Chapter 7: Hinata Hyūga's Transformation

Chapter 7: Hinata Hyūga’s Transformation

Hinata stood beneath a towering tree, her hands forming a hand seal as she channeled chakra through her body. Following Jūrokuya’s instructions, she focused the energy beneath her feet.

Lifting her right foot, she pressed it against the tree trunk. Instantly, her foot adhered to the bark as if glued in place. Feeling the grip, she steadied herself and brought her left foot up.

Just like Jūrokuya had demonstrated, her body now hung horizontally in the air. Holding her breath, she took her third step forward.

“Ahhh—!”

Her expression twisted in surprise as her feet suddenly lost grip, sending her plummeting toward the ground.

Before she could fall, two arms caught her midair, steadying her body.

Jūrokuya chuckled. “No need to panic. I told you—I’d catch you.”

“I’m sorry, Jūrokuya…” Hinata mumbled, her head bowed in disappointment.

“Why apologize?”

He reached out again, patting her shoulder. “Failing’s normal. You managed to stick both feet on your first try—that’s impressive. When I practiced, it took me over ten attempts to succeed.”

This was a lie! Jūrokuya had mastered the technique on his very first try, scaling the tree effortlessly.

Unlike Uzumaki Naruto or Sasuke Uchiha, whose talents lay elsewhere, both Jūrokuya and Hinata possessed Blue-Rank Chakra Control. This rare skill made techniques like tree-climbing, water-walking, medical jutsu, and barrier arts significantly easier to learn. Gentle Fist, which channeled chakra into an opponent’s body, was itself a form of precise chakra control. With sufficient chakra reserves and proper guidance, Hinata would surely master tree-climbing quickly.

“Keep going,” Jūrokuya encouraged. “I believe you’ll reach the treetop soon.”

Nodding, Hinata’s confidence surged. She refocused her chakra, pressed her feet against the trunk, and suspended herself horizontally. This time, emboldened by Jūrokuya’s presence, she didn’t hold her breath. Her third step came naturally, and the earlier loss of balance—where both feet would lose grip—didn’t occur.

Carefully regulating the chakra in her feet, she maintained a firm grip. Fourth, fifth, sixth steps followed.

By the ninth step, her rhythm faltered, and she fell again. Yet this time, she felt no fear—only anticipation.

Predictably, she landed in Jūrokuya’s warm embrace. Holding her in a princess carry, he grinned. “Amazing, Hinata! Second try and you reached that height? You’re a genius.”

“Haha…” She laughed openly, her joy unguarded.

This feeling of recognition… The Hinata from the original timeline had been timid, quick to doubt herself, and easily defeated. But here, in this altered path, she thrived.

Her pale eyes sparkled with determination. “Jūrokuya, put me down. I want to try again.”

“Sure.”

Watching her newfound confidence, Jūrokuya felt genuine satisfaction. The Hyūga heiress had endured a suffocating upbringing, her potential stifled by rigid traditions. But now, with his guidance, he’d mold her into someone who embraced her strength—someone who honored her Byakugan’s legacy without fear.

Hinata’s progress accelerated. By her third attempt, she surpassed her previous height. On her fourth try, she reached the treetop.

“Jūrokuya!” she called down, beaming. “I did it!”

“No one could’ve taught me faster,” he praised, giving her a thumbs-up.

Hinata giggled, her heart swelling.

Back home, her father’s lessons had been rigid, his praise nonexistent. Even perfection earned only silence—or criticism for falling short of her cousin’s standards.

But here, with Jūrokuya, every effort was met with warmth and encouragement. It was a sensation she craved, a lightness that made training feel less like duty and more like joy.

Descending effortlessly, she asked, “Jūrokuya, is water-walking like tree-climbing?”

“Similar, but harder,” he replied. “Trees stay still. Water moves constantly—you’ll need far better control before I teach you the real technique.”

“Understood! I’ll practice at home using a bathtub or barrel!”

“Good idea. Once your chakra reserves grow, I’ll teach you water-walking—and the Shadow Clone Technique.”

“Great!” She nodded enthusiastically.

Seeing her innocent eagerness, Jūrokuya’s grin widened. “Next lesson—taijutsu sparring. Let’s see how your Byakugan clan’s Gentle Fist holds up.”

“Okay.”

Unaware of his ulterior motive, Hinata agreed readily. If Jūrokuya believed in her, she would too.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end