Dinner Gathering

What a strange sight there was in Class A's hallway now. The entire class was standing outside the door, while the classroom itself stood empty.

Even the few who had not participated earlier had been dragged out by the others to stand there as punishment.

Namikaze Minato was there too. He had felt awkward sitting alone in the classroom, so he figured he might as well come out and stand with everyone else.

"It's fine. Once we all make it big someday, this will be proof of our unity."

"It was just a little scuffle. What's the big deal? If you don't cause some trouble while you're young, you won't even get the chance when you're old." Hyuga Matsuba looked utterly unconcerned.

"Hyuga Matsuba, you really are optimistic." Nawaki was feeling miserable. "But if I really become famous, I'll definitely regret this."

"How could that be, Nawaki? You're thinking too much. Someone like you could never become successful and famous." Hyuga Matsuba made Nawaki face the bloody truth.

Nawaki had already been upset, and now he had been stabbed again. He wanted nothing more than to tear Hyuga Matsuba apart.

Avoiding Nawaki's knife-like glare, Hyuga Matsuba turned to look at Mikoto.

"Not only are you pretty, you're kind-hearted too. It clearly had nothing to do with you, yet you still stepped up to speak for me. I'm so touched my heart is melting."

"Y-you..." Feeling the meaningful looks from her classmates beside her, Mikoto was nearly in tears. She clenched her little fists and refused to pay Hyuga Matsuba any more attention.

Seeing that Mikoto was genuinely a little angry, Hyuga Matsuba felt he might have gone too far. He turned and glared at Hizashi Hyuga.

"You little punk, tell me. How do you want me to beat you?"

With so many classmates around, Hizashi Hyuga stiffened his neck and said, "Was I wrong? That's simply the truth!"

"Quit yapping about other things and tell me how you want to settle this. Or you can just pay up and settle it privately."

Hizashi Hyuga thought for a while, then obediently fished a few hundred bills from his pocket and placed them in Hyuga Matsuba's palm. The motion looked like one he had repeated many times before.

"Hyuga Matsuba, how dare you extort my little brother?" After witnessing the entire process of Hyuga Matsuba bullying him, Hyuga Hiashi was furious.

"You really can't say anything nice, can you? I didn't kidnap him. He paid me willingly. Ask him yourself if you don't believe me." Hyuga Matsuba gave Hizashi Hyuga a meaningful look.

"Little brother, tell the truth. I'm here to protect you!"

Hizashi looked at Hiashi, who was not much stronger than him, then thought of Hyuga Matsuba's strength. In the end, he chose to go against his conscience and lie.

"He's right. He didn't bully me. I was willing to give him the money."

"I..." Seeing how spineless his little brother was, Hiashi no longer wanted to say anything. He abandoned him and left on his own.

"That kid's a little rich guy?" Nawaki eagerly leaned closer.

"You'll be an important figure in your clan someday. How can you be this pathetic?" Hyuga Matsuba was speechless.

"Don't mention it. Tsunade loves gambling and keeps asking me for money to gamble. I barely have any money on me. Now I can only afford instant noodles to barely fill my stomach." Nawaki searched his entire body and found only a little over ten in loose change, his face full of sorrow.

"You're really pitiful." Hyuga Matsuba felt that Nawaki truly had it rough. He had actually forgotten about Nawaki's gambling-addict sister earlier.

Before long, the teacher rushed back from the hospital. Seeing the packed hallway, she felt a headache coming on.

"Get back inside and attend class properly! If you dare do this again, you'd better watch yourselves!"

However, punishments like formal demerits were unlikely. Most of the students in this class came from powerful backgrounds, and Uchiha Ken had not been seriously injured. Thus, the matter was simply let go.

Class began, and Ueno Juri cleared her throat before starting to explain the school rules.

Today was the first day of school, and classes had not yet begun. Learning would start the next day. For now, the priority was to make this group understand the school's regulations.

"I won't pursue the group fight any further. We won't discuss what happened either, but this must never happen again in the future, or you'll suffer the consequences!"

But as she spoke, the teacher somehow circled back to the incident again.

"Okayyy." The students sitting in their seats barely cooperated. No one wanted to listen to her talk.

Looking at the little brats below, Ueno Juri felt that her hard days were about to begin.

"I'm warning you. Since it's the first day, I'll let you off this time. But if you keep acting like this, I'll kick you out!"

At last, school was over. Hyuga Matsuba rose from his seat and issued an invitation. "Mikoto, want to go get something to eat with me tonight? My treat!"

"You're paying? Count me in!" Nawaki's dog ears worked amazingly well, and he immediately sprang over.

Looking at this unexpected third wheel, Hyuga Matsuba had no choice. "Fine. Everyone come with me. I'm paying. The whole class can come eat. Our destination is the BBQ Restaurant!"

"Wow! Matsuba, I really like a brother like you!" Tokunaga said excitedly.

"So, would the little beauty honor me with her presence?"

"Okay." Mikoto pursed her lips and agreed with a smile.

Aside from a few people who had other matters to attend to, most of the class joined the dinner gathering, including the two Hyuga brothers.

After arriving at their destination, Nawaki called out, "waiter, hurry up and arrange some seats for us!"

"Sure, sure! You're all kids, so I'll give you an eighty... eighty-five percent discount!" The owner had initially wanted to offer an even larger discount, but when he saw Hyuga Matsuba, he lost all desire to do so.

After everyone sat down, Hyuga Matsuba began ordering. He called for both meat and vegetables, ordering seventy plates in one go.

"Wait! We're all children. How can we eat that much? Order less to avoid wasting food." Sophia, sitting nearby, spoke up.

"She has a point. If we can't finish so much, it'll just waste your money." Mikoto also felt it was a bit excessive.

"You don't know this, but Hyuga Matsuba is practically a bottomless pit!" Before the person in question could speak, Nawaki opened his mouth.

Once they started eating, everyone truly witnessed what it meant to have a huge appetite.

As the meal was nearing its end, Mikoto secretly tugged on Hyuga Matsuba's sleeve. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, "This meal must cost a lot. I can lend you some money."

Hyuga Matsuba's lips curved upward. He gently touched Mikoto's little hand, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't worry. I have plenty of money. I can afford to support you."

"Ah!" Mikoto became embarrassed again. With a shy huff, she turned away and continued eating.

By the time the meal ended, it was already late, so everyone went home.

After saying goodbye to Mikoto and Nawaki, the three Hyuga Clan children set off together on the road home.

Hyuga Hiashi remained as expressionless as ever, while the usually talkative Hyuga Matsuba began chatting with Hizashi Hyuga.

However, Hizashi Hyuga kept worrying that he would get beaten up, so he barely spoke. It was truly boring.

After returning to the clan compound, the three said goodbye. Hyuga Matsuba then returned to his little house.