Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 34 34 : Misunderstanding By Hyuga Hiashi

But Riku nodded calmly at that mont.

Seeing his composure, Hiashi Hyuga felt a flicker of admiration. "Yes, you're able to stay calm in this kind of environnt. It seems you're quite different from the academic performance we've seen at the Academy."

"These past two years, Hinata's strength has improved significantly—because of you."

Riku blinked in surprise, completely unaware of how any of this related to him.

He had never taught Hinata any ninjutsu, nor had he given her any guidance.

Riku shook his head. "No, it has nothing to do with . It's all because of her own hard work. My grades aren't even as good as hers. You must be mistaken."

Hiashi responded seriously, "No, it does have sothing to do with you. Without you, Hinata wouldn't have trained so hard. Her personality wouldn't have changed either."

Riku was at a loss. Why was this man attributing all of Hinata's progress to him?

"I don't understand what you're trying to say," Riku said bluntly.

Hiashi took a mont to consider his words. Then he looked Riku in the eyes, his expression serious for the first ti.

"Hinata is going to be the head of the Hyuga clan in the future. Did you know that?"

Riku nodded. "Really? As her friend, I'm happy for her."

It was the kind of polite response expected in a situation like this.

Hiashi's interest in Riku only deepened. "You really don't seem like a child."

Riku didn't respond, while Hinata and Ino remained confused about the conversation taking place between Riku and her father.

Hizashi, who had been quietly observing, tilted his head, glancing from Riku to Hiashi—innocent and curious.

Hiashi finally spoke more directly. "You were able to inspire change in Hinata. As her father, I thank you."

Riku still didn't say anything. He wanted to understand what Hiashi was really getting at. It couldn't be that he was called here just to be thanked.

He didn't believe that for a second.

As if reading his thoughts, Hiashi continued, "If Hinata is to beco the head of the Hyuga clan, she cannot marry an outsider. I'm sure you understand that."

Riku nodded. "I understand."

Hiashi froze, caught off guard by how calm Riku was.

But Riku was genuinely confused. What did this have to do with him?

Did Hiashi think he and Hinata were… romantically involved?

Riku found that thought absolutely ridiculous. He and Hinata had always shared a pure friendship.

He had no romantic thoughts about her whatsoever.

And besides—who would think that way about an eight-year-old girl?

Riku wasn't an eight-year-old child inside.

Hiashi frowned and added, "So I hope you don't develop any thoughts about Hinata. I support your friendship, but that's all it should be."

After hearing that, Riku finally understood what Hiashi was implying.

Hinata looked down, clearly upset.

Ino, on the other hand, was secretly pleased.

Riku nodded. "Understood. Don't worry, Lord Hiashi. Hinata and I are just friends."

In his heart, Riku was both annoyed and confused. Why was the Hyuga clan so obsessed with this topic? They were eight. Thinking about marriage at this age was absurd.

But knowing the Hyuga clan's strict bloodline rules, Riku could understand their reasoning.

They didn't want the Byakugan to be diluted by outsiders.

Still, Riku had never thought of Hinata that way, so Hiashi's words didn't bother him much.

However, just as Hiashi and the clan elders relaxed—thinking the matter was resolved—Hinata stood up and spoke firmly:

"Father, I don't want to be the head of the clan."

Hiashi and the other Hyuga mbers were stunned.

What did this foolish girl just say?

Riku frowned. "Hinata, what are you talking about?"

But this ti, Hinata didn't listen to him. She looked directly at her father and said again, with more determination, "I don't need to be the head of the clan."

Hiashi imdiately stood up, visibly angry. Though he often appeared strict, he did care about Hinata deeply.

Hearing her speak like this hit a nerve.

"Even if you don't beco the clan head, it's still impossible to marry an outsider! That is the clan's rule! Since ancient tis, no one has ever broken it."

For generations, no mber of the Hyuga clan had broken that rule.

Riku, kneeling beside Ino and watching the father-daughter standoff, felt helpless.

He gently tugged Hinata's sleeve. "Alright, Hinata. Your father's right. Marrying an outsider would risk weakening your clan's bloodline."

Hinata stared at him, stunned. Riku clearly didn't understand what she was trying to say.

Did he think this had nothing to do with him?

Hinata suddenly felt aggrieved.

She was fighting for his sake, and here he was, acting like it had nothing to do with him.

If she were braver and less reserved, she would've scolded him on the spot.

In truth, Riku did understand what was happening—but he couldn't bring himself to think romantically about a child.

He just couldn't.

Compared to Hinata, wasn't soone like Yugao Uzuki—mature and sharp—more his type?

Not that anything was happening between him and Yugao. He simply preferred won like her.

And besides, going against the Hyuga clan at this stage would be idiotic.

He wasn't trying to defy fate or stir up drama—he wanted to grow steadily and stay under the radar.

Looking at Hinata's distressed expression, Riku smiled and said, "Sit down. We're only eight years old. Why are you worrying about this stuff already?"

His words carried different anings to different ears.

To Hinata, it ant: Don't challenge the clan now. Wait until I grow stronger and we'll face them together.

To Hiashi, it ant: I'm not interested. We're just kids.

But to Riku, it simply ant: We're eight. Marriage is a long way off. Let's not overthink things.

So Hinata sat down.

Hiashi also sat.

He looked at Riku and said, "Riku, this is the rule of the Hyuga clan. For the past two years, I've kept my eye on you and Hinata. I know how you really act at the Academy."

"But these are our family rules."

Riku gave a polite smile and nodded.

He hadn't expected today's events to spiral into sothing this bizarre.

To be suspected of wanting to marry Hinata at eight years old—he could already imagine Kakashi laughing himself to death if he heard about this.

What could an eight-year-old possibly know about marriage?

After sitting with the Hyuga clan for over ten minutes, Riku finally left with Ino.

Hinata now understood her clan's stance, but it didn't change anything in her heart.

It had been two years.

She had already fallen in love with Riku.

—

As Riku and Ino exited the Hyuga compound, they both let out a breath of relief.

Ino laughed, "I was scared to death in there. I thought the Hyuga clan would be more reasonable than ours, but they're even scarier than the Yamanaka clan!"

"They're crazy strict!"

Riku sighed. "It's just the way their family survives. There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep their bloodline pure."

"And besides, there's nothing between and Hinata. I don't know what they were thinking. It's insane they believe Hinata and I will get married."

Ino walked beside him with a playful grin. "That's great news—now Hinata can't compete with anymore."

Riku gave her a sideways glance. "Don't tell you like too?"

Ino giggled, "Of course I do! Why else do you think I've been hanging around you for the past two years? I have plenty of friends, but I only play with you."

She smiled like a smug little adult.

Riku was speechless. "Do whatever you want. I don't have any plans either way."

"I really don't understand why you girls are so precocious at this age…"