A Family's Concern

Ryosuke had not stayed in the study for long. In just half an hour, he had explained the mission clearly.

"Father, I won't be eating at home tonight."

As he rose from his chair, Ryosuke explained before leaving, "I forgot to bring Hinata a gift when I came back from this trip. I'm going to pick her up after school and take her out for dinner to make it up to her."

If those words had been spoken in his previous life by a child who had not even started elementary school, people might have found them strange.

But in this world, they were perfectly normal.

Across from him, Hyuga Hiashi hesitated before trying to persuade him. "The food made by the chefs at home is no worse than anything outside."

"But we can eat at home whenever we want. Eating out comes with the feeling of gifts and surprises." Ryosuke smiled as he replied, pushing his chair neatly beneath the desk.

"...All right. But before you leave, go tell Ah Liang in the kitchen not to make too much food tonight." Hyuga Hiashi did not try to persuade him further. He nodded, signaling that Ryosuke could leave.

After saying goodbye to Hyuga Hiashi, Ryosuke left the study with Souji and Seisai.

The moment they arrived in the courtyard, Souji, who had been hesitating all along, could not help asking, "Ryosuke-sama, did you leave something out?"

Seisai beside him also looked somewhat puzzled.

"I'll find a time to report the matter concerning the Uchiha to Father."

Ryosuke smiled without elaborating. "But do you know of any clan members who are particularly accomplished in medicine? I need someone who is relatively friendly toward the main family."

As he spoke, he held out his hand. "Please give me that scroll."

"Seisai should know more about that. She has also studied a little Medical Ninjutsu." Souji took the scroll containing the corpses of the three Uchiha from his backpack and handed it to Ryosuke.

"Medical Ninja, huh? Hmm..."

Seisai pondered for a moment before replying apologetically, "I'm sorry, Ryosuke-sama. I can't think of anyone in the clan who is especially accomplished in medicine right away. Could you give me some time to think it over carefully?"

"Of course."

Ryosuke put away the scroll. "Think it over carefully during this time. Make me a list of candidates with suitable ability and character. It doesn't have to be limited to one person."

Seisai nodded. "Understood, Ryosuke-sama."

"Then go back and rest for now. You've both been away for so many days. It's time to go home and see your families."

Ryosuke smiled, signaling that their escort mission could come to an end. "I'm quite safe in the village. Even if something dangerous really happens, I have the ability to handle it."

"Now go get some proper rest and prepare for Father's special training tomorrow."

"Yes."

The two had originally intended to carry their escort mission through to the end, until Ryosuke's trip officially concluded that day. But after hearing him say that, they could not very well continue staying.

They truly needed a good rest to prepare for tomorrow's special training and the Jonin examination coming up soon.

Standing in the courtyard, Ryosuke watched their retreating figures.

Only after they disappeared through the main gate did he slowly turn around and head toward his room with the scroll in hand.

For the time being, he did not intend to report the Uchiha's ambush to his father.

Hyuga Hiashi's concern for him had truly exceeded Ryosuke's expectations.

He could guess that if his father learned of this matter, learned that the dangerous test he had arranged for Ryosuke during this trip had taken place, then without question, he would place him under stricter supervision again.

Most likely, Ryosuke would not have another chance to leave the village before becoming a Chunin.

Travelers away from home always brought good news back to their families, never bad news.

As for asking Seisai about Medical Ninja, it was naturally because he wanted to study those three pairs of Sharingan.

Because of their bloodline, the Hyuga Clan possessed exceptionally precise chakra control. Every member had considerable talent in medicine.

So he knew there were some talented people in the clan who had achieved quite a bit in medicine.

But intelligence was ultimately only intelligence. Ryosuke had not personally gotten to know those people, so he could not truly judge whether he was suited to approach them.

After putting the scroll away in his room, Ryosuke left again.

It was about time to pick Hinata up from school.

"Eeya, eeya."

The moment he reached Hanabi's doorway, Ryosuke heard babbling from inside.

Although Hanabi could already speak and walk,

she never spoke clearly. Instead, she used all sorts of strange, incomprehensible sounds to express herself.

However, he had not come to play with Hanabi. He had come to see Ah Liang, the housekeeper in charge of the household's miscellaneous affairs.

Sure enough, the moment he entered, Ryosuke saw a sturdy middle-aged woman teasing Hanabi, teaching her to recognize characters while playing with her.

"Ryosuke, ya ya ya."

The figure appearing at the doorway quickly drew the attention of both people inside.

Hanabi, who had been lying on the floor, sprang up and ran toward Ryosuke on little legs as white and round as radishes.

"Careful."

Ryosuke smiled and reached out to steady her.

"Ryosuke, where's Sister?"

Hanabi asked in her childish voice, craning her neck to look outside. She still remembered that when Ryosuke had first returned, he said he was going to pick her sister up after school.

"I'm taking Hanabi with me to pick Sister up from school now, and then we'll go eat together."

Gently lifting her into his arms, Ryosuke walked toward the middle-aged woman. "Auntie Ah Liang, we won't be eating at home tonight. I'm taking the two of them out to eat."

"Understood, Ryosuke-sama."

Housekeeper Ah Liang nodded respectfully, but then she thought of something and asked regretfully, "The master just came by and instructed us to prepare more delicious food for tonight."

"At this hour, the kitchen has probably already started cooking. Wouldn't it be a little wasteful to cancel it now?"

"Father gave the order?"

Ryosuke removed Hanabi's little hand from his face and hesitated where he stood. "...Then we'll eat at home tonight. We can go out tomorrow instead."

No wonder Hyuga Hiashi had looked as though he had something more to say earlier.

Thinking it over, Ryosuke had been away from home for so long, and going out to eat at a restaurant on the very first day after returning truly did not seem appropriate.

Hearing him change his mind, Housekeeper Ah Liang smiled kindly. "Good, good, good. Then I'll have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes. It definitely won't be any worse than eating outside."

"Thank you for the trouble."

Ryosuke replied politely, then set Hanabi down from his arms. "Since we're eating at home, Hanabi can wait here for us."

Rather than fussing and insisting on following like an ordinary bratty child, Hanabi obediently replied, "Then Ryosuke has to bring Sister back quickly."

"I know."

Ryosuke gently pinched her cheek, then said goodbye to Housekeeper Ah Liang.

Aside from members of the Hyuga Clan, many ordinary people also worked within the Hyuga compound. Ah Liang, for example, was an ordinary woman.

That was why, unlike the Hyuga clansmen, she did not address Hyuga Hiashi as Clan Head, but as Master.

Thanks to reader Xianyunye (Bald) Bird for the reward support.