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Hyuga Hinata: renowned for being able to out-eat nearly anyone. She could even outmatch the Akimichi clan next door when it came to sheer appetite.
(A/N:-In the Naruto epilogue novel Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding, Hinata eat an impressive 46 bowls of ramen at Ichiraku Ramen.)
The Hyuga clan's ancestors were the Ōtsutsuki, known for their vast power and unique bloodlines. In terms of chakra conservation, the purer the bloodline, the harder it was to sustain. And hunger was the body's way of signaling the need for more energy.
But nobody in the Hyuga clan had noticed this about Hinata. She was quiet and introverted, never voicing her needs—not even when she was starving. Without enough food, how could she ever reach her full potential?
Her strength remained untapped.
In her father Hiashi's eyes, Hinata was disappointing. Her talent appeared far inferior to her cousin Neji's, and as the heir to the main family, her quiet demeanor and lack of raw power made her seem weak. It was almost tragic.
Natsume observed Hinata as she ate, a bit of oil smudging the corners of her mouth. He silently pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.
"Here, you missed a spot," he said gently.
Hinata blinked, startled, before taking the tissue with a shy nod. She wasn't used to being cared for like this—especially by him.
Flustered, she dabbed at her mouth and hands, which were still a bit greasy from grabbing the roast chicken with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
When she finally looked up, she noticed Natsume watching her with a knowing smile.
"Are you full?" he asked, though he seemed to already know the answer.
Hinata hesitated. Natsume had once told her she didn't have to pretend around him, so after a pause, she admitted softly, "No, I'm… not."
Natsume let out a quiet sigh. "I didn't bring much with me—only the chicken. But I'll get more later." He kept glancing toward the window, alert. With the Kumogakure delegates around, he couldn't leave her alone, not with Satsuma Yei potentially lurking close by.
Hinata nodded, setting her hands in her lap as she glanced down at her empty plate.
After a moment, something clicked. "Y-you… you came here… just to bring me food?" she asked, her fingers twisting together nervously, a slight blush warming her face.
Her reactions are always so sincere, Natsume thought, amused.
He chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Actually, I saw some of the Hidden Cloud ninja sneaking around, and I figured they might try something. So, I came to check on you."
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at him, stunned. That wasn't what she'd expected.
But soon, that shock turned to gratitude. Once again, he'd saved her.
She gazed at him with pure, honest eyes, her trust shining through. It was… almost unnerving in its earnestness.
"Thank you," Hinata whispered, her gaze dropping shyly after a second.
"You're welcome," Natsume replied, reaching over to pat her head lightly. Her hair was as soft as it looked. Then he had an idea. With a quick seal, he summoned a small slug, no larger than his fist, which appeared in a puff of smoke.
"What's this?" Hinata asked, eyes wide with curiosity as she studied the soft, white creature.
"My summoning beast," Natsume explained. "I'll leave it here to watch over you. If anything happens, it'll alert me. Just keep it hidden, okay?"
Hinata nodded as Natsume moved toward the window. The faint rustle of triggered warning seals reached his ears—Satsuma Yei was near.
Without a word, Natsume slipped out of the window and into the night.
Hinata watched him disappear, her heart suddenly thudding in her chest. Was he going to be okay?
But she looked down at the small slug beside her, and her worry eased. He'd left it here to protect her.
She pressed her hand to her chest, her heartbeat loud. She didn't fully understand the feeling, but one thing was clear—it made her happy.
---
Outside, Natsume caught sight of Satsuma Yei, the leader of the Kumogakure delegation, approaching with quick, purposeful strides. His movements were skilled, but not quite enough to go undetected.
Satsuma Yei's gaze hardened as he spotted Natsume.
"Natsume," he acknowledged, his tone unfriendly. "Lady Tsunade's apprentice."
Natsume blinked. Was his reputation really that far-reaching?
Satsuma had no interest in conversation. With a grim expression, he drew his sword and rushed at Natsume, aiming to cut him down with a swift strike.
But Natsume was ready. In a flash, he summoned the Sword of the Thunder God. Chakra flowed into the blade, illuminating it with a fierce, golden edge.
Satsuma's eyes widened. Natsume's blade sliced through his sword like it was nothing, forcing him to leap back to avoid being cleaved in two.
Natsume didn't let up. He pressed forward, swinging the Thunder God's Sword with precision.
Satsuma dodged, his body flickering with lightning chakra as he bolted toward the exit.
You're not getting away.
Natsume formed a quick hand sign. Water Release: Water Fang Bullet! Spiraling jets of water shot forth, intercepting Satsuma and slowing him down just enough for Hiashi Hyuga and a team of Hyuga guards to appear, surrounding him.
"What's going on?" Hiashi demanded, his Byakugan active as he glared at Satsuma and then looked to Natsume.
Before Natsume could respond, Satsuma sneered. "Your shinobi attacked me! Is Konoha looking to start a war with Kumogakure?"
Natsume met his gaze, incredulous. "I found him sneaking around the inner courtyard," Natsume explained to Hiashi. "He was trying to reach Hinata. I stopped him."
Hiashi's expression darkened, his killing intent palpable. The Hyuga guards tightened their formation around Satsuma.
"I… I was framed!" Satsuma protested, his voice desperate.
"Then explain why you were in the inner courtyard," Natsume shot back, unyielding.
Satsuma faltered. The inner courtyard was reserved for the Hyuga clan's women—there was no excuse for him to be there.
"Take him to the Hokage," Natsume said, looking at Hiashi. "Let Lord Hiruzen decide."
Hiashi gave a single nod, the edge of his fury cooling. Satsuma Yei represented Kumogakure, and any rash decision could incite serious conflict. He gestured to his guards, and the Kumogakure delegates were detained.
As Satsuma was escorted away, a notification echoed in Natsume's mind:
[Hyuga Hizashi's fate has changed. You have earned 80 destiny points.]
[Hyuga Neji's fate has changed. You have earned 29 destiny points.]
[Hinata Hyuga's fate has changed. You have earned 69 destiny points.]
Natsume allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
Now, the only task left for the night was to fetch more food for Hinata.
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A crisis had been averted, thanks to Natsume's swift actions. Yet, no one was aware of his contribution.
His efforts, concealed in the shadows, went unrecognized.
Because of Satsuma Yei's attempt, Hinata Hyūga's birthday celebration had come to an abrupt end. Guests left one by one, awkwardly avoiding conversation.
Continuing to "play music and dance" would have felt inappropriate—borderline oblivious to the danger that had nearly occurred.
Only the slightly drunk Tsunade seemed oblivious to the tension.
"Where's the sake? Why aren't we drinking?" she demanded, raising her cup unsteadily.
Natsume sighed, shaking his head. "Shizune-nee, let's get sensei home."
"Right," Shizune agreed, taking Tsunade's arm to support her as they left the Hyūga compound.
Kabuto Yakushi had already returned to the orphanage to rest.
Once back home, Natsume laid Tsunade on her bed. "Shizune-nee, could you help her get changed?"
He considered handling it himself but decided it was safer to leave it to Shizune—avoiding any awkward misunderstandings.
Leaving the room, Natsume returned to his quarters and summoned a small slug from the Shikkotsu Forest, initiating a visual link.
Through the slug's eyes, he observed without being seen.
Within seconds, his vision synced with the slug's.
It was dim, but as he adjusted, he saw the slug hidden inside a closet at the Hyūga residence.
Through the gap in the closet door, Natsume saw Hinata's mother, Hyuga Rinka, holding her daughter close. The woman's face was pale, with lingering fear—fear of almost losing her child that night.
Natsume sighed. "This situation won't be resolved anytime soon."
He disconnected the visual link, left his room, and dashed to a nearby barbecue restaurant.
"Boss, open up!"
A groggy voice answered from inside. "Who is it? It's late. We're closed."
"One hundred thousand ryo," Natsume said, holding up a finger. "Barbecue for ten people."
The door swung open immediately. The owner grinned as if he'd just seen an old friend. "Why didn't you say so? Come in, come in! I'll start grilling right away!"
Natsume smirked. Money truly did talk.
An hour later, he left with ten bags of steaming food.
"Come again!" the owner called with a wide smile as Natsume disappeared into the night.
Back at his home, Natsume summoned another slug and reconnected to the vision of the first one at the Hyūga house.
Hinata's mother had already left, leaving Hinata alone in her room.
"Kuchiyose: Gyaku Kuchiyose no Jutsu" (Summoning: Reverse Summoning Jutsu).
In a puff of smoke, Natsume appeared in Hinata's room. She sat on the edge of her bed, nodding off, her head bobbing slightly as she tried to stay awake. Despite her drowsiness, she was still waiting for him.
"So patient," Natsume smiled, opening one of the bags. He took out a skewer of grilled meat and held it near her nose.
The scent wafted through the air, and even in her sleep, Hinata licked her lips, a bit of drool forming at the corner of her mouth.
Natsume chuckled softly.
"Too cute."
"Hinata," he whispered softly. After a moment, she stirred, blinking awake. Her eyes widened at the barbecue in front of her, realizing it wasn't a dream.
"Go on, eat," Natsume encouraged, gently wiping away the drool from the corner of her mouth.
Realizing what had happened, Hinata's cheeks flushed bright red, her shyness intensifying her embarrassment.
Natsume only smiled, finding her reaction endearing.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been woken up by a message from the ANBU.
"What did you say?" he muttered groggily before fully waking, his eyes widening.
"The head of the Hyūga clan has detained Satsuma Yei and twelve Kumo shinobi. They're waiting at the Hokage Building."
The news hit him like a shock of cold water.
Hiashi Hyūga… detaining the envoys? What was he thinking? Could this spark conflict again?
Hiruzen dismissed the thought. He knew Hiashi—he wouldn't risk Konoha's peace over personal matters.
Without delay, Hiruzen got dressed and hurried to the Hokage's office.
There, he found Satsuma Yei and the twelve Cloud ninjas in custody, with Hiashi standing guard.
"What happened here?" Hiruzen asked, his expression grim.
Hiashi explained the situation, his tone calm yet unyielding.
Hiruzen's frown deepened. Why had such complications arisen at such a delicate moment in the peace talks? This was troublesome.
His focus, however, was not on Hinata's safety but on Konoha's peace. Another war was the last thing they needed.
"Satsuma, is this how Kumogakure shows its sincerity?" Hiruzen's voice was sharp with displeasure.
Satsuma lowered his head. "This was my fault alone. It does not represent Kumogakure."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Do you expect me to believe that? You're a representative of Kumogakure, and your actions reflect on your village. There will be consequences."
Satsuma quickly replied, "Our village is prepared to make concessions in the negotiations. We're willing to accept the terms proposed by Konoha."
This caught Hiruzen's attention. The terms they'd been negotiating for days—now Kumogakure was suddenly willing to concede?
It was an unexpected advantage for Konoha.
Hiruzen coughed, regaining his composure. "Hiashi, since Hinata wasn't harmed, and Kumogakure is willing to compensate, we'll consider this matter settled."
Hiashi was stunned. "What? Just because Hinata wasn't hurt, you're letting them off?"
Hiruzen's gaze remained steady. "This is for the greater good of Konoha."
Hiashi clenched his fists, feeling a pang of betrayal. Yet, he bowed his head, concealing his disappointment.
"Very well, Hokage-sama," Hiashi replied quietly before turning to leave.
Hiruzen watched him go, then turned back to Satsuma. "Remember, I won't tolerate any more incidents. You're dismissed."
Satsuma bowed low. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. After the agreement is signed tomorrow, we'll return to Kumogakure."
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. Although Hiashi was clearly displeased, this peace deal was too crucial to ignore. He'd handle the Hyūga clan's grievances later; maintaining peace for Konoha was the priority.
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