Today I'm taking her with me. Let's see who dares to stop me?

When did Father come out?

This has blown up!

Father never liked me spending time with Naruto-kun in the past.

Little Hinata recalled how, some time ago, a clansman had mentioned something to Hyuga Hiashi.

It was about her being close to Naruto.

Although Hyuga Hiashi hadn't said anything at the time.

As his daughter, Hinata.

She knew that her father was, in all likelihood, displeased.

Helpless.

To protect Naruto, she had no choice but to wrong herself and keep her distance from the boy she liked.

Until now, when a similar scene from the past was repeating itself.

No matter how impressive Naruto was, there was no way he could defeat her father.

It wasn't that Hinata didn't believe in Naruto.

It was simply the reality of the situation.

Well... if she knew that the Naruto of this moment was no longer the Naruto of the past.

That the trump cards, methods, and personal strength he possessed.

Had already reached the level of an average Kage-level!

She wouldn't think Hyuga Hiashi stood a shred of a chance in a fight.

But right now, Hinata didn't know that!

"Naruto-kun, leave quickly! My... my Father has come out, hurry and go, I'll hold him off for you."

Little Hinata said, her expression anxious and flustered.

The relationship between the two was extremely delicate.

It felt like puppy love during their school days in a past life.

As if they couldn't let parents or teachers find out.

There was even a hint of illicit romance to it.

It wasn't just Naruto who felt that way.

Even Hinata felt the same.

Hmm... everyone, don't overthink it.

Simply put, she just didn't want the boy she liked to be discovered by her father!

If Naruto were a member of the Hyuga clan, it would be a different story!

Given the talent and strength Naruto had displayed.

She believed Hyuga Hiashi would even consider an engagement.

After all, the probability of two geniuses producing genius offspring was extremely high!

Coupled with the clan's dedicated cultivation.

The Hyuga clan would gain another significant source of power!

Unfortunately, Naruto was not, and he lacked the Kekkei Genkai ability.

If the two were to marry, their future children.

Might not inherit the Byakugan ability!

These were all possibilities, and given the current state of the Hyuga clan.

As the head of the clan, Hyuga Hiashi would not gamble with his daughter's future.

Naruto grinned.

"I didn't come here sneaking around, what is there to be afraid of?"

Hinata grew anxious, stamping her cute little feet in frustration, unable to get a complete sentence out.

"That's not what I meant, Naruto-kun, it's just that my father, he... he..."

While the two were speaking.

Hyuga Hiashi arrived before them.

His gaze swept indifferently over Hinata.

Little Hinata gritted her teeth, bracing herself against Hiashi's gaze, which was so sharp it felt like it could kill.

"Father, it was my own willfulness that forced Naruto-kun to accompany me back; this matter has nothing to do with Naruto-kun..."

She tried desperately to cover up something.

For the boy she loved.

Even when facing the father she feared most.

She felt not a shred of dread!

Hyuga Hiashi spoke indifferently.

"Hyuga Ichiro, take the Young Lady back to her room, and have all irrelevant persons leave as well. I wish to speak with this boy alone."

Hyuga Ichiro replied.

"Yes!"

He immediately stepped forward to Hinata's side.

"Young Lady, please come back with me!"

For the first time, Hinata defied her Father's command!

"Father, I will not go back!"

In the future, she would be the one to stand alone before Pain for Naruto's sake, refusing to let Pain come even a step closer to him!

Even if she were riddled with wounds.

Even if she were subjected to horrific torture.

Until the very moment her life reached its end.

She had never once thought of taking a single step back.

A flash of surprise crossed Hyuga Hiashi's eyes.

One had to know that Hinata had never once defied his will before!

Yet today.

She was defying him for the sake of the boy before her.

She wasn't even fully grown yet.

And already, she had learned to turn her elbows outward.

Every father hopes his daughter will stay by his side forever.

He does not wish for her to marry.

But that is merely a beautiful fantasy.

Every father knows.

One day, his daughter will grow up and marry.

Seeing his daughter choose the right boy.

As a father, he would certainly offer his blessings.

But a sense of loss is inevitable.

Right now, however, nothing had been set in stone!

Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened.

He spoke word by word.

His tone brooked no argument.

"Hyuga Ichiro, take the Young Lady back to her room to rest!"

Hyuga Ichiro knew the Patriarch was truly angry.

Thus, his own face took on a look of seriousness.

"Young Lady, please return! Do not make things difficult for me."

It was not only Hyuga Hiashi who had been deeply moved by the scene.

Naruto, a transmigrator who knew the future plot, was as well.

When Hinata dared to stand up and speak for him right in front of Hyuga Hiashi, only one thought remained in Naruto's mind!

I will protect this girl no matter what!

I'm taking her with me today, and I'd like to see who dares to stop me!

Well... that certainly sounded incredibly cool.

But there was no need to burn bridges right now.

If Naruto did not know what Hyuga Hiashi, his future father-in-law, would do in the years to come.

He would surely have taken Hinata away right then and there.

But at this moment, there was no need for that.

Resolving the minor friction between a father-in-law and a son-in-law would suffice.

There was no need to resort to drastic measures.