Naruto: F**king Makes Me Stronger

Chapter 422: Hanabi's Inner Turmoil

This afternoon, the Hyuga residence was quiet, with only the rustling of the leaves in the courtyard carried by the wind.

Hanabi, carrying a jar of orange wine freshly taken from the kitchen, walked with light steps towards her sister Hinata's boudoir.

The jar was wrapped in a clean cotton cloth, and a faint sweet fruity aroma could be smelled from within. It was specially brewed by the kitchen for Hinata, knowing that she preferred this mild fruit wine.

Hanabi thought about how her sister had been a bit melancholy lately. Perhaps this newly brewed orange wine could make her frown less. A smile spread across Hanabi's lips and her steps became even lighter.

She had always been close to Hinata, clinging to her gentle sister since childhood. The two sisters talked about everything and never had the habit of knocking.

Walking to the familiar carved wooden door, Hanabi had already thought of what to say, and without hesitation, she raised her hand and pushed the door open.

But as soon as the 'creak' of the door hinge faded, the smile on Hanabi's face suddenly froze, her arms holding the wine jar subconsciously tightened, and she even missed half a beat in her breathing.

The cotton cloth on the jar slipped a little, and the sweet wine aroma quietly overflowed, but it couldn't dispel the instant surge of shock and confusion in her heart.

The scene inside the boudoir was completely beyond her expectation.

Beside the soft couch by the window, Hinata was slightly lowering her gaze, dressed in a simple, elegant moon-white outfit that made her temperament appear even more gentle. A simple hairpin adorned her hair, with a few strands of loose hair clinging to her cheeks, adding a touch of softness.

The man standing beside her, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, stood tall and straight. His face was captivating, and he was none other than the current sole Dominator of the Ninja World, Uchiha Shun.

Sunlight streamed through the light blue window screen, casting a soft halo over the two of them.

Shun leaned slightly, gently embracing Hinata, with one hand lightly supporting her waist and the other holding a cup of warm tea, seemingly about to bring it to her lips.

The intimate way they leaned against each other made everything around them seem like a blur, like a meticulously drawn fine-brush painting, serene and beautiful, allowing no disturbance.

"Sis... Sister?"

Hanabi's voice, with a barely perceptible tremor, broke the tranquility of the room.

She subconsciously recoiled, wanting to hide behind the door, but then felt it was inappropriate, so she could only freeze in place.

The wine jar in her arms swayed slightly, and the sweet fruity aroma mixed with a hint of alcohol permeated the air, intertwining with the faint tea fragrance already in the room and Shun's unique cool scent. It seemed particularly jarring, like a stain forcibly intruding into this beautiful painting.

"You two..."

She didn't know how to speak. The words reached her lips but she swallowed them back, the remaining words stuck in her throat, making her chest feel tight. Her mind was a mess, as if countless bees were buzzing, and her eyes were a little unfocused.

After all, in her perception, Shun, as the sole Dominator of the Ninja World, was powerful and handsome, the perfect husband in the hearts of countless women.

Many noble young ladies desperately wanted to marry him, yet it was difficult even to meet him once.

Moreover, he was also the core of the Uchiha clan, to which the Hyuga clan was affiliated. Although the two clans had a subordinate relationship, they should still adhere to proper etiquette.

Hearing her voice, the two people by the soft couch simultaneously turned to look, their movements showing a slight stiffness from being disturbed.

The air in the room seemed to freeze at that moment, and even the sunlight seemed to slow its flow.

Hinata's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, spreading from her cheeks to her earlobes, and even her neck turned a faint pink.

She subconsciously blinked, her eyes full of panic, like a child caught doing something wrong.

She suddenly took half a step back, her steps a little unsteady, frantically avoiding Shun's hand offering the tea.

The cup of tea in Shun's hand swayed slightly, and a little warm tea splashed out, landing on his dark blue brocade robe, leaving a small dark mark intertwined with the cloud patterns on it.

Hinata dared not meet Hanabi's gaze, her eyes darting away, finally settling on the green bamboo carpet on the floor, and even her breathing became hurried.

Shun, however, appeared much calmer. As expected of the long-reigning Dominator of the Ninja World, even when caught in such a scene, he showed no trace of panic.

He quickly reined in the tenderness in his eyes, his expression regaining some of the composure and majesty of the Dominator of the Ninja World, an aura naturally cultivated from his high position, making people dare not look directly at him.

He lowered his head to glance at the now flustered Hinata in his arms, his gaze lingering for a moment on her flushed cheeks with a barely perceptible hint of comfort, then he looked up at the shocked Hanabi at the door, his eyes calm and unruffled.

He spoke faintly, his tone betraying no emotion, "Hanabi, why did you secretly barge in without knocking?"

Hanabi felt an inexplicable tension. She clearly saw it: her sister's slightly disheveled hair at her temples, the tenderness not yet completely faded from Shun's eyes, and the lingering intimate aura of the two in the air, all silently refuted this 'misconception'.

She blinked, confirming that she hadn't seen wrong, and the shock in her heart deepened a few more points.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but found her fingertips were still trembling slightly.

She opened her mouth, there were too many questions she wanted to ask.

She wanted to ask why her sister was so close to Shun, what kind of entanglement existed between them, and how long this relationship had been hidden.

But looking at Hinata's flustered and helpless appearance, not even daring to raise her head, the words died in her throat, leaving only a heart full of doubt and confusion.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became stagnant, and even breathing sounds were exceptionally clear.

Hinata bit her lower lip, her teeth gently rubbing against her lips. Her hands nervously clutched the cuffs of her clothes, still not daring to look up, as if awaiting some judgment.

Shun gently placed the tea in his hand on the low table beside him.

His gaze fell on Hanabi, his tone brooking no refusal. "Hanabi, since you're here, come in. Standing at the door, what does that look like?"

Hanabi hesitated. Her feet felt heavy as if filled with lead, and every step felt exceptionally difficult.

She could feel her sister's gaze on her, filled with panic and pleading, making her feel uncomfortable.

The carved wooden door slowly closed behind her with a soft click, shutting out the wind from the courtyard.

She carefully placed the orange wine in her arms on the low cabinet by the door. The jar clinked against the wooden cabinet, a soft sound that was exceptionally clear in the stagnant atmosphere.

"I... I heard the orange wine in the kitchen was ready, so I thought I'd bring it for sister to taste."

Hanabi's voice carried a hint of imperceptible tremor, her gaze unconsciously darting between the two, but not daring to linger for long.

"I didn't... didn't know Shun-sama was also here. If I had known, I certainly wouldn't have been so rash."

She lowered her head slightly, her voice tinged with apology, but more so with helplessness.

Shun nodded faintly, his tone betraying no unusual emotions. "I came today to discuss important matters with your sister, Hinata. We talked for a while, so I'm just resting here and having a cup of tea."

He deliberately emphasized the words "discuss important matters," as if intentionally explaining their intimacy earlier, or perhaps subtly concealing something. But that slightly stiff explanation, to Hanabi's ears, only made it seem more like an attempt to cover up.

However, such an explanation was too far-fetched, perhaps even he himself found it unconvincing.

Hanabi and Hinata spent every day together. How could she not see that the panic in her sister's eyes was not due to "important matters"?

That was clearly the shyness and helplessness of a young woman whose secret thoughts had been exposed, an undeniable embarrassment.

The cloud of suspicion in her heart grew heavier, like a tangled mess that she couldn't untangle. But reason told her that now was not the time to press for answers. Insisting would only make the situation more awkward.

After all, Shun was the Dominator of the Ninja World, his status exceptionally noble and special. If things became too ugly, it would not only damage his reputation but also be a great disaster for the Hyuga clan.

Hinata slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading as she looked at Hanabi.

"Hanabi, you... you go back first. Shun-sama and I still have some things to talk about. Later... I'll find you later."

Hanabi saw the pleading and guilt in her sister's eyes, and all her doubts were temporarily suppressed.

She eventually nodded, with a barely perceptible trace of disappointment. "Okay. Then, sister, take your time. I've left this jar of wine here, remember to taste it, it's your favorite flavor."

After speaking, she turned and walked towards the door, each step feeling like she was treading on cotton, her body devoid of strength.

When she reached the door, her hand rested on the doorknob and she hesitated for a moment, then secretly glanced back.

She saw Shun, who at some point had returned to Hinata's side, gently holding her in his arms.

Hanabi's heart suddenly sank, as if something had gently struck it.

The wind in the courtyard began to blow again, the leaves rustling, as if whispering softly.

But Hanabi no longer had the lighthearted mood she had arrived with, her steps slow as she walked on the bluestone path.

She already had an answer in her heart.

There must be a secret romance hidden between Hinata and Shun. This relationship must have been hidden for a long time, and it must have caused her sister a lot of grievances, otherwise she wouldn't be so cautious.

Hanabi stood under the tree in the courtyard, gazing at the tightly closed carved wooden door, and quietly muttered, "When did she manage to win over Shun-sama? He's the dream man of countless women in the Ninja World, powerful and gentle, I'm so envious too."