Chapter 110: The Akiyama Grand Family Plan
Hinata looked at Akiyama Makoto in surprise. This time, however, she didn't blush and faint. He poked her shoulder, confused, and the next second, she fell straight backward, stiff as a board.
It turned out that the moment he had finished speaking, she had already fainted from shyness.
At that moment, a pair of hands reached out and caught her. It was Natsu Hyūga.
"Lord Akiyama, please don't tease the two young ladies. The clan head merely enjoys your book and wanted to discuss some of its details with you."
After she spoke, Natsu even cast him a pleading look. Seeing as she had respectfully served him tea just moments before, he didn't expose her lie.
At this time, Hanabi pushed his hand away and said angrily, "You! Why do you like to tease my sister so much?"
"Actually, I like to tease you too. You're just too cute, little Hanabi."
He pinched her cheek and rubbed it, which earned him a flurry of wild attacks. Although she didn't strike his tenketsu, she still used the forms of the Gentle Fist.
Makoto pretended to be in pain and ran ahead, with Hanabi chasing him. This scene left Natsu dumbfounded. She had just personally witnessed his conversation with Hiashi and had thought he was a calculating schemer wise beyond his years. But now, seeing him laugh so happily—could it be that he really was a magnanimous and cheerful person like the First Hokage?
Hanabi chased him all the way out of the Hyūga compound and to an empty street corner before he finally stopped.
"This is far enough. I have to go back to the Kazematsuri Bathhouse. Or are you planning to come back with me and play with Moegi?"
"I'm nothing like her! All she thinks about is playing, and she's always following that idiot Konohamaru around."
Hanabi pursed her lips. Seeing that he was about to leave, she quickly said, "Um—thank you."
"I don't know how you convinced Lord Father, but as long as you can make my sister happy, I will be forever grateful to you."
He patted her little head. "Gratitude in words doesn't mean much. Why don't you thank me with your actions?"
"Hmm—what do you want me to do?"
"Then—just call me 'Big Brother' in a loud voice."
"That's it? I thought it would be some strange request."
Hanabi took a step back, a smile on her face, and slowly opened her mouth. "Bleh!"
After making a face, she fled like the wind, leaving only a trail of silvery laughter.
He wasn't angry. He just called out, "Next time I see Hinata, I'm telling on you!"
After receiving another raspberry in return, he walked with his arms crossed through the Konoha streets as night fell. Seeing many people decorating their doorways, he suddenly remembered: the New Year for Konoha 64 was almost here. Only this time... would he be spending it in a bathhouse?
He wasn't dissatisfied with this. In the past, he had always spent the New Year alone. Getting a little rice and meat from the neighbors counted as a feast. At least this year, he could go and freeload a meal at Moegi's family table, right?
For the next half a month, he immersed himself in high-intensity training. The only difference was that his training partners changed daily. Sometimes it was Tenten, sometimes Ino and Sakura, and the rest of the time he would go to the Hyūga compound to spar with Hanabi and Hinata.
Sasuke and Naruto also appeared before him every few days, always wanting to beg for new ninjutsu. But he insisted that jutsu was about quality, not quantity. While making Sasuke practice his Fire Style, he also taught Naruto a little Wind Style. In any case, they both had their own paths to promotion in the future. For now, he just needed to make a show of it.
During these days, Anko also continued to live next door to him. She would flip through his window at midnight and leave before dawn. This perseverance of hers earned even his admiration. Although Anko was a menace when drunk, she was surprisingly sentimental when sober. Hmm—was sentimental the right word? Did he and Anko really have feelings for each other?
Forget it. I'll find a chance to let her relax. If she stays this tense, I'm worried she won't even last until the Chūnin Exams.
Besides, during this time, he had been thinking about the bluff he had made to Hiashi Hyūga—the matter of him establishing a family in the name of the Senju clan. The more he thought about it, the more he felt this was a solid plan. When he possessed Wood Style, Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, the Flying Thunder God, and the Yin Seal, he could just clap his hands and bring forth a Deep Forest Emergence. Even if Orochimaru reanimated the First and Second Hokage, they would probably suspect that Orochimaru had sealed their memories, making them forget they had such an outstanding successor.
As for the likes of Danzō, if he dared to make a move on him then, what would be the difference between that and Kakuzu throwing a kunai at Hashirama from eight hundred meters away? Ah, no, Danzō was also a master of the kunai. Maybe he would try to stab his True Several Thousand Hands with one?
Unfortunately, this was all just a fantasy. In the time remaining, he definitely couldn't reach the level of using Sage Mode and Wood Style together. But if his goal was just to use Wood Style, he could probably still work towards it.
At this thought, he prepared to start a simulation again. He planned to take the "Hokage route" this time. If he succeeded, he would gather as much of Danzō's dirty laundry as possible to prepare for his future destruction. As for the attack Danzō might launch against him soon, he had already thought of a countermeasure.
Everything was ready. All that was left was to start the simulation.
He was sitting alone in his room, quietly waiting for the dead of night, when a light flashed outside the window, followed by the explosion of fireworks.
He was taken aback for a moment, then went to the window.
Watching the bright fireworks, he suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. After all, at this time, everyone he knew was probably with their families.
"Want one?"
A skewer of dango was extended in front of him, still steaming.
He looked down and saw Anko crouching outside his window. One hand was held high, reaching up to him, while the other was covering her face. Although she had the strength of a Special Jōnin, he could see her hand trembling slightly. Was it from nervousness, or fear?
"Are you cold?" he asked curiously.
"I'm not cold! I just... feel a little sad about having to share my favorite dango with you."
"Then you should keep it and eat it yourself."
"No! Good things must be shared—with family! You're my little brother now!"
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The current Anko was even more clumsy at lying than Moegi was when she hadn't finished her homework. Seeing that if he didn't take it soon, she looked like she might have an emotional breakdown, he bit one of the red bean dango off the skewer and chewed it.
"Hey, why did you only eat one? This whole skewer is for you!"
His mouth was stuck with the sticky rice cake. He could only mumble, "Good things should be shared with those close to us. You're my Big Sister Anko, aren't you?"
Anko stopped trembling, seeming to savor his words.
"You're not going to eat the other two? Then I'm going to eat them!" he said, opening his mouth to take another bite.
Anko let out a cry and quickly stuffed the rest of the skewer into her own mouth. "No! You only get one! I gave you the one I wanted to eat the most."
"If you want more, I'll take you out for a big meal."
"At this hour?"
"It's New Year's! The streets are really lively."
Anko finally gathered the courage to stand up, revealing a bright, foolish grin. As if worried he would refuse, she quickly added, "Don't worry, I won't drink a single drop, I promise! And I can keep my distance—"
Before she could finish, he vaulted out of the window, landing shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Then you'd better be prepared for me to eat you into bankruptcy."
Anko stared, then burst out laughing. She patted her stomach. "Don't underestimate me. I'm famous for my big appetite!"
"Never mind just you, even if there were ten more of you, you probably wouldn't be a match for me."
He suddenly shot her a strange look. "You're the one who said that."
"Hm?"
At first, she didn't understand. But as another firework lit up the sky, a group of figures appeared at the gate of the Kazematsuri Bathhouse. Almost all the girls he knew were there. She even saw Kurenai's figure among them. Shouldn't Kurenai be on a date with Asuma at this time? What is she doing here?
"Everyone, listen up!"
He pointed at Anko. "This big sister just announced that she's treating everyone tonight! Don't you let her get away!"
"Especially you, Hinata. Remember to eat your fill!"
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 200 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you