Doting Daughter's Old Man

The next morning, everyone woke up, washed up, had a quick breakfast, and began packing their things to head home.

Megumi found Hinata packing up her bedding, and the two began to tidy up together.

"Hinata, you two didn't... do that last night, did you?" Megumi asked with a mischievous grin, covering her mouth.

The group had only brought three tents for the camping trip. Originally, Kiba and Shino were to sleep together, Shota with Zeyu, and Megumi with Hinata.

However, Hinata had been called over by Zeyu last night, leaving Shota to squeeze in with Kiba and Shino.

"No, Megumi! We were just sleeping, we didn't do anything at all," Hinata said, feeling a bit shy.

Megumi grew interested upon hearing this, leaning in closer to tease her.

"Oh? Sounds like Hinata is a little disappointed, then."

"No, Megumi, stop teasing me," Hinata said, shaking Megumi's arm in embarrassment.

"Hinata, are you done? It's time to take down the tent," Zeyu called out from outside, ducking his head inside as he spoke.

"Hehe, Hinata, I'm coming in!" As soon as he entered, he saw Megumi staring at him with a look of disgust, while Hinata stood to the side, head bowed and face cupped in her shy hands.

"Uh, why is Megumi here? What a coincidence, hahaha," Zeyu said, feeling so awkward he could have dug a hole in the floor with his toes.

"Tch, all you ever do is bully Hinata. Get out!" Megumi said, hands on her hips in indignation.

Hinata tugged on Megumi's sleeve from the side and whispered, "Megumi, Zeyu-kun isn't bullying me." She then looked at Zeyu, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Watching the two gaze at each other as if they were about to melt, Megumi sighed helplessly and said, "Ugh, forget it. Do whatever you want." She waved her hand and walked away.

"Thank you for speaking up for me, Hinata," Zeyu said, leaning in closer.

"You don't need to thank me, Zeyu-kun," Hinata replied, biting her lip shyly.

The two looked at each other, drawing closer and closer.

After a brief moment of affection, they shared a smile and hurried to finish packing. Once they were done, the rest of the group had already been waiting outside for a long time.

The six of them then walked back to Konoha together under the morning sun.

After saying their goodbyes at the Konoha gates, everyone headed home, and Zeyu went to walk Hinata home as usual.

As Zeyu was walking along holding Hinata's hand, a little girl came running toward them. Before she even reached them, she began to shout, "You stinky redhead, let go of my sister!" She then struck out at Zeyu with her palm.

The person was none other than Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi Hyuga.

Seeing this, Zeyu scooped Hinata up in a princess carry and jumped onto the roof of a nearby house, dodging the blow.

Although Zeyu knew it was Hinata's sister, he still asked, "Hinata, your sister?"

After recognizing the girl, Hinata realized what was happening and said to Zeyu, "Yes, it's my sister, Hanabi Hyuga. I'm sorry, Zeyu-kun, for the trouble."

Down below, Hanabi had already started cursing.

"You damn redhead, you stinky redhead! Let go of my sister right now! Get down here, I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"

Zeyu looked at the brat shouting below with a helpless expression, then turned to comfort Hinata. "It's fine, Hinata. Besides, she's technically my sister-in-law."

Hinata blushed, her heart racing, and she muttered under her breath, "It's too early for that, Zeyu-kun. Put me down first."

Zeyu felt a warm, fuzzy sense of happiness looking at the blushing girl in his arms. He leaned down, kissed Hinata's ear, and whispered, "Yes, yes, my lady."

Hinata blushed even deeper, her hands clutching the collar of Zeyu's shirt against her chest.

Zeyu then carried Hinata down and set her down gently, keeping his back to Hanabi.

Seeing this, Hanabi launched another palm strike at Zeyu, shouting, "You stinky redhead, where did you take my sister last night!"

Zeyu turned around and reached out to press his hand against Hanabi's head.

The strike stopped in mid-air, unable to reach him, and Zeyu said, "Calm down for a second, Hanabi-chan. We just went camping last night, that's all."

But Hanabi wouldn't listen; she swatted Zeyu's hand away and attacked him directly with Gentle Fist.

Hinata, seeing this, grew anxious and tried to explain, "Hanabi, it's the truth! Don't make things difficult for Zeyu-kun."

"I don't believe it! This stinky redhead must have tricked my sister. I'm going to beat him down right now!"

As he spoke, his punches became even fiercer.

Zeyu dodged completely, still laughing and taunting, "Hanabi-chan is so passionate, brother-in-law is very happy."

Hearing this, Hanabi became even angrier and continued to chase Zeyu.

Just as the two were entangled, another girl ran over. It was Natsu Hyuga. Seeing the two fighting, she came to Hanabi's side and said, "Miss Hanabi, please stop, this is too rude."

Hanabi ignored her and continued to chase Zeyu, saying, "I don't care, I'm going to beat up this stinky red-head today."

Natsu Hyuga sighed helplessly, then went to Hinata's front, bowed slightly, and said, "Miss Hinata, welcome back. I'm sorry, I didn't keep an eye on Miss Hanabi and caused trouble for your friend."

Hinata shook her head and said, "It's okay, Sister Natsu. Oh, right, did Father say anything last night?"

Hinata hadn't directly told Hiashi that she was camping overnight. One reason was that Hiashi was very busy, and Hinata was afraid of disturbing him. Another reason was that Hinata was also afraid to speak to Hiashi proactively, so this time she had asked Natsu Hyuga to relay the message.

"The clan head didn't say anything when he found out. He just asked me if I had prepared everything for you," Natsu said.

"Is that so? Then it should be fine." Hinata breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled at Zeyu, who had been dodging all along.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out. "Hanabi, stop fooling around, what kind of behavior is this?" Hyuga Hiashi walked over with his hands behind his back and said to Hanabi, who was still attacking Zeyu.

When Hanabi heard her father's voice, she glared fiercely at Zeyu, then stopped attacking and stood in place.

Hiashi then walked towards Hinata. Natsu moved aside, and Hiashi came before Hinata and said, "You're back, Hinata. Did you have fun?"

Although Hiashi was speaking to Hinata normally, with his usual expression and a slight smile, Hinata inexplicably felt a sense of pressure and replied timidly, "I... I had a lot of fun, Father."

Then Hiashi said, "That's good. Go back with Natsu and Hanabi first."

"Yes, Father," Hinata replied.

So Hiashi turned and instructed Natsu to take the two back.

Natsu came to Hanabi's side, squatted down, took out a towel from her bag to wipe the sweat from Hanabi's face, and then took Hanabi's hand and led Hinata away.

As they left, Hinata looked back at Zeyu. Zeyu smiled at her. Hanabi, standing beside her, glared fiercely at Zeyu, then snorted, made a face, and pulled Hinata along.

Zeyu was speechless.

Watching the three leave, Hiashi came to Zeyu's side.

Seeing Hiashi approach, Zeyu smiled and greeted him, "Hello, Uncle."

Hiashi's eyes were cold as he asked, "You kid, Hinata went with you yesterday, didn't she? I'm warning you, don't do anything inappropriate to my daughter, or the consequences will be severe."

Zeyu chuckled and replied, "Of course, Uncle. Hinata is very important to me, and I will protect her. We are still young now, so of course, we won't do anything inappropriate."

Hiashi's anger flared upon hearing this. He immediately understood what Zeyu meant and questioned him, "What do you mean? Are you two already dating?"

Zeyu heard Hiashi's question and secretly sighed, As expected of a doting father, he's sharp.

He then straightened his body, looked at Hiashi with determined eyes, and said, "Yes, Uncle. I will treat Hinata seriously, protect her, and be good to her for my entire life."

Hiashi looked at the righteous young man before him, his anger boiling. His Byakugan was almost uncontrollable. His precious daughter was being snatched away just like that.

He forced a smile, veins bulging on his forehead, his lips twitching. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Good kid, you just wait."

Then he angrily waved his sleeve and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, he turned back and glared at Zeyu, "Kid, you're participating in the Chunin Exams this time, right?"

Zeyu replied with a smile.

"Yes, Uncle, I will take good care of Hinata."

Hiashi let out a cold snort and said, "You'd better give me everything you've got, boy. Don't go losing too miserably. If you're nothing but a talentless waste, you'd best be sensible and leave my daughter on your own—otherwise, I'll cripple you!"

As Hiashi spoke, the veins around his eyes bulged, and his Byakugan flared open for only a split second before he closed his eyes and retracted it, turning around to walk away without a backward glance.

Left standing there alone, Zeyu let out a deep sigh, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and muttered under his breath, "Phew, that old geezer is actually pretty terrifying."