The morning sun warmed the stone walls of the Academy courtyard, casting soft golden hues across the training field. Sasuke leaned against the shaded trunk of a tree, arms crossed, watching the sparring exercises from afar. His gaze didn't drift over the other students with much interest.
Except for her.
Hinata Hyuga.
She stood a few meters away, trembling ever so slightly, her pale eyes fixed on her opponent—Kiba. He was confident, barking loud encouragement to himself like always. Hinata, meanwhile, breathed slowly, grounding herself with effort.
Sasuke's enhanced senses could see it. Her chakra pulsed in rhythmic surges—gentle, unstable, but filled with potential.
And beneath it, something else: resolve.
---
"Begin!" Iruka's voice echoed.
Kiba rushed in without hesitation, swinging with a spinning backfist. Hinata blocked awkwardly, absorbing the hit with minimal movement. Her counter was slow but focused—a palm thrust toward Kiba's chest, missing by an inch.
He retaliated, landing a low sweep that brought her down.
The students laughed.
Kiba grinned, "You've gotta be faster, Hinata!"
Hinata bowed politely. "Y-Yes. I'll try."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed—not at Kiba, but at the crowd's reaction. None of them saw it. But he had.
She didn't dodge by accident.
She predicted Kiba's next move before it happened—her instincts had told her to fall then, to avoid a worse hit. It wasn't fear.
It was control.
---
After class, as the others dispersed, Sasuke remained behind, still seated beneath the tree. Hinata stood alone by the training dummies, practicing her Gentle Fist on empty targets, palms glowing faintly with chakra.
He watched her fingers twitch—adjusting after every strike. Her breathing grew steadier. Her footwork tightened.
He stepped forward.
"You adapt fast."
She froze mid-strike, cheeks flaring crimson. "S-Sasuke…?"
"You read Kiba's combo earlier. You let yourself fall instead of taking the direct hit."
She looked down. "I… I didn't want to get hurt."
"That's the excuse you tell yourself," Sasuke replied calmly. "But instinctively, you chose the safer option. That's not fear. That's survival."
She blinked, surprised.
"Your chakra," he continued, circling slowly, "flows more evenly now. It was erratic before. Not anymore."
Hinata held her hands together shyly, twisting her fingers. "You were… watching me?"
He nodded. "I watch everyone. But you—" he stopped in front of her, "—you're interesting."
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest. She hoped he couldn't hear it.
"W-Why?"
"Because you're not what they think you are," Sasuke said. "They see weakness. I see… someone who's growing. Quietly. Silently."
---
Hinata blushed deeply, unsure how to respond.
"I can help you," he offered plainly.
She looked up, startled. "Y-You would?"
"I want to see what your chakra can really do. And in return…" He extended his hand, palm open. "Let me touch it."
Her cheeks flamed. "W-Wha?!"
"Your chakra," he clarified. "Let it flow into mine for just a second."
She stared at him, confused. "Why?"
He didn't answer directly. "You're stronger than you think, Hinata. But no one's ever shown you how to build that strength. I'll be the first."
Despite her hesitation, her hand rose. Fingers trembling, she placed her palm against his.
In that moment, their chakras met—hers light and hesitant, his steady and precise.
Corp: Gentle Chakra Link Initiated.
Vein Memory Enhanced.
Byakugan Insight Adjacency Reached.
Emotional Core Mapping… Complete.
Sasuke's eyes briefly flickered, overwhelmed not just by the technique, but by her heart.
She was kind. Deeply so. Every chakra strand was laced with empathy, a desire to protect, not dominate. She didn't want to be strong for glory—but to help others. To be there for someone.
It stunned him.
She pulled back quickly, embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry—was that wrong?"
"No," Sasuke said softly. "It was… perfect."
---
He walked her to the edge of the training field in silence, their pace unhurried.
"Thank you," she said gently. "I-I don't think anyone's ever said that about me before."
Sasuke stopped walking. "They will. Soon."
Hinata gave him a small, genuine smile.
And in that moment—just for a second—Sasuke felt something stir. Something unfamiliar. Something warm.
---
That evening, back in the Uchiha compound, he sat on his balcony overlooking the clan district. He analyzed the new data from his Corp ability.
New Trait Acquired: Gentle Pulse.
Function: Chakra compression with soft emission, effective for nerve disruption and stealth attacks.
Emotionally Linked Technique Boost: Increases effectiveness when protecting loved ones.
He closed his eyes.
Her kindness… had given him power.
But more than that… it reminded him of what he once had. And what he could have again.