After Mei Terumī heard the news that Yagura Karatachi might be under someone's control, she couldn't sit still. Regardless of her frail body, she returned to Kiri.
Natsume escorted her for a while to prevent any mishaps.
Although it was impossible for Hideyoshi and the others to come back from the dead, there might be other ninjas.
"Thanks."
Even though Mei Terumī was in a bad mood, she still maintained the etiquette befitting the successor of the Mizukage.
"I'll come to you after I confirm the news."
She turned around and walked into an abode.
"Mei Terumī?"
Ao, a veteran Jonin from Kiri, enjoyed high prestige.
What he was best known for was the title of Byakugan Killer.
During the Third Great Ninja War, he obtained a Byakugan as a trophy and installed it in his right eye.
"Why are you so surprised to see me?"
Mei Terumī noticed his expression and instantly grew a bit wary.
Did Ao also know that Hideyoshi and others had attempted to assassinate her?
"Rarely seeing you change your hairstyle once, it actually gives you a very girlish look."
Ao nodded with a smile and then asked, "What do you want from me?"
Hairstyle?
Mei Terumī was taken aback for a moment but quickly brushed it off and started talking about Yagura Karatachi.
"Is this possible?"
Ao showed an incredulous look upon hearing this.
"Given the Mizukage - sama's strength, it's really unlikely that he could be controlled."
Mei Terumī said in a deep voice, "But over the years, his behavior has been so bewildering, as if he were an entirely different person."
"I'll give it a try."
Ao finally agreed.
If it turned out to be false, he could simply apologize to Yagura Karatachi.
But if it were true, he couldn't even begin to fathom how great a disgrace it would be.
The Five Kage of the Five Great Villages, the five individuals at the pinnacle of the ninja world, being controlled by someone?
What would Kiri's reputation be then?
After Ao left, Mei Terumī went to see Yuanshi and told him about the matter.
Even this well - informed elder fell silent.
He had really never seen such a situation before.
Just thinking that Kiri had been under the rule of an outsider for so many years, he couldn't contain his emotions anymore.
While waiting, Mei Terumī remembered what Ao had said.
She went to the lake in the courtyard and saw her new hairstyle in the reflection of the water.
She had thought it was just a disheveled mess due to the battle, but it was completely different from what she had envisioned.
Apparently, Natsume had fixed her hair.
Mei Terumī was in a daze.
What kind of person are you exactly?
Meanwhile, Natsume, the one she was thinking about, was in a state of having nothing to do.
He was about to go and have some fun with Ena Uzumaki when he suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Hinata Hyuga for ages.
So after confirming that she was in her room, he executed the Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
"What are you thinking about?"
The first thing he saw was Hinata Hyuga frowning in deep thought. With her cute face, she looked utterly charming.
"Brother Natsume!"
She came back to her senses and shouted excitedly.
Moreover, her body instinctively ran towards him.
She stopped in front of him, blushed slightly, and shyly lowered her head.
Natsume crouched down, gave her a hug, and then immediately let go.
Even so, Hinata Hyuga's face turned completely red and started to steam because of his action.
After she calmed down, Natsume asked again, "What were you thinking about just now?"
Hinata Hyuga didn't hide it and said dejectedly, "It's Brother Neji. I told him this morning that I would definitely remove the Caged Bird Seal, but he didn't believe me and said I was being fake."
Natsume raised his eyebrows.
Good boy.
With this attitude of yours, I really want to give you a good beating.
"Do you know why he doesn't believe you?"
Natsume reached out, gently held her chin, and cupped her small face in one hand. It felt quite soft.
Hinata Hyuga opened her eyes wide. If she hadn't been attracted by the question, she would have fainted long ago.
"It's because you haven't defeated him."
Natsume smiled and said, "Removing the Caged Bird Seal is already a difficult thing. If you don't defeat him, how can he believe you?"
"I... I... can't beat him."
Hinata Hyuga whispered, "Brother Neji has better talent than me."
"That's not true."
Natsume shook his head and said, "Your talent is better than his, but it hasn't been fully developed."
Putting aside the Byakugan, Neji Hyuga was indeed amazingly talented as he could secretly learn the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
But Hinata Hyuga could create the Guardian - Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms which was comparable to the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, so she was not inferior to him either.
In fact, with his regular feeding, her performance was already better than that of her at the same age in the original story.
How should I put it?
It's a matter of mentality.
Hinata Hyuga seemed timid.
As we all know, the more nervous, anxious, or angry one is, the easier it is to perform abnormally.
Moreover, like Hiashi Hyuga, Neji Hyuga had too much prestige in her mind.
Some people may think it's a matter of personality.
But in fact, Hinata Hyuga behaved quite normally when facing other people.
For example, her teammates Kiba Inuzuka or Shino Aburame.
Only when she was in contact with the person she liked would she turn into a steam maiden.
Natsume had quite a lot of experience dealing with such psychological problems.
After all, he cured Tsunade's hemophobia.
In short, just practice more.
"Let's go."
Natsume stroked her head. "I'll take you to train and help you develop your talent."
Hinata Hyuga noticed that his expression and eyes didn't seem like he was joking, so she nodded vigorously.
Oh!
Whether it was true or not, she was more than willing to stay with him for a bit longer.
Natsume took the Hyuga Heiress away from home again.
The two came to a secluded place in the Death Forest.
Under Hinata Hyuga's gaze with dilated pupils in shock, she was caught in a nightmare - like illusion.
Natsume activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.
This was undoubtedly the most convenient way.
Of course, he wouldn't be as ruthless as Itachi Uchiha, who directly and repeatedly showed Sasuke Uchiha the scene of the clan's extermination.
He had a lot of time on his hands and could gradually increase the difficulty until Hinata Hyuga was no longer afraid of Hiashi Hyuga and Neji Hyuga.
After a long time, the Genjutsu ended.
Hinata Hyuga immediately threw herself into Natsume's arms.
Her body was trembling slightly.
Natsume gently ran his hand through her hair and said, "Don't be afraid. It's all fake."
Hinata Hyuga didn't say a word.
After a moment, Natsume noticed that she seemed to be asleep, or rather, fainted.
He couldn't help but smile.
So cute.
Natsume carried her back to the Hyuga mansion.
When they entered the room, he found that she had already woken up.
"How do you feel?"
Natsume put her down and asked.
"A bit scared, but not too much."
Hinata Hyuga lowered her head and said softly.
This shows that she fainted just now not because of fear but shyness.
"That's good."
Natsume stroked her head and said, "After you have dinner at home later, wait by the window. I'll show you something really cool."
Hearing this, Hinata Hyuga blushed and nodded.
Natsume didn't stay long. After telling her not to tell anyone about this, he disappeared from the room.
However, he didn't return to Kiri. He still stayed in Konoha Village.
After Hinata finished her meal, she looked up at the starry sky outside the window. Countless fireworks were shining for her.
After lighting up the fireworks, Natsume went to Orochimaru's courtyard.
Since he took Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, he hadn't seen Orochimaru again.
He came here this time for one reason.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
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