Mists curled around Immortal Village, draping the whole settlement in a haze.
At the village's innermost depths stood an elegant, freestanding manor—azure tiles, white walls, and a stone brook murmuring past.
On its private training ground, Hinata and Hanabi faced one another.
Both sisters wore plain training robes, their hems fluttering in the breeze.
"Sister, here I come!"
Hanabi shouted, stamping the bluestone with a dull thud.
Her palms, wrapped in sharp Chakra, shot toward the acupoints on Hinata's chest.
Days of training in Immortal Village had polished every move of the Gentle Fist. Her palm tore the air—she was giving it her all.
Against this unstoppable assault, Hinata simply stood still. She never shifted a step, her clear eyes holding only gentle tolerance for her sister. Only when the fist was a hair's breadth away did she flick it aside as if plucking a flower.
With a soft pop, Hanabi felt a mighty force crash into her, numbness racing from arm to shoulder. She staggered three steps back, barely steadying herself before she hit the ground.
Hanabi caught a stone pillar, chest heaving, stunned by the exchange.
The Hinata of today was no longer the timid girl of old. She was a peak Six-Paths expert, every gesture brimming with power.
Though Hanabi had struck with everything, to Hinata, it was like an egg flung at a boulder.
The Chakra ripples on the ground faded and the drifting mist resumed its lazy flow.
Hanabi rubbed her tingling wrist, outwardly unhurt yet burning with frustration—she hadn't even touched her sister's sleeve.
Her cheeks puffed in a sulk over the lopsided defeat.
Hinata used to lose but ever since she'd been with Shun, Hanabi could no longer fight back.
The sting of failure reddened her nose.
Just then a familiar figure strolled along the stone path. Ink-dark brocade brushed the slabs, scattering bamboo leaves. A kingly aura pressed outward, stifling the very Chakra and stilling the mist for an instant.
Shun wore a dark brocade robe stitched with silver runes that shimmered as he moved, regal and poised. His black hair was pinned with a clasp, baring a smooth forehead. Lazy amusement glinted in crimson eyes as he gazed upon the sisters.
Today was Hinata's birthday, so he had made time to visit Immortal Village. He hadn't expected to walk straight into their sparring match.
Seeing Hanabi's pout and Hinata's calm, his smile deepened.
At the sight of him, Hanabi's unhappiness melted away as if it had never been.
Since childhood she had adored this powerful, elegant future brother-in-law, secretly wishing to marry Shun together with her sister.
Yet lately, her sister kept warning that Shun was fickle and surrounded by women, urging her to keep her distance—sparking rebellion in Hanabi's heart.
In her eyes Shun was perfect, her sister must fear she'd steal him.
Add the lost match, and all her vexation vanished the instant she saw him.
She dashed over, slipping her arm through his in easy intimacy, cheeks flushed but eyes shining.
"Future brother-in-law! Why are you here? Did you come specially to see sis?"
Feeling the firm muscle beneath the cloth, her heartbeat quickened.
Shun looked down at the excited girl, warmed by her open adoration.
"Mm. Once I finished things on the planet I came to check on you both—see how life in Immortal Village treats you and whether you're slacking in training."
Watching from afar, Hinata felt her temples throb and a headache loomed.
She knew her sister all too well. In this secluded manor, with no outsiders around, Hanabi threw all restraint to the wind the moment Shun appeared—daring to say or do anything.
She was about to step forward and pull the two apart, to stop Hanabi's overly affectionate behavior, but Hanabi beat her to it, blurting out words that left her frozen on the spot.
Hanabi tilted her head slightly, blinking her lively eyes, her long lashes fluttering.
"Future brother-in-law, do I look pretty today? I specially changed into a new training outfit."
As she spoke, she spun lightly. The breeze lifted her hair, showing the unique liveliness and innocence of a young girl.
Her gaze locked onto Shun's face, afraid of missing even the tiniest reaction, her whole heart longing for his praise.
A faint smile flashed in Shun's eyes. He could read Hanabi's intentions but chose not to expose them, treating it as the innocence of a little girl.
He nodded slightly, letting his gaze rest on her briefly, and followed her cue. "Beautiful, it suits you. This training outfit makes you look full of spirit."
With Shun's praise, Hanabi grew even bolder. She gripped his arm tightly, the anticipation in her eyes almost tangible, her cheeks flushed with shy excitement.
"Then, future brother-in-law, can I become your queen too? I want to stay with you together with sister. I'll be even more obedient and sensible than she is."
The moment the words left her mouth, she stared nervously into Shun's eyes. Her heart pounded, both longing for a positive answer and dreading rejection, her whole body tense from the straightforward confession.
"Hanabi! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Hinata couldn't bear it any longer. She strode forward to pull Hanabi away from Shun, eyes full of urgency and helplessness.
"How can you say such things! It's improper! Come back here at once!"
Her little sister's blunt confession was far too rude and left her completely mortified.
She knew Shun's nature—he was never short of women throwing themselves at him—and now Hanabi was so direct. Hinata felt a faint sourness and unease.
Seeing this, Shun raised his hand with a smile and gently stopped Hinata from pulling Hanabi away.
His gaze swept past the stubborn Hanabi, still refusing to let go, then turned to the visibly angry Hinata. He smiled faintly. "Hinata, don't be mad. Hanabi is naturally straightforward and independent, always saying what she thinks. Besides, she's born to admire the strong. As the Lord of the Ninja World, my power is obvious. It's normal for her to like me."
These obviously indulgent words instantly ignited the anger Hinata had been suppressing, all restraint vanishing. She flung off Shun's hand, her chest heaving with rage.
Her brows knitted tightly, eyes full of anger and disappointment. "You shameless flirt! And you still make excuses for her. Do you actually have feelings for Hanabi too?"
She knew Shun's lecherous nature, his indulgence toward Hanabi made her suspicious.
She resented both his failure to keep his distance and his disregard for her feelings. He knew full well she minded, yet still spoke in such ambiguous terms.
Shun gave her a helpless smile, his eyes full of affection. He loved seeing Hinata jealous for his sake, it made him feel cherished.
Then he turned to Hanabi, who was staring at him expectantly. He gently stroked her hair and coaxed, "You often lack patience and easily confuse fondness with like, and like with love. So, little Hanabi, wait until you truly grow up, experience more, and understand what real love is—then decide whether you want to be with me."
"Brother-in-law! Don't pat my head!"
Hanabi jerked her head aside to avoid his touch, puffing her cheeks, eyes full of defiance.
"I'm not a child anymore! I'm already sixteen, I know what I want. My feelings for you are real, not some spur-of-the-moment impulse."
She glared at Shun with hands on hips, forcing a tough look despite the sting of rejection in her heart, unwilling to show any weakness.
To her, her feelings were utterly sincere, yet he treated them as a child's joke. The sense of not being taken seriously made her feel deeply wronged.
Shun looked at the stubborn girl before him, a gentle smile in his eyes, and said nothing more.
Hanabi needed to grasp some things on her own. No amount of persuasion from others would help.