Hyūga Natsu’s efficiency was frighteningly high.
Just one morning later, while Hinata was still sprawling on her tatami mat drooling in her sleep, an intelligence scroll comparable to top-secret Anbu files was respectfully placed by her pillow.
“Young Mistress, here is the information you requested,” Natsu said, kneeling on one knee with a gentle voice that exuded high professionalism.
“Haruno Sakura is of civilian background, living on 34th Street in Konoha’s Southern District.
Yamanaka Ino is the daughter of the Yamanaka clan head.
Their relationship is subtle—they are best friends, yet fierce rivals who compete over everything.
They most frequently visit the central park in Konoha’s 3rd District around 3:00 PM to swing and pick wild flowers.
Recently, their favorite topics of discussion are ‘whose forehead is wider’ and ‘whose hairpin is prettier.'”
Hinata rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Hearing a report so detailed it covered exact playground gossip, she instantly snapped awake.
Holy crap!
Natsu-nee, you not being the head of the Anbu Intelligence Division is Konoha’s greatest loss!
Hinata praised her frantically in her mind.
Her pale-blue eyes lit up with the eager spark of a matchmaker.
“Awesome job, Natsu-nee!” Hinata scrambled out of bed, waving her small hand dramatically.
“Go tell the kitchen to pack up today’s fresh top-grade Wagyu beef, fresh Pacific saury, giant scallops, and all the barbecue seasonings!
Also, bring the highest-grade smokeless outdoor grill!”
Natsu froze in confusion.
“Young Mistress, are you planning to…?”
“This is called strategic culinary diplomacy!” Hinata placed her hands on her hips, a confident grin spreading across her face.
“Today, I am personally hosting a grand open-air barbecue party at the park!
Go prepare!”
At 2:30 PM, in Konoha’s 3rd District Central Park.
Spring sunlight filtered through the leaves onto the grass under a gentle breeze.
On the most eye-catching patch of open ground, a luxury barbecue setup had been assembled.
Glowing smokeless charcoal radiated heat.
On the grill, slices of marble-patterned top-grade Wagyu sizzled temptingly.
Golden fat trickled down the meat’s texture, bursting with an aroma rich enough to test anyone’s self-control.
“Gulp…”
Standing by the grill, Uzumaki Naruto stared fixedly at the Wagyu beef, swallowing hard.
His azure eyes seemed to take the shape of meat slices, his mouth watering near the coals.
“Hinata…
when can we eat?” Naruto turned pitifully toward Hinata, who was sitting on a neat little folding chair.
“Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you think about!
This is my bait to catch big fish, so exercise some self-control!” Hinata rolled her eyes, casually fanning herself while scanning the park entrance like a radar.
Calculating the time, those two little girls should be arriving soon, Hinata thought.
Little yellow-hair, I’m going all out today for your lifelong happiness!
As soon as you see Haruno Sakura, fate will strike and you’ll fall for her at first sight.
Then I can retire in peace and go back to being a carefree single powerhouse!
Just as Hinata waited in anticipation, a sharp, tense argument drifted from the park path.
“Wide-forehead!
This hairpin I’m wearing today is a limited edition—a ten thousand times prettier than your ugly red ribbon!”
“Ino-pig!
What do you know?!
Your hairpin is so tacky it looks like something an old lady would wear!”
Hinata perked up and bounced out of her chair.
They were here!
Two girls around their age walked toward the area, pulling faces at each other in annoyance.
The girl on the left had rare cherry-blossom pink hair and a slightly broad forehead, but a cute, clear face.
The girl on the right had long pale-blonde hair in a ponytail, carrying an aura of competitive pride.
It was none other than the future heroine of Team 7, Haruno Sakura, along with her best friend and rival, Yamanaka Ino!
“Little yellow-hair, look!” Hinata grabbed Naruto’s sleeve, pulling him close while pointing a small finger at the pink-haired girl.
She lowered her voice, offering guidance like a seasoned parent: “Look at that pink-haired girl over there.
What do you think?
Doesn’t she look as beautiful as spring cherry blossoms?
Don’t you feel your heart racing?”
Naruto followed Hinata’s finger.
At that moment, Sakura was blowing up over Ino calling her a “wide-forehead ugly girl.”
“Ino-pig!
Are you asking for a beating?!” Sakura yelled, her small body unleashing frightening physical strength that defied her appearance.
She delivered a sharp kick, launching a fist-sized rock nearby straight through the air!
BOOM!
The rock slammed into a nearby tree trunk, shaking leaves down in showers.
Afterward, Sakura brandished her fists fiercely like an enraged lion cub.
Seeing this, Naruto’s azure pupils shrank.
He turned stiffly toward the expectant Hinata, his small face contorted in undisguised shock and distaste.
“So rough…” Naruto shrank his neck back, a trace of fear in his voice.
“Just like a wild tiger!
Not gentle at all!”
He then turned to look at Hinata with bright, earnest eyes, his tone suddenly firm and admiring: “Hinata is still the prettiest!
No one is as gentle and cute as Hinata!
There’s definitely no better girl in the world!”
Dead silence fell over the park.
The eager, excited smile on Hinata’s face froze solid, like a cracking mask.
Rough?!
A wild tiger?!
Hinata’s inner voice roared in disbelief.
In the original story, weren’t you happiest when getting hit on the head and called an idiot every day?!
She was your ideal, your first love, your destined person!
And now you’re rejecting her for being rough?!
What kind of spell did this current appearance put on you to break the wheels of fate?!
Hinata took a deep breath, feeling her chest heave.
She clenched her fists tightly, restraining the urge to drag Naruto over to the grill.
Stay calm!
Life is a journey, and everything happens for a reason!
Hinata recited mental mantras to stay composed.
This kid is just blinded by my current appearance!
Once they spend time together, he’ll see Sakura’s good qualities.
The first step is getting them to interact!
“Naruto-kun, you shouldn’t speak about girls behind their backs like that,” Hinata said, forcing a sweet smile and softening her tone.
Come on, let me introduce you.”
Without waiting for Naruto to object, Hinata took his wrist and pulled him along toward Sakura and Ino.
By then, Sakura and Ino were drawn in by the overwhelming scent of roasted meat.
They stopped arguing and turned together, swallowing as they smelled the grill.
“Smells so good…” Ino rubbed her stomach.
“It’s roasted meat, and it smells higher quality than anything I’ve ever seen!” Sakura’s eyes widened.
Just then, an elegant little girl in a pure white fur cloak stepped forward, holding a blonde boy by the wrist and smiling at them.
“Hello there,” Hinata said, tilting her head slightly with a warm smile.
“I’m Hyūga Hinata, and this is my friend Uzumaki Naruto.
We’re having a barbecue here with plenty of food.
Would you like to join us?”
Faced with such a polite invitation and the smell of premium Wagyu, Sakura and Ino instantly softened.
“R-Really?
Is that okay?” Sakura asked, fidgeting with her shirt hem, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Even with her tough streak, being invited by a girl who clearly came from a prestigious household was a pleasant surprise.
“Of course!
The more, the merrier!” Hinata stepped forward warmly, taking Sakura by one hand and Ino by the other, guiding them over to the barbecue setup.
“Natsu-nee, set up two more chairs!
And put more Wagyu on the grill!” Hinata called out toward the hidden guard, planning her next move internally.
Great!
First contact successful!
Now I just need to create an opportunity for this kid to show some chivalry in front of Sakura!
The four of them sat around the grill.
The meat sizzled over the charcoal, filling the air with a mouth-watering aroma.
Hinata signaled Naruto with her eyes, even nudging his leg under the table, whispering: “Quick!
Time to show some polite manners!
Pass the best piece of meat to the girl!”
Receiving the hint, Naruto perked up.
He took the tongs and skillfully picked up the finest slice of Wagyu on the grill—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Hinata nodded approvingly in her mind.
That’s it!
Pass it to Sakura!
Naruto turned his wrist, carrying the prime piece of Wagyu past Sakura—who was watching expectantly—and placed it steadily into…
Hinata’s plate!
“Hinata, this piece is cooked to perfection.
Eat it while it’s hot!” Naruto smiled brightly, his azure eyes focusing entirely on Hinata like an overly eager retriever.
Silence descended once again.
Sakura’s chopsticks froze mid-air, a vein throbbing slightly on her forehead.
She glanced at Naruto with annoyance, crossing him off her list of impressive people.
Hinata looked down at the prime piece of Wagyu on her plate, feeling a surge of frustration.
I told you to give it to her!
Why did you put it on my plate?!
Hinata felt her hands shake slightly, fighting the urge to flip the grill over.
Why is all your devotion directed at me?!
I don’t care what it takes—I’m getting you two to hit it off today!