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The messenger from Kumogakure had arrived in Konoha, and Sarutobi Hiruzen himself hosted the reception. Several prominent Konoha families attended, including the Hyūga clan. Since Hiashi had no sons, only daughters, Hinata and Hanabi, he brought Hinata along hoping the event would broaden her perspective.
But the night took a dark turn. During the banquet, Kumogakure struck. They kidnapped Hinata as she left the gathering, replacing her with a shinobi using a transformation technique to deceive Konoha's watchful eyes.
The plan was shockingly simple.
When Hiashi learned the truth, his face paled. His voice was a low, trembling whisper.
"Then... the Hinata in the room is a Kumogakure shinobi?"
Rage burned in his Byakugan eyes. His daughter had been taken right under his nose this was an unforgivable insult.
Hiashi's temper flared. He stood abruptly, ready to kill the impostor hiding in the Hyūga compound.
But Naruto intervened. "If I were you, I wouldn't do that."
Hiashi paused, his voice dark with warning. "Uzumaki Naruto, you saved Hinata. For that, the Hyūga clan owes you a debt. But this is an internal matter. Stay out of it."
Despite Naruto's youth, Hiashi didn't dismiss him as a child. Rescuing Hinata from Kumogakure's clutches proved his strength, perhaps even the Nine-Tails' influence.
If not for the Hyūga's strict rule against women marrying outside the clan, Hiashi might have considered Naruto as a potential match. But tradition was unyielding.
As Hiashi moved to act, Naruto delivered a chilling warning. "If you don't want those around you to die, don't be reckless."
Hinata, standing behind Naruto, nervously tugged at his sleeve. She had never seen anyone defy her father, his word was law in the Hyūga clan. The tension between them terrified her.
Naruto sensed her distress and gently patted her head. "Don't worry, Hinata." His calm voice soothed her, easing the fear gripping her heart.
Hiashi's glare sharpened as he watched their interaction. "Hinata, go find your mother. Naruto and I will handle this."
"I..." Hinata hesitated, her voice barely audible. She had never disobeyed before.
Hiashi's suspicion deepened. But there were bigger concerns now. He turned back to Naruto, who remained unfazed under his piercing gaze.
"Have you forgotten what happened years ago?" Naruto asked.
Hiashi's Byakugan flickered with shock. 'How does he know about that?'
Naruto continued, "Hiruzen is old. Without undeniable proof, he'll leave this to you, just like last time. He won't risk angering Kumogakure."
The words struck Hiashi like a hammer. He had acted impulsively before, and it cost his brother Hizashi his life. The memory was a wound that never healed.
His anger cooled into grim resolve. "We'll capture the impostor and have the Yamanaka clan extract his memories. Once we have proof, we'll expose this publicly. Even Hiruzen won't be able to ignore it."
He waited for Naruto's reaction.
Naruto considered it, then shook his head. "Hard evidence is good, but exposing it outright is too aggressive. It'll make Hiruzen target the Hyūga clan later."
Hiashi scoffed. "An old man clinging to power should step down, not pit his own village against itself."
Naruto sighed. "For now, focus on restraining the impostor."
Just then, several Hyūga clansmen dragged forward a bound shinobi, the fake Hinata.
Hiashi's murderous intent spiked. But the captive only smirked.
"Your anger means nothing. Your Hokage is a coward, he won't defy Kumogakure. Let me go, and we'll settle for compensation. That's the only way this ends."
The sheer arrogance made Hiashi's fists clench, veins bulging. The Hyūga had never tolerated such disrespect.
But before he could act...
Whoosh.
Boom.
The room froze. All eyes snapped to Naruto.
Calmly, he said, "Just preventing suicide."