Hoshiyomi was first delighted when he heard Naruto say he liked Hinata, but then he became genuinely surprised.
Wasn't it true that, in the original story, Naruto didn't pay the slightest attention to Hinata at this stage—thinking of her only as a normal friend?
How did things change so much after his transmigration? He hadn't even tried to interfere, yet Naruto ended up falling for Hinata on his own?
Before Hoshiyomi could voice the doubt in his heart, Tsunade asked the question for him. Smiling, she looked at Naruto and said:
"Come on, tell your Aunt Tsunade—why did you start liking the little Hinata from the Hyūga clan?"
Naruto's cheeks turned red. He scratched his head embarrassedly:
"Because I found out Hinata secretly watches me train sometimes. One time, I couldn't help asking her why she was spying on me. And she said it was because I saved her when we were little, and she wanted to repay me… but was too shy to say it.
I don't even remember something like that… but after that day, I started noticing her.
Hinata is really special.
She's nothing like those girls who force themselves to talk to me. She's polite, but also super shy for no reason. Even when I talk to her first, her face always turns all red…"
Hearing Naruto say this, Hoshiyomi couldn't help sighing.
So this is the self-correcting power of the world's protagonist?
Even though their life circumstances had already changed so much because of him, fate still made the hero-save-beauty event happen.
Seeing Naruto still fidgeting shyly, little Rinne suddenly tugged his sleeve and innocently asked:
"Then, Naruto-nii, when are you going to confess to Hinata?"
"Eh?"
The sudden question made Naruto freeze, then he waved his hands frantically, face burning:
"Don't say it like that! I'm not ready yet! And… and I don't even know what Hinata thinks of me. How can I just confess out of nowhere?!"
Tsunade reached over and pinched his cheek:
"Leave it to your Aunt Tsunade. Give me a little time, and I'll help you find out, okay?"
As she spoke, she exchanged a knowing glance with Hoshiyomi. The meaning was obvious:
After years of retirement, the legendary matchmaking duo was about to return to action.
...
After dinner, Naruto and the others had already gone home. Hoshiyomi planned to watch Ryūshin's sword training for a bit before going to bed early.
At that moment, Tsunade walked in with a mysterious expression:
"Dear, what do you think about visiting the Hyūga compound right now?"
Hoshiyomi blinked:
"You're that invested in Naruto and Hinata's relationship? You just heard about it this afternoon, and you're already thinking of investigating it tonight?"
Tsunade glanced at Ryūshin—still swinging his sword in the courtyard—and lowered her voice:
"Naruto and Hinata are only part of it. What Naruto said reminded me: Hinata has a younger sister, Hanabi, who's about six years old this year.
I heard she's just as pretty as her sister, and insanely talented too. So I thought… if we're already planning to help Naruto and Hinata, why not take this chance to let Ryūshin and Hanabi meet as well? You never know—maybe we'll get a pleasant surprise."
Hoshiyomi's eyes lit up.
Right, how could I forget Hanabi?
The girl who was jokingly called "the little sister-in-law" by fans in his previous life, and whose looks in Boruto certainly weren't lacking.
He even met her once back in that world—she was lively and energetic. Hearing Tsunade bring her up now, Hoshiyomi couldn't help thinking:
Hanabi really might be a perfect candidate for a future daughter-in-law.
Thinking of it that way, even Hoshiyomi felt tempted.
Seeing the eager expression on his wife's face, Hoshiyomi silently nodded. He called out to Ryūshin, who was still training hard in the courtyard:
"Ryūshin, that's enough training for today. Go take a shower and change your clothes—we're heading out together."
Ryūshin lowered his practice blade and looked at his overly excited parents.
For some reason, he sensed a strong smell of conspiracy.
"Where are we going?"
He studied his parents carefully, ready to crush any suspicious plan in its cradle the moment something felt off.
At times like this, Tsunade—as the mom—understood her son best. She casually said:
"Didn't I promise your Naruto-nii this afternoon that I'd help him find out what Hinata thinks of him? Aren't you curious whether Hinata likes Naruto or not?"
Tsunade said it in a relaxed tone, but her voice was just loud enough that Rinne in her room heard every word clearly.
A moment later, Rinne burst out of her room and shouted excitedly:
"I want to go too! I want to hear whether Hinata-oneechan likes Naruto-nii!"
Seeing his younger sister's excited look, Ryūshin swallowed the many excuses he had prepared. With three votes against one, he had no choice but to go.
Well, in that case, he might as well go. He was a bit curious about Naruto and Hinata anyway.
And it was just gathering information about Naruto and Hinata—it shouldn't have anything to do with him… right?
So, before the last rays of sunset disappeared, the family of four arrived at the Hyūga compound.
—Meanwhile—
Inside the Hyūga Clan Head's residence, Hiashi and Hizashi were speaking in a quiet room.
"Brother, is there really no way? You've seen Neji's talent for yourself. His talent is outstanding—perhaps unparalleled in the entire Hyūga clan.
Neji also has a good temperament. He respects both Hinata and Hanabi. I'm certain he would never disrespect either of his cousins. Can't we please remove Neji's Caged Bird Seal?"
Hiashi massaged his temples in frustration. Looking at the anxious Hizashi, he truly wanted to agree.
But his rational mind told him he couldn't.
The Main Family–Branch Family system had existed since the Warring States era.
For nearly a thousand years, it had been Hyūga tradition for the Main Family to brand the Branch Family with the Caged Bird Seal.
It existed not only to prevent the Byakugan from being stolen, but also to maintain internal stability and prevent infighting within the clan.
Hiashi knew everything Hizashi said was true. The two brothers had never argued in all these years—not even when Hizashi himself was branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
He also knew that Hizashi had raised Neji well. With Neji's personality, he would never harm Hinata or Hanabi.
But knowing that didn't change the fact that, as the clan head, he couldn't just remove Neji's seal.
Too many things were tied to it—not just Main vs. Branch tradition, but the stability of the entire Hyūga clan.