"This is sweet and sour pork tenderloin. Eat more if you like it."
"Mmhmm."
[Experience +1]
The two of them chatted while savoring the delicious food.
They ate a bit quickly, and in less than ten minutes, they'd finished the whole table.
Hinata ate the majority of it, and she felt a bit embarrassed. However, her expression showed she still wanted more.
Seeing the adorable Hinata and the experience orbs around her, Naruto smiled and said, "You bought more meat today, so I'll make you some braised pork too."
"No, it's alright, I don't want to trouble you again."
Hinata shook her head slightly, though her resolve wasn't exactly firm. It seemed her resistance to Braised Pork was quite low.
"Wait here. I'll make it right away, and I'll make extra this time," Naruto said with a smile, starting to get busy.
"I…I'll help you."
Seeing Naruto busy again, Hinata felt very apologetic. However, the Braised Pork was just too delicious. She couldn't resist wanting to eat some more, so she stuck out her tongue and ran over to help Naruto.
[Experience +1]
The two of them then got busy.
Braised Pork takes a while to cook, and they interacted for quite a while. It wasn't until the experience orbs around Hinata were only the size of glass beads that it was time to leave.
"Thank you, Naruto. I had a really wonderful time today," Hinata said, looking at Naruto gratefully from the doorway.
At home, she never dared to eat her fill because people always said unkind things. This meant she rarely felt full, not even half-full.
But here, with Naruto, she ate so much and was so happy. The food was incredibly delicious, unbelievably tasty. So, she was very grateful for Naruto's hospitality.
"Here, take this with you," Naruto said, handing Hinata a lunch box filled with delicious braised pork.
"No, thank you, Naruto. You didn't eat much. Besides, it's not right," Hinata refused, shaking her head.
"I made a bit too much today, and I don't eat much meat anyway. It would just go to waste if I left it at home," Naruto said with a smile.
"This..." Hinata hesitated.
"Just take it."
Naruto placed the Braised Pork into Hinata's small hands. In that instant, he felt the warmth of Hinata's hand, soft and gentle, like smooth, delicate jade.
This action immediately made Hinata shy. The little foodie transformed back into her shy self.
"Let's go, I'll walk you home."
"Yes."
Hinata nodded, her head lowered, following Naruto like a puppet.
She didn't even look at the road, just silently followed him, and they walked further and further away in the sunset.
A short while later.
The Hyuga Clan compound.
The two of them waved goodbye to each other. After Naruto had gone, Hinata happily returned home.
However, she didn't notice that as she passed the courtyard, Hyuga Hiashi was looking at her with a stern expression, clearly displeased.
Whoosh!
A figure flashed by and knelt on the ground. It was none other than Hyuga Takashi, who was secretly protecting Hinata.
"Lord Clan Head," Hyuga Takashi said respectfully.
"Why was Hinata so late returning? Tell me what happened," Hyuga Hiashi said coldly.
"Yes! Today, Lady Hinata went to Naruto's house as a guest, so she returned late," Hyuga Takashi replied quickly.
"Naruto? So she went to that child's house." Hyuga Hiashi sighed and continued, "I have a good impression of Naruto, but the village's attitude towards him is unclear. It's not suitable to have too close contact with him for now, or it will easily arouse suspicion from the village."
"My Lord, are you saying that we shouldn't let Hinata-sama and Naruto interact?" Hyuga Takashi asked respectfully.
"Yes. As you know, I sent people to give Naruto money and supplies, but the Anbu stopped them. Later, I found out they were Root members. However, the Third Hokage and Danzo's attitudes were strange, and there are too many unclear aspects."
Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and said again, "The Hyuga Clan is becoming increasingly powerful and has more say, but it's still better to be cautious. Try not to have too much contact with Naruto."
"Yes, my Lord. I will definitely do my best to complete the task, but Hinata-sama is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside; I might not be able to stop her," Hyuga Takashi worried.
"Leave Hinata to me. I will go and speak with her now." Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand and turned to walk into the house.
The living room.
Hinata was placing the Braised Pork on the table, then took out chopsticks, preparing for her father and Hanabi to try it. However, at this moment, she saw her father walk in with a cold expression.
"Father," Hinata said cautiously, feeling a subtle sense of unease.
"Sit down, I have something to discuss with you."
Hyuga Hiashi gestured slightly, then sat down as well, preparing to have a serious talk with Hinata, to stop her from seeking out Naruto. If Hinata didn't agree, he would force her to comply.
Therefore, to be more effective, he maintained a stern expression, ready to admonish Hinata.
"Hmm? How fragrant, what is this?"
Before Hyuga Hiashi could begin to reprimand Hinata, the aroma emanating from the table captured his attention.
"Father, this is Naruto's Braised Pork. Please try it, it's delicious." Hinata said, handing over the chopsticks from the table.
"Naruto made this?"
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head, thinking that something made by a child couldn't possibly be that good. However, it smelled so enticing, he couldn't resist picking up the chopsticks and taking a bite.
"Hmm? This taste."
Hyuga Hiashi, savoring the lingering flavor in his mouth, instantly became interested. His appetite was piqued, and he quickly started eating with his chopsticks.
Munch munch.
"Delicious!"
"This flavor is really good."
"Naruto, that kid, he's got some skills."
Hyuga Hiashi praised, and in less than three minutes, he had eaten more than half of the Braised Pork. He even seemed to want to continue eating.
"Father, half of the Braised Pork is for Hanabi," Hinata kindly reminded him.
"Oh, this braised pork is really good," Hyuga Hiashi said, picking up several more pieces and devouring them quickly.
"Father, there are only a few pieces left," Hinata reminded him again.
"Ahem, it's not good for children to eat too much meat. Besides, it doesn't taste good when it's cold."
Hyuga Hiashi finished the braised pork in a few bites, then put down his chopsticks, still wanting more.
This scene made Hinata a little depressed, feeling that her father could eat more than she could. She even wondered if her appetite was hereditary.
But thinking about her father's cold expression when he came in, she cautiously asked, "Father, do you need something from me?"
"Of course. You're not allowed to... Wait, did Naruto make this braised pork?" Hyuga Hiashi's tone suddenly changed.
"Of course. Naruto is a great cook. Grilled fish, braised pork, Mapo Tofu, and sweet and sour pork tenderloin are all super delicious," Hinata said admiringly, her face full of adoration.
"There are so many other delicious foods? Are they all as good as Braised Pork?" Hyuga Hiashi asked.
"Of course, every single one is delicious, and there are many other dishes as well," Hinata replied without hesitation.
"I see. Naruto is a good kid, but he's too lonely. You should play with him more often when you have time," Hyuga Hiashi said, his face reddening slightly, before getting up and leaving the living room.
"Yes, Father."
Hinata was a little bewildered. Her father had come in so seriously, seemingly to scold her, but unexpectedly, he had asked her to take the initiative to interact with Naruto. This gave Hinata a strange feeling, as if something wasn't quite right.
In the courtyard.
Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand towards the outside.
Whoosh!
"Lord Clan Head." Hyuga Takashi respectfully saluted. "Have you spoken to Lady Hinata?"
"Cough, cough."
Hyuga Hiashi coughed twice, a little embarrassed, and said, "No need to stop Hinata from seeing Naruto. Just let them interact freely."
"Eh? Freely interact? Didn't you say you were worried about causing suspicion within the village?" Hyuga Takashi asked, somewhat bewildered.
"Cough, cough. Naruto doesn't have any friends. If Hinata doesn't interact with him, then he'll be too pitiful. Don't worry, the Hyuga Clan is very strong, and the Third Hokage is old. He won't start a conflict with us because of this. Even if there is suspicion, we're not afraid."
Hyuga Hiashi explained, his old face still flushed.
"Oh, alright, Clan Head."
Hyuga Takashi replied, a bit bewildered, his mind a complete mess. Even after the Clan Head had left, Hyuga Takashi hadn't fully reacted, feeling that something was off.
....
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