Chapter 26: A Father's Ultimatum
Early the next morning, a fully rested and refreshed Naruto arrived at Team 8's usual meeting spot. The air was crisp, and he was in high spirits.
"Yo! Good morning!" he called out cheerfully to Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino.
Aburame Shino, as ever, remained an unreadable statue behind his high collar and sunglasses, offering no reply. Inuzuka Kiba, however, let out a loud "Hmph!" and pointedly turned his back.
Only Akamaru, perched on Kiba's head, offered a friendly, if confused, "Woof!"
Naruto grinned. "See? At least someone here has manners." He then leaned in slightly and muttered just loud enough for Kiba to hear, "Too bad there's no dog meat on the menu today. A real shame."
"Awwurgh!" Akamaru whined, immediately burrowing deep into Kiba's jacket for safety.
"Hey! Uzumaki Naruto! You're scaring him!" Kiba yelled, spinning around to face the blond menace.
"I just said I wouldn't eat any," Naruto said, his face a mask of pure innocence. "How is that scary? By the way, have you seen Hinata? She's a little later than usual today."
"You—!" Kiba sputtered, his fists clenching.
Just then, a familiar, breathless voice called out. "Naruto-kun!"
Hinata arrived at a run, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. Without a moment's hesitation, she threw herself into his arms.
Naruto caught her easily, his arms wrapping around her in a warm, secure embrace as he gently stroked her hair. "Did you miss me while I was away?" he whispered.
"Of course I did," Hinata murmured into his chest, inhaling his familiar, comforting scent.
Kiba, watching the scene, picked up a trembling Akamaru. "Why does this feel like I'm being force-fed something sweet?" he grumbled.
Akamaru just whined in response.
"Naruto, it's been a while," a new voice interjected. Kurenai Yūhi had arrived, a faint, apologetic smile on her face.
Naruto released Hinata but kept a hand on her shoulder as he turned to their sensei. "So even you can be late, Kurenai-sensei. I thought that was a special talent exclusive to my jōnin, Kakashi."
Kurenai's smile became a bit strained. "I was... held up by some things."
"Well, whatever held you up, let's get moving. Is it dishwashing or weeding today? I'm sure Kiba and Shino over there are just bursting with anticipation."
Kiba and Shino: "..."
As Naruto had predicted, Team 8 was assigned another D-rank mission—weeding a large, overgrown estate. The work was monotonous, but Naruto didn't mind in the slightest. His interest wasn't in the task, but in the company.
Meanwhile, in the austere main house of the Hyūga compound, Hyūga Hiashi was nursing a profound headache. His daughter, the heiress of the Hyūga main family, was still, by all accounts, courting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. He was powerless to stop it, as she met him under the legitimate guise of performing ninja duties—duties she was obligated to fulfill.
But the knowledge that she would inevitably seek out Uzumaki Naruto after her missions ended filled him with a deep-seated frustration. Now that Naruto was a genin under Kakashi, a staunch Hokage loyalist, his future trajectory was clear. Directly suppressing him was politically unfeasible, but a warning should have sufficed.
Yet, if warnings were effective, he wouldn't be sitting here, stewing in his own irritation.
"Hanabi," he said, turning to his younger daughter, who was practicing her gentle fist forms with quiet focus. "What is your opinion of your sister?"
Hanabi paused, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "Sister is wonderful," she stated simply. "She is strong and kind."
It was true. The once-timid Hinata had blossomed into a kunoichi of remarkable skill, now able to best Hanabi with ease in their sparring matches. The idea of bypassing Hinata to make Hanabi the heiress, a thought he had once entertained, had long since been abandoned.
This very success, however, was the source of his current dilemma.
"If your sister were involved with a man she could never be with," Hiashi posed carefully, "what do you think I should do?"
"Why couldn't they be together?" Hanabi asked, her youthful innocence shielding her from the complexities of clan politics and bloodline purity. The Hyūga had always married within the clan to preserve the Byakugan, a tradition as rigid as the compound's walls.
Hiashi let out a long, weary sigh, a rare, wry smile touching his lips. "Never mind," he said, looking at his naive younger daughter. The weight of leadership would likely have to fall on Hanabi's shoulders after all.
As for Hinata and Naruto... the problem would have to be addressed from within.
At sunset, Hinata returned to the Hyūga compound, her heart still light from the day spent near Naruto.
"Young mistress," one of the branch house guards addressed her softly. "The clan head wishes to see you in his study."
"Thank you," Hinata replied with a gentle smile before making her way through the familiar, silent halls.
'The young mistress is so kind and strong now,' the guard thought, watching her go. 'It's a true pity her heart belongs to someone she can never have.'
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Father?"
"Enter."
Hinata slid the door open and stepped inside, bowing respectfully. "You wished to see me, Father?"
"Yes." Hiashi's gaze was intense, his voice low and heavy. "Do you recall the conversation we had a year ago?"
Hinata looked up, genuinely perplexed. "What conversation?"
"The one where I told you to keep your distance from Uzumaki Naruto!" Hiashi's voice rose, the weight of his authority pressing down on the room. "And what have you done? You have not only drawn closer to him, you are now courting him openly!"
Hinata's eyes dropped to the floor, her innate shyness surfacing under his stern glare. But then, the image of Naruto's smiling face flashed in her mind—his encouragement, his belief in her. A spark of defiance, fanned by months of his unwavering support, ignited within her.
She lifted her head, meeting her father's gaze directly. "Father," she began, her voice trembling but clear. "Why? Why must I stay away from him? I have never understood why everyone in the village shuns him! What has he ever done to deserve such hatred?"
Hiashi was taken aback. This was not the cowering, hesitant daughter he was used to.
"That... involves a secret of Konoha. I cannot tell you," he stated, his tone final. "You need only know that your association with him must end."
Hinata was silent for a long moment, a storm of emotion warring in her pale eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was thick with unshed tears but firm with resolve.
"I am sorry, Father," she whispered. "But I cannot obey you in this."
Before Hiashi could respond, she turned and fled the room, the sound of her retreating footsteps echoing in the sudden silence.
"Hinata!" he called after her, but the door had already slid shut.
(End of Chapter)
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