Hinata Hyuga stumbled her way to the wooden posts, and Yasu couldn't help but hold his forehead, shaking his head.
With the Byakugan if activated, she could see everything around her—360 degrees, no blind spots, plus full X-ray vision.
Yet Hinata showed no intention of using it. Yasu was close to tears at her foolishness.
"Yasu-kun? It's really you, Yasu-kun!"
Hinata's whole body trembled with excitement, tears in her eyes, as she ran toward Yasu.
But after only a few steps, she tripped on a stone and crashed headfirst into Yasu, knocking him to the ground.
A rapid, throbbing beat pulsed in his chest.—not because she fell on him, but because he feared Hiashi would see and misunderstand.
If that happened, even Kakashi wouldn't be able to save him.
"Hey! Hey! Hinata, stop that, get up!"
After a struggle, Hinata finally stood up. Her face was completely red, and her thumbs twirled nervously in front of her chest.
"What did Yasu-kun want me to do here?"
"It's a dark, windy night, just the two of us… what else do you think it could be?" Yasu said with a sly grin.
Yet his mind remained calm as a clear mirror.
After all, Hiashi could be hiding anywhere, watching. If anything actually happened, it wouldn't just be a physical castration—he'd be completely destroyed.
Hinata's greatest flaw was her gentleness, not just toward friends, but to everyone.
Even in battle, she feared harming others—even enemies.
That was why, before facing Neji Hyuga, she had been a true eye for Team 8 but served no other practical role.
Now, Yasu's task was to push Hinata to the edge!
Once she struck back even once, it would lead to countless more times afterward.
"That brat… what do you think you're doing with my daughter!" Hiashi's face burned with anger, wanting to rush forward and strike the insolent fool.
Control… control… not yet. I must see if his intentions are truly malicious before I act. But if he harms her, no hesitation will remain, he thought, every muscle coiled like a spring, Byakugan alert to every possible angle.
Though Kakashi and Might Guy were nervous, they strangely wanted to believe Yasu. When they saw Hiashi preparing to strike, they rushed forward to restrain him, ready to block any attack aimed at Yasu.
"Calm down! Yasu isn't that kind of person! I guarantee it with my own honor!"
"Yes! Wait and see—Yasu isn't the type to do such things!"
"That's my daughter, not yours! You wouldn't worry otherwise!"
At that moment, a chill ran down Yasu's back, a strange sense of danger prickling his nerves.
He shook his head and continued toward Hinata.
"I've actually been paying attention to you for a long time, Hinata."
Hinata trembled, taking a step back and stumbling, falling to the ground.
"Yasu-kun, don't do this! Aren't we good friends?"
"Good friends? You really like joking!"
[Ding! Hinata Hyuga affection decreased by 1! Current affection: 63 points!]
[Ding! Hinata Hyuga affection decreased by 1! Current affection: 62 points!]
[Ding! Hiashi Hyuga affection decreased by 1! Current affection: 29 points!]
Yasu froze. Something weird had slipped in.
Hinata's feelings for Naruto Uzumaki were solid. No matter what he did, he couldn't surpass Naruto.
Her feelings had been nurtured since childhood.
To break through this "zero point," Yasu had to fulfill her greatest wish: gaining her father's approval.
Hiashi's recognition was the ultimate barrier, set after Naruto's verbal sparring during the Chunin Exams.
Yasu admitted his own verbal persuasion skills weren't maxed out, so he needed a more forceful approach.
Now, Yasu was gambling with Hinata's affection.
If he failed, her affection would be incredibly difficult to raise afterward—maybe never exceeding sixty.
But if he succeeded, her affection would skyrocket, even surpassing Naruto.
[Ding! Hinata Hyuga affection decreased by 1! Current affection: 49 points! Warning!!!]
As her affection steadily dropped, Hinata's gaze toward Yasu became more and more hostile.
"Don't come any closer, or I'll act!"
Yasu froze, inwardly thrilled, a smirk forming on his lips.
Finally, he was close to the target!
"That bastard… he's still smiling! I must cut him down!" Hiashi nearly lost control, desperate to leap forward and strike Yasu.
But with Kakashi and Might Guy blocking him, even someone as powerful as Hiashi couldn't move.
"Calm down! Calm down!"
"What if this brat really has gone mad?"
"Kakashi, did you show him that book? I told you never to let kids see it!"
When Hinata's affection dropped below fifty, the rate of decrease slowed significantly.
The alert sound that once went off every second now took several seconds to trigger.
Hinata's tone grew colder, but she still hadn't acted.
Yasu felt like crying.
Even at this stage, with him about to cross the line, she still didn't retaliate.
Hinata's gentleness truly knew no bounds.
This proved just how powerful Naruto's verbal sparring had been, and how firmly he stood in her heart.
There's no wall I can't break. I'll give it everything!, Yasu gritted his teeth and reached toward Hinata.
"That brat! I'll kill him!"
Chakra erupted from Hiashi, a murderous aura spreading out.
"Guy, take Lord Hiashi away! I'll stay and watch Yasu—don't let him do anything foolish!" Kakashi said gravely.
If this wasn't handled today, Kakashi and Guy would become enemies of the Hyuga clan.
Offending Konoha's largest clan would ensure endless persecution in the village.
Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, had died from similar circumstances.
Yet Kakashi and Guy still trusted Yasu unconditionally.
"Alright, make sure to watch Yasu carefully. He's the future of Konoha Taijutsu; nothing can go wrong!"
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Might Guy nodded slightly, his chakra climbing as his skin gradually turned an unhealthy red—clearly opening the Eight Gates.
"I'll be back!" Hiashi said, watching his daughter Hinata slowly move farther away.
Kakashi exhaled and turned back to watch Yasu, worried he might truly do something reckless.
But that turn made Kakashi's heart nearly leap out of his chest.
"Damn it!"