"Sasuke-kun really is smart. That's right—strictly speaking, the Nanto Seven Saints Fist is a purely physical combat style. But what makes it powerful is that the user can directly unleash elemental chakra effects through their punches. Compared to ninjutsu, which requires hand seals, it's faster and more focused. Basically, it's the ultimate taijutsu that lets you create ninjutsu effects using only your fists."
Hinata recalled arcade game settings from her childhood. She wasn't sure if chakra could actually do the things she was bullshitting about, but if it had elemental properties, it should have some kind of effect, right?
"Really that strong? Never heard of it though~"
Naruto puffed out his cheeks and scratched his head. "Uh, do your family members also train in this 'Holy Fist'?"
"No. They don't dare. Because it's forbidden."
That one line turned Naruto's face pale with fear. "This fist style was supposedly created by some ancestor of the Hyūga clan, but almost no one who trained in it survived long enough to master it. It puts extreme strain on the body. The training is agonizing, and one slip could cause permanent damage. So it was sealed away after one generation. Since then, all my relatives have stuck to the safer Gentle Fist."
Raising her still-bandaged right hand, Hinata added nonchalantly, "By the way, I started training in this style two months ago. In that time, I've fractured my fingers nearly twenty times. That's why I had to find a way to make money to buy the expensive medicines needed to heal and temper my body. You two—got the guts to train in this style?"
"Gulp"
Naruto stared at the bloody bandages on her hand and swallowed hard. He was still at the age of pulling pranks—not the kind of kid who was ready to risk his life in brutal training. His instincts told him to hesitate.
"But you did say… it's only been two months since you started, and already you went from someone who couldn't even throw a shuriken properly to someone who can flatten me in one hit, right?!"
Compared to Naruto, Sasuke's eyes held a deeper intensity. Clearly, being knocked out yesterday had left a mark. "Just tell me—will this style make me strong, fast?"
"If you're lucky enough to survive the training… then yes, absolutely."
Hinata wasn't surprised by Sasuke's reaction. This revenge-driven edgelord craved power more than anything. Her made-up Nanto Seven Saints Fist was pitch-perfect for the worldbuilding here—linked seamlessly with chakra's elemental types. Sasuke and Naruto weren't quite smart enough to see through her act.
"Then I'll learn it! I have to get stronger! If you give me the scroll, I'll do anything you ask afterward!"
Sasuke clenched his fists. He knew what he was missing: a structured, effective way to get stronger. The few jutsu scrolls left behind by the Uchiha were outdated and hard to master, and the Academy only taught basic crap like Clone and Substitution Jutsu. Not to mention, no one in the village was exactly jumping at the chance to teach an Uchiha these days.
What he needed was direct, powerful, systematic training!
"Tch! I'm in too! I'll just do what you say for the filming stuff, whatever."
Obviously dragged along by Sasuke's momentum, Naruto puffed up his chest in defiance. "And I'm gonna be the first one to master the Holy Fist!"
"Hmph, you've got guts. But I've got bad news—there are only three scrolls I found. You better pray your chakra nature matches the ones I've got. Mine are fire and lightning. What about you two?"
Hinata had no plans to actually make up any real scrolls, but a little bluffing was necessary. She just needed three fake techniques to go with the three of them—for now, to keep these two morons in line with the filming.
"Mine's fire and lightning."
"I… I only have wind chakra…"
Sasuke and Naruto answered, and Hinata raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.
"Oooh~~ maybe fate really is on our side? Because the three scrolls I found are exactly the Fire Scroll, Lightning Scroll, and Wind Scroll. Wanna know their names?"
Compiling a quick mental list based on all her otaku knowledge, Hinata cleared her throat and lowered her voice for dramatic effect.
"They are—Fire-type: Nanto Flame Execution Fist! Lightning-type: Nanto Thunder Burial Fist! And Wind-type: Nanto Wind Martyr Fist!"
No question about it—these over-the-top names screamed chuuni. Any author who's spent enough time in fandom could rattle off stuff like this in their sleep.
"Those are… pretty vicious names."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, but the light in them showed he was clearly pumped. Hinata understood. These kinds of dark, edgy names were perfect for someone as dark and edgy as Sasuke.
"Kill, bury, martyr… kinda scary…"
Naruto rubbed his arms instinctively. Compared to Sasuke, he was at least slightly more grounded.
"Since Naruto's the only one with wind chakra, I'll give you the Nanto Wind Martyr Fist tomorrow. Sasuke, do you want Flame Execution or Thunder Burial?"
Hinata was very pleased with how smoothly her bluff was working. But she knew—always let the other person feel like they're making the choice.
"I already know Fire Release jutsu. And Lightning chakra helps with ninja tools. So I'll go with Nanto Thunder Burial Fist."
Sasuke chose carefully. He already had fire techniques, so choosing Thunder Burial would balance things out—plus, his weapon skills would benefit from lightning chakra.
"Perfect. Then I'll take Flame Execution. I'll copy the scrolls tonight and bring them tomorrow. But for now…"
Standing up, Hinata clapped her hands, a little impatience creeping into her tone. "It's time to work. Without enough cash, we can't buy the rare ingredients we need. No money, no training, got it?"
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance—resignation clear on their faces. But they knew she was right. Training this so-called Seven Saints Fist sounded brutal, and they would need expensive recovery items to survive it. That meant their only option… was to keep filming this weird drama.
After all, as the saying goes, "scholars are poor, warriors are rich." Even xianxia novels talk about the Four Treasures: wealth, allies, methods, and land. Money was obviously key to getting stronger.
Seeing them finally cave, Hinata smirked.
Good. With money flowing, they'd feel themselves getting stronger—and by the time they started wondering if the Seven Saints Fist was even real, it would be too late to back out.
---
"Okay then~ just to recap—Scene One: the Past Life. This is when the male lead and the fox spirit first meet in their previous lives. It's basically a solo performance for Sasuke-kun, where you need to show a melancholic, lonely vibe~ Naruto, you'll play the supporting fox spirit using Transformation Jutsu. Any issues?"
Now that the Seven Saints Fist bluff had reeled them in, Hinata immediately moved back to filming prep. Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other, sighed, and weakly mumbled:
"No problem…"
"Great. Now—Sasuke-kun, use a Transformation Jutsu. We can't film with you looking like this."
Hinata was already mentally chewing on her plot. Ninja techniques really did offer convenience. In this world, acting didn't need looks—Transformation Jutsu could handle everything. Otherwise, with both of them still just eleven, the best they could do was star in Teletubbies.
"Even with a transformation, you need to tell me what the character looks like."
Sasuke turned away stubbornly, hands in his pockets. He didn't mind hiding his real face, but keeping up a false appearance through transformation? That still made him a bit uncomfortable.
"Hmm~ good point… I forgot to make a character sheet. Let's design it now."
Hinata blinked, realizing she hadn't actually visualized the male lead. She quickly studied Sasuke from head to toe.
Yup—delicate features, pale skin, refined eyes and brows, flowing black hair… that proud and slightly aloof vibe… definitely a top-tier beauty.
"Mmm~ Sasuke is really pretty. I bet I could even cast you as the female lead someday."
She nodded in satisfaction. She hadn't really noticed before, but this arrogant edgelord totally had the looks to make fangirls swoon.
"Stop saying creepy stuff! I don't think I can puke anymore…"
Blushing furiously, Sasuke turned his head with a stiff neck. "So, what do I transform into?"
"Let's see… try turning into how you might look at around thirteen. Then we'll adjust from there."
Hinata tossed the ball back into Sasuke's court. He frowned slightly, but this wasn't hard. Transformation practice in class included imagining how they'd look older. He thought for a moment, then made the hand signs. Poof! A cloud of smoke later, and a taller, older Sasuke stood before them.
His height had increased, and his features had matured noticeably. By tweaking the hairstyle and facial details, he'd already started to diverge from his real appearance.
"Change the bangs to cover one eye—looks more mysterious and sad. Switch the clothes to a worn-out ronin outfit. Oh, and light blue eyes instead. Slimmer build. Add a ragged hat… and here—take this."
Satisfied with the look, Hinata rummaged through her prop bag and pulled out a flute. "By the way, can you play the flute?"