Chapter 4 – Restaurant
The captured Kumogakure ninja had already been sent to the Hokage Building to serve as a witness.
The day after the incident, Konoha's top leadership convened for an emergency meeting.
But for now, this had little to do with Ryosuke. He wasn't qualified to attend such high-level discussions. All he could do was wait until Hyuga Hiashi returned to learn the outcome.
"Miss Hinata, Master Ryosuke, the tempura at this restaurant is pretty famous around the village," said one of the guards with a smile. "We often come here after missions to hang out."
The food street in Konoha bustled with life both day and night.
Vendors lined the street with mouthwatering snacks—meatballs, takoyaki, sushi, fried skewers—and beyond the street stalls were dessert shops and well-known restaurants like the Akimichi clan's barbecue joint and the ever-popular Ichiraku Ramen.
At this moment, Hyuga Ryosuke held Hinata's small hand as they stood outside a busy restaurant brimming with foot traffic.
Behind them trailed two Hyuga elites in plain clothes. Though officially sent to protect Hinata, in truth, they were Ryosuke's assigned right-hand men.
"Here we are," Ryosuke said, glancing around the lively restaurant before turning to Hinata with a soft smile. "I promised to take you out for a little fun—and I'm keeping that promise."
The place was spacious, more like a bustling cafeteria than a typical eatery. From the doorway, they could see people packed into both the main hall and side booths. The air was thick with the aroma of grilled meats and savory spices.
"Mm!" Hinata nodded excitedly. Her eyes sparkled as she stared into the restaurant, her nose twitching as she sniffed the delicious smells.
Though her face clearly said "I can't wait!", she still stayed quietly beside Ryosuke, obedient as always.
"Let's go in, have a good meal, and maybe do a little shopping afterward," Ryosuke chuckled, amused by her cute expression. He gently tugged her hand and began to walk forward.
But he felt resistance.
Glancing back, he saw Hinata standing still, her gaze fixed in the direction of the entrance.
Following her line of sight, Ryosuke saw a man and a young boy walking out of the restaurant, laughing together. They had clearly just finished their meal and were on their way out.
The man glanced at them briefly, then quickly looked away after noticing the Byakugan of the Hyuga pair and the guards behind them. He pulled his son close and picked up the pace.
But the boy paused, making a funny face at Hinata before scampering off.
Only after the father and son disappeared into the crowd did Hinata visibly relax. Her small shoulders eased, and her stiff posture softened.
Ryosuke studied her face thoughtfully but said nothing. Instead, he gave her hand a gentle tug once more, and this time, she followed him without protest.
Inside, the restaurant was even livelier than it appeared from the outside. People from all walks of life—ninjas, civilians, merchants—filled the space. They laughed, drank, and feasted on platters of delicious food.
As Ryosuke and his group entered, the noise level gradually lowered. Conversations softened, and many diners turned to sneak glances at them.
With the restaurant's size, it naturally had private rooms. The two Hyuga guards quickly approached the manager to arrange a room and place their order.
Not long after, a young and beautiful girl—likely the owner's daughter—emerged from behind the counter with a bright smile. She was clearly responsible for leading guests to their rooms.
Under the quiet gazes of the crowd, Ryosuke gently held Hinata's hand and followed the girl toward the private room.
Even after they left the main hall, faint murmurs lingered.
"That's the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I heard she's got a weak personality. Looks like the rumors were true."
"Who's the boy with her?"
Though the gossip was subtle, it didn't escape the sharp ears of the Hyuga.
Ryosuke, the two elite guards, and even some nearby diners picked up the whispers. Only Hinata, still too young and untrained in perception techniques, remained oblivious.
Ryosuke suddenly stopped walking.
"Souji," he said quietly, without looking back, "go shut them up."
The guard straightened. "Understood."
Ryosuke's voice remained calm, but his words carried a cold edge.
"Tell them... they're welcome to talk behind my back all they want. But saying that kind of thing in front of me?" He let the silence hang for a second. "That's just plain disrespectful."
After a brief pause, he added, "Make sure they understand... this message is from Hinata."
Souji gave a short bow. "Yes, sir."
He turned and walked back toward the lobby, leaving Ryosuke and Hinata to continue their quiet walk to the private room.
Hinata held Ryosuke's hand tightly. Her mood had soured after encountering the father and son from earlier. She was confused and clearly upset, though she didn't fully understand why.
"Come on," Ryosuke said gently, reaching out to brush her hair with a soft smile. "Let's head inside."
Tempura was a deceptively simple dish—just a light batter and a quick fry. But it was precisely because of that simplicity that it demanded refined skill. To make tempura stand out, a chef needed to elevate every aspect of the flavor.
"The trick lies in controlling the heat and timing," explained the restaurant owner's daughter as she served the food. "It's what brings out the best in the ingredients."
Ryosuke picked up a freshly fried shrimp. The surface was golden and still sizzling. He took a bite.
The sound was crisp and satisfying. Immediately, the natural sweetness of the shrimp burst in his mouth. Despite being fried, the dish wasn't greasy at all.
The chef's technique was impeccable. The coating was golden and perfectly crisp, while the shrimp inside remained partially raw—just enough to retain its natural tenderness and sweetness beneath the crisp shell.
After all the dishes were served, the staff quietly exited the room, leaving Ryosuke and Hinata alone to eat in peace.
The private room fell silent, the only sound being the quiet clinking of chopsticks and faint chewing.
Ryosuke had always considered eating a solitary activity—one of the many habits carried over from his past life. Since childhood, he hadn't had many friends, so mealtimes were always quiet affairs.
And because Ryosuke didn't speak while eating, Hinata didn't dare start a conversation on her own either.
The food really was excellent. Once he was about 80% full, Ryosuke set down his chopsticks with a satisfied sigh.
"I'm full," he said simply.
Across from him, Hinata also put her chopsticks down and dabbed at her lips with a napkin. "Me too..."
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow as he glanced at her plates.
"You're done already? You only ate four portions today. That's way less than usual," he said, puzzled.
The restaurant didn't serve rice, and while the food was oily, it wasn't like her to stop so soon. At home, Hinata could easily polish off five full bowls of rice in one sitting.
"...Are you in a bad mood?"
Hinata's eyes widened slightly. She shook her head quickly, almost too quickly.
"No... no, I'm fine."
But her reaction only confirmed his suspicions.
"Is it about that father and son from earlier?" Ryosuke asked, his tone calm and careful, watching her face closely.
Hinata stiffened. Her expression flinched, and that alone was enough of an answer.
Ryosuke leaned back slightly, still keeping his voice soft. "Let me guess... Was it the kid? Did he bully you before?"
He spoke slowly, with a gentle smile, trying not to pressure her.
He was certain the chatter from the dining area hadn't reached Hinata's ears—she wasn't trained in sensory techniques yet. So her shift in mood had to be triggered by the pair they ran into earlier.
From what he saw, the middle-aged man had recognized their Byakugan at a glance. Clearly, he understood what it meant to be Hyūga. The only one who didn't seem aware of anything was the child—innocent, ignorant... but perhaps not harmless.
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