In just a few swift moves, Kaze had dealt with the entire squad that had attempted to kidnap Hinata.
"Guess I'll just wait here for Hiashi to arrive."
Kaze tilted his head back and gazed at the sky, thinking for a moment. He had no intention of leaving immediately.
According to what he knew of this world's events, the Cloud ninja leader's plan had originally failed, and he had been killed by the arriving Hyuga Hiashi.
Letting Hiashi witness a Uchiha saving Hinata was a crucial part of his plan.
So, without hesitation, Kaze picked up the little Hinata and held her in his arms, waiting for the Hyuga clan members to show up.
Just as he was contemplating the situation, Hinata slowly began to stir.
She woke up in Kaze's arms, her small hands instinctively rubbing her sleepy eyes.
But then—memories of what had just happened came rushing back.
She had been playing in the courtyard of the compound when suddenly, a group of unfamiliar men appeared and snatched her away.
She had tried to struggle, but before she could even react, they knocked her unconscious.
A deep fear welled up inside her, and she immediately began struggling, trying to escape from this "bad guy" holding her.
Even though her sudden awakening wasn't part of Kaze's plan, he certainly wasn't the type to panic over something so minor.
"Alright, alright, calm down. Everything's fine now."
Kaze chuckled, ruffling her soft hair with a carefree smile, his voice warm and easygoing. His grin showed off a row of white teeth.
"I'm Kaze from the Uchiha clan. Those bad guys who tried to kidnap you? They're long gone now."
"I'll take you home."
"Oh, and by the way—"
Hinata still struggled slightly in his arms, her fear not yet fully subsiding. Seeing this, Kaze sighed and activated his Sharingan again, letting the crimson glow reassure her that he wasn't lying.
"You can look into my eyes."
(T/N: Using the same red glow that terrifies others to reassure a child—how ironic.)
Kaze smiled as he spoke, keeping his tone light. "As a Hyuga, you should know that there's another noble clan in the village that possesses dojutsu, right?"
Hinata blinked, taking in his words. She had overheard the branch family members gossiping about the Uchiha before.
Although both clans wielded powerful eyes, the Uchiha seemed to live much freer lives compared to the Hyuga's branch family.
At the very least, they didn't have to deal with the whole 'Main and Branch family' nonsense.
Seeing that Hinata had calmed down, Kaze casually adjusted his hold on the five-year-old, securing her with one arm.
With his free hand, he flipped his palm upward, activating his Thunder Fruit ability.
Crackle!
A sharp static sound filled the air as pale blue currents of electricity danced in his palm.
In the next moment, the electricity intensified, surging and shifting—until it took shape.
A deep blue butterfly materialized in his hand, its delicate wings gently fluttering as it hovered in the moonlight.
"So pretty…"
Hinata's large, curious eyes sparkled as she stared in awe, afraid that if she blinked, the butterfly would disappear.
She had always loved sitting in the garden, watching butterflies flit between the flowers.
They were so beautiful, so free.
They could go wherever they pleased—just by flapping their wings.
But…
The butterfly Kaze had created with lightning felt even more mesmerizing than any she had ever seen.
Captivated, Hinata hesitantly stretched out her small hand, wanting to touch it.
Kaze, of course, controlled the electricity with precision, ensuring she wouldn't get shocked.
As he watched her gaze filled with wonder, a strange feeling of ease settled over him.
Maybe…
Since coming to this world, this was the first time he had felt this relaxed.
However, their little game didn't last long.
Kaze's sharp senses picked up the sound of approaching footsteps.
The butterfly of lightning slipped through Hinata's fingers, fluttering higher and higher before vanishing into the moonlit sky. Lowering his hand, Kaze deactivated his Sharingan and took a step forward.
Of course… he wasn't letting his guard down just yet.
Though he had heard the footsteps, he couldn't be certain if they belonged to Hiashi. It wasn't until the figure finally entered his field of vision that he confirmed the newcomer's identity.
There was no mistaking it—
This was none other than Hyuga Hiashi, the current head of the Hyuga Clan's main family.
Dressed in a dark green haori, Hiashi rushed over with a tense, worried expression.
Thanks to his Byakugan, the night was as clear as day before his eyes.
He instantly spotted his daughter, Hinata—
And the young man holding her.
Not to mention…
The ashes and lifeless bodies of the Cloud ninja scattered across the ground.
His brows furrowed deeply as he took in the scene, uncertain of what had transpired.
Seeing that it was indeed Hiashi, Kaze didn't hesitate. He simply set Hinata down, allowing her to run to her father.
Then, without another word, he turned his back and began to walk away.
The moment he did, the fan symbol on the back of his clothes swayed gently in the breeze.
As the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi was more than familiar with the insignias of other noble clans.
One glance was all it took for him to recognize Kaze as a member of the Uchiha.
"Wait."
Just as Kaze had expected, right when he made it seem like he was leaving, Hiashi called out to him.
"You're from the Uchiha Clan?"
"What exactly happened here?"
Hearing the question, Kaze finally turned back around.
"Oh, it's nothing major. I was just out for a run and happened to pass by," he said, completely casual.
"I saw some Cloud Ninjas trying to sneak out of the village with that little girl."
"So, naturally, I stopped them."
"They didn't take too kindly to that and tried to silence me."
"Unfortunately for them… they were a little too weak for that."
Kaze delivered his pre-prepared excuse without missing a beat.
"Running? At this hour?" Hiashi blinked in confusion.
He could understand why the Cloud leader attacked Kaze.
And he could understand how the man got himself killed because he wasn't strong enough.
But coming out for a run in the middle of the night?
"...Forget it."
Shaking his head, Hiashi decided not to dwell on that detail.
What mattered was that his precious daughter was safe. That was enough.
Seeing Hinata stumbling toward him, Hiashi crouched down, arms open. One hand supported her back while the other lifted her up securely.
No matter how he looked at it, this young Uchiha had just saved his daughter's life.
If Kaze hadn't intercepted the Cloud ninja, there was no guarantee he would have made it in time to rescue Hinata himself.
And considering that she was the future successor of the Hyuga main branch—
And the secrets contained within her Byakugan—
Kaze hadn't just saved a little girl.
He may have saved the entire Hyuga Clan.
And Hyuga Hiashi was not the type to forget a debt.
Even if the Uchiha Clan had a terrible reputation in the village.
Facts were facts.
"I'm grateful for your intervention," Hiashi said seriously. "I won't forget this debt. One day, I will repay you."
"May I have your name?"
His sharp gaze locked onto Kaze.
If this young man ever found himself in trouble, he, Hiashi, would do everything in his power to help.
"Uchiha..."
"Kaze."
Kaze's lips curled into a smirk.
Everything had gone just as planned.
(T/N: Aizenism Intensifies!)
But just as his words left his mouth, the horizon lit up with flickering firelight, painting half the night sky red.
The Hyuga Clan's reinforcements had finally arrived.
And in Hiashi's arms, little Hinata quietly committed the name "Kaze" to memory.
(T/N: Honestly, this was the easiest chapter to translate. I swear, Chinese authors should just stick to slice-of-life—they actually have a knack for it. Then again, they'd probably find a way to ruin that too. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter!)