Hinata's sudden appearance eased the tense atmosphere in the courtyard.
Hyūga Hiashi's stern eyes softened slightly as he turned toward his eldest daughter.
"Hinata," Hiashi asked, his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority, "how did you manage to come out? And where is your cousin, Neji?"
Hinata lowered her gaze respectfully before answering. "Father… Hanabi and I used the Transformation Jutsu to deceive Brother Neji. After that, I escaped on my own."
Hiashi inhaled deeply and then sighed, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes.
So that's how it is… My daughter has truly made up her mind. She is determined to walk her own path, to stay by Naruto's side. As a father, what else can I do but support her?
Hiashi's expression steadied as he turned toward the elder standing nearby. "Elder, since Hinata and Naruto truly love one another, then we, as elders of the Hyūga clan, can only give them our support."
The clan elder stroked his beard and replied solemnly, "I have always supported Hinata's union with Naruto. I have never been against it."
Hiashi froze for a moment, his lips twitching.
This old fox… How dare he act righteous now after opposing me behind the scenes?
Minato stepped forward, smiling warmly. "Brother Hiashi, in that case, allow me to bring Naruto to your estate soon and formally propose marriage. Then, together, we can discuss the dates and make the proper arrangements. Would that be acceptable?"
Hearing Minato speak personally reassured Hiashi. It confirmed that his trip was not in vain. His concerns about the clan's honor and his daughter's future were now answered.
After all, Hinata was the eldest daughter of the Hyūga clan and destined to inherit the position of clan head. Her husband would need to withstand the judgment of the entire clan.
With Naruto's strength, his character, and even his newfound lineage, it was more than sufficient.
Hiashi finally nodded. "Very well, then. Fourth Hokage-dono, I shall wait at the Hyūga compound for you and Kushina-dono. We shall finalize the matter then."
Minato's smile deepened. "Certainly."
Hyūga Hizashi, standing beside his brother, burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Today is indeed a joyous occasion! Congratulations, brother, and congratulations to you as well, Fourth Hokage!"
Minato laughed in return. "We are all one family now. Let us share in the same happiness!"
Meanwhile, Kushina Uzumaki crouched slightly to face Hinata with a kind smile, her fiery red hair swaying as she spoke. "Hinata, you must remember to be patient with Naruto. I wasn't by his side when he grew up, so I couldn't guide him personally. He may be strong, but he can also be… well, a bit of a knucklehead. He doesn't always know how to love properly."
Hinata shook her head firmly. "No, Aunt Kushina. Naruto-kun has always been considerate. Whether for his comrades or his teachers, he has always been warm-hearted and honest. He speaks with sincerity and acts with determination. That is the spirit that has drawn me to him since I was a child."
Naruto's chest swelled with pride as he stood by her side.
As a man, there's nothing more satisfying than your beloved speaking proudly of you.
But his smug look didn't last long. With a sharp smack, Kushina's palm landed on Naruto's head.
"What are you grinning like an idiot for? Getting all puffed up just because someone praised you? Remember, brat—when you're married, you better treat Hinata well!"
Naruto rubbed his head sheepishly. "I know, I know!"
At this point, Hiashi realized his role for the day was done. With his duty fulfilled and the matter clarified, he prepared to return with the clan.
Before leaving, he asked, "Hinata, are you coming back with us now?"
Hinata looked back at Naruto and then nodded. "Naruto-kun, I'll go back for now. Brother Neji still doesn't know that Hanabi and I tricked him. I should explain to him properly."
Naruto smiled warmly. "Yeah, go on ahead. Wait for me at home. Once I finish things here, my parents and I will visit you tomorrow."
Hinata's lips curled into a gentle smile. She turned and followed her father and uncle back to the Hyūga compound.
As the Hyūga departed, two figures descended lightly nearby—Uchiha Sasuke and Sarutobi Konohamaru.
Sasuke stepped forward first and greeted politely, "Hello, Aunt Kushina."
Kushina blinked at him before her expression softened. "You must be Sasuke. My Naruto talks about you all the time!"
Sasuke's eyes flicked to Naruto, a small spark of warmth in his usually stoic demeanor.
"Really, Aunt?" he asked, unable to hide a small smile.
Kushina tilted her head. "Is your mother's name Uchiha Mikoto?"
Sasuke nodded, a bit stiffly.
Kushina's face lit up. "Oh! So you really are Mikoto's son. Goodness, how time flies! The first time I saw you, you were just this tall." She held her hand low, gesturing to about the length of a short staff.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Sasuke felt an unexpected warmth at her words. Listening to someone who had known his mother in the past… it stirred something deep inside.
"Aunt," Sasuke said after a pause, "Naruto even brought my mother back. She's at the Uchiha compound now. If you're free, you should visit her."
Kushina's eyes widened in shock. "Your mother… had died?"
Before she could say more, Minato gently tapped her arm and whispered, "Kushina, you forgot. Naruto showed us his memories—remember? The Uchiha clan was massacred about five or six years after we died."
Kushina's lips parted in realization. "Oh…" She turned to Sasuke with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Sasuke."
Sasuke gave a faint smile. "It's alright. I've moved past the worst of it."
Meanwhile, Konohamaru tugged at Naruto's sleeve. "Brother Naruto… are you really going to get married?"
Naruto grinned and nodded.
Konohamaru's face dropped, his shoulders sagging.
"What's wrong, Konohamaru?" Naruto asked.
The boy pouted. "I heard people say that after marriage, men lose their freedom. All their time is spent on family, with no chance to do fun things anymore. If you get married, you won't have time to help me develop new versions of the… the Seduction Jutsu!"
Before Konohamaru could finish, Naruto lunged forward, covering his mouth in a panic.
Damn it! Not in front of Mom!
Sure enough, Kushina's eyes gleamed dangerously. She walked over with a deceptively sweet smile. "Konohamaru… what was that about a Seduction Jutsu? Care to explain, hmm?"
Konohamaru's eyes darted to Naruto, silently pleading. Naruto, however, quickly placed his hands behind his back, pretending to whistle as though he'd heard nothing.
The boy instantly understood the unspoken message:
If you say it, you're dead.
Konohamaru quickly stammered, "A-Aunt Kushina, I-I just remembered! My grandfather—the Third Hokage—he's looking for me! I have to go!"
Before anyone could stop him, Konohamaru bolted away.
Kushina frowned. "Wait… did he just say his grandfather, the Third Hokage?"
Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Yeah… His name is Sarutobi Konohamaru. He's the grandson of the Third Hokage, and the nephew of Sarutobi Asuma."
Kushina blinked. "Oh, I see. So he's the Third's grandson. But wait… isn't the Third supposed to be dead? How—"
Minato pointed at himself with a smile. "Like me. Naruto resurrected him, along with the First and Second Hokage."
Kushina froze, stunned for a moment, before quickly accepting it. After all, even she herself had been brought back.
But then, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Wait. Did you just say… the Third Hokage was resurrected too?"
Naruto and Minato exchanged wary glances, sensing the storm about to erupt. Still, they nodded.
Kushina's voice trembled with suppressed rage as her fists clenched. "Good. That means I finally have the chance to settle the score with him! I want to ask him face to face—why did my son Naruto suffer so miserably under his leadership?"
Without another word, she grabbed Minato by the ear and began marching off.
"Hey, hey, Kushina, where are you dragging me?!" Minato protested, flustered.
"You're coming with me!" she snapped, her red hair whipping behind her like a blazing flame. "We're going to see Hiruzen right now!"
And with that, Kushina stormed off, righteous fury burning in her eyes.
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