After everyone greeted each other, the group sat down. Noticing how Rinne kept glancing at his own two daughters as if wanting to speak, Hiashi opened his mouth first:
"Lord Hoshiyomi, children at this age love to play. Keeping them sitting beside us will only make things dull for them. Why don't we let your son and daughter go outside with Hinata and the others? We adults can talk among ourselves."
This suggestion matched Tsunade's intentions exactly. She glanced at Hinata and Hanabi, who were quietly sneaking looks at her children, and gently tapped her kids' backs:
"Then listen to Uncle Hiashi. Go play outside, and get along well with them."
...
With the children sent out to the courtyard to "build relationships," only four adults remained.
Hiashi studied the expressions on Hoshiyomi and Tsunade's faces and cautiously asked:
"I wonder what business brings the two of you here today?"
Hoshiyomi looked toward his wife — a look that clearly asked if they should bring up the Hanabi–Ryūshin matter directly.
Tsunade considered for a moment, then smiled at Hiashi and said outright:
"It's nothing urgent. Not long ago, I happened to hear that Minato's child, Naruto, seems to have a fondness for Hinata.
"As Naruto's aunt, I thought that since we were passing nearby today, we might as well stop by and ask if Clan Head Hiashi knew about this. And also see what Hinata herself thinks.
"The two of them will graduate next year — they're practically young adults already. I was thinking that if both sides feel the same, perhaps we could let them try interacting more."
Hearing this, Hiashi froze. He had assumed they came on behalf of Konoha's leadership, perhaps to deliver some official message.
But it turned out… they came to arrange a match for his daughter?
However, once the initial shock passed, Hiashi's eyes lit up sharply — because no matter how he looked at it, this was good news.
Since Hanabi had surpassed Hinata early on, he honestly hadn't been paying much attention to Hinata's personal life. He'd only heard occasional reports that Hinata would daydream from time to time. He never imagined she might actually be thinking about romance.
If she had feelings for an ordinary child, he probably would have needed to "correct" her.
But now… well…
How should he put it?
His eldest may not have great talent, but her taste in choosing people was surprisingly excellent.
The son of the Fifth Hokage — if his daughter truly had feelings for that boy, then this marriage was well worth considering. He had always thought Hinata was still too young, and had never really thought about arranging her future. But Tsunade's reminder made him realize his daughter was already twelve. If marriage was to be discussed, Naruto genuinely was an outstanding candidate.
Naruto was no longer that pitiful, widely disliked troublemaker from the original story.
In terms of status, even Boruto's grandfather in Boruto would have to step aside.
Behind Naruto stood not only the Fifth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, but an entire Uzumaki clan — whose strength was nearly equal to the Hyūga clan.
And adding Hoshiyomi and Tsunade's connection on top of that…
There wasn't a second young man in all of Konoha who could match him as a son-in-law.
In just an instant, Hiashi made up his mind:
As long as Hinata sincerely liked Naruto, he — as her father — would fully agree.
Without hesitation, Hiashi spoke his thoughts directly:
"That is indeed my negligence as a father. Hinata has never mentioned this to me. Regarding her marriage, my stance has always been that as long as she truly likes the person, everything else is fine.
"Since Lady Tsunade has brought this up, why don't I call Hinata over right now and ask her? If she shows signs of liking Naruto, then I as her father will absolutely not interfere in their relationship."
Hiashi added, "We can just let the young ones spend some time together and see how things go."
Beside him, Hizashi kept nodding with a warm smile. He treated his two nieces almost like his own daughters. Hearing that someone liked Hinata — and that this potential son-in-law had such a high status — he was extremely satisfied.
Seeing that his eldest niece might have an excellent future partner, he was genuinely happy as her uncle.
Without waiting for Hiashi to say anything, he stood up immediately:
"I'll go call our Hinata over and ask her right away."
Receiving Hiashi's approving nod, he quickly left to find Hinata.
...
While the adults were discussing Hinata and Naruto, in the courtyard outside, little Rinne was—coincidentally—asking Hinata the exact same question.
In the courtyard, the five children sat in a small circle. Neji felt he had little in common with these children who were much younger than him, but out of responsibility as the older brother figure, he quietly stayed nearby to make sure no conflicts broke out.
But right after they sat down, Rinne dropped a bombshell.
Being the doted-on child of the Gekko household, Rinne had grown up pampered. She wasn't spoiled, but she was overly innocent and carefree.
The slightly airheaded girl skipped all pleasantries and leaned toward Hinata with a bright grin:
"Hinata-nee, do you know Naruto-nii?"
Hinata, who had been sitting shyly with a polite, ladylike smile, jolted like she'd been struck by lightning the moment she heard that name.
Her pale face instantly flushed crimson. That cheerful blond boy's image sprang into her mind, and even imagining his smile made steam practically puff from her ears.
Seeing Rinne's smiling face so close, Hinata felt both flustered and oddly alarmed.
Why is this child Rinne talking to me about Naruto-kun right away?
Could it be that this very cute little girl also likes Naruto-kun?!
Big crisis!
With that thought, the timid Hinata suddenly gathered courage and said:
"Of course I know Naruto-kun. We're classmates… and—and we're very good… fr-friends."
She started strong, but her voice grew softer and softer, until the word friends came out almost like a mosquito's whisper, uncertain and guilty.
Am I really good friends with Naruto-kun? I don't think Naruto-kun has specifically said that I'm his good friend.
Does that mean... Naruto-kun has some kind of relationship with this little girl?
So this girl named Rinne is here to... brag to me?
Hinata suddenly cast herself into a Cinderella-style tragic fantasy, and her whole mood sank in an instant.