Before Danzo could think of a rebuttal or Naruto could make his next move, another authoritative voice interrupted everyone's thoughts.
"Hinata Hyuga!"
Hyuga Hiashi arrived at the scene with several members of the Hyuga Clan.
His sharp gaze swept over the surroundings,
and he immediately spotted his eldest daughter, Hinata Hyuga, standing behind Naruto, clearly prepared to stand with him through thick and thin.
Hiashi's expression immediately darkened as he shouted sternly, "What are you still standing there for? Get over here!"
Hinata trembled. Faced with her father's usual authority and commanding tone, she instinctively felt afraid and lowered her head.
But this time, Hinata did not move.
Countless days and nights flashed through her mind—Naruto enduring the villagers' cold stares and criticism alone, yet continuing to train tirelessly.
That Naruto was her "sun."
Yet because of her cowardice, she had always only dared to watch from afar. She had never truly stepped forward to defend him, nor had she offered him support while he trained so hard.
And Naruto would never know how she felt.
So...
"This time..." Hinata bit her lip tightly. At last, she gathered her courage and raised her head. Though her voice still trembled slightly, she shook her head with remarkable resolve. "Father... I, I can't leave!"
"Naruto... he needs support."
Hyuga Hiashi had never expected his usually timid and obedient eldest daughter to dare defy his decision in public.
Especially in front of the heads of the major clans and so many Konoha shinobi, it made him feel utterly humiliated.
Hiashi flew into a rage. "Hinata! Are you refusing to listen to your father now?!"
Hiashi angrily stepped forward, seemingly intending to drag Hinata back by force.
"Clan Head Hiashi, please calm down." Nara Shikaku shifted his footing at just the right moment, placing