Each carrying one of the three money boxes, Shino looked back at the trembling Squirrel and casually pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Well then—pardon us. Until next time."
"Uhh... y-yes... see you... next time..."
The ex-ninja slumped to the ground, his legs weak from fear. His pale face twisted as he muttered bitterly to himself.
"What's wrong with the world these days...? Why are all the kids in this generation monsters...?"
---
Hinata returned to the Uchiha estate just before nightfall. As expected, Shino and Shikamaru had successfully completed the tasks she assigned.
"This is the payment from the last delivery, and the contract signed by the photo developer," said Shikamaru, handing over the cashbox and paperwork.
Hinata didn't bother to check. "No need. I trust you two. Go ahead and take your payment—enjoy yourselves. You've earned it."
Trust required risk, and these two were worth that risk.
"Now then, you must be the one we invited to join the team as our professional cameraman... Mr. Matsuga, correct?"
(TL: Mr. Matsuga is the camera man person Kakashi is playing)
She turned to Kakashi, who was sitting in the corner, undercover under an alias. It was awkward addressing someone she knew by a fake name.
"Heh—if you're willing to take me in, it would be an honor," Kakashi replied, scratching his head. Despite himself, he felt genuine respect for this sharp, commanding young girl. Her composure and authority could stand against any adult.
"I don't care who you really are. But if you're a cameraman, you'd better deliver. Do your job, and you'll be well paid. Slack off, and you'll find out we're not just a bunch of naive kids."
She shoved a stack of bills toward him. "Consider this my trust in you. Don't waste it."
Kakashi lowered his head and formally bowed, the traditional pledge of loyalty. As silly as it looked in his disguise, the mood demanded it.
"Excellent. We resume filming in three days. Mr. Matsuga, please move in and get used to the workspace. I hope that won't be a problem."
"No, not at all. I live alone—free room and board is a blessing."
"Good. Sasuke, any objections?"
"Do as you like. You know what I'm after."
Sasuke didn't care what Hinata did with the house anymore. His focus was singular—getting stronger.
"Alright. Dismissed. Everyone meet back here in three days."
The kids filed out. After all, they were still eleven and couldn't stay out every night.
"We three have some training to do," Hinata said. "Mr. Matsuga, pick a room and settle in. Don't wait for us for dinner."
She turned to Naruto and Sasuke with a smirk.
"You two—come with me."
The Uchiha estate's old training yard was perfect despite its neglect. Spacious and flat, it was ideal for taijutsu.
"Ugh, I've been waiting forever! C'mon, Hinata, gimme the scrolls with those cool new moves!"
Naruto bounced with excitement.
"Hmph. I've been waiting, too," said Sasuke, trying to stay composed but clearly just as eager.
"Hold on," Hinata said. "This time's a bit different. There's only one set of techniques."
She pulled out a fresh scroll. "So we need to understand what they mean first."
Hinata had spent the afternoon combining classic arcade fighting moves with real-world taijutsu mechanics from the village library. She distilled it into four moves, designed to be effective and versatile.
"Huh? The same moves for both of us?" Naruto blinked.
"Are you kidding?" Sasuke frowned. "Our styles are different. How can our techniques be the same?"
"They just are. This old scroll only recorded one set. At first, I was confused too, but thankfully some old notes helped me understand."
Hinata pointed to the stylized figures drawn on the scroll.
"It said that the Sacred Fist—passed down only one generation before being lost—had just one form. But its creator designed each move to change based on the user's elemental affinity. So while the structure is fixed, the effect varies depending on your chakra."
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Of course... fire chakra burns and spreads, lightning stuns and pierces, and wind slices and flows. A shared move could yield completely different effects depending on the nature of the chakra behind it."
He was already imagining the possibilities, which was exactly what Hinata wanted. If Sasuke was convinced, Naruto would follow regardless.
"These four are beginner techniques," she said. "Two fists, one block, and one kick. Master these, and you'll be ready for more advanced techniques later."
She laid the scroll down. "They are: 'Wild Fang' (荒咬), 'Tiger Roar' (虎咆), 'Crane Pluck' (鹤摘), and 'Solo Execution' (独乐屠). Once you master these, you'll be ready to move forward."
(TL: these are the little translation of them also I found the raw. It's completed FanFiction.)
Sasuke frowned at the illustrations. "They look... simple."
"Exactly!" Naruto added. "Are these really powerful?"
Hinata expected that. She stood and flexed her wrists.
"We'll see if they work or not. Let's test them."
Each move had been chosen from arcade classics and refined with real biomechanics.
Wild Fang — a basic straight punch, ideal for initiating or baiting.
Tiger Roar — an upward punch akin to a Shoryuken, aimed at the opponent's chin.
Crane Pluck — a defensive elbow block to deflect and counter.
Solo Execution — a spinning overhead kick, flashy but common.
They were simple by design—easy to learn, adaptable, and powerful with proper technique.
Hinata picked a thick training post and inhaled deeply.
"Let's begin with the first: Wild Fang."
She tightened her fists and took her stance. This was the moment of truth—proof that her theoretical training, knowledge, and adaptation could translate into real, physical power.
There was no room for failure.
First, lower the center of gravity, step forward with the left foot, draw back the right fist to gather power—then drive the left foot forward with force! Using the inertia of that step, unleash the fully charged right fist forward!
"Haah!!"
With a sharp shout, the white-eyed girl slammed her fist into the tree. A loud crack split the air as solid wood shattered like brittle wafers—Hinata's deceptively delicate fist punched clean through the tree trunk, leaving a sharp-edged hole.
"Ugh!!"
Naruto and Sasuke both flinched at the scene. One glance was enough—they knew the damage that kind of punch could do. If it could pierce a tree, it could easily crush a human body.
By channeling chakra into the fist and delivering it with proper form, the attack had become truly destructive.
A grin of satisfaction crept onto Hinata's face. She'd done it again. Or rather—her chosen path was proving itself correct.
Sure, Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu could cause more destruction overall, but that required hand signs and burned a lot of chakra. In contrast, this "Wild Fang" punch needed no signs, cost minimal chakra, and hit with blunt, brutal force.
"Gentlemen~ it seems our predecessors were right. The Southern Star Sacred Fist is real."
Pulling her fist from the tree, Hinata turned to the boys with burning confidence—and a hint of wild glee.
"Now! Let's properly master these techniques!"
"I can't wait to advance and unlock the real secret arts!"