The night in Konoha wasn't like in the cities; even at midnight, the streets would usually be bustling.
Tonight, the village was quiet. Though it wasn't yet midnight, almost every house was dark, with only a few faint lights flickering.
When Yasu stepped into the wilderness, the chirping insects and cries of birds and beasts sent chills down his spine.
If he felt this way as a man, he worried about whether Hinata Hyuga would be frightened.
After several twists and turns, Yasu arrived at the three wooden posts from earlier in the day.
It wasn't as scenic as in daylight. The quiet was unnerving, making Yasu feel uneasy.
By the posts stood a white figure, motionless, as if it had been there all along.
"Hinata?"
Yasu muttered to himself, shivering as an overwhelming sense of fear filled him.
The white figure was several times larger than Hinata, and the waist-length hair made him immediately suspicious.
Then, the figure moved.
Step by step, it slowly approached Yasu. Each step made his heart skip a beat.
"Are you the one who called my daughter here?"
Yasu froze, then realized.
The white figure wasn't a ghost—it was Hinata's father, Hyuga Hiashi.
Yasu didn't feel any relief.
The Hyuga clan was Konoha's most powerful family, and Hiashi was the clan's head.
If he wanted to crush Yasu, it would be effortless.
And, most importantly, Hiashi had every reason to do so.
Kakashi, hiding in a nearby tree, frowned.
In terms of pure combat, he had no fear of Hiashi—fifty-fifty at worst.
But Hiashi's true danger came from the Hyuga clan standing behind him.
Having recently caused some trouble, if he clashed with Hiashi, even the Third Hokage couldn't guarantee his safety.
"Damn it," Kakashi muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on his kunai. "If he makes a move, I'll have to protect Yasu at all costs."
"Speak! Why did you bring my daughter here at this hour?" Hiashi said, eyes scanning Yasu. His pale Byakugan eyes made Yasu's skin crawl.
Yasu didn't think Hinata would betray him. The only possibility was that she had been followed and led Hiashi here.
He silently cursed himself.
How could she be so careless? She didn't even notice a tail following her, and the destination was exposed!
"Check Hyuga Hiashi!"
[Ding! Hyuga Hiashi detected! Affection 30 points! Warning! Warning! Target may attempt to kill the host at any moment!]
[Affection 50 points unlocked: Gentle Fist!]
...
[Affection 100 points unlocked: Byakugan Bloodline! Obtain Beloved Son-in-Law! Activate Infinite Sign-in Mode (Interval: 7 days!)]
Yasu's heart skipped a beat, sweat beading on his forehead.
Hiashi truly intended to kill him!
Though not to the death-match extent, the murderous aura emanating from him was undeniable.
One wrong word, and Yasu could face total annihilation.
"You brat! I asked you a question! Why did you call Hinata here?" Hiashi growled.
Yasu's mind raced, seeking the perfect answer.
Hiashi's ferocious demeanor clearly indicated he wasn't a man to reason with.
"What do you mean, 'Why did I call Hinata?' Don't you have any clue?"
"What did you say?!" Hiashi's rage exploded, and he struck forward with a palm.
Yasu's eyes widened.
Before the hand reached him, a gust of wind arrived, filled with countless chakra needles piercing at his meridians.
Not good! Kakashi's pupils shrank. That's the Gentle Fist—Yasu won't be able to take that head-on!
His hand flew to his headband, ready to reveal the Sharingan and intervene—
A firm grip clamped down on his shoulder.
"Kakashi, you can't go down."
Kakashi turned sharply. "Guy?! If I don't step in right now, Yasu will die!"
Might Guy's thick eyebrows furrowed, his face serious—but behind that seriousness burned fierce conviction.
This is the moment… the trial of youth.
"I think you should trust Yasu."
Kakashi's jaw tightened. "That's Hyuga Hiashi. And he's striking with killing intent!"
"Wait and see."
Countless strands of chakra struck Yasu, and Hiashi's palm hit his chest with full force.
BOOM!
Yasu was thrown back.
When he hit the ground, a dense smoke rose around him, and he became a large wooden log.
"A substitution jutsu?"
Hiashi frowned.
Though he hadn't activated the Byakugan, a low-level ninja using a substitution jutsu in front of him was a huge embarrassment.
"Kid, you're not bad, but I wonder what you'll do next!"
Hiashi activated his Byakugan, ready to attack, but stopped to glance at Kakashi's hiding spot.
"You're not bad, I'll let you off for now, but if you do anything outrageous, I will definitely not let you go!"
With a cold snort, he swung his sleeve and left.
Yasu's back was soaked with sweat.
In front of someone like Hiashi, he felt utterly insignificant.
If he wanted to fight, he'd need to use Kakashi's sword techniques at max, which would exhaust him after just a few strikes.
The safest option was to use a speed technique and escape.
Even Hiashi would have difficulty catching him.
Yasu exhaled in relief.
Though Hiashi had left, Yasu knew trouble wasn't over.
As the Hyuga clan heiress, Hinata would always have bodyguards watching her.
Given recent events, she would never be unprotected.
These bodyguards usually wouldn't act unless Hinata's life was in immediate danger.
Just then, a shadow quietly approached, and Yasu's eyes lit up.
"Here she comes!"