To Hiashi, missions were only a part of a ninja's life — not the entirety of it. And certainly not Hinata's entire life.
…
Hinata's intense physical training, combined with her ever-increasing weights, her enormous appetite, and her active lifestyle, gave her a metabolism unlike anyone else's. Her body digested and absorbed food at astonishing speed, fueling her constant improvement.
After selecting her second B-rank mission, she didn't depart right away. Instead, she stayed home to reflect and recalibrate.
During this time, she sparred with her father, using Gentle Fist as a benchmark for her growth. Neji's team was out on assignment, and the other teams were busy as well, so there was no chance to gather with her peers.
After a day of rest, Team 8 departed once more — this time for another B-rank mission: a protection assignment for a high-profile client. The details were unknown; they would learn more upon arrival.
…
As the three traveled along the forest path, Kiba suddenly stiffened, sniffing the air.
"Something's off," he said.
Shino adjusted his glasses calmly.
"You're late to notice. If you're wondering why we're already surrounded…" He left the rest unsaid.
Hinata's Byakugan flared open. The veins around her eyes pulsed as her sight expanded, revealing the ambush that had not yet fully closed in. She raised a hand and pointed to the right.
"This way."
The trio immediately changed direction, dashing through the trees. Each time Hinata landed, the branches cracked beneath the sheer weight of her training load.
"Who are they?" Kiba asked breathlessly. "Are they after us specifically?"
"Three possibilities," Shino replied evenly. "They're either related to our mission, hold a grudge against the Hyuga clan… or it's simply a robbery."
"They're after me," Hinata said softly.
And she was right.
Moments later, a group of Cloud Village shinobi revealed themselves — old enemies who had never given up on their goal of seizing the Hyuga clan's Byakugan.
Hinata had been leaving the village more frequently lately. For them, it was only a matter of waiting along her usual travel routes. Sooner or later, they were bound to catch her.
"Heh, so you're from the Hyuga main family, huh?"
The leader's smirk was full of confidence. "Don't bother denying it. We've already confirmed it. I truly admire your clan's arrogance. During wartime, there was no choice but to send your people to the battlefield. But in a peaceful age like this? To wander outside the village unguarded?" He chuckled darkly. "I'll gladly accept your foolishness."
Hinata blinked once, then reached out and gently tapped Kiba and Shino on the shoulders.
"Pick your opponent," she said softly. "Then tell me who it is."
Her calm voice made both of them freeze. For a moment, they weren't sure if they'd heard her correctly.
After a brief silence, Kiba and Shino exchanged looks, then each pointed to one opponent they felt confident facing. Hinata nodded, understanding instantly.
"Still planning to resist?" one of the Cloud ninja sneered. "Three of you — one Chunin and two Genin — against us? Don't make me laugh."
Before he could finish, Hinata's timid expression vanished.
Her eyes turned cold, her chakra surging. A pure white robe of energy enveloped her body, and nine jet-black tomoe appeared on the back of her cloak. Even those without sensory ability could feel the dense, overwhelming chakra radiating from her.
Her Byakugan flared to full power, locking onto every enemy around her. Chakra spheres formed in both her palms.
Then she moved.
"Ten God Vacuum Strike."
It was one-eighth the power of the legendary Eighty God Vacuum Strike — yet even so, it was Hinata's most powerful technique, a perfect fusion of offense and defense. Fists of chakra exploded outward in all directions, striking precisely where she intended.
Five Cloud ninja charged forward — and the first of them was instantly launched backward, blood spraying from his mouth as his bones shattered.
The others faltered in shock, scrambling to retreat, but Hinata's expression didn't change.
With a swift motion, she controlled the chakra threads of her puppetry technique, restricting their movements midair. By the time they broke free, dozens of strikes were already upon them.
They didn't even have time to perform a Substitution Technique before being hurled away like broken kites, crashing into trees with blood splattering from their lips.
Hinata then released her next technique. Her short hair extended in an instant, growing down to her knees as thousands of strands hardened like steel needles.
"Rabbit Hair Needles!"
The sharp threads shot outward, piercing the enemies' pressure points and pinning them to the ground like hedgehogs, immobilized but alive.
Not yet satisfied, Hinata walked forward, forming seals. One by one, she placed seals over their bodies, sealing their chakra entirely. Even if the needles were removed, they wouldn't be able to use ninjutsu again until the seal was undone.
Only the two targets chosen by Kiba and Shino were spared.
"Alright," Hinata said calmly. "Your turn."
With that, she deactivated the Ten-Tails Chakra Mode, her Byakugan fading back to normal. She quietly stepped back to the edge of a nearby pond, unrolled a sealing scroll from her leg, and pulled out a small packet of snacks. As Kiba and Shino stared, she began eating and reading at the same time.
…
"Cough! Akamaru, with me!" Kiba barked after a moment, forcing down his shock. He performed the Beast Mimicry Technique, leaping toward his chosen opponent.
Shino followed without a word, his insects swarming into formation.
This wasn't sparring — it was real combat. A true life-and-death fight.
When Hinata sparred with them in training, she always held back, only injuring them enough to push their limits but never to kill. This time, however, she had given them a genuine battlefield to test themselves.
The battle lasted for nearly ten minutes. Eventually, both Kiba and Shino emerged victorious. Kiba was scratched and bruised from shielding Akamaru, while Shino had lost many of his insects but was otherwise unharmed.
After regrouping, the three decided to take the captured Cloud ninjas back to Konoha before continuing their mission.
…
When Hiashi arrived at the Hokage's office later, he found Hinata sitting quietly on a bench, completely unharmed.
Tsunade stood by the window, arms crossed, her expression dark.
"This incident is serious. The Cloud Village dared to cross our border and attempt to abduct a Hyuga again. Their behavior is outrageous."
Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Hinata. "But… I didn't expect your daughter to be this strong."
Hiashi inclined his head politely.
"For safety's sake," Tsunade continued, "it might be best if Hinata avoids leaving the village for a while."
Hiashi smiled faintly, his tone composed.
"There's no need for Lord Hokage to worry. The Hyuga clan fears no challenge. Hinata is perfectly fine."
Outwardly calm, Hiashi was suffering inside. Of course he didn't want Hinata to go out — didn't he know better than anyone how many people were after her Byakugan?
But reality was cruel. If Hinata stayed home, the entire household might starve.
Only by taking missions — particularly those lucrative B-rank commissions from wealthy patrons — could she ease the family's financial strain.
Perhaps, once the aquaculture farms and the new coastal fisheries were stable, things would finally improve.
Until then, Hiashi could only sigh quietly to himself.
His daughter was strong, kind, and terrifyingly capable — but also, somehow, his greatest expense.
…
After spending two hours in the village, Hinata and her two teammates set off once again for the location of their next client.
Watching his daughter's silhouette disappear beyond the gates, Hiashi turned and walked home, his face solemn. But the moment the door closed behind him, that stern mask faded — replaced by a troubled, weary look.
He sighed deeply.
What other way is there to make money?
…
That evening, the Hyuga household sat down for dinner.
Millet porridge and salted fish were all that graced the table.
Hiashi eyed Hanabi's lone chicken leg with barely concealed longing. Then, putting on a serious face, he said earnestly,
"One successful ninja in the family is enough. Hanabi, you mustn't follow your sister's example, understand?"
Hanabi blinked, confused.
"Huh?"
…
Far away from home, Hinata sneezed twice as she sat by the campfire.
Rubbing her nose, she tilted her head in puzzlement, then smiled softly.
"Someone must be talking about me…"
After bidding Kiba and Shino goodnight, she closed her eyes — and entered her home space, beginning her usual nightly construction routine.