The Ultimate Ninja Tool of the Shinobi World

During the Spring Festival, there was a tradition where boys gave gifts to girls—an old custom signifying care and goodwill. Naturally, Tian Yu didn't ask Hinata to buy the hairpin for herself.

Especially when it came to such an adorable little loli like Hinata,

Who wouldn't want to buy a delicate and charming hair clip to place gently in her hair?

Tian Yu picked up the pink cherry blossom hairpin.

Then, with great care, he clipped it beside Hinata's ear.

The hairpin suited her perfectly.

Hinata, with her inherently shy and soft temperament, was already as delicate and pure as a cherry blossom.

Now, with the hairpin tucked beside her temple, she looked even more graceful and adorable—it was impossible not to be captivated by her.

"Th-thank you, Tian Yujun..." Hinata's voice was as soft as a whisper in the wind.

Her face had already turned as pink as the cherry blossom petals themselves, bashfully averted.

---

Chapter 39: Bullying Hinata?

Inside the lively Spring Festival,

The tradition of boys gifting girls still stood strong.

But typically, it was understood to be an expression of affection—a confession in disguise.

Hinata knew this well, yet looking at Tian Yujun's calm and straightforward eyes,

She figured... he probably didn't realize the implication behind his gesture?

Even so, she couldn't help but smile inside,

It would've been even more wonderful if Tian Yujun knew what this meant... But just receiving a gift from him already makes me so happy~

"Tian Yujun, what are you doing?" Hinata asked curiously as she noticed he was carrying charcoal.

"It's the Spring Festival, right? I'm going to have a picnic and barbecue by the river with my sister. What about you? If you're free, wanna come along?" Tian Yu offered warmly.

With such a cute little loli like Hinata tagging along,

Even a simple barbecue would probably taste better to Tian Yu.

"Eh? Really?" Hinata's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I can come too?"

Just the thought of barbecuing made Hinata's heart leap. For someone who lived a sheltered life in a large clan, with few companions, something like a picnic had an irresistible charm.

"Of course! A barbecue's more fun with more people," Tian Yu grinned. "You've met my sister Tian Tian before. I think you two will get along well."

Hinata nodded sweetly. "Sister Tian Tian is very easy to talk to. I like her a lot."

Tian Yu casually reached out and held Hinata's hand. "Alright then, let's go. We'll grab some cooking utensils on the way."

"!!"

Tian Yujun actually held her hand!

A sudden warmth surged into her small palm.

Hinata's heart started racing uncontrollably—

Like a frightened deer about to leap out of her chest.

Even breathing became difficult, and her thoughts blurred into static.

Her mind repeated one phrase again and again: Tian Yujun is holding my hand, Tian Yujun is holding my hand, Tian Yujun is holding my hand...

Tian Yu simply held her hand and walked forward, unaware of the storm he'd just stirred in Hinata's heart.

Of course, it was no wonder he didn't notice.

The girls in the Naruto world tended to mature emotionally earlier than girls in the world from Tian Yu's previous life.

Even in peaceful times like these, they already had ideas about love and romance from a young age.

But in Tian Yu's eyes—

They were still just a bunch of little girls.

And with his sister Tian Tian, he was used to casual physical closeness—holding hands, hugging, kissing her forehead, and... well, occasionally fighting too.

Tian Tian was a wild-hearted girl who loved combat,

No wonder she idolized Tsunade.

So Tian Yu never imagined that his casual gesture would nearly send Hinata into cardiac arrest.

"Hey! Stop it right there!"

A loud, energetic shout rang out from nearby.

"Stop bullying that girl!"

Tian Yu blinked, a bit puzzled.

Bullying? What? Who's he talking about?

He looked around. Aside from Hinata, no one else was with him.

Then his gaze shifted to the figure charging toward him—a boy in an orange jumpsuit, sprinting at full speed.

Wasn't that Naruto?

"Wait—Tian Yu-nii?!" Naruto came to a screeching halt, eyes wide with recognition. He scratched his head, flustered.

"Were you just shouting at me, Naruto?" Tian Yu raised an eyebrow. "Bullying girls?"

Naruto's expression turned sheepish. "Ah... yeah, I didn't realize it was you, Big Brother Tian Yu. I thought someone was dragging a girl who looked about to faint, so I jumped in to help... but if I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have messed up like that."

Tian Yu chuckled, amused. "Then tell me—who did you think I was bullying?"

Naruto pointed to Hinata. "Her. She looked super red in the face, like she was about to pass out. And you were dragging her."

Tian Yu: "???"

He looked over at Hinata again.

Sure enough, her face was crimson, and her expression dazed.

Concerned, he asked, "Hinata, are you okay? Are you feeling sick? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

Hinata shook her head timidly. "I-I'm okay... it's just, Tian Yujun suddenly held my hand and I... I..."

I think I might be in love with a god!

That wild thought flashed through Hinata's mind—

A thought that only made her more embarrassed, her mind spinning into a complete haze.

At the Academy, she had overheard Sakura and Ino whispering about Sasuke.

They'd talk about blushing, pounding hearts, and that strange sweetness inside when you liked someone.

Isn't that exactly what she was feeling now?

So...

Is Tian Yujun... the one I like?

"Ah, sorry," Tian Yu said, only now realizing that he'd been holding her hand the entire time.

Seeing her so flustered, he chuckled inwardly.

Xiao Hinata's reactions are just too cute—it makes you want to tease her more.

But he quickly shook the wicked thought out of his head.

No, no. She's already like this. I shouldn't push it.

He gently released her hand and turned to Naruto. "We're going to the river for a picnic and barbecue. Want to join us?"

"Barbecue? Meat?!" Naruto's eyes sparkled.

For someone who practically lived on instant noodles and the occasional bowl of Ichiraku ramen, meat was a luxury.

"Big Brother Tian Yu! Take me with you!" Naruto clung to Tian Yu's leg like a koala.

"Pfft—" Tian Yu burst out laughing, dragging him upright. "Let's go. I've already bought the cooking utensils. Tian Tian's probably waiting by the river."

Naruto nodded furiously, afraid Tian Yu would change his mind.

Hinata also nodded quietly, though she couldn't help feeling a faint emptiness in her palm—

A pang of regret for letting go of that rare, hand-holding moment with Tian Yujun.

---

Chapter 40: You Are Too Slow

Tian Yu soon arrived at the river with Naruto and Hinata.

As expected, Tian Tian was already there, ingredients in hand.

Several familiar faces stood around her.

Li Luo, of course, needed no introduction—the loyal sandbag and daily sparring partner, and perhaps Tian Yu's biggest fan. Naturally, when it came to barbecue, he'd be the first to show up.

What caught Tian Yu off guard was—

Hyuga Neji?

The Hyuga prodigy who always wore a superior attitude in the Academy?

Why is he here?

Were Tian Tian or Li Luo close with him?

Behind Tian Yu, Hinata clearly froze for a moment before murmuring softly, "Brother Neji...?"

Neji turned his cold gaze toward her. "Lady Hinata. I didn't expect to find you at an outdoor barbecue. That's quite unbefitting of your status."

Tian Yu approached Tian Tian and asked in a low voice, "Did you invite him?"

Tian Tian nodded helplessly.

"Yeah, I bumped into him on the street. He asked where you were and said he wanted to challenge you."

"I didn't want to deal with him nagging me, so I brought him here. But in exchange, he had to pay for all the barbecue ingredients."

Tian Yu's eye twitched.

Sis... you're really something.

Scamming the rich before you even hit adulthood? Very promising.