The words stuck in Hiashi’s throat.
Almost instinctively, he wanted to lecture her.
That child was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
If the Tailed Beast ever went on a rampage, the people closest to him would always be the first in harm’s way, making it far wiser to keep their distance.
Besides, the boy’s identity was exceptionally sensitive.
For a powerful clan like the Hyuga, getting too close to him would inevitably invite suspicion, directly violating the neutral principles their family had upheld for generations.
Hiashi originally intended to use these exact reasons to scold his daughter.
Yet, as he looked down at Hinata’s youthful, innocent face, those rational adult explanations felt like a heavy stone jammed in his throat, making it impossible to utter a single word.
“Hinata has a point…” Hiashi patted her head gently, a rare trace of tenderness softening his tone.
Children truly saw the world through a pure lens.
Even if Hinata had a rebellious streak, deep inside, a tiny spark of innocence still remained.
It was just that as people grew older, that innocence was inevitably ground away by the world.
“Since you don’t hold any prejudice against him, why did you hit him then?”
The two strolled down the streets of the Leaf Village, looking for all the world like an ordinary father and daughter.
“That brat was being ridiculously arrogant, talking about how guys are supposed to protect girls.
He was clearly looking down on me.
Wasn’t he just asking for a thrashing?” Hinata replied with a breezy wave of her hand.
Hiashi remained silent, a faint smile touching his lips.
Truth be told, in his eyes as her father, that reason was entirely beyond reproach.
You blonde little brat, learning how to pick up girls at such a young age?!
You really inherited all of your father’s ‘fine’ qualities!
With that thought, any lingering dissatisfaction Hiashi had over Hinata beating up Naruto vanished into thin air.
He even felt she had been a little too light on the boy.
“Does he even have the right to say something like that?” Hinata crossed her arms, her face full of disdain.
“Obviously, I’m the one who should be saying that to other girls!”
Right, right, right, does that Nine-Tails kid really think he has the right to say that?
If anyone gets to say it, it should be my precious daughter!
Hiashi applauded internally, wholeheartedly agreeing with her sentiment.
But halfway through the thought, his entire body froze stiff.
Ah?!
Wait a minute!!
Something seems off here!
The Hokage Residence.
The Hokage’s Office.
“Lord Hokage, I am deeply sorry.
My daughter’s mischief has caused you trouble,” Hiashi apologized, bowing slightly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
While he was never one to display emotion easily, a genuine note of apology seeped into his tone.
“It is quite alright.
Just children at play, nothing more,” Hiruzen reassured, setting aside the documents he was reviewing.
He walked around his desk to Hiashi and helped the man straighten up.
“Hinata, do not pay it any mind.”
Looking closely at the young girl, Hiruzen’s smile widened as he continued, “She truly resembles heavy-set old Jushiro.
If the old man knew his granddaughter was this exceptional, he would probably leap out of his grave with joy.”
“Indeed,” Hiashi replied smoothly before glancing down at his daughter.
“Hinata, greet Lord Hokage.”
“What is this ‘Lord Hokage’ nonsense?
Just call me Grandpa,” Hiruzen said with a mock huff.
“Back in the day, your grandfather and I fought shoulder-to-shoulder as brothers.”
“Hokage Grandpa,” Hinata piped up without a second thought, seizing the opportunity instantly.
“…”
Hiashi’s expression turned somewhat strange.
Normally, Hinata was nowhere near this obedient…
“Haha, good girl!” Hiruzen laughed heartily, taking Hiashi’s hand and teasingly poking fun at him.
“Hiashi, this child is even more sharp-witted than you are.”
“Ah…
Lord Hokage flatters her,” Hiashi offered, helplessly going along with the mood.
After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries, Hiashi took his leave with Hinata.
By coming here in person, Hiashi had fulfilled the longtime etiquette of the Hyuga Clan.
After all, an incident like this could be treated as a major issue or brushed off as nothing, depending entirely on Hiruzen’s mood.
Because the Hyuga had always handled matters with absolute propriety, Hiruzen paid the minor scuffle no mind whatsoever.
Had it been an Uchiha child who assaulted Naruto, Hiruzen might not have said anything on the surface, but a fresh layer of suspicion would have certainly settled in his heart.
Leaving the building, father and daughter walked along the bustling street.
Passersby who recognized Hiashi stepped forward to greet him, while strangers offered warm, respectful glances upon seeing their distinctive white eyes.
“I want to eat those,” Hinata stopped in her tracks, pointing toward a dango shop by the roadside and calling out in a clear, crisp voice.
“How many?” Hiashi led her toward the storefront.
“Ten of every kind!” Hinata declared without an ounce of hesitation.
Hiashi: “…”
Are you trying to restock the shop’s inventory?
Even though he had seen this coming, Hiashi couldn’t help but sigh internally.
Hinata’s appetite had always been terrifyingly huge; her food intake was simply absurd.
She could easily polish off thirty or forty bowls of rice in a single sitting, and she was only six years old.
Hiashi shuddered to think what would happen when she hit her growth spurt—her appetite would at least double, if not triple.
Though exasperated, the old father dutifully pulled out his wallet under the shopkeeper’s beaming smile and settled the bill.
“Lord Hiashi, you can take these with you first.
I will have the rest delivered directly to the compound,” the shopkeeper said cheerfully, packing up a selection of flavors and handing the box over.
Clearly, this was far from the first time this had happened.
“Thank you for the trouble,” Hiashi said, handing the packaged dango to his eagerly waiting daughter.
Watching her munch happily away, a wave of parental worry suddenly washed over him.
In the future, when she got married, what kind of family could possibly afford to feed her?
Wait, that’s not right…
Recalling what Hinata had said before entering the Hokage Residence, Hiashi’s anxiety deepened, a dark shadow settling between his brows.
Forget who could afford her…
whether she even ends up marrying a man or a woman is still up in the air…
Hiashi’s face was practically painted with the words ‘I am deeply depressed.’
“What are you moping about?” Hinata asked, noticing the gloom that seemed to physically blanket her father.
“Ah, it’s nothing…” Just a crippling terror of the future…
Hiashi sighed, pressing a hand against his forehead.
He could almost envision a day in the far future when Hinata would march home holding hands with another girl, causing the entire clan to explode in utter chaos.
“Since it’s nothing, let’s head back.
We still have time today, so we can train a bit more,” Hinata said, swallowing a dango whole and speaking around a full mouth.
Since she had resolved to become the ultimate pillar standing against the storm, she wasn’t about to waste a single second.
“Should I call Neji over?” Hiashi asked instinctively.
“Of course!” Hinata nodded vigorously.
Excellent!
That brat Neji actually had the nerve to run off and cry to his dad after getting beaten up!
I was definitely way too soft on him!
I need to step up the intensity and give him some real encouragement!
“Wait, maybe we should find someone else…” Only then did Hiashi realize what he had just proposed.
“No, it has to be him!”
“He’s my cousin, so don’t look down on him.
Brother Neji is a true genius!” Hinata declared with utter confidence.
Seeing her high praise for her cousin, Hiashi felt a surge of emotional warmth, closely followed by a wave of deep guilt.
Poor Neji…
Uncle really didn’t mean to drag you into this…