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Shiki glanced at Hiashi, picked up the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.
It's a pity that it wasn't plum wine—the taste was off.
Hiashi shook his head slightly.
It was really a waste of good tea to drink it like that.
"Uncle Hiashi," Shiki looked at his tense face and asked, "Do you want to be Hokage?"
Hiashi started coughing violently.
This is a sensitive topic that shouldn't be touched.
Since the founding of Konoha, those who became Hokage were either the Hokage's apprentices or brothers.
The water here runs too deep—everyone knows that the Hyuga clan can't grasp it.
"Don't be ridiculous," Hiashi said, worried Shiki might be getting too bold. "I meant your teacher."
"My teacher has no intentions for now," Shiki replied, shaking his head.
"For now?" Hiashi's eyes sharpened, catching the key point.
"No one can predict what will happen in the future," Shiki said vaguely.
In the original story, there were two reasons why Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage.
One was that Sarutobi Hiruzen died at the hands of Orochimaru, continuing the tradition of the Hokage being slain by their students.
Second, she was inspired by Naruto, overcame her hemophobia, and regained her confidence.
Tsunade currently doesn't have the necessary bonds, so it's likely difficult for her to be interested in the position of Hokage at this moment.
Shiki's thought was that you couldn't rush things; it must be taken step by step.
For Tsunade, being Hokage held a special significance.
She wasn't ignoring it completely, just hiding her interest for now.
Hiashi fell into deep thought.
Shiki's answer was useful, but not overly enlightening.
He hesitated for a few seconds but ultimately refrained from stating his true intentions.
As the clan patriarch, it would be shameful to surrender first.
"If Lady Tsunade has any new thoughts, please let me know," Hiashi said, watching Shiki toy with his tea.
"Of course," Shiki responded, giving his future father-in-law some face.
And truthfully, an alliance between them would be all benefit, no harm.
Hiashi nodded slightly.
Despite the earlier scare, this kid still seemed reliable.
"Anything else?" Shiki set his teacup down.
He had come here today to deliver the white pig Gu to Hinata.
With that done, sticking around felt like a waste of time—he'd rather return home to train.
"No," Hiashi watched him leave.
Once Shiki was gone, Hiashi finished his tea slowly.
"Tell the kitchen to prepare meals for nine people," Hiashi instructed as he rose and walked to the door. "Once it's ready, bring Hinata here."
According to Shiki, Hinata was likely hungry since she hadn't eaten much that morning.
"Yes, Patriarch," the attendant on his left responded immediately.
Hiashi returned to his seat, holding his teacup thoughtfully.
Not only Shiki but also Hinata had turned out to be beyond his expectations.
Hiashi sighed deeply.
He felt like an incompetent brother and an incompetent father.
---
At the Senju residence.
"Teacher," Shiki stepped into the living room.
"Your business is done?" Tsunade, watching TV, glanced up.
"Thank you, teacher," Shiki said, unsurprised.
Given Tsunade's status, securing a Thunder God Sword was a simple task for her.
"And one more thing," Tsunade added with a bit of pride in her voice. "Your mission to stop Aoi has been classified as A-rank and added to your mission file."
Shiki hadn't expected such a reward.
Even before graduating from the academy, having an A-rank mission under his belt was a significant achievement.
---
Half an hour later, in Hiashi's study.
"Father," Hinata greeted, kneeling opposite her father.
She glanced at the large platter of food and had her suspicions.
It wasn't even noon yet.
And her father rarely ate this much.
"Eat," Hiashi instructed, though he made no move to do so himself.
Clearly, the food wasn't meant for him.
Hinata hesitated for a few moments before picking up the chopsticks.
She didn't eat fast.
But Hiashi was patient, watching with a mix of emotions as time passed.
He didn't fully understand, but he was certainly shocked.
It turned out that Shiki had told him the truth.
"I'm... I'm done," Hinata mumbled, putting down her chopsticks, her head lowered.
It was the first time she had eaten so much in front of her father, leaving her feeling nervous and embarrassed.
But she didn't ask any questions, trusting Shiki entirely.
"How was the taste?" Hiashi asked with a rare smile.
Hinata was momentarily stunned.
In her memory, her father had always been dignified and strict, rarely showing such kindness.
She couldn't help but feel confused.
Why was her father pleased instead of angry?
"Shiki-kun is amazing," Hinata murmured softly.
Hiashi's smile froze for a moment.
"It tasted good. Very delicious," Hinata quickly corrected herself, coming back to her senses.
"Are you full?" Hiashi asked, his tone still gentle.
"Yes, Father," Hinata nodded.
"Rest for an hour, and then I'll practice soft boxing with you," Hiashi said after thinking for a moment.
He had been very disappointed with Hinata before, so he had focused his training efforts on someone else.
Since then, he rarely taught her directly.
"Yes!" Hinata replied, her voice filled with excitement.
She didn't think too much about it—she was simply happy.
It had been a long time since she'd practiced with her father.
Hiashi smiled slightly.
Shiki was impressive, but in the end, Hiashi felt he understood his own daughter better.
After all, she was his child. He couldn't always favor an outsider.
---
An hour later, the two arrived at the courtyard.
"Activate your Byakugan," Hiashi instructed, assuming the starting stance for the gentle fist.
He didn't need to activate his own Byakugan to spar with Hinata.
With his strength, it wasn't necessary.
"Open!" Meridians appeared around Hinata's eyes.
"Come at me," Hiashi said calmly.
Hinata nodded.
The next second, she closed the distance with impressive speed, crossing her palms and launching a direct strike.
Hiashi raised his elbow casually to block.
But the moment their hands met, his expression shifted slightly, and chakra surged through his body.
He stepped back half a step, eyeing Hinata in shock.
The strength behind her palms had increased several times, carrying a surprising amount of power.
Hinata blinked, confused.
'When did my strength increase so much?'
"When did you start feeling stronger?" Hiashi asked, suddenly realizing a possibility.