Hinata was timid by nature, but she was very fond of this uncle. She smiled and said, "Hello, Uncle Hizashi!"
Hizashi Hyuga had only a son, and an adorable little girl like Hinata was just the sort of daughter he would have loved. Seeing her looking so well-behaved only made him fonder of her.
He reached out and ruffled Hinata's hair. "Good girl. Your uncle has things to do, so I'll head back now. When he's free, I'll send your big brother Neji to play with you. Go find your father!"
With that, he gently nudged Hinata's head toward Hyuga Hiashi, then smiled and left.
Hinata obediently said goodbye and went over to her father.
She was much more nervous around her father. He had always been strict with her, and at only three years old, she couldn't help being afraid of him.
Hinata walked up to Hyuga Hiashi and said timidly, "Hello, Father."
Hyuga Hiashi loved his daughter, of course. But when he thought of the heavy responsibilities she would inherit one day, he couldn't let himself go soft. He nodded impassively and asked sternly, "Have you been reviewing what I taught you?"
Her father's suddenly raised voice startled Hinata. She shivered and answered quietly, "I have."
Only then did Hyuga Hiashi's expression soften a little. "You are the eldest daughter of the Main Family. You will inherit a great deal in the future, so you must work harder."
Seeing her father's expression ease, Hinata brightened and smiled. "Yes, Father."
At Hyuga Hiashi's direction, she left for the training room.
Hyuga Hiashi watched his three-year-old daughter's slight figure retreat. Thinking of everything she would have to bear, he couldn't help feeling a pang of heartache.
But when he thought of the clan's circumstances, he could only put that feeling