The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 418 Hinata Hanabi in Action

The following morning, in the dining room of the Hyuga residence.

The chirping of sparrows in the courtyard was crisp and melodious. Three or five sparrows landed on the branches of the paulownia tree, fluttering their wings and chirping away.

But this tranquility could not dispel the melancholy in Hinata Hyuga's heart.

She tossed and turned all night, her mind filled with the words Hinata Hanabi had said to her the night before: "Sister, I'm going to the Immortal Village to train. Time flows differently there. When I come out, I'll be able to shorten the age gap with Lord Mitsumine and marry him."

Hinata Hyuga's eyes still had a faint dark circle from lack of sleep.

For breakfast, she rummaged through the bowl of plain porridge for ages, but the rice grains had all sunk to the bottom, and she couldn't taste a thing.

She felt helpless, both heartbroken for her sister's stubbornness and unsure how to advise her.

Hiashi Hyuga sat in the main seat, his dark kimono making him appear even more composed.

He picked up a celadon spoon with his left hand, slowly scooped up a spoonful of congee, brought it to his lips and blew on it gently. Only when the temperature was just right did he slowly put it into his mouth.

Even his chewing motions were disciplined, steady, and measured.

His gaze seemed to be fixed on the bowl, but he would occasionally glance at his two daughters at the table with the corner of his eye, with the scrutiny and insight unique to someone who had been through it all. Hinata's absent-mindedness, Hanabi's awkwardness, and even the subtle movements of their fingertips were all taken in by him.

However, he pretended to be calm and composed, showing no emotion whatsoever.

During meals, Hinata Hanabi would always chatter away, pestering her older sister. She would talk about the new buds sprouting in the courtyard or how she had beaten her friends in the clan during boxing practice. Her presence always made the dining room more lively.

But today, she was unusually reserved, her back ramrod straight, and even her posture was much more upright than usual.

Her fingers repeatedly traced the rim of the white porcelain bowl, as if she were deep in thought. Her gaze, like that of a startled sparrow, would occasionally steal glances at her father in the main seat, her eyes filled with hesitation and unease.

Her Adam's apple bobbed quietly several times, clearly as she carefully considered her words, trying to phrase her request more appropriately.

Silence spread through the dining room, broken only by the occasional soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Finally, Hinata Hanabi took a deep breath, her chest heaving noticeably, as if she had made a huge decision, and even her other hand, which was resting on her knee, quietly clenched into a fist.

She abruptly put down her bamboo chopsticks, making a soft "tap" sound as the porcelain chopsticks collided with the wooden table, the sound particularly clear in the quiet dining room.

She straightened her back, her waist taut, as if she were facing an important test.

When she looked up at Hiashi Hyuga, she deliberately put on a docile expression, but the clenched hem of her clothes betrayed her nervousness: "Father... I have something... that I need to ask you for permission."

Hiashi Hyuga looked up at her, a hint of doubt in his deep eyes. He gently stirred the porridge in the bowl with the celadon spoon in his hand, causing ripples to spread across the surface of the porridge before gradually subsiding.

"Oh? What is it? Please speak freely."

His expression was as calm as an ancient pool, revealing little emotion.

"Father, I want to go to the immortal village on our ancestral planet to cultivate!"

Hinata Hanabi's voice suddenly became a bit clearer, and her speaking speed was faster than usual, as if she was afraid that she would change her mind if she hesitated even slightly.

She deliberately avoided Hinata's gaze, fixing her eyes firmly on her father's face, her eyes filled with a resolute determination.

"Now that my sister is about to marry Lord Sanfeng and will be living in Immortal Village, the clan's affairs will be less burdened with her help."

She swallowed hard, deliberately making her tone more earnest, and her eyes also showed some sincerity.

"I don't want to be a hothouse flower forever, always protected by my sister and father, unable to do anything. I want to go to the Immortal Village to cultivate diligently. There are top-notch cultivation resources there, which will be perfect for tempering my character and improving my strength. In the future, I can contribute to the clan, protect the glory of the Hyuga clan, and live up to my father's expectations!"

After saying this, she secretly raised her eyes, her eyelashes trembling rapidly, observing her father's expression, afraid of revealing any flaws.

She prayed silently that her father would believe this "high-sounding" excuse, unaware that the tips of her ears had already turned red.

Hiashi Hyuga paused slightly in his hand holding the spoon, and the celadon spoon tapped lightly on the rim of the bowl, making a soft sound.

A distinct look of surprise flashed in his deep eyes, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Sage Village is a training ground that the entire ninja world envies. Countless ninjas would kill for a single opportunity.

When he heard Hinata Hanabi mention "doing her part for the family" and "protecting the glory of the Hinata clan," the surprise in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of relief.

He unconsciously stroked the beard under his chin with his fingertips, pondering for a full three seconds.

Those three seconds felt like half an hour to Hanabi; her palms were damp with sweat, and she even slowed her breathing.

He quickly considered the situation in his mind: it was a good thing that his youngest daughter was ambitious; it was better than her being spoiled and irresponsible. Moreover, after Hinata married into the Sage Village, the Hyuga clan's position in the ninja world needed to be consolidated. Hanabi could improve her strength in the Sage Village, making it easier for her to stabilize the clan in the future, which was a good thing.

"It's rare to find someone with such ambition who understands the importance of the family. As his father, I am very pleased. Immortal Village is indeed an excellent place for cultivation, and there are several cultivation slots available in the clan. Huahuo, pack your things and you can set off within three days."

The moment she received permission, a dazzling light flashed in Hinata Hanabi's eyes, and even her previously tense back relaxed.

"Thank you, Father, for your kindness!"

She quickly stood up, clasped her hands at her sides, and bowed deeply, her stray hairs falling to the ground.

"Your daughter will definitely cultivate diligently, never be lazy or negligent, and will certainly not let down Father's trust!"

As she stood up, she secretly glanced at her older sister Hinata Hyuga, her eyes filled with undisguised smugness: the first step of her plan had succeeded!

Hinata Hyuga, who was standing nearby, heard the conversation between the father and daughter and felt a "buzz" in her mind, as if she had been hit hard by a heavy hammer.

The bamboo chopsticks in her hand fell onto the dining table with a "clatter," making a crisp and abrupt sound that instantly broke the tranquility of the dining room.

The chirping of birds outside the courtyard seemed to stop at this moment, and the surrounding air seemed to be frozen.

Hinata Hyuga could clearly feel that her father and sister were both looking at her. Their gazes carried different emotions: her father's were filled with doubt, while her sister's were filled with guilt and a desire to cover up her feelings.

She suddenly looked up at Hinata Hanabi, whose face was filled with joy, her eyes filled with disbelief and deep worry, and even her breathing became rapid.

"My sister actually put her absurd idea from last night into action!"

Last night, she tried to persuade her sister Hanabi for a long time with great care, talking about the true meaning of marriage, the preciousness of feelings, and the risks of unrequited love, but her sister Hanabi didn't listen to a word she said.

In the morning, she even came up with such a high-sounding excuse, speaking so earnestly about "contributing to the family," that even her father was fooled!

Her so-called "contributing to the family" was nothing more than a pretext to go to the Immortal Village to shorten the age gap and marry Lord Sanfeng!

Hinata felt a tightness in her heart, both angry at her sister's stubbornness and heartbroken by her foolishness.

Hanabi's obsession with a one-sided love destined to be fraught with hardship will only end up hurting herself!

She opened her mouth, wanting to speak up and stop them, but the words stuck in her throat as if something was blocking it.

If we were to publicly expose Hanabi's true intentions—that she went to the Immortal Village not for cultivation but to shorten the age gap and marry Lord Sanfeng—it would not only embarrass her greatly in front of their father, causing her to lose face, but it would also displease him.

The father values ​​the family's reputation above all else. He would surely think that Huahuo has impure thoughts and has disgraced the family. He would also think that she, as the older sister, is intolerant of her younger sister and has a narrow mind.

But if she let her younger sister go to the Immortal Village to cultivate, she was really afraid that her sister would suffer grievances there; she was even more afraid that her sister would go further and further down this thorny path of unrequited love, plunge headlong into it and be unable to extricate herself, and in the end she would only end up feeling wronged and full of heartache.

The difficult choice weighed heavily on her heart, making even breathing feel arduous.

The morning light was still bright, but she felt cold all over. The porridge in her bowl had long since gone cold, just like her mood at that moment.

The breakfast atmosphere eventually ended with Hinata looking worried.

As Hiashi Hyuga got up to leave, he patted Hanabi Hyuga on the shoulder, the force carrying a hint of encouragement.

"Prepare your luggage well. Don't bring too many miscellaneous items. There are shops in Fairy Village. Hanabi, when you get to Fairy Village, be careful with your words and actions, and ask your seniors for advice. Don't be as willful as you are at home."

Hinata Hanabi nodded vigorously, her face beaming with joy, and said repeatedly, "Father, don't worry, I've remembered everything."

After seeing her father off, Hinata Hanabi almost immediately got up and ran barefoot out of the restaurant.

Hinata Hyuga quickly caught up with her sister and dragged her into the courtyard, to the secluded osmanthus grove.

The osmanthus flowers had not yet bloomed, but the branches and leaves were already lush. Layer upon layer of green leaves intertwined to form a natural barrier, blocking the view of outsiders. Only occasionally could a few rays of sunlight shine through the gaps in the leaves and fall on the two of them.

"Hanabi, are you really going to the Fairy Village?"

Hinata Hyuga's expression was full of urgency, and she tightened her grip on her sister's wrist slightly.

"I know you went there not for cultivation at all!"

She simply couldn't bear to watch her sister jump into the fire, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"Hanabi, Mitsumine really isn't right for you. You deserve someone better, someone who loves you unconditionally. Don't ruin your life for a momentary obsession; it's not worth it!"

Hinata Hanabi was pulled so hard by her that she stumbled and almost fell.

After regaining her footing, she forcefully pulled her hand away from Hinata's, her hand turning slightly red from being squeezed, but she dared not meet her sister's gaze.

"Sister, I just want to cultivate! Father has already agreed, this is my own decision, so please don't stop me!"