second, then softly answered,
"Mirai-sama, my name is Hinata. My father is Hiashi Hyuga."
Mirai nodded. "You know who I am?"
Hinata gave a small smile. "Of course. I doubt there's anyone in Konoha who doesn't know you."
"Father often talks about you, too. He says you're an exceptional ninja and that I should look up to you as a role model."
Watching this composed and articulate Hinata, Mirai found it hard to imagine her being as shy as she had been in the original timeline.
Seeing Mirai remain silent, Hinata tilted her head and asked, "Mirai-sama, why are you here?"
This was a rather remote area, far from both the Uchiha district and the Hokage's office.
Why would someone of his status be wandering around here?
Mirai glanced at the tree beside them, a trace of nostalgia flashing across his face.
"A long time ago, just before the Third Shinobi War, I used to train in free sparring right here in Konoha…"
He briefly recounted his past experience under this very tree, how he had run into Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi during that time.
Listening intently, Hinata couldn't hide her excitement.
Hearing an important figure share personal stories from the past felt strangely thrilling.
Suddenly, the once-distant and revered Mirai seemed… much more approachable.
As these thoughts swirled in her head, a loud growling sound interrupted the moment.
Mirai turned to see Hinata's face flush bright red, her skin practically steaming in the cold air.
Flustered, she muttered, "Oh no… I think I'm about to faint…"
Thud!
Mirai watched as she collapsed face-first into the snow, his lips twitching.
Well… looks like some things never change.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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