"There's no need to be so serious, Hiashi. Hinata and I are friends now. When a friend is in danger, of course I'll help!" Sakura took the snacks Ino offered and placed them on the table. She picked up one piece and handed it to Hinata.
"You just met once! How did you two even become friends so fast? And why is Hinata so affectionate toward you? She hasn't even smiled at me much!"
Watching Hinata happily dig into the pastry Sakura gave her, Hiashi felt a twinge of jealousy. He looked really annoyed.
"Hiashi, are you wondering why Hinata and I get along so well?" Sakura raised her teacup for a sip, deliberately avoiding looking at Hiashi's obviously sour expression.
Hiashi didn't speak, but his eyes clearly conveyed exactly that question.
"Fate works in mysterious ways. Take my friendship with Ino and Naruto for example—we became close friends right from our first meeting. The same goes for Shikamaru and others. Though we were strangers before, we quickly became good friends. All of this can only be attributed to the magic of fate."
Sakura smiled as she continued, "Of course, besides fate, attitude matters too. I'm willing to open my heart and befriend them, which they can feel. But Hiashi, you're simply too serious. You always keep that stern look on your face. How could Hinata possibly feel comfortable joking and playing with you?"
"Too serious, am I?" Hiashi thought carefully, realizing it was actually true. As the head of the Hyuga clan, he needed to maintain composure. He'd grown accustomed to wearing this expression when facing others in the family, so even when meeting Hinata, though his heart felt happy, his face still reflexively wore that same serious expression. Coupled with the overall conservative atmosphere of the Hyuga clan, he rarely sought opportunities to chat or play with Hinata. No wonder Hinata always seemed nervous around him.
"Maybe, Hiashi, you should try observing how other parents and children interact in Konoha Village. Maybe you'll pick up some ideas!" Sakura suggested, understanding Hiashi's loving feelings toward Hinata perfectly, although his stern expression and the authority he'd built up over years as clan leader weren't easy for a young child to accept.
"I'll consider it," Hiashi mused, planning to secretly go watch interactions between parents and children elsewhere shortly.
At that moment, a masked Anbu suddenly appeared, interrupting Hiashi's thoughts.
"Hokage-sama wishes to see you, Hiashi."
After delivering those words, the Anbu poofed out of sight. His job was merely to deliver messages; other matters weren't his concern.
Furrowing his eyebrows, Hiashi guessed they would probably discuss what happened last night.
"Would you mind taking care of Hinata for a while, Miss Haruno? I have to head to the Hokage Office right away."
"Of course, Hiashi. Don't worry—Hinata will be well taken care of by me."
Sakura was relieved to see Hiashi Hyuga leave. Talking with such a rigid and serious person gave her great mental pressure.
After Hiashi left, Sakura immediately dragged Hinata into the kitchen. Hinata's shy personality wasn't suited for being a waitress, but quietly helping prepare desserts in the kitchen was perfect for her.
On Konoha's streets, a young boy with a fan-shaped emblem on his back walked along looking thoroughly annoyed. His older brother had promised to play with him but let him down again, which really upset the affectionate younger brother.
When he reached near Ichiraku Ramen Shop, the young boy with the fan emblem entered without hesitation since he felt hungry. After glancing at the menu, he ordered tomato egg noodles before returning to his sullen mood.
"Someone dined and dashed? And it was a kid from the Uchiha Clan?!"
Sakura raised several question marks when Ino informed her about the incident. The Uchiha Clan was wealthy enough that they would never need to eat without paying. Didn't you know that even Obito Uchiha, who grew up as an orphan, never struggled financially? She could believe an ordinary person skipping a meal, but an Uchiha? Given their proud nature, it would be strange indeed if they did something so shameful.
When Sakura finally came out of the kitchen and saw the little boy who'd been caught for skipping payment, she almost burst out laughing.
"Sasuke Uchiha?!"
Compared to the brooding, vengeful teen from the original story—typical middle-school-second-year syndrome—he looked so different now. Could this be considered one of Little Sasuke's embarrassing secrets?
"D-Do you know who I am?!" Sasuke Uchiha's face reddened further. Forgetting that he already felt ashamed enough for skipping payment because he hadn't brought any money, now he found someone actually recognized him. Instantly, Sasuke felt like his life turned bleak.
"Sort of!" Sakura glanced at Shikamaru and others busily working in the shop. Suddenly, she got a brilliant idea—gathering all nine people from their cohort here to work together seemed pretty good.
"Umm, can you send someone with me to the Uchiha Clan's residence? I'll go home and get the money to pay you!" Somehow, a cold chill ran down Sasuke's spine. It felt like something bad was about to happen.
"This isn't urgent. Let's sit down and talk properly first!" A slight smile curled Sakura's lips. What luck—the opportunity had finally come along! Did he really think he could just walk away so easily after running straight into it?!
Chapter 10: Work off Your Debt, Young Man! [Lower]
"In other words, you came out in anger because your older brother stood you up and went off with Shisui Uchiha, only to forget to bring any money with you, right?"
After repeated questioning by Sakura, Sasuke hesitantly revealed the truth bit by bit.
"My brother didn't run away with Uncle Shisui!" Upon hearing Sakura use the word "elope," Sasuke, who had deep feelings for his older brother, instantly flared up.
"Then why did he leave you behind and go off with someone else then?"
"Sakura smiled and subtly shifted the conversation, hoping to steer Sasuke's thoughts in a new direction to fit her next plan. 'Unless someone else lured him away, do you really think he'd leave you — his dear little brother?'"
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!