Chapter 17: Searching for Friends - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

### Chapter 17: Searching for Friends Midway through the barbecue, Hinata was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness. She almost burst into tears. Just look at the people she was dining with! A total shut-in, a lazybones, and someone with a face painted like a street artist. From the Hyuga clan's diplomatic perspective, befriending these three might not be that bad. After all, they were heirs of prominent families. But still... In the original storyline, Hinata was a timid and unremarkable heiress. Her quiet demeanor was understandable. But in this life, she was a genius heiress, so why hadn't she managed to make a single close friend? She longed for friendships where they could hug, share secrets, go to the bathroom together, even take baths together—doing all those delightful, slightly embarrassing things. It was all Sasuke's fault (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻ Hinata gritted her teeth in frustration. If it weren't for Sasuke's meddling, why would she be friendless and ostracized by the other girls? She decided that for the rest of the year, she would make Sasuke her sparring partner during Taijutsu classes. If she didn't make him cry out for mercy, then she'd write her name backward. After finishing the barbecue, Hinata dashed back to school, determined to find a girl to be her best friend. She was on a mission! Already in her third year, she'd been tagging along with her male classmates for three whole years. It was tragic. First, get a best friend. Then, plan for a weekend shopping spree, maybe even a hot spring visit. Hinata felt a surge of determination and excitement. But who should she reach out to? Temari from the next class seemed like a good option. Besides, Temari seemed to like Neji, so Hinata could potentially leverage that relationship. Unfortunately, being in different classes made coordination difficult. As for the girls in her own class... they were all mindlessly infatuated with Sasuke and shunned Hinata. "Still... there might be some hope!" The class she skipped was the last one before lunch break. Now during the recess period, Hinata wandered across the playing field towards the spot where Ino and Sakura usually had their lunch. On the grass, Ino and Sakura sat together, sharing secrets and exchanging food, looking as cheerful as blossoms in full bloom. Hinata exclaimed internally, “I so want to join them too!” With her hands behind her back, Hinata strolled over, swaying slightly as she went. As soon as Ino and Sakura saw her, their expressions turned cold. Ino, with an air of pride, asked, “Hinata, what are you doing here?” Reaching them, Hinata smiled broadly and said, “Actually, I don't like Sasuke at all! It's impossible for Sasuke and me to be together. He's an Uchiha, and I'm a Hyuga. Our families are natural enemies.” “Sasuke challenges me because he sees me as a rival.” Hearing Hinata’s reasoning, Ino and Sakura visibly relaxed. Ino questioned further, “Why are you telling us all this?” Hinata sat beside them, grinning sweetly, “Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Your true enemy knows you better than your friend’?” “Sasuke and I are rivals, so I know him quite well!” “How about I help you two pursue Sasuke?” Ino and Sakura’s eyes lit up. Sakura eagerly pressed, “Hinata, do you really have a way to help us win over Sasuke?” Hinata nodded playfully, “Of course! If you promise to take me to the hot springs this weekend, I'll tell you the secret to winning Sasuke's heart!” Ino and Sakura exchanged glances, and Ino said, “You tell us first!” “Alright then!” Hinata motioned for them to come closer, speaking mysteriously, “You know Sasuke’s goal, right? He wants to revive the Uchiha clan!” When it came to the Uchiha matters, Ino knew far more about it than Sakura. Sakura, from a civilian family, might not even be aware of the Uchiha incident. During the Uchiha clan’s massacre, Sakura was only seven years old, and no one would have told her about it. Talking about the Uchihas was forbidden in the village. Before she turned seven, Sakura wouldn’t have understood the significance of the name "Uchiha." Ino nodded, asking, “But what does that have to do with pursuing Sasuke?” Hinata flashed a peculiar smile, whispering, “Sasuke's always been chasing the wrong goal. He thinks reviving the Uchiha clan is about gaining strength, but it’s not.” “To revive the Uchiha clan, you need to marry and have children, build a lineage!” “Sasuke doesn’t realize this yet, which is why he’s pursuing strength and ignoring girls.” “But if we were to make him understand this, Sasuke would definitely... hehehe! You get the idea!” On hearing this, Ino and Sakura blushed. Although mature for their age, knowing enough to chase after good-looking guys at only seven or eight, they were still girls at heart and quite bashful. Talking about romance was easy for them; they could discuss and chase heartthrobs without hesitation. But discussing marriage and childbirth? That’d turn faces crimson and make them somewhat fretful. Marrying Sasuke? Having children with Sasuke? Watching them sink into their bashful fantasies, Hinata felt a pang of despair. Oh my! So any girl she wanted as her best friend would eventually belong to someone else? Humph! Hinata comforted herself: “Even if in the future they would end up marrying, once they were mine, they were mine!” She too slipped into a dreamlike state. Honestly, going to the hot springs alone wasn’t that bad! Hinata was a bit regretful! Eight years had gone by, and she had bathed only at home all this time. What a waste of good opportunities! Think of poor Jiraiya! Always sneaking around with a periscope, catching glimpses from wall corners, and any discovery would lead to a beating. But I, Hinata! Can enter proudly through the front door. Ino came back to her senses first, holding Hinata’s hand, hesitating, “Hinata, will this really work?” So soft! Hinata seized the opportunity for a little touch, while confidently asserting, “Of course it will! Just think, if Sasuke isn’t interested in dating, no amount of effort from you would succeed!” “Getting Sasuke to understand the importance of women is key for him to accept you.” Ino asked again, “But why tell us all of this?” Hinata sighed theatrically, implying she was fed up, “Sasuke keeps pestering me because he’s focused on gaining strength, hence always challenging me. But if he starts pursuing girls, he won’t bother me anymore.” “I’m a Hyuga, I don’t like Sasuke, but both of you have such a great chance!”