Naruto: The Crimson Error

20

Chapter 20: Spring-Loaded Shenanigans and Sage Wisdom

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Hanabi Hyuga found herself standing outside the imposing gates of the Hyuga compound. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation with her father. The Chunin Exams had been a whirlwind of chaos, deception, and unexpected dance parties, but now it was time to face the music – or in this case, the stern gaze of Hiashi Hyuga.

As if summoned by her thoughts, the gates creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of her father. Hiashi stood there, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. Hanabi gulped, feeling like a tiny genin facing down a Kage-level opponent.

"Welcome back, Hanabi," Hiashi said, his voice as cool and crisp as a winter morning. "I trust your... camping trip was enlightening?"

Hanabi nodded, trying to channel some of Sora's unflappable confidence. "Yes, Father. It was quite the experience."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed slightly, and Hanabi felt as if he was peering directly into her soul. After a moment that felt like an eternity, he sighed. "Hanabi, we need to work on your lying skills. They're atrocious."

Hanabi winced, feeling like she'd just been hit with a Gentle Fist strike to the ego. "I... what?"

"Your body language, your tone, even the way you're avoiding eye contact – it all screams 'I'm hiding something,'" Hiashi explained, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "If you're going to deceive someone, you need to commit fully. Believe your own lie, and others will too."

For a moment, Hanabi was too stunned to speak. Was her father... giving her tips on how to lie better? This was not how she expected this conversation to go.

"I... it was a secret assignment from the Hokage," Hanabi blurted out, deciding to go with a half-truth and throwing the Hokage under the bus as Sora had taught her

Hiashi's eyebrow raised a fraction of an inch – the Hyuga equivalent of a jaw-dropping reaction. "Ah, I see. And this secret assignment involved... camping?"

Hanabi nodded vigorously, warming to her story. "Yes, Father. We were... testing new stealth techniques in a forest environment. Very hush-hush."

Hiashi studied her for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Better. Half-truths are always the most effective lies. They're grounded in reality, making them easier to remember and more believable." He paused, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. "Though I suspect this 'camping trip' involved more than just stealth training. Perhaps... a certain exam?"

Hanabi's eyes widened. How did he know? Was her father secretly a mind-reader? Or worse, had he somehow developed a Byakugan that could see through time?

Seeing her panic, Hiashi actually chuckled – a sound so rare that Hanabi briefly wondered if she'd fallen into some sort of genjutsu. "Relax, Hanabi. The Hokage informed the clan heads about a... special assignment involving some of our younger shinobi. He was quite vague on the details, but it wasn't hard to put two and two together."

Hanabi let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "So... you're not mad?"

"Mad? No," Hiashi said, his expression softening slightly. "Concerned? Yes. Curious? Absolutely." He gestured for her to follow him into the compound. "Come. Tell me about your experiences in the Chunin Exams. I'm particularly interested in how you and your... creative friend managed to infiltrate such a high-security event."

As they walked through the meticulously manicured gardens of the Hyuga compound, Hanabi began recounting her adventures. She told her father about the first phase of the exams, how Sora had systematically thinned out the competition with his ridiculous antics and clever use of seals.