By the time they returned to Konoha, it was already noon.
Uzuki Yugao needed to report on the mission.
Su Yu, meanwhile, headed to the Hyuga Clan. When he reached the clan compound, he stopped and looked at the Chunin guarding the entrance.
"Excuse me, is Lady Hinata at home?"
"The young lady just got back," the guard replied.
Su Yu thanked him and walked into the Hyuga Clan's courtyard.
In the courtyard,
Hinata Hyuga was practicing Taijutsu.
When she saw Su Yu, her face lit up.
Su Yu came over to her and looked her over.
"Su... Su Yu-kun."
Under Su Yu's gaze, Hinata felt a little shy.
"Come on, let me see if your Taijutsu has improved," Su Yu said.
"Yes," Hinata replied quickly, activating her Byakugan.
Su Yu stepped back to give her some room.
When Hinata saw that Su Yu wasn't attacking first, she hesitated before choosing to take the initiative.
Compared to a few days ago,
her Taijutsu had indeed improved.
Unfortunately, Su Yu had improved even faster.
Hinata's Gentle Fist was fast, but Su Yu dodged even faster.
Seeing that she couldn't hit Su Yu, Hinata started to look anxious.
Seeing this, Su Yu went on the offensive.
He dodged Hinata's Gentle Fist with a sidestep and struck her in the abdomen with his palm.
Hinata immediately clutched her stomach in pain, unable to keep fighting.
"You've improved, but it's still not enough," Su Yu said.
"I... I'll work even harder..." Hinata's voice sounded dejected.
"Creating a new Taijutsu technique isn't something you can do in a day or two. Take a break and go out for a walk. You might find inspiration," Su Yu said gently.
"R-really?" Hinata looked up at Su Yu.
"Of course. Go change. I'll wait here," Su Yu said with a nod.
"Yes." Hinata ran to her room.
Su Yu watched the door close and waited quietly for Hinata.
Before long,
Hinata came out of her room.
Su Yu headed outside.
Hinata followed behind him.
In front of a yakiniku restaurant,
"It's just about lunchtime. Shall we eat here?" Su Yu asked Hinata beside him.
"Mm." Hinata nodded.
They went inside, found a table by the window, and sat down.
Su Yu ordered the food they wanted, then looked at Hinata across the table.
"I forgot to say earlier—though we've only been apart for a few days, you seem even prettier."
"Eh?" Hinata blushed.
"You'd look gorgeous with long hair," Su Yu said, taking Hinata's small hand in his.
Hinata lowered her head shyly.
"If I can reach Kage Level, I'll definitely take you away from the Hyuga Clan," Su Yu said softly.
Hinata blushed even more.
"Would you let me take you away?" Su Yu leaned closer to her.
"I... I..."
Hinata didn't know what to say.
"Whether you want me to or not, I'll take you away from the Hyuga Clan," Su Yu said in a low voice.
At his words, Hinata lowered her head even further.
Only after the food arrived did Su Yu let go of Hinata's hand and start grilling for them.
There was no need to mention Hinata's appetite.
Su Yu had Uzumaki Clan blood, and he was secretly a big eater too.
They ate for about two hours, polishing off a great deal of grilled meat.
When it was time to pay,
Su Yu's eyes twitched as he paid the bill.
As he walked out, he sighed.
Hinata looked at him in confusion.
"If I want to support you, I guess I'll have to work even harder to make money," Su Yu said with a sigh.
Hinata froze for a few seconds before she understood. Blushing, she turned her head away.
Just then,
a voice called out.
"Su Yu-kun, long time no see."
Hearing the voice, Hinata turned to see Naruto Uzumaki and Haruno Sakura walking over.
"It's only been a few days. Are you two on a date, or are you heading out on a mission?" Su Yu looked Naruto and Sakura over.
"Su Yu-kun, we're going to complete a job. It's definitely not a date!" Sakura said firmly.
"If only I could go on a date with Sakura," Naruto muttered.
"What did you say?" Sakura looked at him.
"N-nothing, Sakura." Naruto gave an awkward smile.
Sakura snorted.
Then she glanced at Su Yu and Hinata.
"Su Yu-kun, are you and Hinata on the same team?"
"Hinata's in the Reconnaissance Squad. I don't have the kind of skills they do," Su Yu said, shaking his head.
"So, does that mean you two are on a date?" Sakura's eyes lit up, as if she wanted to hear a romantic story.
At those words, Hinata lowered her head shyly.
She felt conflicted.
She didn't want Su Yu to admit it, but part of her hoped he would.
"Well..."
"Su Yu-kun, I didn't expect you to find a girlfriend so soon. Congratulations!" Naruto congratulated him before Su Yu could finish.
"..." Su Yu.
Hinata glanced at Naruto, then at Sakura.
After hesitating, she took Su Yu's hand.
"Su... Su Yu-kun, I want to go to your house..."
At those words, all three of them froze.
Sakura was the first to react. Blushing, she tugged at Naruto's clothes.
"We won't keep you, then. Su Yu-kun, Hinata, see you next time."
With that, she dragged Naruto away.
Su Yu watched Sakura and Naruto leave before turning to Hinata.
"Do you want to catch up with them and explain?"
"N-no, it's fine. Naruto-kun likes Sakura, so I should give up," Hinata said quietly.
"You like me?" Su Yu looked down at Hinata's small hand.
"I... I..."
"Come on. I'll show you my house." Su Yu let go of Hinata's hand and walked ahead.
Watching Su Yu walk away, Hinata hurried after him.
They walked along the street, one in front of the other.
Su Yu didn't speak or reach for Hinata's hand.
He was destined to defect from Konoha and might even become its enemy, so...
When he'd told Hinata that he would take her away if he reached Kage Level, he hadn't been lying. He'd meant it.
Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Hinata that yet.
When the Chunin Ninja Exams' final round officially began,
his chance would come.
Hinata would probably be very surprised then.
"I'm sorry," Hinata said.
Su Yu came back to himself and glanced at her.
"You don't have to apologize. It's normal that you don't like me. You're the young lady of the Hyuga Clan, and I'm not good enough for you..."
"I like you." Hinata interrupted him and stepped forward to take his hand.
Su Yu froze.
"I... I've actually been thinking about you these past few days—about how you've helped me, cared about me, and given me advice..."
The more Hinata said, the quieter her voice became.
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