Hiashi's voice rose with his agitation, carrying a note of reckless resolve:
"I absolutely will not allow it!"
He repeated himself, as though trying to burn his resolve into the air with his voice:
"No matter what reasons you have, Hanabi must stay in Konoha! Somewhere I can protect her.
"I can allow Hinata to go on missions now that she's a ninja, but I will never let either of them go somewhere far beyond their capabilities. And Hanabi isn't even a ninja yet!"
As though that still wasn't enough, Hiashi drew a deep breath and lifted his chin slightly. His tone was almost defiant, yet tinged with tragic resolve-something that should never have appeared on a man like him:
"Unless you kill me right here and now!"
He pointed at himself.
"Otherwise, I will never sign that damned Leave Request. Don't even think about it!"
Hanabi's little face went deathly pale with fright. She clung tightly to Naruto's arm, her eyes filled with fear and bewilderment.
She had never seen her father lose control like this, never seen him so worked up.
Naruto froze too. He hadn't expected Hiashi to react so violently, even going so far as to stake his life on it.
It seemed he had underestimated just how much Hinata and Hanabi meant to Hiashi.
The momentary surprise on Naruto's face quickly gave way to calm, with even a hint of contemplation.
He didn't take up Hiashi's challenge to "kill me," nor did he keep arguing about the need to broaden their horizons and help them grow.
Naruto regretted replacing Guy so early, especially since his replacement had been Hiashi.
Seeing how adamant Hiashi was, Naruto began to reconsider his plan.
Still intending to make one final attempt, he spoke a simple sentence that struck Hyuga