Chapter 105: The Younger Sister-in-Law's Whims and Longing, the Hot Spring Like a Battlefield

Chapter 105: The Younger Sister-in-Law’s Whims and Longing, the Hot Spring Like a Battlefield

“Onii-chan, sniffle…”

On December 12th, Hanabi Hyuga finally reappeared after a long absence.

Stepping into the traditional building, she spotted Izayoi seated on the tatami mat, surrounded by stacks of ninjutsu scrolls. Without hesitation, she flung herself into his arms, her voice trembling with exaggerated sorrow.

“What’s wrong?” Izayoi tossed aside the scroll he’d been reading, wrapped his arms around her, and gently rubbed her back. “Who upset my Hanabi? Tell Onii-chan. I’ll use a Transformation Technique to help you get revenge.”

“Pfft…”

Hanabi, still faking tears, couldn’t suppress a giggle. But she quickly resumed her act, wiping at her eyes and tilting her face upward. “It’s Father and the elders,” she said, her voice pitiful. “They’ve been making me train nonstop, saying things like, ‘How will you carry the clan’s honor if you’re lazy?’ They’ve even stationed guards at the school gates after class and won’t let me leave the house on weekends. They won’t even let Onee-chan take me out! I’ve missed you so much, Onii-chan…”

Izayoi paused, his expression softening. For a moment, he’d thought the Hyuga clan was foolish enough to defy him by forcing the Caged Bird Seal onto Hanabi. But it seemed the clan had learned its lesson. With Hinata’s engagement to him already clear, they’d shifted focus to grooming Hanabi as the heir.

He pinched her cheek, smirking. “So how’d you manage to sneak out today?”

“The elders allowed it,” Hanabi huffed, pulling an envelope from her robes. “They told me to deliver this to you personally.”

Izayoi unfolded the letter, his lips curling as he read the invitation inside.

“What does it say?” Hanabi peered over his shoulder, her chin resting on his collarbone. After a moment, she pouted. “Unfair! They didn’t invite you to my birthday party, but they’re making me deliver Onee-chan’s invitation? That’s so biased!”

She tugged his hair, stomping her foot. “I don’t care! You have to come to my birthday next year!”

“Alright, alright!” Izayoi surrendered, his hair now a mess. “I’ll crash your party even if they don’t invite me.”

Truthfully, he’d wanted to celebrate Hanabi’s birthday privately this year—like she and Hinata did for him. But her birthday, March 27th, coincided with his Rinnegan awakening period. By the time he recovered, her special day had passed.

Hanabi, unaware of this, tightened her grip around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Promise! If you break it, I’ll slip laxatives into your milk and spit in it too!”

Izayoi’s eyes narrowed. “Spit in my milk? You’ve done this before, haven’t you!”

“No!” she squeaked, avoiding his gaze. “I just… secretly drank your milk once.”

“That’s worse! And you watered it down after?”

“Hehe… I had to cover my tracks!”

Izayoi flicked her forehead, and the two tumbled onto the tatami, playfully wrestling.

For two months apart, Hanabi’s longing had been relentless. In the original timeline, she’d idolized Hinata because her father and the elders were so stern. But Izayoi’s arrival changed everything. He’d given her the warmth and patience the Hyuga elders never could. With him, she didn’t have to be a “perfect heir”—just a mischievous, affectionate little sister.

As they tussled, Hanabi suddenly buried her face in his chest, her voice soft. “Onii-chan… I missed you so much.”

Izayoi blinked in mild surprise, then reached up to ruffle Hanabi Hyuga’s hair with a smile. “Since you don’t want to stay home training, come train at Onii-chan’s house from now on. Just like before—I’ll guide you personally.”

“Really? You’d let me?”

Hanabi’s shimmering eyes lit up, but she quickly shook her head, her voice dropping. “No… Father and the elders would never agree.”

Izayoi smirked, his tone brimming with confidence. “I’ll write a letter for you to take back. They’ll agree once they read it.”

Why had he chosen to eliminate Danzō Shimura and Root during the Konoha Destruction Plan instead of simply infiltrating the Hokage’s office, capturing Tenzō, extracting his Bloodline Limit, then using Wood Release Clones disguised as Pain’s Deva Path to stage periodic attacks on the village?

Because Izayoi didn’t want to merely collect spoils—he wanted to reshape Konoha into his own sanctuary.

As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō remained, even with his Wood Release, he’d never achieve true freedom or authority. Without them, Tsunade’s ascension would make him Konoha’s undisputed future, its strongest ninja in name and power.

He could respect elders and traditions… and still refuse to eat beef.

Izayoi knew the Hyuga Clan would comply—eventually. If persuasion failed, he’d simply make them see reason.

Hanabi had no idea how ruthless her “Onii-chan” had become.

“Izayoi!” she squealed, throwing her hands in the air. “I’ll get to stay with Onii-chan again!”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she planted a kiss on his left cheek before scrambling onto his shoulders. “Onii-chan, I love you so much!”

“Alright, alright…”

Izayoi let his little sister-in-law clamber up, lacing his fingers with hers as they strolled into the garden.

“Onii-chan, did you catch all these fish yourself?”

“Haha! Only you know me so well, Hanabi. You always spot the important stuff.”

“And those trees—you made them with Wood Release, right?”

“Some of them. But the cherry blossoms? I brought those back from a special trip to Cherry Blossom Street.”

“I see the swing! Take me on the swing, Onii-chan!”

“Coming right up—it’s all for you.”

“Onii-chan, grab the camera! Let’s take photos together!”

“Oh right, almost forgot…”

For hours, Izayoi indulged Hanabi as they explored his new home. After touring the traditional gardens and architecture, they moved to the modern villa.

Though winter had chilled the air, the indoor pool maintained a perfect temperature. Born into luxury, Hanabi found the traditional buildings dull, but the contemporary villa fascinated her—especially the pool.

After slipping into a custom-made school swimsuit Izayoi had prepared, she dove in with a splash.

“The water’s so warm! Come swim with me, Onii-chan!”

“Coming.”

Stripping down to swim trunks, Izayoi joined her for a race across the pool. Later, they moved to the indoor court, where he taught her to play billiards and basketball.

Izayoi had introduced these sports himself—Konoha’s ninja world had no such pastimes. Alongside the courts, he’d built a game room with card tables. When guests visited and he lacked time, he’d send them here to entertain themselves with games or sparring. Tsunade and Shizune often came to play cards with Hinata and Karin, with Tsunade inevitably winning hand after hand.

By evening, Karin had returned from training and cooked dinner. Hinata arrived to find her sister, and the two joined them in the kitchen. The four shared a cozy meal together before changing into swimsuits again for the private hot spring.

“Gurururu…” Karin submerged herself, leaving only her nose and eyes above water, bubbles drifting upward.

“Onii-chan, why isn’t this an open-air bath?” Hanabi asked, leaning against Izayoi and staring at the wooden ceiling.

“Want to see the night sky? I can open it up,” Izayoi replied with a grin.

“Yeah! It’s not snowing tonight—the stars must be beautiful!”

Activating the barrier, Izayoi pressed a button. The mechanical roof retracted with a smooth whir.

“Wow! It’s so pretty!” The women’s voices rang out in unison.

Izayoi lingered in the kitchen, preparing fruit platters and drinks. After warming a bottle of sake reserved for Tsunade, he carried everything back to the spring.

“Ninjas aren’t supposed to drink alcohol,” Karin gasped.

Hinata fidgeted nervously. “Izayoi… this isn’t proper…”

Hanabi, however, grabbed the sake jug. “Onii-chan, let me pour for you!”

“Just a taste,” Izayoi said, sipping cautiously. His face tightened. “It’s sweet—definitely a dessert sake.”

“Onii-chan, what’s it like?” Hanabi leaned in, curious. Hinata and Karin watched warily.

“Want to try?”

“No way!” Both shook their heads vehemently.

“Why won’t you ask me?!” Hanabi pouted.

“If you sneak even a drop, I’ll spank you,” Izayoi warned, shaking his fist.

“You’re so mean!” Hanabi scooped a handful of water and splashed his face.

“Oh, it’s on now!” Izayoi abandoned his cup, retaliating with a wave.

“Onii-chan’s bullying me! Help, Onee-chan! Karin!”

“Hanabi, don’t overdo it…” Hinata sighed.

Karin grinned. “I’ve got you!”

The women ganged up, dousing Izayoi until someone carelessly channeled chakra into the water. A jet stream struck Hinata, who’d been quietly resting in the corner.

Her towel-wrapped hair unraveled, drenching her. Opening her pale lavender Byakugan, her gaze turned sharp.

“Gentle Fist Style—Eight Trigrams Water Palm!”

A geyser erupted, transforming the serene spring into a battlefield.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end