Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 49: Hanabi, You're Not Cute Like This!

Watching Naruto fall among the girls and get beaten up again, Katsuragi felt somewhat helpless and wondered how Naruto would later develop his incredible verbal skills.

"How dare you challenge our Sasuke! Naruto, are you looking for death?"

"It would be more reasonable if it were Katsuragi!"

"Just a dead last! Humph!"

Thinking about Naruto's nickname of 'dead last,' Katsuragi felt like laughing. Previously, out of boredom, he had also tried to help improve Naruto's grades.

As he grew older, Naruto wasn't hopelessly dumb. He was a very hardworking individual, and despite disastrous performances in throwing and ninjutsu exams due to his talent and the influence of the Nine-Tails, Naruto had made progress in other areas under his "wise" guidance. He even managed to shake off the 'dead last' label once, which delighted Naruto for a while.

However, the few students whose grades were surpassed by Naruto ended up nearly dropping out of school due to the weird looks they received from others. This incident spurred them to study frenetically, something that even surprised Katsuragi.

Moreover, influenced by these few, the rest of the class became anxious about being overtaken by Naruto's grades and suddenly started working hard too, making Iruka wonder if he was teaching the wrong class.

Given the importance of ninjutsu and throwing in the exams, unless Katsuragi helped Naruto cheat, it was difficult for Naruto to escape the 'dead last' stigma, and the matter remained unresolved.

"Katsuragi, I want to challenge you!"

While Katsuragi was reminiscing, Sasuke suddenly approached him with a cold expression, repeating the challenge Naruto had just issued. Over the years, Sasuke had never once beaten Katsuragi, remaining perpetually second.

"No, I have to take Hinata home!"

Katsuragi had no interest in accepting Sasuke's challenge. Although it wouldn't take long to settle the match, his laziness, worsened by Shikamaru's influence, made him reluctant to bother.

"Uh!"

Hearing Katsuragi use Hinata as an excuse again, Sasuke was at a loss for words. Looking at the blushing Hinata by Katsuragi's side, he couldn't muster any scornful remarks and just coldly huffed:

"I will beat you someday!"

"Sure, sure, keep at it!"

Katsuragi was utterly unconcerned. For Sasuke to surpass his current strength would be hard, even if he instantly activated a three-tomoe Sharingan, let alone obtaining a Mangekyō. Sasuke had little hope of winning without it.

"You...!"

Sasuke, now understanding a bit of what Naruto felt when facing him, gritted his teeth as he looked at Katsuragi slouched over the desk, but ultimately said nothing and left the classroom, silently resolving to be a bit nicer to that "idiot" in the future.

Unaware that he had once again successfully facilitated their relationship, Katsuragi, seeing that the classroom was nearly empty, turned to Hinata and said, "Let's go, Hanabi should be done with her training by now."

"Yes!" Mentioning Hanabi made Hinata's face light up with affection.

As they headed to the Hyūga compound, Katsuragi sighed and asked, "By the way, is Hanabi still acting the same?"

Hinata's expression shifted slightly, and she fell silent, not sure how to respond.

Seeing her expression, Katsuragi already knew the answer without needing one. He had always been more fond of Hinata and muttered, "Really, she's not as cute as she used to be."

"That's not true, Hanabi is very good, cute, and talented, not like me…" Hearing Katsuragi's words, Hinata quickly objected, then her voice trailed off into silence.

"Hinata!" Katsuragi stopped and firmly gripped her shoulders, looking into her eyes seriously, "In my eyes, you are absolutely the best. Don't ever sell yourself short, okay?"

Hinata's cheeks flushed, and, overwhelmed by Katsuragi's near-confession, she almost fainted with shyness, quickly forgetting her sorrow as she nodded and whispered, "And you are in my heart too."

"Hehe!"

Katsuragi grinned, pleased that his years of planning were effective. Under his influence, Hinata had become able to express such feelings, a stark contrast to her original self.

As for Hanabi, just like in the original story, Hiashi had the two sisters face each other to determine the clan's heir. Katsuragi didn't watch the fight – not being a Hyūga – but was certain Hinata was more skilled than Hanabi, though Hinata had lost the match intentionally.

Katsuragi believed that Hiashi and others must have realized Hinata threw the match, and perhaps because they recognized it, they completely abandoned the idea of making her the clan heir. After all, Hinata's gentle nature was ill-suited for the decisive and cold decisions required from a clan leader.

"Sigh."

Looking at Hinata still blushing beside him, Katsuragi sighed silently. He knew she didn't care about the title of clan heir.

What mattered to her was Hanabi's attitude, which had shifted since changing her status, becoming somewhat like Neji initially was, even often speaking of fate. If it weren't because she was a cute little girl, Katsuragi would have given her a good scolding.

Arriving at the Hyūga compound and since there was no school the next day, Katsuragi wasn't in a hurry to go home and planned to stay for dinner.

As Hinata changed clothes and dinner wasn't ready yet, Katsuragi wandered around the yard, familiar enough with the place to never get lost.

"Hanabi!"

Spotting a small figure punching a tree in the yard, Katsuragi called out to her.

"Katsuragi!" Hanabi turned, and upon seeing it was Katsuragi, she quickly looked around and asked, "Where's big sister?"

"Hanabi, you're not cute like this! You didn't use to call her that, what about 'big brother'?" Katsuragi didn't answer directly but walked over and ruffled Hanabi's hair, contemplating cutting her long bangs that obscured her face.

Unaware of Katsuragi's thoughts, Hanabi, feeling his gaze, recalled their past interactions and finally blushed, calling out, "Big brother Katsuragi!"

"Well, kids deserve some forgiveness," Katsuragi thought, easily forgiving her at the sound of her soft call. He smiled and said, "Your sister went to change. She'll be out soon."

Just as he finished speaking, Hinata, now dressed, ran out and, seeing them together, called, "Katsuragi, Hanabi, what are you doing?"

End of Chapter 49