Chapter 95 (Patreon)

The Nerona residence was quiet, with only the faint sound of water coming from the bathroom.

After two exhausting days and an entire day spent traveling back to Konoha, the warmth of the bath gradually washed away the fatigue accumulated in Mihawk’s body.

Once he had finished bathing, Mihawk returned to his room and rested against the edge of his bed. A warm towel covered his face while Hinata sat behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.

Her long, lavender hair had been tied into a neat bun, keeping it from falling across her face as she focused on easing the stiffness from Mihawk’s muscles.

Mihawk quietly enjoyed her careful movements.

Hinata, meanwhile, remained completely focused on making him comfortable.

The room was peaceful. Apart from the occasional sound of water dripping from Mihawk’s damp hair, neither of them spoke.

“Whew…”

After some time, Mihawk suddenly removed the warm towel from his face.

“I’ve decided.”

Hinata stopped moving and looked at him curiously.

Mihawk leaned back slightly and met her gaze.

“I’m never accepting another mission like that again.”

A rare smile appeared on Hinata’s face.

She reached forward and gently brushed a damp strand of hair away from his forehead.

“How are you planning to explain that to Lady Tsunade?”

“I won’t.”

Mihawk crossed his arms with a dissatisfied expression.

“I don’t care what she says. I’m not wasting my time on another mission where we spend days running around only for everything to end in failure.”

For once, Mihawk looked less like an overwhelmingly powerful shinobi and more like an irritated boy his own age.

Unfortunately, Hinata was the only person allowed to witness that side of him.

She resumed massaging his shoulders.

“But you’re still a shinobi, Mihawk-kun. You can’t simply refuse every mission you dislike.”

“I don’t mind ordinary missions or even dangerous ones.”

Mihawk released a helpless sigh.

“No matter how difficult the enemy is, I can deal with it. But missions where we accomplish nothing and waste several days…”

He shook his head.

“I don’t want to experience that again.”

Hinata nodded thoughtfully.

“Mihawk-kun’s time is valuable.”

After considering it for a moment, she offered a suggestion.

“Then perhaps Shino and I can handle missions that mainly involve searching and tracking. Mihawk-kun wouldn’t need to accompany us unless there was a powerful enemy involved.”

“…”

Mihawk slowly turned around.

His sharp gaze settled on Hinata’s pale eyes.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, an amused expression appearing on his face.

“That doesn’t sound like something you would normally suggest.”

Hinata stiffened.

“Tell me the truth, Hinata.”

Mihawk leaned closer.

“What are you planning?”

Hinata lowered her head and nervously pressed her index fingers together.

“I’m not planning anything…”

A faint blush spread across her cheeks.

“I just don’t want Mihawk-kun to become exhausted because of us.”

She paused before continuing more quietly.

“Besides, I’ve grown stronger. I don’t want to keep relying on Mihawk-kun for everything.”

Hinata gathered her courage and looked directly into his eyes.

“I won’t hold you back anymore.”

Mihawk stared at her for several seconds.

Then he slowly turned away and leaned back against the bed with a dejected expression.

“I see.”

His voice sounded strangely disappointed.

“So Hinata doesn’t need me anymore.”

“No!”

Hinata immediately panicked.

“That’s not what I meant, Mihawk-kun!”

She hurriedly moved around to face him.

“I only meant that… I…”

The more anxious she became, the more difficult it was for her to put her thoughts into words.

Her face turned completely red, and her pale eyes began to tremble as though she might cry at any moment.

“Pfft!”

Mihawk could no longer hold back his laughter.

Hinata froze.

After realizing that he had been teasing her, her worried expression gradually turned into a quiet pout.

“Mihawk-kun…”

She looked away.

“You’re terrible.”

“Sorry.”

Despite apologizing, Mihawk continued smiling.

“But Hinata looked so serious that I couldn’t resist.”

He nodded as though he had reached a perfectly reasonable conclusion.

“So, in the end, this is Hinata’s fault.”

Hinata’s cheeks puffed slightly.

“You really are terrible.”

Mihawk raised his hand and gently pinched her cheek.

“I already know what you’re thinking.”

His playful expression softened.

“I’ve been watching how hard you’ve worked.”

Hinata looked back at him.

“You aren’t a burden, Hinata.”

Mihawk placed one hand behind her head and gently drew her closer.

“And you’ve never been a weakness that holds me back.”

He briefly pressed his lips against hers before pulling away.

“Still, I understand what you’re trying to say.”

A warm smile appeared on his face.

“I’ll leave those missions to you and Shino from now on.”

Hinata’s expression immediately brightened.

“Yes!”

She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly.

“I’ll do my best, Mihawk-kun.”

Five days later, on May 7th, Hinata’s training had become even more intense.

After showing Mihawk how much progress she had made and finally receiving his acknowledgment, she devoted herself to improving even further.

Her growth was no longer limited to an increase in chakra.

Something about her presence had begun to change.

With his Observation Haki, Mihawk could clearly sense the difference each day.

Whenever Hinata stood before him, she remained as gentle and considerate as ever.

However, the moment she began training, her entire demeanor changed.

Her movements became sharper.

Her attacks carried greater determination, and even her once-timid presence was slowly being replaced by the confidence of a capable shinobi.

It was the kind of presence that belonged to someone steadily walking toward true strength.

After observing her carefully, Mihawk became certain that the changes were not superficial.

Hinata’s body, chakra, and Byakugan were all adapting to her increasingly demanding training.

The transformation was gradual, but unmistakable.

At this rate, the potential hidden within her Byakugan might one day reveal something extraordinary.

Perhaps he should begin searching for a way to help her awaken the legendary Tenseigan.

It would not be easy, but if such a path truly existed, Mihawk was confident he would find it.

However, that possibility still belonged to the distant future.

For now, what mattered was that Hinata was becoming stronger through her own effort.

Because Mihawk understood this, he never complained when Hinata spent most of her time training instead of remaining at home with him.

His own daily routine was already equally demanding.

Whenever Hinata was away, Mihawk usually spent his time training as well.

During his breaks, Hanabi was often nearby, filling the otherwise quiet house with her energetic presence.

When Hinata returned in the evening, the three of them would eat together and talk about everything that had happened during the day.

The warmth of their daily life had not disappeared because of Hinata’s training.

If anything, the limited time they spent together had made each moment feel more meaningful.

Since she rarely saw Mihawk during the day, Hinata had become even more attentive whenever she returned home.

She would prepare dinner, help organize the house, and remain close to him throughout the evening.

Hanabi, however, had begun to feel left out.

She had repeatedly tried to find opportunities to spend time alone with Mihawk, only for Hinata to arrive first.

Refusing to admit defeat, Hanabi began inserting herself into their evening routine.

Whenever Hinata prepared dinner, Hanabi insisted on helping.

Whenever Mihawk and Hinata trained together, Hanabi appeared with her own practice weapon and demanded to participate.

Even when Hinata sat beside Mihawk after dinner, Hanabi would immediately claim the space on his other side.

What had once been occasional evenings spent together gradually became their normal routine.

The Nerona residence, which had once been quiet, was now rarely without laughter or conversation.

Mihawk did not dislike the change.

Surrounded by Hinata’s gentle affection and Hanabi’s energetic determination, he felt an unfamiliar sense of peace.

Being given another life in this world had brought him countless unexpected experiences.

However, meeting Hinata and Hanabi—and becoming part of their lives—was undoubtedly the greatest fortune he had received.