Breaking the Ice

Encouraged by Uzumaki Menma and Naruto, Hinata looked into Hyuga Hiashi's eyes and firmly said, "I want to."

Hyuga Hiashi simply looked at Hinata, and Hinata looked back at Hyuga Hiashi.

This was the first time Hinata had so resolutely expressed her thoughts to Hyuga Hiashi.

And this time, Hinata felt something budding in her heart.

The corners of Hyuga Hiashi's mouth curved into an imperceptible smile: "Since you want to, then you must do the corresponding things. That is, you can only go out and play with those two little brats when you have completed all your training, understand?"

Hinata was stunned, finding it hard to believe that Hyuga Hiashi would actually agree.

Seeing Hinata standing there in a daze, Hyuga Hiashi asked again, "Do you understand?"

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto, even more anxious than Hinata, urged, "Hinata, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and agree!"

Snapping out of her daze, Hinata nodded vigorously, "Yes! Father!"

Kumiko Hyuga watched this scene quietly with a smile.

Kumiko Hyuga grew fonder and fonder of Uzumaki Menma and Naruto.

They had only arrived at the Hyuga Compound today, yet they had already broken the ice between Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata.

This was something Kumiko Hyuga had always wanted to improve in their father-daughter relationship, but had been unable to do.

Hinata recalled Hyuga Hiashi's expression just now.

Did Father smile just now? He must have smiled.

Hyuga Hiashi had always faced Hinata with an extremely serious expression.

Therefore, Hinata could immediately catch even the slightest change in Hyuga Hiashi's expression.

Hinata's eyes were slightly red.

Her father didn't seem as unapproachable as she had thought.

Just as Hyuga Hiashi picked up his chopsticks, his brow suddenly furrowed as he looked towards the door.

Kumiko Hyuga asked in confusion, "Hiashi, what's wrong?"

As soon as Kumiko Hyuga finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.

Hyuga Hiashi said in a somewhat low voice, "Come in."

The person who opened the door was a stranger.

But Uzumaki Menma was no stranger to him, after all, he had been his nightmare for some time.

"Uncle Yamanaka? What are you doing here?"

Yamanaka Fu bowed to Hyuga Hiashi, "Clan Head Hiashi, I apologize for disturbing you at this hour. I've come to take Young Master Menma back."

Hyuga Hiashi nodded slightly, "I see. Menma, your family has come to pick you up. You can go home now."

Uzumaki Menma got up from the tatami mat, "Then I'll head back first. Naruto, Hinata, Uncle, Aunt Kumiko, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Menma."

Before leaving, Uzumaki Menma didn't forget to grab a piece of meat from the Sukiyaki with his chopsticks before leaving.

After leaving the Hyuga Compound.

Uzumaki Menma asked in confusion, "Uncle Yamanaka, how did you know I was at the Hyuga Compound?"

Yamanaka Fu said with an air of importance, "Root knows everything."

After Yamanaka Fu and Uzumaki Menma left, Naruto also got up from the tatami mat and said, "Then I'll head back first too. Goodbye, Uncle, Aunt Kumiko. Hinata, I'll see you tomorrow."

Hyuga Hiashi said to Hinata, "Hinata, see him to the entrance of the Hyuga Compound, otherwise he'll get lost again later."

"Okay, Father."

Hinata led Naruto out of the room.

Now only Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Kumiko were left in the room.

Kumiko Hyuga asked worriedly, "Hiashi, that person just now, was he a Root Ninja?"

Hyuga Hiashi reassured her, "Yes, he's a Root Ninja, but don't worry. Since he chose to knock on the door proactively, it means Root hasn't targeted us. They just came to pick up that little brat Menma."

It wasn't surprising that Kumiko Hyuga was so worried about seeing a Root Ninja.

After all, a living example was right in front of them.

The Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan, targeted by Danzo, was having a very miserable time in Konoha.

For the families of Konoha, Root was a troublesome name.

No one wanted to be targeted by Root.

Hinata had already seen Naruto to the entrance of the Hyuga Compound.

"Hinata, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Naruto waved goodbye to Hinata.

"Wait, Naruto," Hinata called out, stopping him.

Naruto asked, puzzled, "What is it, Hinata?"

"Um... thank you for coming to the Hyuga Compound to play with me today. Thank you for encouraging me, both you and Menma. Thank you," Hinata said to Naruto with great sincerity.

"No need to thank me! You should head back soon too. See ya, bye-bye!"

Naruto waved goodbye to Hinata again and then jogged away.

After watching Naruto leave, Hinata walked back with a smile on her face, her steps much lighter.

Back at Root, Yamanaka Fu said to Uzumaki Menma, "Young Master Menma, Lord Danzo is waiting for you in his office. You should go now."

"Grandpa Danzo is waiting for me? Uncle Yamanaka, do you know what Grandpa Danzo wants to see me about?" Uzumaki Menma asked, surprised.

"I don't know. You'll find out when you go."

As soon as Yamanaka Fu finished speaking, he disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.

Uzumaki Menma scratched his head blankly, immediately trying to recall if he had done anything wrong recently.

After all, although Uzumaki Menma lived in Root, he didn't actually see Danzo very often.

After thinking for a while, Uzumaki Menma couldn't think of anything bad he had done, and he hadn't been slacking off in his training lately either.

After confirming that he should be fine, Uzumaki Menma headed to Danzo's office.

However, Uzumaki Menma was still a little uneasy, because Danzo's face was very stern, making Uzumaki Menma feel nervous.

Before Uzumaki Menma could knock, Danzo's voice came from inside the office.

"What are you standing outside for? Come in."

Uzumaki Menma opened the office door and immediately saw Danzo sitting in his seat.

Seeing that Danzo looked a little tired, the perceptive Uzumaki Menma trotted to Danzo's side and began to massage his shoulders. "Grandpa Danzo, how's the pressure? Does it feel good?"

Danzo didn't answer Uzumaki Menma, allowing Uzumaki Menma to massage his shoulders, and then asked, "How's your training been lately? Have you been slacking off?"

Uzumaki Menma immediately said, "Of course not! I've been very serious lately! Uncle Yamanaka can vouch for me!"

Danzo sternly emphasized, "Just being serious is far from enough! You must be doubly serious! You must work doubly hard! Do you understand?"

Uzumaki Menma replied without hesitation, "Understood, Grandpa Danzo."

After enjoying Uzumaki Menma's shoulder massage service for a while, Danzo said, "Alright, you don't have to massage anymore. I called you here to tell you that you don't have to train tomorrow. Stay in Root. I have other arrangements for you tomorrow."

Hearing that he didn't have to train tomorrow, Uzumaki Menma was overjoyed, but hearing that there were other arrangements, Uzumaki Menma asked curiously, "What arrangements?"

"You'll know tomorrow. Just wait. Go and rest."

Uzumaki Menma left Danzo's office, completely confused.

Uzumaki Menma was very concerned about the other arrangements Danzo had mentioned for tomorrow.

What kind of arrangements could they be?