I Want

Near the Hyuga Clan.

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto both lost their matches against Neji.

Just as Uzumaki Menma and Naruto were about to join forces, Hinata's father, Hyuga Hiashi, suddenly appeared and interrupted them.

Neji was startled by Hyuga Hiashi's sudden appearance and quickly bowed. "Clan Head."

Hyuga Hiashi nodded, then looked at Hinata.

Noticing Hyuga Hiashi's gaze, Hinata shuddered instinctively. Lowering her head, she said softly, "Father..."

Hyuga Hiashi frowned. "Why aren't you home at this late hour?"

Just as Hinata was about to speak, Uzumaki Menma cut in first. "We were bringing Hinata home, but this guy got in our way!"

Neji snorted coldly. "I thought you two were up to no good with Lady Hinata, so I intended to take Lady Hinata back from you!"

Naruto glared at him. "Who are you calling up to no good?!"

Neji raised his chin, looking down his nose at Naruto and Uzumaki Menma. "Isn't it obvious? Idiots!"

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto exchanged a glance, seeing the anger in each other's eyes.

In perfect unspoken coordination, the two of them raised their fists and charged at Neji.

"We're gonna beat you flat!"

Just as Uzumaki Menma and Naruto passed Hyuga Hiashi, the ground suddenly vanished beneath their feet.

Hyuga Hiashi lifted the two of them up.

"Stop fooling around. Neji, it's getting late. You should be heading home too. Hizashi will worry."

"Yes, Clan Head."

Neji shot a provocative glance at Uzumaki Menma and Naruto, who were dangling from Hyuga Hiashi's hands, then left.

After Neji left, Hyuga Hiashi set Uzumaki Menma and Naruto down.

"All right, you can leave too."

Without sparing Hinata so much as a glance, Hyuga Hiashi headed toward the Hyuga Compound.

Hinata lowered her head and silently followed behind Hyuga Hiashi.

At the entrance to the Hyuga Compound.

Hyuga Hiashi looked puzzledly at Uzumaki Menma and Naruto beside Hinata. "Why haven't you two gone home yet?"

"We said we'd take Hinata home, so of course we have to see it through."

"That's right! Menma and I won't leave until we get Hinata home safely!"

After staring at them for a while, Hyuga Hiashi said, "Do as you like."

With Hyuga Hiashi present this time, Uzumaki Menma and Naruto entered the Hyuga Compound without any trouble.

When they arrived at Hinata's family courtyard, a beautiful woman was standing there.

"Hiashi, Hinata, you're back."

This beautiful woman was Hinata's mother, Hyuga Hiashi's wife, Kumiko Hyuga.

Kumiko Hyuga noticed Uzumaki Menma and Naruto beside Hinata. "Oh? And who are these two children?"

"Hello, Auntie, I'm Uzumaki Menma (Naruto). We're Hinata's friends!"

Kumiko Hyuga paused and looked toward Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi gave a slight shake of his head.

Understanding, Kumiko Hyuga smiled and walked over to Uzumaki Menma and Naruto. She asked gently, "So you're Hinata's friends. Were you playing together outside today?"

"Yeah, we've brought Hinata home now."

"That's wonderful. Hinata is always alone, so I can rest easy knowing she has friends like you. Oh, you probably haven't had dinner yet, have you? If not, stay here and Auntie will treat you to dinner."

Hyuga Hiashi hinted, "Kumiko, they need to go—"

Before Hyuga Hiashi could finish, Uzumaki Menma and Naruto said in unison, "Okay! Thank you, Aunt Kumiko!"

Kumiko Hyuga smiled. "Then come in. I'll get things ready, and dinner will be served soon. We're having sukiyaki tonight."

Uzumaki Menma, Naruto, and Hinata followed Kumiko Hyuga into the house.

Hyuga Hiashi let out an almost imperceptible sigh. Those two brats really had thick skins.

Hyuga Hiashi felt faintly worried.

Naruto Uzumaki was one thing, but what concerned Hyuga Hiashi was the Root behind Uzumaki Menma.

He had no idea whether Uzumaki Menma staying out so late would alert Root.

At the dinner table.

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto wolfed down their food.

It was Naruto's first time eating sukiyaki, and the delicious flavor made it impossible for him to stop.

As for Uzumaki Menma, his diet had always been strictly controlled. It was nutritious, but not tasty, so he could not stop either.

Seeing how much Uzumaki Menma and Naruto enjoyed it, Kumiko Hyuga was delighted as well. "Eat slowly. There's more if it isn't enough."

Uzumaki Menma sweet-talked her. "Aunt Kumiko, are you really Hinata's father's wife? You look more like Hinata's older sister."

Naruto agreed. "Exactly! Aunt Kumiko looks really gentle, while that old man looks really scary."

Kumiko Hyuga's smile grew dazzling. "You two really know how to talk. Of course I'm Hinata's mother."

Hyuga Hiashi's eye twitched slightly.

These two brats had gone too far. He was sitting right here, and they were badmouthing him to his face?

Hinata had remained quiet the entire time. Her eyes kept secretly flicking toward Hyuga Hiashi, worried that he would get angry.

Kumiko Hyuga sighed. "It's been a long time since things felt this cheerful. Hinata has always been so quiet and shy. I've always worried that she wouldn't fit in. With you two around, Hinata should become more outgoing."

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto assured her, "Aunt Kumiko, just leave Hinata to us! Starting today, we'll come find Hinata every day and take her out to play. Hinata will definitely become more outgoing!"

Kumiko Hyuga smiled. "I'll be counting on you, Menma and Naruto."

Hope appeared in Hinata's eyes. If that really happened, it would be wonderful!

"Ahem!"

Hyuga Hiashi coughed heavily twice.

At the sound of Hyuga Hiashi's cough, Hinata instantly became dejected.

As expected... Father definitely won't agree.

Hyuga Hiashi fixed Hinata with a sharp gaze. "Hinata, raise your head and look at me. I'm asking you: do you want to go out?"

Hinata looked up at Hyuga Hiashi, but his gaze made her heart tighten. She immediately lowered her head again, stammering without a word.

Seeing her like this, Hyuga Hiashi was deeply disappointed. He barked again, "Look at me!"

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto both encouraged Hinata.

"Hinata, what are you afraid of? He's not going to eat you!"

"That's right, Hinata. We're here! If he dares bully you, we'll bully him!"

"Hinata, lift your head and look at him. Just tell him that you want to go out!"

"Go, Hinata! Tell him loudly!"

Encouraged by Uzumaki Menma and Naruto, a surge of strength rose within Hinata. She slowly lifted her head, forcibly suppressing her fear as she met Hyuga Hiashi's eyes.

Hyuga Hiashi resisted the urge to beat Uzumaki Menma and Naruto up. He asked solemnly once more, "I'll ask you one last time. Do you want to go out?!"

After meeting Hyuga Hiashi's gaze for a while.

Hinata's voice was weak, yet resolute.

"I want to!"