"Ahem, Chief Hyuga, I assume you didn't invite me here just to chat?"
Yemu lightly cleared his throat, his tone casual.
He knew Hyuga Hiashi wasn't the sort to waste time on idle conversation-
At his words, Hyuga Hiashi grew solemn. He neither beat around the bush nor hesitated.
He slowly raised his gaze and looked Yemu straight in the eye, his expression resolute.
"Lord Yemu, you're not exactly young anymore, are you?" he began. His voice was measured, yet his words landed like a heavy hammer striking the floor.
"When I was your age, Lord Yemu, I'd long since married and established myself. Now that the Shinobi World has been pacified and peace reigns... may I ask when you intend to-hold your wedding with Hinata?"
His words struck like a sudden thunderclap, freezing the air for several seconds.
Hinata had been standing properly behind Yemu. Upon hearing that, she instantly became like a kettle brought to a boil, her lovely face flushing crimson, pink spreading from the tips of her ears down to her neck.
Her breathing quickened. She instinctively lowered her head, her long lashes trembling slightly as though she were doing everything she could to conceal her feelings.
Her slender fingers had already clenched tightly around the hem of her clothes, bunching the fabric into creases.
Although she was surprised her father would say such a thing now, deep in her heart...
Anticipation and sweetness surged through her chest like spring waters.
She had been waiting for this day all along. She simply hadn't expected her father to be the one to bring it within reach.
But unlike Hinata's delight and embarrassment-
Qingxue Uchiha's expression visibly darkened.
She had been lounging with her arms folded, seemingly uninterested in joining the conversation, but a dangerous edge now glimmered