Chapter 4: Do You Even See Yourself as a Human Being?
"No... that's impossible..."
Hyuga Hinata shook her head vigorously, her short, blue-purple hair flying with the motion.
"How could Father... how could the Hyuga Clan..."
Overwhelming fear and rejection made her subconsciously refuse to believe any of it.
She squeezed her eyes shut, flicked her wrist, and threw the black notebook away. "Life Simulator? It's fake! It's all fake!"
It's fake. It must be fake!
She covered her ears and kept her eyes closed, repeating the words to herself in her heart. As if doing so would convince her that this was all just a terrible story she had imagined due to excessive stress.
"Don't think about it! I can't think about it anymore!"
She muttered to herself, her voice trembling, almost sounding like she was about to cry. She squatted down, her shaking fingers reaching out to touch the notebook, only to retract them instantly as if burned.
Eventually, she picked up the notebook, intending to throw it into the trash can. But as she passed by the window, a pristine snowflake gently drifted down onto the back of her hand.
Hinata froze.
She slowly turned toward the window, her pure white eyes widening as they reflected the snow dancing in the sky.
"It's... it's snowing."
...
"It's snowing."
Hyuga Kiyonari turned his head to gaze at the falling snow outside the window. "Right about now, she must be desperately telling herself that the 'Life Simulator' is fake."
Hyuga Hinata's core personality during this period was cowardice. Whenever she encountered a problem she couldn't solve or didn't want to face, her first instinct was to escape.
When bullied by other children, she chose to run away. When she discovered a potential spy outside the courtyard, she still chose to run away. Therefore, upon seeing the content in the "Life Simulator," she would definitely refuse to believe it.
However, Hinata's character was also incredibly resilient. Even though she never received a kind look from Hyuga Hiashi, she still trained hard day after day. Even after Hanabi was born, she never gave up on herself.
So, she would definitely step out. She would go verify the authenticity of the "Life Simulator." She just needed a little time.
Well then, the actors are in place. Just waiting for the curtain to rise.
...
Time skipped to the first day of the new year. The streets of Konoha were already covered in pure white snow. The fluffy layers piled up along the roadside were just thick enough to roll into perfectly round snowballs.
The news that Kumogakure had decided to end the war reached Konoha, plunging the entire village into a peculiar state.
To say everyone was happy... well, they weren't that happy. After all, the Third Great Ninja War had technically ended before the Fourth Hokage even took office.
Kumogakure was like a delinquent who shouted that they'd jump you after school, but when school let out, they were nowhere to be seen. Yet, when you went to school the next day, you couldn't help but worry about what would happen that afternoon. After all, they were delinquents; it wouldn't be surprising if they did something crazy.
They had been shouting for years, and it was only today that they finally said they wouldn't fight anymore. As a result, the entire village of Konoha immediately relaxed. Even the number of drunks passed out in front of the izakayas increased significantly. Fortunately, the Uchiha Police Force was diligent in their enforcement, so the city remained clean.
Hyuga Kiyonari also started his "work" early. Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to stalk Hinata. Instead, he was tracking three carefully selected brats.
Although Konoha was a land of outstanding talents, and bullying was quite the trend, there still weren't many who had the guts to shout "White-Eyed Monster" at the Heiress of the Hyuga Main House. These three were the cream of the crop in that regard, taking pleasure in bullying others on a daily basis. They were simply lawless.
Heh, I'll show you what a real 'black hand' looks like in a bit.
Kiyonari kept an eye on the backs of the three boys ahead of him. Suddenly, a blonde brat flew out of a nearby shop and crashed straight into him. Caught off guard, the two tumbled into the soft snow together, kicking up a cloud of white powder.
"You damn Demon Fox! How many times have I told you not to touch my things?!"
The shopkeeper chased out the door, holding a fiery red fox mask, his face twisted in ferocity. "Get lost, Demon Fox!"
Hyuga Kiyonari pushed Uzumaki Naruto off of him and poked his head out to look around. Where did those three guys go?
Naruto, having recovered from the fall, scrambled to get up, then reached out to pull Kiyonari out of the snow pit. "Um... sorry!"
"Phew—"
Kiyonari took a deep breath and turned his head to look at the shopkeeper, who was still shouting curses.
"If you're not using your eyes, you can donate them."
Only then did the shopkeeper see Kiyonari's appearance. His arrogant demeanor instantly shrunk by half. Although the boy was young, those eyes proved he would definitely become a ninja in the future.
"Ninja-sama, I didn't mean to..."
Kiyonari ignored the man's defense and simply raised his hand toward him slowly, spreading his five fingers.
The shopkeeper didn't understand. He stammered, "W-what does this mean?"
"Compensation. If apologies were useful, what would we need the Police Force for?"
The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment before quickly replying, "How much do you think is appropriate?"
"Five thou—" Kiyonari noticed the item in the man's hand and changed his tune. "No, four thousand Ryo. Plus that mask in your hand."
The shopkeeper's face stiffened. Before he could speak, Kiyonari slowly adjusted his clothes, revealing the embroidered Hyuga Clan crest.
"If you're unwilling, the Uchiha Police Force is right over there. Or I could invite the elders of my clan to judge the matter."
Cold sweat broke out on the shopkeeper's forehead. He was in the wrong to begin with, so he hurriedly handed over both the mask and the money.
Kiyonari took the spoils. His slender fingers flicked through the bills, counting out a thousand Ryo. He shoved the money, along with the bright red fox mask, into Naruto's arms.
"This is your share."
His tone was flat as he stuffed the remaining three thousand Ryo into his pocket.
If he had asked for five thousand, given his personality, he would have split it half-and-half with Naruto. With this current plan, Naruto got the mask he wanted, Kiyonari got an extra five hundred Ryo, and the shopkeeper paid a little less in damages. It was a triple win.
Uzumaki Naruto stared at the sudden windfall, his blue eyes wide and round. "Eh? F-for me? No... no way, I can't take this!"
Seeing the boy's timid appearance, Kiyonari's gaze suddenly sharpened. "Did he throw you out?"
Intimidated by his aura, Naruto unconsciously shrank his neck and nodded. "Yes."
"Then shouldn't he compensate you?"
"I guess so..."
"Then take it."
Kiyonari turned to leave. The sky was already completely dark, and he didn't have much time to waste here. Just then, he felt a tug on his sleeve again.
Dude, seriously, what do you want?
"This is money paid to you, I really can't take it..." Naruto held the mask as if it were a precious treasure. "Having this mask is enough."
Kiyonari laughed out of sheer frustration.
Heh, is this the Savior who will save the ninja world in the future?
Just how badly has he been brainwashed?
He grabbed Naruto by the collar and pulled him close. Looking into his eyes, Kiyonari saw only servility; he saw no lion.
"Look into my eyes and answer me!"
"He has one head and two eyes. You also have one head and two eyes. What gives him the right to throw you out whenever he wants, yet you don't even dare to accept his money?! Or do you think I'm doing this just to stand up for you?"
"Do you even see yourself as a human being?!"