Hyuga Hiashi Couldn't Eat

However.

Just as Naruto was about to speak, he suddenly recalled the hardships of the past few years—especially before he had begun cultivating Chakra, when he had dragged his thin, frail body around alone, desperately searching for food.

Back then.

He had risked heatstroke, stumbling through the blazing summer heat to gather wild fruits and vegetables.

He had also worn thin clothes through the bitter winter, searching beneath freezing snow for anything that could fill his stomach.

And during the harvest season in autumn, he had risked being attacked by wild beasts as he entered the forest, all to stockpile a little more food for winter.

During that time, he had no demands when it came to food. As long as it filled his stomach, that was enough. Many times, simply being able to eat his fill had been a blessing.

If he got sick, things became even more troublesome. He could only endure it alone, even dragging his ill body out to look for food.

At the time, he had been full of hatred and disgust for this village. He had sworn that one day, he would slaughter certain old bastards. The resentment in his heart had accumulated to its limit.

If not for Hinata's appearance, if not for that silly girl's occasional concern for him.

Naruto might not have become who he was now. He might have fallen into brutality and hatred like Gaara had as a child, because he was not that Naruto.

Now.

Although he had maintained his mindset and remained himself, his heart was still filled with resentment. That was one of the reasons he liked to snap at people.

As for Kakashi before him, Naruto watched his lazy demeanor and the way he always focused on Sasuke, then suddenly spoke.

"Kakashi, your name sounds familiar. I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. Have we met? You should be a very powerful Jonin, right?" Naruto deliberately asked.

"Mm, I am somewhat famous, but we haven't met. Otherwise, we wouldn't be introducing ourselves here." Kakashi shrugged.

"True. Why would I ask such a stupid question? Hahaha."

Naruto smiled and said nothing more. Instead, he looked in the direction of Hinata's home, because only Hinata made him feel even a trace of concern.

Across from him.

Kakashi gave Naruto a baffled look, then continued, "Who's next to introduce themselves?"

"Me, me!" Sakura happily raised her hand high and began introducing herself.

More than ten minutes later.

After everyone had finished talking, Kakashi lazily stood up.

"Alright. Remember not to eat breakfast tomorrow morning, or you'll throw up."

After saying that, Kakashi vanished with a whoosh, fully displaying the strength of a powerful man.

"Sasuke, let's go."

Sakura immediately looked at Sasuke and invited him to leave with her.

"Mm."

Sasuke nodded and stood up, then turned to look at Naruto, who was still sitting where he was.

"Naruto, how did you notice Kakashi-sensei in advance earlier?" Sasuke suddenly asked.

"I just noticed him. What, did you think I was only guessing?" Naruto looked at Sasuke with a faint smile.

"I don't know."

Sasuke shook his head. He wanted to ask about that Bald Training Method, but ultimately did not. Instead, he planned to carefully confirm it over the coming days.

Tap, tap, tap.

Sasuke and Sakura left, heading back to their respective homes. Naruto alone remained seated in the same spot for a long, long time.

"Naruto..."

A sweet voice came from the side, carrying a hint of shyness and fragility, yet sounding especially pleasant.

Naruto turned to look to the side, and a petite, adorable figure came into view. It was none other than Hinata, with her bowl-cut hairstyle.

Naruto had long noticed Hinata approaching from afar. After all, his senses were no decoration. He simply needed to think carefully about his attitude toward Konoha.

"Hinata, come sit beside me." Naruto pointed to his side.

"Mm."

Little Hinata obediently came over and sat beside Naruto, clasping her fair little hands. "Naruto, why haven't you gone home?"

"Whether I go home or not makes no difference. Even if I go back, there's no one at home." Naruto shook his head.

"Naruto..."

Hearing that, Hinata froze slightly. Her little face scrunched up as she wanted to comfort Naruto, but she did not know how. In the end, she foolishly pinched the corner of his clothes.

Naruto easily noticed her adorably clumsy expression, and warmth filled his heart. "If Hinata comes home with me, I'd be very happy to go home."

"Ah, um..."

Sensitive Hinata caught the subtle difference in his words. Her little face instantly flushed bright red, and she was so embarrassed she nearly fainted. Still, she gathered her courage and said.

"O-okay."

[Experience Points +1]

Hearing Hinata's soft, sweet voice, Naruto's smile became even gentler.

"Let's go, Hinata. I'll make you a feast today. What do you want to eat?"

"B-Braised Pork Belly." Hinata answered shyly.

"Braised Pork Belly? Alright."

Naruto had always thought girls preferred vegetarian food, yet Hinata liked Braised Pork Belly so much. The key was that she had just eaten it yesterday. He had thought she would choose something else, but unexpectedly, she still chose Braised Pork Belly.

But it did not matter. Braised Pork Belly was very easy to make. If Hinata liked it, he could simply make more for her.

After finishing their conversation, the two headed home together.

When they passed a shop, Hinata bought a huge pile of ingredients. The amount of meat alone was twice as much as yesterday.

Watching Hinata struggle out of the shop with both hands full of ingredients, Naruto felt a little speechless. Still, he said nothing and instead reached out to take the ingredients.

"Naruto, let's carry them together. They're really heavy."

Hinata worried that Naruto would get too tired carrying them. She did not want him to work so hard, so she wanted them to carry the bags together.

"It's fine. Give them to me."

Naruto took the bag of ingredients in one motion and easily carried it in his left hand, without any sign of strain.

"Naruto, you're so strong."

Hinata was slightly surprised at the sight. That bag of ingredients was especially heavy, and she had needed both hands to lift it with effort. Yet Naruto had actually lifted it with one hand.

His strength was far greater than hers. What was more, Naruto's build only looked a little sturdier than before; there was nothing particularly special about it. That made Hinata even more surprised.

"Did you forget that I beat Sasuke in arm wrestling?" Naruto said with a smile.

"Oh, right. I forgot about that." Hinata foolishly scratched her head, feeling as though she became silly whenever she was around Naruto.

"Let's go. Today, I'll make sure you eat your fill."

"Mm, I'll eat my fill."

Hinata licked her lips, revealing her nature as a little foodie, as though she really intended to eat until she was full.

[Experience Points +1]

Elsewhere.

Hyuga Clan Compound, the Patriarch's dining room.

Hyuga Hiashi and Hanabi were sitting together for a meal. Hanabi ate happily, but Hyuga Hiashi seemed unable to swallow his food.

"Father, why aren't you eating?" Hanabi looked at Hyuga Hiashi strangely.

"I have no appetite. I don't feel like eating." Hyuga Hiashi shook his head.

"Isn't this your favorite food? How could you have no appetite?" Hanabi asked with her head tilted as she sampled the delicious dishes.

"You'll understand later. By the way, why hasn't your sister returned yet? I clearly gave her plenty of money and told her to come back early." Hyuga Hiashi said with some dissatisfaction.

"Huh? Why did you give Sister money?" Hanabi asked blankly.

"You'll understand later. Eat first. Eat more. Make sure you eat until you're completely full."

"Ah?"

Hanabi looked at her father strangely, feeling that he seemed a little abnormal today.

Still, since her father was not eating these delicious dishes, she would eat until she was full. Her father had allowed it, after all, so she began wolfing down the food.