"What's wrong? Why have you been outside so long?"
Hiashi pushed the door open and came out. When he had first heard Hinata's voice, his face had lit up with a delighted smile.
Then he had spent a little time composing himself, sat down in a chair, and picked up a newspaper to read, wanting to give his daughter a steady, composed impression when she came home.
But Hinata had unexpectedly stayed in the courtyard for so long that Hiashi could no longer contain his restlessness. He straightened his clothes and came outside.
"Ah, Father."
Hinata put Naruto the cat down and greeted Hiashi.
"Mm, is this... Naruto?"
Although Hiashi had not activated his Byakugan, his seasoned experience told him that this cat with the strange expression was definitely that blond boy.
"Oh, hello, Uncle."
White mist suddenly burst up around the cat, and Naruto appeared where the cat had been.
"Mm, it looks like you remembered what I said last time. You're improving."
Hiashi nodded in satisfaction. It seemed Naruto had taken his words to heart after all.
If he slipped in discreetly like this, those elders would have nothing to say. His daughter was already completely smitten with this blond boy anyway. Hiashi could not change that even if he wanted to, so he might as well let him in.
"Join us for lunch."
Hiashi gave Meiko a look. She nodded, then went to notify the head chefs, who had been on leave for over ten days, to return to work.
"Hinata, did you encounter any danger during this mission?"
Although he knew Hinata's strength meant she would have practically no problems carrying out a C-rank mission, his fatherly concern had kicked in.
Hinata shook her head, followed Hiashi into the living room, and sat on the sofa