The Hyuga Patriarch's Fury

"This is sweet and sour pork. If you like it, eat more."

"Mm-hmm."

[Experience Points +1]

The two chatted while enjoying the food.

They ate a little quickly. In less than ten minutes, the entire table of food had been cleared.

More than half of it had been eaten by Hinata. She felt a little embarrassed about it, but the lingering look on her face showed that she still wanted more.

Looking at the adorable Hinata and the Experience Orbs around her, Naruto smiled. "You bought quite a lot of meat today. I'll make some braised pork belly for you too."

"N-No, it'll make more work for you."

Hinata shook her little head, but her attitude was far from firm. She seemed to have very little resistance to braised pork belly.

"Wait here. I'll make it right away, and I'll make more this time." Naruto smiled and got busy.

"I... I'll help you."

Seeing Naruto busy himself again, Hinata felt very embarrassed. But the braised pork belly was just too delicious, and she truly could not resist having a little more. She stuck out her little tongue and ran over to help Naruto.

[Experience Points +1]

The two of them soon became busy.

Braised pork belly took quite a while to make, and they spent a long time working together. Only when the Experience Orbs around Hinata had shrunk to the size of glass marbles was it finally time to leave.

"Thank you, Naruto. I had a really wonderful time today." Hinata stood at the door and looked at Naruto gratefully.

At home, she never dared to eat her fill, because there were always people saying unpleasant things. As a result, she was rarely ever full—not even half-full.

But here with Naruto, she had eaten so much for the first time and had been so happy. More importantly, the food had been unbelievably delicious. She was deeply grateful for Naruto's hospitality.

"Mm, take this with you." Naruto handed Hinata a lunch box filled with delicious braised pork belly.

"No, Naruto, you barely ate any. Besides, this isn't right." Hinata did not want to do that, so she shook her head and refused.

"I made a little too much today, and I don't eat much meat. It would go to waste if I left it at home." Naruto smiled.

"This..." Hinata hesitated.

"Take it."

Naruto placed the braised pork belly into Hinata's little hands. In that instant, he felt the warmth of her hands—soft and tender, like smooth jade.

That motion immediately made Hinata shy again, returning her from little foodie mode to her bashful state.

"Let's go. I'll walk you home."

"Mm."

Hinata lowered her little head and nodded, following Naruto like a puppet on strings.

She did not even watch the road, merely following him in silence as the two gradually disappeared into the sunset.

Not long after.

Hyuga Clan Compound.

The two waved goodbye to each other. Only after Naruto had gone far away did Hinata happily return home.

However, she did not notice that as she passed through the small courtyard, Hyuga Hiashi was watching her with a stern, dissatisfied expression.

Whoosh!

A figure flashed forward and dropped to one knee. It was none other than Kō Hyuga, who had been secretly protecting Hinata.

"Patriarch." Kō Hyuga respectfully said.

"Why did Hinata return so late? Explain." Hyuga Hiashi asked coldly.

"Yes! Lady Hinata visited Naruto's home today, which is why she returned late." Kō Hyuga answered quickly.

"Naruto? So she went to that child's home." Hyuga Hiashi sighed before continuing.

"I have a good impression of Naruto, but the village's attitude toward him is unclear. It is not suitable for them to interact too closely for now, or it could easily arouse the village's suspicions."

"Patriarch, do you mean that Lady Hinata is not allowed to see Naruto anymore?" Kō Hyuga respectfully asked.

"Yes. You also know that when I sent people to give Naruto money and supplies, they were stopped by ANBU. Later, I learned that they were Root members. But the Third Hokage and Danzo's attitudes are very strange. There are too many things that cannot be explained."

Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and continued, "The Hyuga Clan is growing stronger and has gained more influence, but it is still better to stay out of trouble. Try not to let Hinata have too much contact with Naruto."

"Yes, Patriarch. I will do my best to complete the task, but Lady Hinata is gentle on the outside and strong-willed within. I may not be able to stop her." Kō Hyuga said worriedly.

"Leave Hinata to me. I'll talk to her now." Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand, then turned and headed into the house.

Living room.

Hinata was placing the braised pork belly on the table. She then took out chopsticks, intending to let her father and Hanabi try it as well. But at that moment, she saw her father enter with a cold expression.

"Father." Hinata cautiously said, vaguely sensing that something was wrong.

"Sit down. I have something to discuss with you."

Hyuga Hiashi gestured slightly, then sat down as well. He intended to have a proper talk with Hinata and tell her not to see Naruto anymore. If she refused, he would force her to comply.

To make the effect better, he kept a stern expression, ready to scold Hinata.

"Hmm? That smells wonderful. What is this?"

Before Hyuga Hiashi could scold Hinata, the aroma wafting from the table caught his attention.

"Father, Naruto made this braised pork belly. Try it, it's really delicious." Hinata said as she handed him the chopsticks on the table.

"Naruto made it?"

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head, thinking that something made by a child could not possibly be that good. But the smell was simply too tempting, and he could not help picking up the chopsticks and taking a bite.

"Hmm? This flavor..."

The lingering fragrance filling his mouth instantly piqued Hyuga Hiashi's interest and stirred his appetite. He began eating quickly with his chopsticks.

Smack, smack.

"Delicious!"

"This flavor is really good."

"That Naruto kid has some skill."

Hyuga Hiashi exaggeratedly praised it, eating more than half of the braised pork belly in less than three minutes. He even looked like he intended to keep eating.

"Father, half of the braised pork belly was saved for Hanabi." Hinata kindly reminded him.

"Oh, right. This braised pork belly really is delicious." Hyuga Hiashi said as he picked up several more pieces and swallowed them whole.

"Father, there are only a few pieces left." Hinata reminded him again.

"Ahem, children shouldn't eat too much meat. Besides, meat doesn't taste good once it gets cold."

Hyuga Hiashi made short work of the remaining braised pork belly, then put down his chopsticks with lingering satisfaction.

The sight left Hinata somewhat depressed. She felt that her father could eat even more than she could, and she even wondered whether her ability to eat had been inherited from him.

But remembering the cold expression her father had worn when he entered, she carefully asked, "Father, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Of course I do. From now on, you are not allowed to... Wait, was that braised pork belly really made by Naruto?" Hyuga Hiashi abruptly changed the subject.

"Of course. Naruto is really good at cooking. Grilled fish, braised pork belly, spicy tofu, and sweet and sour pork—they're all super delicious." Hinata spoke admiringly, her little face full of worship.

"There are so many other dishes? Are they as delicious as the braised pork belly?" Hyuga Hiashi pursued the question.

"Of course. Every one of them is delicious, and there are lots of other dishes too." Hinata answered without hesitation.

"I see. Naruto is a good child, but he is too lonely. You can go play with him more when you have time." Hyuga Hiashi said with an old face reddening, then rose and left the living room.

"Alright, Father."

Hinata was a little bewildered. Her father had entered so sternly, seemingly ready to scold her, but unexpectedly, he had told her to actively spend time with Naruto. It gave Hinata a strange feeling, as though something was not quite right.

In the small courtyard.

Hyuga Hiashi waved toward the outside.

Whoosh!

"Patriarch." Kō Hyuga respectfully bowed. "Have you already spoken with Lady Hinata?"

"Ahem."

Hyuga Hiashi coughed twice and said somewhat awkwardly, "There's no need to stop Hinata from seeing Naruto. Let them interact freely."

"Huh? Interact freely? Didn't you say you were worried it would arouse the village's suspicions?" Kō Hyuga asked, completely confused.

"Ahem, Naruto has no friends. If Hinata doesn't spend time with him, he'll be too pitiful. Don't worry, our Hyuga Clan is strong, and the Third Hokage is old. He will not clash with us over something like this. Even if they become suspicious, there is nothing to fear."

Hyuga Hiashi explained, his old face still red.

"Oh, understood, Patriarch."

Kō Hyuga answered in a daze, his mind a complete mess. Even after the Patriarch had gone back inside, Kō Hyuga still had not recovered, always feeling that something about this was off.