Chapter 24
... on the outside corridor.
"Clan Leader, Lady Hinata is ready..."
Hyuga Natsu greeted Hyuga Hiashi and other members of the Main Family who had also changed into new clothes.
The latter nodded and instructed Hyuga Natsu to go to the Konoha entrance to participate in the welcoming ceremony.
Although the entire Hyuga Clan was unable to attend due to the Main Family's eldest daughter's birthday, this did not mean that no one would be sent to gather information.
Being well-rounded is a fundamental skill a clan needs to survive.
"Yes." Hyuga Natsu nodded, immediately accepting the order.
"Then... let's go too."
Hyuga Hiashi led the clan members and quickly left the Main Family residence... When Hyuga Natsu arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Residence,
a certain prying gaze from outside caught her attention.
In terms of 'visual insight', no one is stronger than the Hyuga Clan.
So, facing this gaze, the very sensitive Hyuga Natsu immediately glanced over.
"Hm?! Isn't that..."
In her line of sight, that sneaky figure was constantly peeking into the Hyuga Clan Residence.
"Uzumaki Naruto?!"
Chapter 19: The Disgusted Maid, Hyuga Natsu
"Uzumaki Naruto..."
Hyuga Natsu stopped at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Residence, glaring with displeasure at the peeper in the distance.
His sneaky and clumsy appearance deepened her dissatisfaction.
The Nine-Tailed brat, Uzumaki Naruto, the culprit who caused severe damage to Konoha back then.
Like most villagers, in Hyuga Natsu's eyes, he was the embodiment of evil.
"Hello, Maid Onee-san~."
Naruto, having been discovered, cautiously emerged from the bushes.
This reserved demeanor did not evoke any pity in Hyuga Natsu.
As Naruto approached, the disgust in her white eyes almost overflowed.
Shadows covered the face of the Hyuga Branch Family maid.
The cold light in her eyes made Naruto stop involuntarily.
The difference in age and height created a condescending gaze.
Hyuga Natsu, two years older than Yūgao Uzuki, had grown into a graceful young woman with a well-developed figure.
Over her dark, casual kimono, the pure white maid uniform perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure.
Even though her attire was extremely conservative, even bordering on old-fashioned, it somehow exuded a very alluring aura.
Coupled with that expression of extreme disdain, Naruto's heart... slowly began to undergo certain changes.
"Hm?"
For the Nine-Tailed, the dark sewer suddenly became a little brighter.
This usually meant the host's adrenaline was pumping, or rather... he was gradually getting excited.
Why get excited?
Even after living for 1,000 years, the Nine-Tailedstill had many things it didn't understand.
There's an XP (experience point) called, 'the more disgusted they are, the more excited I get'.
Of course, Naruto wouldn't explain.
"Excuse me, is Hinata home?"
Naruto scratched his head, feigning shyness.
"That morning, I saw you, Onee-san, taking Hinatashopping on the Shopping Street..."
"Stop!"
Naruto was interrupted by Hyuga Natsu before he could finish.
Today was a special day.
Almost all the villagers of Konoha had gone to watch Kumogakure's diplomatic team.
The Hyuga Clan members, on the other hand, were celebrating Hinata's birthday internally.
Therefore... this place was empty, and only the two standing at the entrance brought a little life to the spot.
Hyuga Natsu, who had no desire to listen to Naruto speak, had no intention of showing him any kindness.
Why should she be nice to the 'Nine-Tailed Fox' who everyone reviled?
"Lady Hinata's name is not something someone like you is qualified to utter...!"
Lady Hinata is the heir to the Hyuga Clan's Main Family.
What is this Nine-Tailed Fox, Uzumaki Naruto?
He is absolutely not qualified to associate with Lady Hinata.
"Leave here immediately! And... don't you dare approach Lady Hinata again!"
"Eh? But..."
Naruto immediately looked flustered.
Sweat subtly seeped from his forehead, making him appear very awkward and small.
Hyuga Natsu: "No 'buts'! Leave immediately! This is your last warning!"
Swish.
As her feet scraped the ground,
the Hyuga maid immediately assumed a Gentle Fist starting stance.
Gentle Fist warning!
At this moment, her expression of disgust was almost at its peak.
Even the Nine-Tailed, who had lived for countless years, had never seen such a disgusted posture!
"Heh..."
However, the Nine-Tailed yawned, not worried at all.
Because from beginning to end, it knew very well that Naruto was acting.
Deliberately showing weakness, then luring people into a trap.
It was like that with Yūgao Uzuki, and now this human female named Hyuga Natsu had also fallen into the trap set by that brat, Naruto.
"She's done for..." Without even thinking, the Nine-Tailed roughly guessed Hyuga Natsu's fate.
"O-okay..."
Naruto feigned disappointment and immediately walked away.
Because he was warned by Gentle Fist, and was too'scared', Naruto even 'accidentally' tripped, almost falling down!
Watching Naruto's disheveled appearance, Hyuga Natsu's mood eased slightly.
"Hmph!"
She snorted, dropping her stance.
With stiff but dignified steps, she quickly left the area... Naruto, having walked a little further, casually found a bush and squatted down.
Naruto intended to stay squatting there until night.
"This is called... 'waiting by the stump for a rabbit'..."
"What does that mean?" The bored Nine-Tailedchimed in.
"Nine-Tailed, you need to read more~."
Nine-Tailed: "..."
..."Clan Leader..."
"Congratulations, congratulations..."
Inside the Hyuga Clan Residence.
Between the Main Family and Branch Family compounds, there was an insurmountable barrier.
In this vacant space,
members of the Main Family and Branch Family met.
Hyuga Hizashi, Hyuga Hiashi's younger brother, also dressed in new clothes.
He, along with his Branch Family companions, offered congratulations to his elder brother.
The small boy standing beside Hyuga Hizashi had a delicate face.
The adults' conversation failed to capture his attention.
"Dad... she's so beautiful..."
Neji looked up at his father, his words naturally referring to the Main Family's eldest daughter... his cousin, Hyuga Hinata.
"..."
Hyuga Hizashi's expression was incredibly complex in response to his son's words.
Because... "Then, Hizashi, this child Neji, and the other children, we will take care of them..."
Hyuga Hiashi, with a stern face, announced the future of Neji and the other children.
These eligible Branch Family children would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal, thereby completely losing their freedom.
Neji, still unaware of his fate, just walked over happily.
His smiling face kept watching Hinata.
But at this moment, Hinata was a little melancholic.
She had secretly activated her Byakugan earlier, taking a peek outside the Hyuga Clan Residence, and happened to spot A Xia scolding Naruto.
First, she was surprised by Naruto-kun's arrival.
Then, she was saddened by Naruto's disheveled retreat.
"A Xia... why do you all treat Naruto-kun~ like this?"
This scene... deeply pained her.
Not long after.
Neji followed the Main Family members to the Main Family residence.
In a special room, after being subjected to the 'Caged Bird Seal', the dark green cursed seal permanently appeared on his forehead.
He casually wrapped his forehead with a white medical bandage.
Neji walked out of the room and saw his father, who had come to meet him.