Later that evening — Inside the Main House of the Hyuga Compound
Hiashi sat in the inner drawing room, a clean, minimalistic room with sliding paper walls, tatami floors, and a single pot of tea resting on the table.
He looked at the moonlight casting down through the window. His brows furrowed.
> "Something's changed in her," he thought.
"She doesn't just move differently. She speaks differently. She's not crumbling under pressure anymore. She's… blooming."
He folded his hands.
> "This kind of transformation doesn't happen overnight. Either she's found herself a secret sensei… or…"
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
> "A… boyfriend?"
He clicked his tongue softly.
---
Minutes Later — Hinata's Room
There was a soft knock at Hinata's sliding door.
"Enter," her quiet voice said.
The door slid open — and there stood Hiashi.
Hinata instantly sat up straighter.
> "F-Father…?"
Hiashi stepped inside and sat down across from her. Silence filled the air for a few seconds.
Then—
> "Hinata," he said calmly, "I want to ask you something."
Hinata blinked.
> "Yes, Father?"
> "Your performance today was unlike anything I've seen from you. Your technique is sharper. Your confidence… is growing."
She looked down, cheeks already turning a little pink.
> "Tell me honestly," Hiashi continued, his tone gentle but firm. "Has someone been training you? A new sensei perhaps?"
Hinata panicked slightly inside. Her eyes widened for a moment and she turned fully red.
> "O-oh! N-no… Not really a sensei. More like… j-just someone who… t-trains with me."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed just a bit.
> "A fellow student?"
Hinata nodded rapidly.
> "Y-yes! A f-friend. Well… maybe more like… a b-boyf— I mean… a friend!" she stammered, flustered and red as a tomato now.
Hiashi sat in silence.
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the night cicadas outside the compound walls.
He finally spoke.
> "I see."
He paused again, then added:
> "Hinata… I would like you to bring him here. To our home. Tomorrow evening."
Hinata's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
> "H-h-h-here? Tomorrow??"
Hiashi's tone was serious now.
> "Yes. If he is someone you trust… then I must see for myself. Who he is. What his intentions are. And if… he is truly worth your time."
Hinata gulped. Her face completely red, lips trembling.
She bowed her head nervously.
> "Y-yes… F-Father. I'll… ask him."
Hiashi gave a single nod and left the room silently, his robes trailing behind him.
---
That night, back at Hassan's apartment…
Hassan was doing pushups on one hand, sweating from the new version of his daily quest. He had just gained 6 points from a new system update. As he stood up and drank some water, a notification appeared:
> DING!!!
[Side Quest Unlocked: "Meet the Hyuga Patriarch"]
Objective: Accept Hinata's invitation to dinner at the Hyuga Compound.
Reward: 4 stat points + 1 reputation with Hyuga Clan.
Hassan raised an eyebrow.
> "Huh… didn't think I'd meet her dad this soon."
He sat down on his bed, wiped sweat from his forehead, and leaned back.
> "Guess things are getting real now…"
The next day, the sun was shining lightly through the clouds. The air in Konoha had that fresh village scent — flowers from the Yamanaka shop, smoke from Ichiraku's ramen, and the sound of shinobi kids running through the streets.
Hassan, having just finished his intense morning training, wiped sweat off his forehead. His muscles tensed from the 10 km run, and his daily quest had just updated:
> [Daily Complete – +2 Points]
[Notice: "Taijutsu Proficiency +0.3"]
He smirked.
> "Still not enough... but I'll get there."
Then he heard soft footsteps approaching from behind. He turned, and…
There she was.
Hinata Hyuga.
Dressed in a soft lavender training outfit, her cheeks already starting to turn pink the moment their eyes met. Her fingers twiddled at the edge of her sleeve.
> "H-H-Hassan-kun… A-Are you free t-today? T-To train…?"
Hassan raised an eyebrow playfully.
> "Of course. Ready for more counter-training and timing drills?"
She nodded quickly, eyes wide.
> "Y-Yes!"
---
After Training…
Sweat dripped down her temple. She was panting, her palms bruised but steady. Hassan stood beside her with arms crossed, observing her stance.
> "Better. You anticipated two of my feints this time. Your footwork's improving."
Hinata looked down, catching her breath, cheeks glowing red — not just from exertion, but from something else too.
Then, she took a deep breath and gathered every bit of courage in her heart.
> "H-Hassan-kun… um… C-Could you… come to my home t-tonight? My f-father… wants to… m-meet you."
Hassan blinked, a little surprised.
> "Tonight?"
She nodded quickly, flustered.
> "Y-Yes… I'm sorry! I-It's okay if y-you c-can't! I-I just thought—"
He raised a hand gently and placed it softly on her shoulder.
Her breath caught in her throat.
> "Relax," he said with a calm smile. "I'd be honored."
Hinata couldn't speak. She just nodded, looking away, red as a ripe tomato.
---
On the Way to the Hyuga Compound…
The two walked side-by-side through the stone pathways of Konoha, heading east toward the majestic, towering walls of the Hyuga Clan Compound.
> "Your Gentle Fist form is still weak at the ankles," Hassan said calmly. "You're turning your feet too late. Next time, try pivoting with your inner heel."
Hinata nodded.
> "O-Okay… I-I'll try! Th-Thank you for teaching me…"
Just then—
A sudden shadow landed before them, dropping down from the nearby tree.
Neji Hyuga.
His eyes cold, posture stiff, his long dark hair swaying in the wind. He looked directly at Hassan… then slowly down at Hassan's hand, which still rested gently on Hinata's shoulder.
> "Why are you touching the Main Family's heir?" he said sharply, stepping forward.
Hinata instantly panicked.
> "N-Neji-niisan!! I-It's not like that! I—He—!"
But Hassan didn't flinch.
His voice turned low, calm… but sharp like a blade.
> "According to Hyuga clan protocol, Section 4, Subclause 12… the Branch Family is prohibited from interfering in the relationships of the Main House."
Neji blinked.
Hassan took one slow step forward, hand still on Hinata's shoulder.
> "You may be older. But interfering here could result in a formal report… and a punishment."
"And I don't want to see you suffer something that painful. So please — leave."
Silence.
The wind blew between them.
Neji clenched his jaw. His fist tightened for a moment… then he exhaled.
> "Hmph. Fine."
"But don't think I'm watching you for nothing."
With that, he vanished in a blur of movement.
---
Hinata turned to Hassan, eyes wide.
> "H-Hassan-kun… Th-Thank you…"
He smiled again, finally letting his hand fall from her shoulder.
> "Don't worry. I've read about the Hyuga rules more than once. No one's hurting you while I'm here."
She nodded quietly, heart pounding.
Then together, they turned and walked forward into the Hyuga Compound, past the guarded gates and into the Main House.
The next test was coming.
And Hiashi Hyuga was waiting.