If Aoba Hayashi talent was truly as extraordinary as Hayato Hayashi claimed…
Then naturally, none of them would object to their daughters becoming close to him.
The Yamanaka Clan wasn’t like the Hyuga Clan.
They had no rules forbidding clan members from marrying outsiders.
Their children were free to marry whomever they wished.
As for the Haruno Clan, although they were technically a ninja clan and even had their own crest, they were now little different from ordinary civilians.
Tenten’s family was an even simpler case.
There wasn’t a single ninja in the household—they were simply wealthy.
So none of them would complain about having an exceptionally talented son-in-law.
The problem was…
This brat wasn’t trying to win over just one girl.
He looked like he intended to steal away all three of their daughters.
Forget being a gifted child.
Even if the brat were the Hokage himself, they’d still make sure he found out just how sharp their swords were.
For a moment, no one knew what to say.
“So it seems, Hayashi’s, that you have quite an impressive nephew.”
Just as the atmosphere around the table became heavy with silence, another voice suddenly rang out.
Hayashi turned toward the newcomer, the corners of his mouth twitching violently.
For the first time in a long while, he truly felt like cursing.
Yamanaka Inoichi and the other two were equally surprised.
“Clan Head Hyuga.
I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Because of his work, Inoichi often cooperated with the Hyuga Clan and naturally rose to greet him.
Besides, Hiashi Hyuga’s status was on a completely different level.
The Hyuga Clan was one of Konoha’s true great clans, and Hiashi was its patriarch.
Naturally, the village’s shinobi treated him with great respect.
Hiashi merely nodded in acknowledgment.
As always, his expression remained emotionless.
His slightly lowered lips and calm gaze carried an imposing dignity that inspired awe without the slightest trace of anger.
“Mind if I join you?”
Although it seemed as though he’d come looking for trouble, Hiashi still asked politely as he looked at Hayashi .
“Not at all.
Not at all.”
Hayashi forced an awkward smile as he hurried over to fetch another bowl, a pair of chopsticks, and a chair.
Then, under the puzzled gazes of the other three, Hiashi calmly took a seat.
None of them understood why the Hyuga Clan Head had suddenly decided to join their table.
Judging from Hayashi’s awkward demeanor…
Could it be—
Silence fell once again.
They had originally intended to continue questioning Hayashi , but with Hiashi now present, none of them felt comfortable bringing the matter up.
After sitting down, Hiashi simply sipped his tea in silence, saying nothing.
Finally, Inoichi broke the stalemate.
“Clan Head Hyuga, the four of us are gathered here over a small matter concerning our children.
May I ask…
what brings you here?”
If this dragged on any longer, the restaurant would be closing before anyone spoke.
Hiashi had merely received a report from one of his guards that these four had gathered here.
Since it concerned his own daughter, he had decided to stop by.
Unexpectedly, he had overheard Hayashi praising his nephew so highly.
That sparked a new thought in his mind.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he spoke.
“A few days ago, my younger daughter became separated from her guards and was nearly bullied by several children.”
“It was Hayashi’s nephew who rescued her.”
The four exchanged looks of realization.
So he had come to express his gratitude.
At least…
That was what they thought.
But Hiashi’s next sentence instantly shattered that assumption.
“It is simply that, ever since returning home, my daughter has had no appetite.”
“Even while practicing the Gentle Fist, she frequently loses focus.”
“As her father…
it has caused me quite a headache.”
Although Hiashi spoke with the same expressionless face throughout, everyone present could clearly feel the chill hidden within his eyes.
Even Hayashi suddenly felt the pressure mounting.
“Well…”
“There’s no need to be nervous, Hayashi.”
Hiashi interrupted him before he could continue.
“I simply wish to know…”
“Is Aoba Hayashi truly as exceptional as you’ve claimed?”
“Does he possess the qualities to become Hokage?”
Hayashi , Inoichi, and the others were all startled.
They immediately understood what Hiashi was really asking.
Hayashi , however, refused to exaggerate.
“I can’t say whether he has the makings of a Hokage.”
“But I can say with absolute certainty…”
“His future achievements will far surpass my own.”
The position of Hokage was far more complicated than ordinary people imagined.
On the surface, it appeared that anyone recognized by the entire village could become Hokage.
But without an outstanding record that amazed everyone…
How could you ever stand before the entire village in the first place?
Everyone present understood that reality.
Still, Hayashi’s assurance was enough for Hiashi.
He slowly set down his teacup and looked directly at Hayashi .
“If Aoba Hayashi can become Hokage…”
“No.”
“So long as he can rise to the highest ranks of the village…”
“Then, as the head of the Hyuga Clan—and as a father…”
“I will not oppose anything between him and Hinata.”
The four men stared at him in complete disbelief.
Even the Hyuga guards standing behind their clan head were dumbfounded.
All of them shared the same thought.
Has the Hyuga Clan Head gone mad?
But Hiashi had his own reasons.
Ever since his younger daughter, Hanabi, had been born…
He had been forced to confront a problem he could no longer ignore.
The Caged Bird Seal.
According to the Hyuga Clan’s rules, if things continued as they were…
Either Hinata or Hanabi would inevitably receive the Caged Bird Seal.
Even as clan head, he lacked the authority to overturn a tradition that had existed for centuries.
But…
If an outside force intervened…
Everything would be different.
Those elders of the Main House were nothing more than cowards who bullied the weak and sought only to protect themselves whenever real danger appeared.
If Aoba Hayashi became powerful enough…
If his status became high enough…
And if he and Hinata truly ended up together…
Not one of those elders would dare utter a single word about the Caged Bird Seal.
With Hiashi’s current strength and authority as clan head…
Protecting Hinata until adulthood was not a problem.
When Yamanaka Inoichi finally returned home…
His brows were still tightly furrowed.
It was obvious he was deep in thought.
“Inoichi, did something happen?”
Seeing the worried look on her husband’s face, Yamanaka Rino couldn’t help asking.
Though she wasn’t particularly strong herself, perhaps there was still something she could do to help.
Inoichi shook his head and turned toward Ino, who was kneeling nearby and trimming flowers.
The little girl looked utterly aggrieved, her cheeks puffed out so much they could practically hold a soy sauce bottle.
Unable to resist, Inoichi walked over and affectionately rubbed her head.
Feeling her father’s gentle touch, Ino looked up at him with watery, pitiful eyes.
“Dad…”
“Mom says I can’t go out and play anymore until school starts.”
“You little troublemaker.”
“And you still think you’re the one being wronged?”
“If I hadn’t gone looking for you today…”
“Were you planning to spend the night at someone else’s house?”
Rino reached out to tug Ino’s ear.
It wasn’t that she opposed her daughter playing with boys.
But she was only five years old.
If she was already spending the night at a boy’s house now…
Who knew what she’d be doing when she grew older?
“Eek!
Dad, save me!”
Ino immediately jumped behind Inoichi, using him as a shield.
Mother and daughter began circling around him in a game of cat and mouse.
Watching the two of them laughing and chasing each other…
The crease between Inoichi’s brows gradually disappeared.
A faint smile finally appeared on his face.
With one arm, he stopped each of them, bringing their game to a halt.
Under the puzzled gazes of both mother and daughter, he looked at Ino.
“Ino…
I want to ask you something.”