Ask Again, and It Would Be Rude

Don't worry about whether asking that kind of question would make you look foolish.

Just ask. If you ask, it means you took what I said to heart. You thought about it, so now you have questions.

You deserve an answer.

"Friction between people is inevitable, whether within a village, a clan, or a family. That is why there are rules."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression immediately relaxed considerably upon hearing that. There was even a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

Clearly, Shuji's attitude had pleased Sarutobi Hiruzen.

After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Hyuga Tokuhiro beside him.

"The Hyuga clan should have a proper way of handling this as well, shouldn't they?"

"Of course. The clan will announce its decision tomorrow."

Hyuga Tokuhiro nodded at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Do you have any other questions?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded lightly and looked at Shuji before him.

"No. If I encounter something like this again, I'll gather sufficient evidence and submit it to Lord Tokuhiro for judgment."

Shuji answered Sarutobi Hiruzen without the slightest hesitation.

What was true and what was false? Just say whatever people wanted to hear.

At the same time, Shuji chose not to keep asking. Any more questions would be rude.

"Good. Then stay here tonight and take good care of your sister. Come to Nawaki's house tomorrow to train."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and nodded before rising to his feet and speaking to Shuji.

"Okay."

Shuji nodded and watched Sarutobi Hiruzen leave the hospital room.

As Sarutobi Hiruzen departed, Tokuhiro and the others rose as well.

"We'll leave this place to you."

With a faint smile on his face, Tokuhiro spoke to Shuji and Hiashi.

Actually... Tokuhiro was rather satisfied with Shuji's way of handling things.

They were ninja, after all. What kind of ninja would be overly gentle?

Besides, where were they supposed to find evidence for something like this?

"Mm, don't worry."

Shuji nodded and watched Tokuhiro leave.

"Before you do anything in the future, think it through first."

Chinatsu came before Shuji and spoke to him.

"Mm."

Shuji nodded to show that he understood.

"Take good care of your sister."

As Chinatsu left, Kiyosada spoke to Shuji as well.

"Sure thing~"

A gentle yet slightly impatient smile hung on Shuji's face as he watched Hyuga Kiyosada leave.

Click.

The instant the hospital room door closed, Shuji finally let out a sigh of relief.

Then he silently turned around and looked at the Shadow Clone standing on the balcony, who had not uttered a word from beginning to end.

"What could I do?"

Seeing this, the Shadow Clone grinned and spread his hands at Shuji. As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into a puff of smoke and vanished from the hospital room.

Pfft~

At that moment, Hinagiku suddenly burst out laughing.

Shuji silently turned around, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and expressionlessly looked at Hyuga Hinagiku lying in the hospital bed.

"Is it funny?"

"You disrespected me. You begged me to let you go, but you weren't even willing to address me as 'you' respectfully... Hahahaha!"

After barely calming herself down, Hinagiku mimicked Shuji's tone from earlier and spoke to him.

The moment she finished, she burst into loud laughter again.

"Sigh..."

Shuji sighed helplessly, then turned and took out a skewer of Hinagiku's favorite three-color dango from the bag.

His fingers lightly twisted the skewer, turning the dango around twice.

Turning back, Shuji walked over to Hinagiku and held the dango to her mouth.

"Want a taste?"

Shuji asked Hinagiku gently.

"Mm!"

Hinagiku nodded vigorously and opened her mouth, taking a bite.

But just as she was about to eat it, Shuji suddenly pulled the dango away.

Straightening up, Shuji looked down at Hyuga Hinagiku in the hospital bed. He put the dango into his own mouth under her baffled gaze and asked her,

"Is it good?"

"I think it tastes pretty good."

As he spoke, Shuji ate the dango and walked over to Hiashi and Nawaki.

"People who are injured shouldn't eat too much, so we'd better not give these to them."

"I think that's a great idea."

Hiashi agreed without hesitation. As he spoke, he picked up a box of grilled meat, sat down where Sarutobi Hiruzen had been sitting, and began eating.

"Isn't that a little inappropriate?"

Nawaki hesitated as he picked up a box of sushi and spoke to Shuji.

"We can just buy them some liquid food at the hospital later."

Shuji replied casually. Then, he suddenly looked up at Hizashi.

"Hizashi, are you hungry? Is there anything you want to eat?"

Just as Hizashi was about to say something, he felt an icy gaze fall upon him.

"Ah... thank you for your concern, Lord Shuji, but I'm not very hungry right now."

Seeing the look in Hinagiku's eyes as if she might slaughter him at any moment, Hizashi subconsciously swallowed and politely declined Shuji's offer.

"Mm. Tell me if you get hungry. Don't be embarrassed."

Shuji smiled and nodded. Then his gaze fell upon Hinagiku.

"Hinagiku?"

"Why aren't you laughing anymore? Don't you like laughing?"

Looking at her brother's obnoxious face, Hinagiku's features twisted in that instant.

She bit down hard on her lower lip and pulled the blanket over her face.

"I'm tired from laughing."

As Hinagiku's muffled voice sounded out, Shuji and the other two could not help bursting into laughter.

Listening to their uninhibited laughter, Hinagiku closed her eyes in annoyance.

No wonder the Main Family was so disgusting...

In the end, Hinagiku did not go to sleep hungry. Before bed, she got to eat her favorite three-color dango after all.

Shuji was not the sort to make himself suffer.

The food he had bought was enough for five people to begin with.

Early the next morning, once the maid from Tokuhiro's household came to take over, Shuji and Hiashi headed to the Hyuga clan early as well.

Of course, they had not taken leave from school. Instead, they sent Shadow Clones to attend the theory classes.

As for Nawaki, he went alone to the street, bought two breakfasts, and headed toward the small woods.

To be honest, Nawaki had wanted to be punished alongside Shuji and the others. After all, even if he was being punished, at least he would have someone with him.

But unfortunately, his own matter would probably have to wait until Tsunade returned to be dealt with...

Sigh...

With a heavy heart, Nawaki arrived at the small woods.

"Nawaki, where are Shuji and the others?"

As Mikoto's voice rang out, Nawaki immediately snapped back to his senses.