Chapter 28
The negative thoughts in her heart, due to the passage of time and changed circumstances, could only be hidden deep inside.
Carrying the tray into the room, she gently placed it on the table.
Naruto, lying casually by the table, picked up a pastry and ate it directly.
He smacked his lips as he ate, displaying the utmost disrespect.
At this moment, Naruto's ascendancy and the branch family maid's forced suppression of her negative emotions formed a stark contrast.
Hyuga Natsu, forced to swallow her anger, now looked like a clown.
Of course, Hinata wouldn't think on that level. In her eyes, at this very moment, love was blind. Even if Naruto's lying posture and eating habits perfectly defined a traditional slacker, in her eyes, Narutohad transformed into the most handsome young man.
Only Naruto knew, and Hyuga Natsu knew, and the Nine-Tailed also knew.
The stark difference between their past interactions and their current situation became the ultimate form of torment.
For Hyuga Natsu, every minute and every second spent here was absolute agony.
The 360-degree reversal of circumstances, which she completely failed to understand, made her head feel like it was exploding into a muddled mess.
Yet, she could only maintain her composure and play her role as a maid.
"Mmm, that's really delicious."
The next second, Naruto wiped his mouth, sat up, and reached directly for other food.
Without chopsticks, or a knife and fork, he turned all the food into a "hand-held" meal, which further challenged Hyuga Natsu's emotions.
As an ancient and rigid clan, every member of the Hyuga Clan, from childhood to adulthood, received an education in rules that could only be described as conservative to the extreme.
Hyuga Natsu's forehead began to twitch, but she could only suppress her anger, lowering her gaze to avoid seeing the detestable scene unfolding before her.
"I've never eaten anything this delicious before, wow."
Naruto, with a guileless expression, shared his thoughts on eating at the Hyuga Clan.
"That's great…"
Hinata's small mouth curved into a smile, looking like a silly girl herself.
"This female cub…" The Nine-Tailed rested a paw on its temple, also slumped in the cage behind them, mimicking Naruto's posture.
Lamenting that Naruto had 'eaten the opponent to death' in just a few moves, the Nine-Tailed could only exclaim that Konoha was doomed.
With the stirring of this demon, Uzumaki Naruto, who knew what Konoha would become in the future?
Although the Nine-Tailed was originally just watching the show, enjoying the chaos… and trying to find a way to escape, things had progressed to such an extent that it felt… once Uzumaki Narutogrew up, the entire Ninja World would probably be finished!
And the true intention was not in the wine.
The Nine-Tailed could also tell that Naruto was deliberately provoking this Byakugan branch family maid human.
Comparing the past to the present, how do you feel?
"By the way… if Naruto-kun doesn't go home so late, won't your aunt and uncle worry?"
Hinata subtly shifted her body, looking at the clock on the wall.
It was already past 10 o'clock in the blink of an eye.
"I, Uzumaki Naruto, sprang from a crack in a rock…"
Naruto quickly finished most of the food, then patted his stomach and revealed his origin.
Hinata was slightly stunned after hearing this, taking a few seconds to understand what Narutomeant.
"She actually understood! She really is love-struck…" the Nine-Tailed began to complain.
Humans, with their 'love' and all that, just thinking about it made it nauseous!
The Nine-Tailed felt that it definitely wouldn't be able to sleep tonight because of the disgust.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun…"
When Hinata heard that Naruto had no parents, tears almost welled up in her eyes.
"Naruto-kun… is too pitiful…"
But he was also so strong.
Nine-Tailed: "Heh… seducing a little girl…"
"I'm full, it's time for a bath, I've got a lot of dust on me…"
Naruto patted the food crumbs off himself, scattering them all over the floor.
Then, he gestured to Hyuga Natsu to take him to the bathhouse to wash up.
"Yes…"
Hyuga Natsu, suppressing disgust, anger, hatred… and other emotions, shakily stood up, her steps beginning to waver… Just as Naruto was enjoying himself.
At the Hyuga Clan Residence, in a clan meeting room belonging to the Main Family, a life-and-death discussion was underway.
Tonight's unexpected incident had just been reported by clan members.
It would probably not be half an hour before the Hyuga Clan received orders from the higher-ups.
Before that future arrived, the clan needed to make thorough preparations and responses.
The elder seated at the top was a Main Family Elder of the Hyuga Clan.
Also a member of the Main Family, he was Hyuga Hiashi's senior.
Everyone looked solemn, gazing respectfully at the elderly man, awaiting his reply.
Whenever a major event occurred within the clan, seeking a respected elder to make decisions was absolutely the right course of action.
"Since the matter has already happened, we must accept it…"
After learning the full story, the Main Family Elderpondered for a moment and had already reached a conclusion.
"When the higher-ups question us, we will say that it was a member of our Hyuga Clan who killed the opponents…"
All eight Kumogakure Ninja being killed was no small matter.
Hyuga Hiashi's expression immediately became agitated, and he retorted, "Elder… it was clearly the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who did it, I mean… why should we take all the responsibility ourselves…"
Hyuga Hiashi was naturally very grateful for Naruto's help.
However, the matter was ultimately related to the Hyuga Clan.
After all, the other party intended to abduct Hinataand obtain the Hyuga Bloodline Limit.
It was absolutely impossible to completely distance themselves from it.
"Because that child, Uzumaki Naruto… is the son of the Fourth Hokage…"
The Elder's single sentence silenced all the clan members, including Hiashi.
The Fourth Hokage… Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash.
His status and achievements were top-tier in Konoha.
The courage and merit of the couple sacrificing themselves to protect the Village, ultimately sealing the Nine-Tailed within their own child… no one didn't admire that.
That is to say, no matter what, Konoha's higher-ups would protect Uzumaki Naruto.
If the Hyuga Clan wanted to share the responsibility, it would only give Konoha's higher-ups an excuse, and ultimately, it would be the Hyuga who suffered.
Therefore, the Hyuga had to bear this burden alone, no matter what.
Whether it was or wasn't, it just was!
"I understand, Elder…"
Hyuga Hiashi's expression dimmed slightly.
If the higher-ups wanted to act against the Hyuga, then the current opportunity would be the most suitable.
No matter what, the Hyuga Clan could only express their utmost loyalty… Not long after.
"Naruto-kun, we're here…"
Hyuga Natsu stopped in her tracks, her voice involuntarily trembling.
It was clear that she was forcefully suppressing her true thoughts.
Fortunately, Naruto didn't intend to expose her or embarrass her.
At least for now… he had no such intention tonight.
As if the past unpleasantness had never occurred, Naruto looked at the illuminated interior of the bathroom and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wealthy families really are different… they even have specialized large bathrooms…"
He casually stepped inside and began to survey his surroundings.
"I'll go run the hot water, Naruto-kun, please wait a moment…"
Hyuga Natsu quickly moved, her tone becoming slightly more normal.
Since Naruto didn't bring it up, she certainly wouldn't seek discomfort herself.
She only hoped to finish everything quickly and then get away from Naruto.
When she reached the end and began to fill the bathtub with water… Naruto, on his side, also made rustling movements.
Splash… water flowed, steam rose.
When Hyuga Natsu turned around, intending to ask Naruto if he had any additional requests, the scene she witnessed made the pretty branch family maid freeze in place.
In the dim light, Naruto's shadow was cast on the wall.
Along with it, a monstrous form had awakened.
The shadow of the monster, pulsating and twitching, was so hideous and terrifying.
It surpassed the size of any monster Hyuga Natsuhad ever known.
It was an absolute nightmare!
Without considering what the branch family maid, stunned in place, was thinking at that moment, Naruto merely slowly stepped forward, passing by her with an extremely arrogant walking posture.
Finally… he entered the bathtub and began to comfortably soak in the hot water… Chapter 23: A Rapidly Changing Situation
Late at night.
Konoha, completely silent.
While most villagers were deep in slumber, the eight bodies displayed at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Residence plunged the Village into a whirlpool of public opinion.
Konoha's higher-ups, who had rushed to the scene, gazed at the eight corpses covered with white cloths.
They had a fierce dispute with the four Kumogakure officials who had also arrived.
Finally, the four officials declared that they would immediately report this matter to the Raikage, and that Konoha should await the wrath of the Land of Lightning!
Watching their hurried departure.