Chapter 45: A Visit to the Hyuga
That evening, Naruto arrived at the imposing gates of the Hyuga compound.
The two Branch Family guards stationed there immediately stepped forward, blocking his path. "Uzumaki Naruto. State your business."
Naruto offered a polite smile. "I'm here to see Hinata. Could you please announce me?"
The guards exchanged a glance, hesitated briefly, then one of them gave a curt nod and hurried inside.
Naruto waited at the threshold. After a short while, a tall, stern-faced man with the distinctive pale eyes of the Hyuga emerged. It was Hiashi Hyuga, head of the clan and Hinata's father.
Seeing Naruto, a flicker of surprise passed through Hiashi's eyes before his expression smoothed into its usual inscrutable mask. "I was told you wished to see Hinata."
"Yes. I heard she was seriously injured in her match today. Is she alright?" Naruto asked directly.
"Hinata is… recovering," Hiashi replied, his tone measured. He studied Naruto for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. "If you wish to see her, you may enter." He stepped aside, gesturing for Naruto to follow.
Naruto smiled slightly, a little surprised. He's being surprisingly civil. He'd expected more resistance due to his status.
What Naruto didn't realize was that his standing in Konoha had subtly shifted. The Third Hokage's open patronage, coupled with the undeniable strength and composure he'd displayed during the exams, had caused many of the village's elders and clan heads to reassess him. To a pragmatist like Hiashi, a Jinchuriki with powerful abilities and the Hokage's favor was not a pariah, but a potential asset—or a future power to be acknowledged.
He followed Hiashi through the serene, meticulously maintained courtyards to Hinata's room.
Her chamber was simple, clean, and orderly. Hinata lay on a futon, deeply asleep, her face pale against the dark fabric.
"Hinata's heart was bruised during the battle," Hiashi explained quietly, a rare hint of paternal concern softening his voice. "The medics stabilized her in time, so there is no lasting danger. But it is a severe injury. A full recovery will take more than a month."
Naruto walked over and knelt by her bedside. Looking at her peaceful, pain-free expression, a pang of sympathy shot through him. So stubborn. She should have yielded sooner. He watched her for a few minutes, assuring himself she was stable, then stood.
"Alright. Since she's resting peacefully, I'll take my leave. I'll visit again."
Hiashi offered a polite, formal nod. "Thank you for your concern, Naruto-kun. I will see you out."
Naruto returned the nod and turned to leave. He was crossing the main courtyard when a high-pitched, indignant cry rang out behind him.
Simultaneously, a rush of air warned of an attack aimed at his back.
Naruto's brow furrowed slightly. A sneak attack, here?
In one fluid motion, he pivoted, his hand snapping out to catch the wrist behind the strike.
He looked down. A girl of about seven or eight stood before him, her small face set in a fierce scowl, the Byakugan active in her eyes.
"So you're the Uzumaki Naruto!" she declared, yanking her arm free.
"I am. And you are?" Naruto asked, though he already had a suspicion.
"Hmph! So you're the one who stole my sister's heart! You don't look like much!" Hanabi Hyuga huffed, planting her hands on her hips.
Naruto blinked, momentarily taken aback. Hinata's feelings are that obvious? Even her little sister knows?
"My sister writes about you in her diary all the time! But you're not even handsome! If you think you're worthy of her, you've got another think coming!" Hanabi continued, her expression a mix of outrage and profound disappointment.
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. This kid is something else.
"Hey now, isn't it a bit much for a kid your age to be worrying about this? And reading your sister's private diary is wrong, you know," he chided gently.
"Hmph! A guy like you isn't qualified to lecture me! Prove you're strong! Fight me!" Incensed, Hanabi launched herself at him without another word.
Naruto felt a mild headache coming on. Where did this little firecracker come from? He decided a small lesson was in order. Reading diaries and picking fights with visitors was out of line.
Hanabi's form, however, was impressively precise for her age. Her Gentle Fist stances, footwork, and evasive shifts were arguably more polished than Hinata's had been at that age. It was clear where Hiashi's primary focus for the clan's future lay.
Naruto effortlessly weaved through her attacks, a relaxed smile on his face, his thoughts drifting. Hiishi really has invested heavily in this one.
After a minute, Hanabi was breathing heavily, having failed to so much as graze Naruto's clothes. He stood perfectly calm, as if he'd never moved.
Scene Thirteen: A Gentle Lesson
Naruto's ease only stoked Hanabi's frustration. Her father had hinted this guy was strong, maybe even stronger than her sister! So why did he just dodge? Why wouldn't he fight?
"You! Why do you only run?!" she shouted, stamping her foot.
Naruto smiled, adopting a mock-instructive tone. "Little one, you can't even hit me when I'm not trying. What do you think would happen if I did? My advice is to save this energy for sparring with your sister. Be humble."
"Hmph! I don't need your advice!" Infuriated by his condescending tone, Hanabi gathered herself for another charge.
But at that moment, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the air. "That is enough, Hanabi. Stand down."
Hiashi Hyuga appeared between them in a flash, his presence instantly halting his younger daughter.
Hanabi immediately retreated a step, her head bowing in instinctive deference, though her white eyes still shot daggers at Naruto over her father's shoulder. Her dissatisfaction was palpable.
Seeing that stubborn, competitive glare, Naruto was oddly reminded of Sasuke. Geniuses and their pride… it really does look the same.
"Naruto, my daughter is young and impulsive. My apologies for the disturbance. I will speak with her," Hiashi said, his voice returning to its usual polite cadence.
"Not at all. She's just spirited. No harm done," Naruto replied with an easy smile. "I'll be on my way, then."
"Hmph, I'm not that young!" Hanabi muttered under her breath, unable to resist.
Naruto just waved and turned to leave. Hiashi remained, watching Naruto's retreating back, his mind churning.
He treated Hanabi's Gentle Fist like a child's game. She is proficient for her age, yet he didn't even need to counter. Not a single touch. To achieve that… his skill has already reached Jonin level. Elite Jonin, perhaps. The thought was staggering. How is this possible? Even with the Nine-Tails… his personal aptitude is monstrous.