Yoru Satsuma and the others knew they weren't welcome, so they found a secluded spot and sat down.
The others glanced at them a few times and then paid no more attention.
This was Konoha Village, not Kumogakure.
Would a few measly Cloud Ninja dare to cause trouble?
Even if they dared, take a look at the ninjas around. If they dare to reach out, their hands will be chopped off.
Half an hour later, all the guests had arrived, and the birthday party officially began.
Before the meal, there was a speech from Hiashi Hyuga.
It was just something like 'Thanks for coming. Have a good meal and drinks.'
After that, the star of the party made her entrance.
Hinata Hyuga.
She was wearing a kimono today and looked quite cute.
Especially with her shy expression.
But Hiashi Hyuga frowned.
This meek look really got him boiling mad.
Look at Neji Hyuga. When he was three, his performance was so good that even Hiashi felt a bit jealous of Hizashi Hyuga.
How great it would be if Neji had been born into the main branch.
No, he'd just have to have another child.
This thought suddenly popped into Hiashi Hyuga's mind.
Previously, he was actually reluctant to do so.
Because of the rules of the Hyuga clan, there could only be one head of the main branch in each generation.
For example, he and Hizashi Hyuga were brothers, but he was the main branch, so Hizashi had to be marked with the [Caged Bird Seal].
If Hiashi Hyuga gave up on Hinata, it would mean she'd become a member of the branch family, with a [Cursed Seal] on her forehead, and her fate would be in the hands of others.
He loathed the [Caged Bird Seal], but as a beneficiary, he couldn't break the rules, not to mention abolishing them.
Hinata stammered a couple of words, and Hiashi quickly took over and announced that they could start the meal.
Tsunade immediately picked up the wine jug, poured a glass of wine, took a sip, and her eyes lit up instantly.
Sure enough, it was good wine.
Because of her debt problems, the wine she usually drank was cheap.
Later, when Natsume started making money, he bought good wine.
But the wine stored by the Hyuga clan was obviously even more precious. It must have been aged for many years, and it had a mellow taste.
Natsume picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and threw it into his mouth.
Not bad.
The Hyuga clan was the most traditional ninja clan in Konoha Village, and they maintained the aristocratic etiquette in everything, even in their meals.
Natsume turned his head and saw that Tsunade had already had several glasses. He said, "Don't just drink. Eat some more dishes."
He was worried that if she got drunk, she'd say something stupid and it'd be a social disaster.
Tsunade glanced at him and obediently picked up her chopsticks.
But even so, she gradually got tipsy and kept drinking more.
When it came to drinking, Natsume couldn't stop her.
As the party was halfway through, it was already late at night.
Hinata had long since left with her mother, Rinka Hyuga.
But the guests were still enjoying the lively party.
Suddenly, Natsume squinted his eyes. One person was missing from the two tables of the Kumogakure ninjas, Yoru Satsuma.
"Shizune, take care of the teacher. I'm going to the toilet."
He quickly stood up, paused for a moment, and then took a plate of roast chicken from the table.
"…?"
Shizune and Kabuto Yakushi looked at each other, both full of confusion.
Why are you taking food to the toilet?
Something's off with you.
After Natsume left the hall, he formed Hand Seals with both hands and transformed into a Byakugan Ninja.
He cautiously slunk towards the inner courtyard.
Sure enough, due to the Birthday party, the security was more lax than usual.
After all, most of the Hyuga clan members were drinking in the hall.
Natsume glanced around but didn't notice Yoru Satsuma. He probably used some kind of stealth technique.
In that case, he'd look for Hinata Hyuga first.
Before he came, he'd done his homework and knew the approximate location.
When he reached the area, he realized it was a bit hasty. There was a row of buildings.
"These rich folks!"
Natsume complained as he approached the window of the room, planning to check them one by one.
Fortunately, he was lucky. He spotted Hinata in the third room.
He hesitated for a few seconds and then climbed in through the window.
This was to save someone, not a crime.
He thought he'd be fine.
In the words of the law-breaking scoundrel Zhang San, it was called Emergency avoidance.
Because he was worried that Hinata would subconsciously scream.
After Natsume entered, he used Shifting Body Technique to appear in front of her, covered her mouth, and said, "Don't be afraid. It's me."
The anxiety in Hinata's heart finally subsided, and her eyes showed surprise.
At the Birthday party earlier, because of shyness, she'd kept her head down, not daring to look at the guests and didn't notice Natsume.
Seeing this, Natsume let go of his hand and took a step back.
He took out a chicken drumstick and asked with a smile, "Hey, miss! Wanna have a chicken drumstick?"
Hinata's eyes uncontrollably landed on the chicken drumstick.
She really hadn't eaten enough.
Or rather, she'd never eaten her fill.
In the Hyuga clan, the rules were strict, and they only had a light meal.
Natsume found it amusing. He waggled the chicken drumstick, and Hinata's little head bobbed up and down along with it.
So cute, really cute.
It reminded him of the scene of teasing a dog in his past life.
Cough, it was just a metaphor, without any other meaning.
"Do you want to eat?"
Natsume repeated the question.
Hinata subconsciously nodded, then quickly shook her head to refuse.
The upbringing she'd learned since childhood told her that she couldn't eat at this time.
"Come on, saying no is just being shy. You actually want it."
Natsume claimed that no one understood women better than him. He stuffed the chicken drumstick into her hand and said, "Eat it."
Hinata subconsciously swallowed her saliva. Smelling the aroma and looking at the appetizing chicken drumstick, she finally couldn't resist and took a bite.
Even in this situation, she still didn't gobble it up. Instead, she ate it very gracefully, taking small bites.
This chapter isn't over yet!
But being stared at by Natsume, she obviously felt a bit embarrassed, and her face gradually turned red.
She finished the chicken drumstick quickly.
"Th...thank you."
Hinata put the bone aside and said softly.
"Are you full?"
Natsume asked.
Hinata shook her head, then immediately nodded heavily.
Before this, she'd never stolen a chicken drumstick. For her, it was exciting enough.
If she ate more, she always felt it didn't conform to the rules of the Hyuga clan and seemed overly impolite.
Just when she looked up, she saw Natsume bringing out a plate of Roast chicken.
Hinata paused for a moment. A look of panic appeared on her face, and she quickly waved her hands: "I... I really... am full."
"Shh."
Natsume placed his finger on her lips, signaling her to be quiet. "Lying isn't what a well - behaved kid does. Are you a well - behaved kid?"
"I... I..."
Hinata Hyuga didn't know how to answer.
"It's okay."
Natsume ruffled her hair and said, "You don't have to abide by all those elaborate rules in front of me. Just be yourself."
Hinata Hyuga looked up and noticed the tenderness in his eyes.
Warning, warning, the body is overheating.
Steam seemed to rise from her face, turning it bright red.
Natsume quickly let go of his hand and, looking at this "steam maiden," said, "Don't think too much. Just eat."
It took Hinata Hyuga a while to come to her senses. Fortunately, she didn't pass out.
She hesitated for a moment. Not wanting to let Natsume down, she tore off a piece of chicken and ate it.
Normally, given her personality and upbringing, she'd never eat chicken with her hands. But breaking the rules felt pretty good.
Hinata Hyuga inexplicably felt happy.
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