Hiashi Hyuga’s words caught in his throat.
Regarding Hinata’s statement, he almost instinctively wanted to refute it.
That child is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
If the Nine-Tails goes on a rampage, those closest to him are often the first to be hurt, so it’s best to keep a distance.
Furthermore, that child’s identity is extremely sensitive.
Especially for a great clan like the Hyuga, getting close would inevitably lead to misunderstandings, which goes against the principles the Hyuga have always lived by.
Hiashi Hyuga originally intended to use these reasons to admonish Hinata.
But as he gazed at Hinata’s still youthful face, these words, full of adult rational thinking, felt like a lump in his throat that he couldn’t bring himself to say.
“What Hinata says is…”
Hiashi Hyuga patted Hinata’s head, a rare hint of tenderness revealing itself in his voice.
Indeed, a child’s world is often pure.
Even as rebellious as Hinata is, she still hides that bit of innocence in her heart.
It’s just that during the process of growing up, this innocence will gradually be worn away.
“Since Hinata has no prejudice against him, then why beat the boy up?”
The two of them walked along the streets of Konoha, looking like an ordinary father and daughter.
“That guy had such a haughty attitude, saying girls should be protected by boys. He was clearly looking down on me. Wasn’t he asking for a beating?”
Hinata spoke nonchalantly.
Hiashi Hyuga smiled without saying a word.
Well, in Hiashi Hyuga’s view, this reason truly was beyond reproach.
Especially given his role as Hinata’s father.
You little blonde brat, learning how to pick up girls at such a young age?!
Truly the same virtue as that father of yours!
At this thought, Hiashi Hyuga’s dissatisfaction with Hinata for beating up Naruto instantly vanished.
He even felt that Hinata had hit him too lightly.
“Is it that guy’s place to say such a thing?”
“Clearly, I should be the one saying that to other girls!”
Hinata crossed her arms, her face full of disdain.
Right, right, right, is it that Nine-Tails kid’s place to say that?
If anyone should say it, it should be his precious daughter!
Hiashi Hyuga mentally clapped in praise, clearly in total agreement with Hinata’s words, but halfway through, his body suddenly stiffened.
Huh?!
Wait!!
Something seems amiss!!
…
Hokage Building
Hokage Office
“Hokage-sama, I am truly sorry. My daughter’s naughtiness has caused you trouble.”
The father and daughter had already arrived before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiashi Hyuga, whose emotions usually didn’t show on his face, revealed a hint of apology as he bowed slightly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
“It’s no matter, just children playing around.”
“Hiashi, don’t take it to heart.”
Seeing Hiashi Hyuga’s attitude, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly put down the documents he was annotating, walked to Hiashi Hyuga’s side, and helped him up.
“This must be Jushiro’s granddaughter.”
“If that old fellow knew his granddaughter was so outstanding, he’d probably be happy enough to come back to life.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hinata and continued with a smile.
“Indeed.”
“Hinata, greet Hokage-sama.”
Hiashi Hyuga spoke.
“What ‘Hokage-sama’? Call me Grandpa. Back then, Jushiro and I fought side by side and called each other brothers.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with mock anger.
“Grandpa Hokage.”
Seeing this, Hinata didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity.
“…”
Hiashi Hyuga’s expression became slightly odd upon hearing this.
Usually, Hinata isn’t this obedient…
“Hahaha, good child.”
“Hiashi, this child is even more impressive than you.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily, pulling Hiashi Hyuga’s hand and teasing him.
“Er, I’ve made the Hokage laugh.”
Hiashi Hyuga could only go along with it helplessly.
After a few more words, Hiashi Hyuga took Hinata and bid their farewells.
Coming here was simply Hiashi Hyuga adhering to the Hyuga Clan’s long-standing principles.
After all, this matter could be big or small depending on Hiruzen Sarutobi’s whim.
Precisely because of the Hyuga Clan’s way of doing things, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t care about the matter at all.
If it had been the Uchiha Clan who hit Naruto, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have said anything on the surface, but he would likely have added another layer of suspicion in his heart.
After leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi, the father and daughter walked down the street.
Passersby who recognized Hiashi Hyuga came up to greet him, and those who didn’t recognize him cast friendly glances because of those exposed Byakugan.
“I want to eat that.”
Halfway there, Hinata pulled on Hiashi Hyuga and pointed at a roadside dumpling shop, shouting in a crisp voice.
“How many?”
Hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga led Hinata toward the shop.
“Ten of each!”
Hinata spoke without hesitation.
Hiashi Hyuga:…
Are you stocking up for a warehouse here?
Although he had anticipated it, Hiashi Hyuga still couldn’t help but complain in his heart.
Hinata’s appetite had always been extraordinary; her food intake was truly startling.
She could often eat thirty or forty bowls of rice in one meal, and she was only six years old.
When she reached the age for her body to grow, Hiashi Hyuga could already predict that Hinata’s appetite would at least double or triple.
The old father was very helpless, but he still honestly pulled out his wallet to pay under the shopkeeper’s beaming face.
“You can take these with you first, Lord Hiashi. I’ll send the rest to the clan compound for you.”
The shopkeeper picked out the flavors with a grin, handed the dumplings to Hiashi Hyuga, and spoke with a smile.
Clearly, this wasn’t the first time this had happened.
“Thank you for the trouble.”
Hiashi Hyuga handed the packaged dumplings to the expectant Hinata and spoke helplessly.
Watching his daughter eat happily, he couldn’t help but feel worried.
When she gets married in the future, what family could afford to feed Hinata?
Wait, that’s not right…
Hiashi Hyuga thought back to what Hinata had said before entering the Hokage Building.
His heart grew even more worried, to the point that a trace of sorrow appeared between his brows.
Whether she’ll be marrying out or marrying someone in is not certain yet…
Thinking of this, Hiashi Hyuga’s face was written all over with the words ‘I am very depressed’.
“What are you thinking about?”
Hinata looked at the gloom that almost drowned Hiashi Hyuga and couldn’t help but speak.
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
Just a fear of the future, that’s all…
Hiashi Hyuga held his forehead and sighed.
He seemed to see a vision of a future day where Hinata brought a woman home, and the entire clan exploded.
“In that case, let’s go home. There’s still some time today, so we can practice for a while.”
Hinata swallowed the dumpling in her hand in one gulp and spoke indistinctly.
Since she had already decided to be the one standing tall, she naturally wouldn’t give up any time.
“Should I call Neji?”
Hiashi Hyuga spoke subconsciously.
“Of course!”
Hinata nodded heavily upon hearing this.
Perfect, that guy Neji actually dared to complain to his old father after being beaten to tears!
I was still too light on him!
I need to turn up the intensity for him!
“Wait, should we change to someone else…”
Only then did Hiashi Hyuga realize what he had just said.
“No, it has to be him!”
“He’s my cousin, don’t look down on him. Brother Neji is a genius!”
Hinata spoke with conviction, which filled Hiashi Hyuga with apology.
Poor Neji, I didn’t mean it…