Hinata Haruki didn't care what the higher-ups thought. Right now, he was still riding the thrill of breaking Hatake Kakashi's record for becoming a Chūnin at age six—except Haruki was only five. After all, Hyūga clan shinobi had an overwhelming advantage at the Genin and Chūnin levels. Without advanced ninjutsu, how could any lower- or mid-level ninja withstand the relentless, storm-like assault of the Gentle Fist? Even a single Rotation could leave a crowd utterly bewildered. Even Naruto had needed the Nine-Tails' chakra cloak to defeat Neji.
To celebrate, Haruki invited Kushina and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio over. News of his promotion had already spread among friends, so they gathered at the Hinata residence for a feast.
Out in the small courtyard, Haruki had set up an open-air teppanyaki grill. Wisps of smoke curled around the iron plate, the sizzling sound of oil filling the air as the aroma of meat drifted everywhere. Moving with practiced ease, Haruki flipped slices of meat, eggs, squid, and fresh vegetables with a spatula. Three shadow clones worked alongside him—one chopping vegetables, one marinating and seasoning ingredients, and the last helping to stir-fry.
Chōza, a devoted barbecue lover, was practically drooling when he saw the teppanyaki setup. His mouth glistened with oil as he ate, nodding with satisfaction and remarking that teppanyaki and charcoal barbecue each had their own charm. Before he was even halfway through his plate, he was already booking the next teppanyaki session with Haruki. Shikaku and Inoichi were also eating heartily. Haruki couldn't help but think teppanyaki was a huge hit—too bad it didn't seem to exist yet in the shinobi world.
Even Kuromaru and Tsume Inuzuka were happily tearing into the steak. Haruki had thought about frying up a few grasshoppers for himself, but one look at Shibi Aburame's melancholy eyes—even behind his sunglasses—made him abandon the idea.
Kushina was the most lively at the table, teasing Haruki between bites. Inside, though, she'd already decided she needed to train even harder to keep up.
Partway through, Hiashi and Hizashi Hyūga arrived and joined the conversation. Haruki left his clones to handle the grill while he sat down with his friends, drinking juice and eating juicy cuts of grilled meat.
Hiashi leaned in and said, "Haruki, Grandfather asked me to tell you—if you wish to study the Gentle Fist, he will personally train you. Even the Main House's secret techniques will be open to you. He's decided to pass down everything he knows. The clan will focus on nurturing you, and from now on, you can train alongside me and Hizashi."
Haruki smiled. "Please thank Grandfather for me. I'll definitely come… but first, I have to head to the front lines for training under Lady Tsunade. I promised the Hokage."
Hiashi looked disappointed but nodded—after all, Haruki was already a student of one of the Legendary Sannin. Still, Haruki was, and would always be, a Hyūga.
Hiashi handed him a scroll. "These are some insights into the Gentle Fist. Grandfather told me to give it to you—he hopes it will help."
Haruki accepted it with a polite bow. "Thank you, Hiashi-nii."
Hizashi added, "That scroll contains the Hyūga clan's accumulated wisdom over generations—passed down through the Main House. Without permission, don't let anyone else see it, and don't share the techniques. Normally, these are never given to Branch members. Haruki, you'd better work hard and live up to Father's expectations."
Then Hizashi, curiosity winning out, began firing off questions like a machine gun: "Haruki, how exactly do you train your Gentle Fist? Is there a special trick? Normally, Gentle Fist strikes just seal an opponent's tenketsu, but your strikes have… unusual effects. And your targeting points are so unconventional. Also, how do you injure someone like Hyūga Hiro so badly without even using chakra? Is your finger strength alone enough to damage chakra points? Oh—and you seem to anticipate opponents' moves in advance. How do you do that?"
Hiashi leaned in too, clearly wanting the answer.
Haruki just gave a meaningful smile and leaned close to Hizashi's ear. "Hizashi-nii… my Gentle Fist is my own creation. I've added a lot of special ideas to it. The secret is—" He grinned mischievously. "—a secret."
Both brothers froze for a moment before Haruki laughed and walked off to join the others for juice. As he left, he called back, "Some of my ideas are still experimental. The techniques aren't mature yet, so I don't want everyone following me down a wrong path. I'll tell you someday, Hizashi-nii!"
The brothers exchanged a helpless smile. They knew Haruki would share eventually—when the time was right.
That evening, Haruki opened the scroll. Inside were not only detailed applications of Gentle Fist and extensive notes from past masters, but also—
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm? Eight Trigrams Palms: Rotation? Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms?" Haruki exclaimed.
"These must be Main House-only techniques," he murmured. They were exactly what he needed.
"I've been lacking in ranged options—let's start with the Vacuum Palm. So, it's about focusing chakra into the palm and releasing it as a shockwave…" Haruki began training immediately. These Hyūga secrets were treasures.
"I won't bring shame to the Hyūga name."
Word of Haruki's Chūnin Exam victory spread like wildfire. In a single day, nearly every ninja in Konoha knew that the Hyūga clan now had a five-year-old Chūnin—the youngest in history.
People whispered about the details: that Haruki had used a self-created technique to critically injure an elite Chūnin—likely ending the man's career; that only a few months ago he'd graduated from the Academy and become Tsunade's disciple; that he loved barbecue so much the local Q Barbecue shop had gotten a sales boost from his fame.
The chatter was endless.
"I heard Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, took him on after seeing his skill."
"Well, yeah—five years old and already a Chūnin? That's a once-in-a-generation prodigy."
"The Hyūga have really one-upped the Uchiha this time. The Uchiha have never produced someone like that."
"Hyūga clan members are walking around with their heads held high these days."
"They're going to groom Haruki as the next clan star for sure."
"Definitely—but first, he has to meet with Lady Tsunade."
"We'd better train harder ourselves. The younger generation is scary."
"Ten years from now, Konoha might have another Sannin-level figure."
Haruki didn't care about the rumors. He was strolling down the main street, planning to buy himself a new outfit. The Chūnin certificate was already in his file, his name officially recorded. He'd been issued the standard green flak vest, and the photographer had looked baffled when Haruki posed for his ID photo. He'd even taken a full-body commemorative shot wearing the vest and holding his certificate.
The only problem? Even the smallest size vest was way too big on a five-year-old. It hung off him like a turtle shell. Resigned, Haruki used the Transformation Jutsu to make it look like it fit for the photo. The Hokage's office promised to have a custom one made for him in two weeks.
He stopped by a clothing shop in the village. The friendly owner didn't treat him differently just because he was a child. Since he was still growing, Haruki didn't buy too much—just a black, high-collared long-sleeve jacket with the Hyūga flame crest stitched on the back, a pair of white long pants, another pair of standard shinobi trousers, several fitted training shirts, T-shirts, and other essentials.
Tailored clothes really did fit better. The black jacket paired with white pants gave him a clean, sharp look. It worked well with either white shinobi shorts or long pants, especially with bandages wrapped around his legs for support.
He even ordered a few traditional robes—based on the old-style garments that were the forerunners of the modern kimono. The shopkeeper agreed to make three sets and even considered producing more for other customers.
Haruki walked out in his new outfit, forehead protector in place. The oversized green vest, of course, stayed home—he wasn't about to walk around looking like a green turtle.
People on the street noticed him—the five-year-old Chūnin. Some looked envious, others jealous, others admiring. The Uchiha Police Force, however, gave him distinctly unfriendly stares, as if he owed them money.
"Ah… the 'greatest in the universe' Uchiha," Haruki muttered, ignoring them and continuing his stroll.
"It's been a while since I had dango. Let's get some."
"Ten sticks of dango, please!" Haruki told the shopkeeper.
"Right away!" The man glanced at Haruki, paused, and asked, "Kid, you're Hinata Haruki, right?"
"That's me," Haruki nodded.
"You're the five-year-old Chūnin—Lady Tsunade's student?"
"Uh… I guess you could say that." Haruki scratched his head. Word traveled fast.
"Here you go—ten sticks, twenty percent off," the shopkeeper said with a grin.
"Thanks. Here's the money."
"Good luck! Become a great ninja, okay?"
Haruki took a seat, eating as people nearby whispered.
"That's the youngest Chūnin in history."
"Really? He's so small. Cute kid, though."
"Don't underestimate him—he's dangerous. Tsunade's student."
At that moment, Haruki finally understood what Naruto and Sasuke must have felt. People in Konoha were just too chatty and nosy. It wasn't enough to stare—they had to gossip in voices loud enough for you to hear.
"That kid's a monster—the Nine-Tails in disguise." "That's the Uchiha prodigy. So handsome." "That's the Uchiha orphan—all his relatives were killed by his brother." "That's the hero who defeated Pain—Naruto." "Wow! That's the man who saved the ninja world! I'm getting his autograph!"
Once you became famous in the shinobi world, there would always be civilians who looked at you with curiosity, talking about you like flies buzzing in your ear. They didn't care how you felt, and they never bothered to keep their voices down. It was just like the gossip-hungry aunties and paparazzi from Haruki's past life.
"Man…" Haruki sighed. I guess being famous isn't always a good thing. Keep a low profile, act boldly. Low profile, bold action…