Chapter 10: Hiashi - Why Is My Little Cotton-Padded Jacket Leaking?
Tears welled in her eyes, gradually blurring her vision.
Hinata bit down hard on her trembling lower lip, slender fingers clutching the corner of the notebook, crumpling the pages into deep creases.
She struggled to suppress her sobs, but her thin shoulders shook uncontrollably. Only now did she begin to vaguely understand why, in that first simulation, the Hyuga clan had walked toward such an extreme ending.
"But... but Father said..."
Though the main family bore the responsibility of protecting and advancing the Hyuga clan, it was precisely because of the branch family's trust and sacrifice that the clan had endured until now.
"So... was that just a lie all along?"
Hinata's voice trembled as crystalline tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
So I'm the fool who deceived even herself?
...
By the time dusk settled and lanterns lit the estate's corridors, Hyuga Hiashi had finally finished the last item of clan business on his scroll. He pressed his tense brow and exhaled a long breath.
A full day of intense focus had left him somewhat fatigued. Only after finishing his work did he belatedly realize he hadn't seen Hinata all day. Not at lunch, not at dinner. Had she gone out to play?
His memory flashed back to the morning training hall—he'd only opened his mouth to say "not bad," and Hinata's overwhelmed delight immediately surfaced in his mind.
Perhaps... he had been too harsh with her in the past.
He stood and walked outside, calling over a maid who was sweeping. "Where is Hinata?"
The maid bowed her head respectfully, voice carrying a trace of caution. "Lord Hiashi, the young miss has kept herself locked in her room since returning from morning practice. She hasn't come out."
Locked in all day... which meant she'd also skipped her afternoon training?
Hiashi's brow furrowed instantly. He waved the maid away and strode toward his daughter's quarters with a stern expression.
He stood before Hinata's sliding paper door. No light shone from within, no sound emerged—only deathly silence.
"Hinata."
He spoke, his voice carrying its usual paternal and clan head authority. Yet no response came from within.
Hiashi waited a moment longer, suppressing his growing impatience before deciding to try a different approach.
"Open this door! As the heir to the Hyuga main family, locking yourself in your room without eating or drinking—what kind of behavior is this?!"
His voice intensified, but what answered him remained that death-like silence.
Hyuga Hiashi called the maid over. "Are you certain Hinata is in her room?"
The maid replied, "Lord Hiashi, I'm certain the door hasn't opened all day."
Hyuga Hiashi slowly raised his hand, as if to force the door open, but his palm stopped mid-air.
Time passed—he wasn't sure how long. The anger in his heart deflated like a punctured balloon, slowly leaking away.
Though they didn't communicate much daily, there was no doubt Hiashi understood his daughter well. Unless something had happened, Hinata would never lock herself away like this—especially not after receiving praise that morning.
He stood outside the door for a long while before finally turning to leave, only saying: "Take care of the young miss. Have food and water prepared and ready at any moment."
"Yes, my lord."
The maid nodded, watching him depart.
Hyuga Hiashi walked all the way to the outer hall and summoned Hinata's guard, Hyuga Kamon.
"Where has the young miss been these past two days? Who has she contacted? What has she heard?"
Hyuga Kamon knelt on one knee. "Last night, the young miss went out alone and encountered harassment from three boys on the street. Following your orders, I did not intervene—only observed."
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly remembered how, during morning practice, Hinata had kept seeking opportunities to attack him. Could that change have been because of this incident?
His tone carried a hint of anticipation as he asked quickly, "What did she do? Did she fight back?"
However, Hyuga Kamon shook his head. "The young miss chose to retreat."
"Retreat—you mean she ran away." Hyuga Hiashi felt immediately disappointed. "What happened next?"
"Those three pursued relentlessly, cornering the young miss in an alley. One of them stuffed a rock inside a snowball. To prevent the young miss from being injured, I prepared to intervene when someone beat me to it."
"The person was Hyuga Kiyonari from the branch family—a child the young miss's age. He must have been out playing and happened to pass by."
As he spoke, Hyuga Kamon's words paused slightly, images from last night surfacing in his mind.
The whole "princess and knight" thing... best not mention that to Lord Hiashi just yet...
He lowered his eyelids, hiding the guilt in his eyes as he continued his calm report. "After Hyuga Kiyonari drove those three away, he accompanied the young miss on a walk through the streets, then later went to Ichiraku Ramen for a late-night meal. To avoid disturbing them, I maintained a certain distance and therefore couldn't hear the content of their conversation."
Even though Hyuga Kamon had employed every linguistic art of subordinate reporting to a superior, at this moment, the cold fury in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes practically became tangible.
To think his daughter had found the courage to throw punches at him because of an outsider...
Wait!
Hyuga Hiashi froze, as if suddenly remembering something. He asked urgently, "Kamon, are there any other children in the clan named Kiyonari?"
"Lord Head, there is only one."
In the fading sunlight, Hyuga Hiashi's expression shifted multiple times between light and shadow. By the time the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, his face had thoroughly darkened.
Hyuga Kiyonari... When he'd gone to discuss matters with the Hokage at noon today, that name had come from the Hokage's own mouth.
The old man had stroked his pipe, making no effort to hide his appreciation for the child, even instructing: "Hiashi, you must protect this child. If Danzo comes demanding him, absolutely refuse. When he's old enough, send him to the ninja academy."
Though unclear about the reasons, since the Hokage had personally instructed him, he would naturally comply. He'd originally planned to seek out this child after finishing his official duties to learn more about the situation. Who could have imagined... this little brat would come jumping out on his own!
And at a time when he couldn't touch him—even though this brat had gone after his daughter!
Damn it!
"What's this child's character and talent like?"
Hyuga Kamon kept his head lowered, unaware of Hyuga Hiashi's psychological turmoil, simply answering honestly. "His character is pure and good. His talent remains unclear. The child's parents are both deceased. He hasn't yet undergone Gentle Fist training—only consciously training his body and building his foundation."
Hyuga Hiashi contemplated for a moment before finally making his decision. "In that case, no need to interfere for now. However, increase the monthly living expenses we provide him slightly. Just say it's..."
"From the Hokage."
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