Having said that, she gently released her sister's hand and turned to run towards the room.
Hanabi stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at her sister's retreating back, her eyes full of confusion.
She didn't understand why her usually gentle sister, who always granted her every wish, would refuse her.
"Menma?"
Hanabi murmured the unfamiliar name, her heart filled with curiosity.
Just then, she saw her sister, who had changed into a light pink casual outfit, her hair casually tied up, and a lingering blush on her face, run out in a hurried panic.
As if possessed, Hanabi quietly followed behind, hiding in a corner to peek.
She saw her sister standing beside a tall, blond boy, her eyes full of shyness and joy, as if only his figure remained in her gaze, unable to accommodate anything else.
A strange emotion spread through Hanabi's heart; her small heart felt a trace of jealousy and a hidden resentment towards this blond boy who had taken her sister away.
Hyuga Hiashi stood under the porch.
Watching his daughter's retreating back, her joyful steps and the smile that always lingered on her lips were brighter than he had ever seen.
And her eyes were entirely fixed on the blond youth, Menma, filled with the unique shyness and admiration of a young girl.
This scene stirred an unusual ripple in the heart of the usually stern Clan Head, as if something important was quietly slipping through his fingers.
"Brother."
Hyuga Hizashi walked to his brother's side, his gaze also falling on them, "Hinata has never seemed so happy."
Hiashi frowned slightly, glaring at his brother in displeasure, but ultimately said nothing.
He lightly flicked his sleeve, turned, and walked back, complex emotions stirring within him.
Although he was somewhat displeased that the blond boy had charmed his daughter, the boy's father was the Fourth Hokage, and Menma himself was rumored to be Konoha's strongest genius in its history.
These identities and auras forced him to swallow his displeasure, even if he didn't like it
The Hyuga Clan's long-standing success relied on assessing the situation and always siding with the winner.
Returning to his study, Hyuga Hiashi sat alone at his desk, stroking a scroll, and murmured to himself, "I didn't expect the Fourth Hokage to be so decisive, actually succeeding in eliminating Root…"
He sighed heavily, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes, "The Uchiha Clan is now firmly tied to the Fourth Hokage; our Hyuga Clan cannot fall behind. The Fourth Hokage's power has probably reached its peak in the Village…"
Thinking of the Yellow Flash, who was younger than himself but decisively handled matters, Hyuga Hiashi felt a mix of emotions.
Recalling his eldest daughter Hinata's infatuated look at Menma, he couldn't help but shake his head, "It seems Hinata's heart was captured by that boy long ago…"
As he was thinking, his peripheral vision caught sight of his younger daughter, Hanabi, peeking through the doorway.
Hyuga Hiashi gazed at his younger daughter, a decision already made in his heart: "It seems the family can only be inherited by my younger daughter."
At this moment, Hinata was completely unaware that her status as family heir had quietly changed.
She followed in the group, her gaze dreamily fixed on Menma, who walked at the very front, her girlish thoughts entirely focused on that dazzling young man.
A gentle breeze brushed her flushed cheeks, and she whispered, "Just being able to look at Menma-kun like this is enough…"
This pure affection made her temporarily forget everything else; her heart and eyes were filled only with the person before her.
The cicadas of summer chirped one after another, but Menma felt a chill down his spine.
He subtly glanced out of the corner of his eyeHinata's gaze was gentle yet fervent, like a small flame;
Ino pouted, her cheeks puffed out in displeasure, her eyes full of jealousy;
And Tenten, with her hair in buns, had bright, sparkling eyes, her admiration undisguised.
Menma could grit his teeth and endure the gazes of these little fan girls, but Neji's stare was truly unnerving.
The Hyuga Clan's genius boy stood with his arms crossed, the Cursed Seal of the Branch Family on his forehead faintly appearing and disappearing with his frown, his resentment seemingly solidifying and shooting directly at Menma.
"I didn't do anything to you, is it really necessary?"
Menma grumbled internally, quickly darting a glance at Neji.
"Hmph!"
Neji snorted coldly, abruptly turning his head, his hair flicking with the movement, a tsundere expression of "I can't be bothered with you."
Menma decided not to bother with him, just grinned, revealing two canine teeth.
Just then, a commotion broke out.
Naruto strode over, dragging Sasuke.
Sasuke frowned, looking impatient, his pulled hand struggling to break free, while his other hand remained in his pocket, his chin held high.
And Sakura followed behind, pouting, her pink fists clenched tightly, occasionally glaring at Naruto's back.
It was only when everyone arrived at the small river behind the mountain that Menma realized.
Good heavens, almost all of the Konoha 12 Genin were here!
The grassy area by the river suddenly became lively, with chattering voices mixing with the rushing sound of the river.
Menma stood by the river, casually grabbing a handful of homemade bait and scattering it into the water, creating ripples: "Fishing has its patterns. You find fish by observing the bubbles. Different fish species blow different bubbles. Big bubbles mean big fish, small bubbles mean small fish…"
As he spoke, he drew diagrams on the ground with a stick.
Seeing his companions all looking at him with admiration, Menma became even more enthusiastic, casually picking up a fishing rod: "Casting and reeling also require skill…"
"Menma, you're amazing, you know so much."
Ino leaned in close, her eyes full of stars, exclaiming with admiration.
"Menma-kun…"
Hinata's voice was a mere whisper, her fingers nervously poking at each other, her pure white eyes moist and filled with admiration.
"Menma is too strong, he knows everything…"
Tenten bounced over, her hair buns bobbing, her exclamations full of respect… "Watch the fishing master show you all."
Menma's lips curved into a confident smile, and under the expectant gazes of his companions, he gracefully cast the fishing rod in a beautiful arc, the fishing line "whooshing" into the middle of the river, stirring up a circle of ripples.
But as time passed, minute by minute, the bobber remained perfectly still, like a needle fixing the sea.
Tiny beads of sweat appeared on Menma's forehead; he tugged at his collar, feigning calmness, but his heart began to pound.
Just then
"Ah! I caught another big fish!"
Naruto's excited shout rang out, startling a few sparrows by the bank into flight.
He was red-faced, clutching the fishing rod tightly with both hands, his body arched backward in an exaggerated curve, the rod bent like a bow.
Shikamaru skillfully picked up the nearby landing net, crouching down, his eyes fixed on the water, ready to assist at any moment.
Menma craned his neck to look, then immediately pouted.
The scales of the large fish in Naruto's arms gleamed silver in the sunlight, its tail still thrashing, splashing water that wet Naruto's clothes.
"What's the big deal, it's just good luck."
He mumbled softly, unconsciously kicking at a stone by his foot, a wave of sourness rising in his heart.
"Menma-kun… good luck!"
Hinata's timid voice came from beside him.
Menma turned to look, and saw the girl clutching the hem of her clothes, her rosy cheeks filled with worry, and her clear eyes brimming with encouragement.
At some point, everyone else had been drawn to Naruto's success, gathered around him, chattering and exclaiming, even Ino had pulled Sakura away to pick flowers in the bushes by the river, leaving only Hinata silently by his side.
"You're the best…"
Menma flashed Hinata a smile.
But when he caught sight of the small fish swimming in Hinata's little bucket, his smile instantly froze on his face
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