Summer.
Cicadas cried; Connor ate.
Hinata could clearly sense that her Qi Refining third-layer cultivation had reached its Peak. Spiritual power brimmed inside her, needing only a trigger to break through.
Right now, from the direction of the Uchiha Clan Compound, that ever-more-oppressive aura—taut as a drawn bowstring—had already begun to spill outward.
Even Hiashi had come personally a few days earlier to tell her to stay indoors as much as possible.
'A storm is brewing… looks like the Uchiha Clan plans to make a move.'
'Not a move on the surface, not in the sky, not on the ground.'
Still, the Uchiha's fate had nothing to do with her.
Although Hiashi had told her not to go out, she would still take a stroll.
At dusk Hinata walked alone along the edge of a small wood near the Village border, familiarizing herself with her perception as she went.
The setting sun stretched her shadow long.
Just then a languid figure ambled out from another path—silver mop of hair, face-mask, cradling that ever-present copy of icha icha paradise.
Kakashi clearly hadn't expected to meet Hinata here; his one visible dead-fish eye lifted from the page, faintly surprised.
'Oh? The Hyuga Clan's Miss, out for a walk at this hour?'
Hinata stopped, her pale Byakugan calm as she regarded him, tone flat.
'Kakashi-san.'
She offered only a greeting, no intention of answering.
'You know who I am…'
Kakashi hadn't thought a four-year-old girl would recognize him.
'Father mentioned you; he said you're exceptional.'
Kakashi studied her, the curiosity he'd felt before flaring anew.
This girl was different—not only from the rest of the Hyuga children, but from every child in Konoha.
'The Village seems unsettled lately.'
Kakashi closed Icha Icha, chatting casually while his gaze carried a subtle probe.
'Everything all right at the Hyuga Clan?'
'The Hyuga Clan is fine; thank you for asking.'
Hinata paused, then tossed the question back.
'Kakashi-san looks quite free; is the Anbu not busy?'
Kakashi's eyes flickered—this girl was not only composed, but quick.
'Well, everyone needs a break.'
He brushed it off, then seemed to remember something.
'Speaking of which, I saw you talking with Uzumaki Naruto last time? He seemed to like you.'
Hinata's expression didn't change; she already knew Kakashi kept covert watch over Naruto and had noticed their brief contact.
'He's lonely, isn't he.'
Kakashi fell silent.
That child… was indeed very lonely.
Kakashi looked at Hinata, as though trying to read something in her white eyes, but finally settled back into his lazy manner.
'You've heard the rumors about him; associating with him could bring trouble.'
'Perhaps.'
Hinata neither confirmed nor denied.
'Enjoy your reading, Kakashi-san. I should head back—Father told me not to go out.'
With that she gave a small nod, turned, and walked steadily back the way she had come.
Kakashi watched her silhouette vanish beyond the trees and rubbed his chin.
'Hyuga Hinata… truly different.'
Back in her room Hinata shut out external perception.
She focused on the System interface.
Glancing at the points earned from altering Hizashi's fate and a few small actions,
she now had 1,215 points.
The System screen was much cleaner: [Status], [Quest List], and [Shop].
She opened [Shop].
A dazzling list of items appeared, neatly categorized.
[Techniques & Divine Abilities]
Five-Element Escape Primer (single element): 800 points
Sword-Flight Art: 1,500 points
Palm Thunder (low-grade lightning Spell): 700 points
…[Pills & Elixirs]
low-grade qi gathering pill (speeds Qi Refining): 200 points each
Recovery Powder (heals minor wounds, restores stamina): 100 points per dose
Clarity Pill (calms mind, resists low-level genjutsu): 150 points each
…[Heaven And Earth Treasure]
Low-grade Spirit Stone (pure Spiritual Qi): 50 points per piece
Century-old common Spiritual Plant: 300–800 points each
…[Special Items]
Disguise Mask: 500 points
Low-grade Storage Pouch: 1,000 points
Concealment Cloak: 1,000 points
…[Local Specialty]
Three Basic Jutsu Scroll (Shadow Clone/Substitution/Transformation): 50 points
Basic Shuriken & Kunai Throwing: 100 points
Chakra Refinement (basic): 200 points
Konoha-Style Taijutsu (basic): 300 points
(Note: local items cost points but cannot directly advance cultivation realms; choose wisely, host.)
Hinata's gaze swept the list.
Five-Element Escape Primer and Palm Thunder were tempting—new attack options—but pricey.
low-grade qi gathering pills could speed training, yet value needed weighing.
A Low-grade Storage Pouch was extremely practical, solving many hassles.
As for local Ninjutsu and taijutsu, she set them aside; cost-performance was poor—her foundation lay in immortal cultivation.
After brief thought she spent 1,000 points on a [Low-grade Storage Pouch] and 200 points on a [low-grade qi gathering pill].
A plain grey pouch appeared in her hand; with a thought she sensed its one-cubic-metre space.
She placed the Qi Gathering Pill and some small items inside—portable and inconspicuous.
'Next: the Breakthrough.'
Hinata clenched her fist, feeling the spiritual power within. She drew a deep breath and without hesitation swallowed the pill.
The moment it passed her throat it flowed like cool spring water.
As time passed the medicinal strength took effect; Hinata felt her Spiritual Qi grow denser, compressed like a spring ready to explode…
Night passed in silence. When the first morning light slipped through the lattice and softly brushed her face, Hinata slowly opened her eyes.
Her aura shifted: once thin, now noticeably stronger.
'Qi Refining fourth layer—accomplished as naturally as water flows!'