Samoya and the others knew they weren't welcome, so they found a remote spot to sit.
The others glanced at them a few times but paid no further attention.
This was the Hidden Konoha, not the Hidden Cloud Village.
Just a few Cloud ninjas—would they dare cause trouble?
Even if they did, look at the ninjas all around; if they made a move, their hands would be chopped off.
Half an hour later, all the guests had arrived, and the birthday banquet officially began.
Before eating, there was Hiashi's speech.
It was the usual "Thank you all for taking the time to come, eat and drink well" kind of thing.
After that, the star of the banquet made her appearance.
Hinata.
She was wearing a kimono today, looking quite cute.
Especially with her shy expression.
But Hiashi frowned.
This timid, hesitant demeanor really infuriated him.
Look at Neji—at three years old, his performance even made Hiashi a bit jealous of Hizashi.
If only he'd been born into the main family—how great that would be.
No, let's have another child.
That thought suddenly popped into Hiashi's mind.
Previously, he hadn't been willing.
Because of the Hyuga clan's rules, the main family could only have one per generation.
For example, he and Hizashi were brothers, but he was the main family, so Hizashi had to be branded with the Caged Bird seal.
If Hiashi gave up on Hinata, it would mean she'd become a branch family member, with a curse seal on her forehead, her fate in someone else's hands.
He hated the Caged Bird, but he was a beneficiary of it, unable to defy the rules, let alone abolish it.
Hinata stammered a couple of sentences, and Hiashi quickly took over, announcing that they could start eating.
Tsunade immediately picked up the sake jug, poured a cup, took a sip, and her eyes lit up.
It really was fine sake.
Because of her debts, the sake she usually drank was cheap stuff.
Later, after Natsume started earning money, he bought better sake.
But the Hyuga clan's stored sake was obviously more precious—who knows how many years it had been aged? The flavor was exceptionally mellow.
Natsume picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and tossed it into his mouth.
Not bad.
The Hyuga clan was the most traditional ninja clan in the Konoha, maintaining an aristocratic style in everything they did.
Even the food was like that.
Natsume turned his head and saw Tsunade had already downed several cups, so he said, "Don't just drink; eat some food too."
He was worried she'd get drunk and say something crazy, leading to social death.
Tsunade glanced at him and obediently picked up her chopsticks.
But even so, she gradually got tipsy and drank more and more.
When it came to drinking, Natsume couldn't stop her.
Halfway through, the night had grown deep.
Hinata had long since left with her mother, Rinka.
But the guests were still enjoying the lively banquet.
Natsume suddenly narrowed his eyes—the two tables from the Hidden Cloud Village were missing one person: Samoya.
"Shizune, take care of Sensei. I'm going to the bathroom."
He quickly stood up, then paused and grabbed a plate of roasted chicken from the table.
"…?"
Shizune and Yakushi Kabuto exchanged glances, full of confusion.
Going to the bathroom, and you're bringing food? What are you doing?
You're acting weird.
Natsume left the hall, formed hand seals with both hands, and transformed into a Hyuga ninja.
He carefully sneaked toward the inner courtyard.
Sure enough, because of the banquet, security was more lax than usual.
After all, most of the Hyuga clan members were in the hall drinking.
Natsume scanned around but didn't spot Samoya—he must be using some kind of stealth technique.
In that case, find Hinata first.
He'd done his homework before coming and knew the general location.
Once he reached the area, he realized it was a bit hasty—there was a row of buildings.
"Rich folks, huh."
Natsume muttered as he approached the windows of the rooms, planning to check them one by one.
Luckily, his luck was good; in the third room, he spotted Hinata.
He hesitated for a few seconds, then flipped through the window.
This was saving someone, not a crime.
He figured he was fine.
Worried that Hinata might scream instinctively.
After entering, Natsume used the Body Flicker Technique to get in front of her, covered her mouth, and said, "Don't be afraid, it's me."
Hinata's raised heart finally settled, her eyes showing surprise.
Earlier at the birthday banquet, because of her shyness, she'd kept her head down and hadn't dared to look at the guests, so she hadn't noticed Natsume.
Seeing this, Natsume let go and stepped back.
He pulled out a chicken leg and asked with a smile, "Miss, want a chicken leg?"
Hinata's eyes uncontrollably fell on the chicken leg.
She really hadn't eaten her fill.
Or rather, she'd never eaten her fill.
In the Hyuga clan, rules were strict, and eating was just enough to get by.
Natsume found it amusing and shook the chicken leg; Hinata's little head bobbed up and down with it.
Cute, so cute.
It reminded him of teasing a dog in his previous life.
Cough, cough, it's just a metaphor, no other meaning.
"Want to eat it?"
Natsume repeated, asking.
Hinata nodded subconsciously, then quickly shook her head, refusing.
"No means yes."
Natsume declared that no one understood women better than him. He handed her the chicken leg and said, "Eat up."
Hinata subconsciously swallowed, smelling the aroma, looking at the appetizing chicken leg, and finally couldn't resist, taking a bite.
Even at this point, she didn't gobble it down but ate elegantly, in small bites.
However, being watched by Natsume made her obviously embarrassed, her face gradually turning red.
The chicken leg was soon finished.
"Th-thank... you."
Hinata placed the bone aside and said softly.
"Are you full?"
Natsume asked.
Hinata shook her head, then nodded vigorously.
Before this, she'd never sneaked a chicken leg; for her, it was already stimulating enough.
Eating more felt like it didn't align with the Hyuga clan's rules, seeming too rude.
But when she looked up, she saw Natsume pulling out a whole plate of roasted chicken.
Hinata paused, her face showing a bit of panic, and she quickly waved her hands: "I... I really... am full."
"Shh."
Natsume placed a finger on her lips, signaling her to be quiet. "Lying isn't what good kids do. Are you a good kid?"
"I... I..."
Hinata didn't know how to answer.
"It's fine."
Natsume ruffled her hair and said, "In front of me, you don't need to worry about formalities. Just be free and easy."
Hinata looked up, noticing the gentleness in his eyes.
Warning, warning, system overheating.
Her face seemed to steam up, turning bright red.
Natsume quickly let go, looking at this shy princess, and said, "Don't overthink it, eat."
It took Hinata a while to recover without fainting.
She hesitated for a moment but didn't want to waste Natsume's kindness, so she tore off a piece of chicken and ate.
Normally, with her personality and upbringing, she'd never eat chicken with her hands in her life, but breaking the rules felt surprisingly good.
Hinata inexplicably felt happy.