Chapter 16

Hiashi's tone was polite, but there was a sense of gravity in the air as he welcomed Naruto into the Hyuga family's private space. "Welcome, Mister Uzumaki, I am honored by your presence." His words were measured and respectful, acknowledging Naruto's standing, even though the young man was not yet fully aware of his own elevated status in the eyes of the ninja world.

Naruto, however, was not one to conform easily to formalities, and the greeting felt foreign to him. "Good afternoon, Mister Hyuga. I hope I'm not disturbing you," he replied in his usual casual manner, completely unaccustomed to speaking with clan leaders or elders.

Hiashi, understanding Naruto's more straightforward nature, smiled slightly. "I will always have time for you, Mister Uzumaki. You are an important guest of the Hyuga clan, so please, make yourself comfortable and speak your mind." He gestured for Naruto to sit, and with a subtle flick of his hand, instructed a servant to bring drinks. "What would you like to drink? Tea or juice?"

Naruto, always fond of the sweeter things in life, grinned. "I'll have mango juice," he said without hesitation, his voice filled with his characteristic ease. The Land of Fire was known for its delicious fruits, and mangoes were his favorite.

Hinata and Hiashi, on the other hand, opted for green tea, both of them setting the tone for a more subdued and formal atmosphere. The servant departed to fetch the drinks, leaving the three in a momentary silence.

"How have you been doing, Mister Uzumaki?" Hiashi asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more personal direction.

"I'm doing fine, how about you?" Naruto responded, trying his best to keep things friendly and casual.

"I feel like I've been given another life—energized, full of spirit," Hiashi said, his voice warm but careful. He paused as if considering something deeper, but then, sensing that Naruto had something on his mind, he continued. "I would love to share the details with you, but it seems that you have something to ask."

Hinata, observant as always, could tell that her father was trying to establish a connection with Naruto. She saw the subtle changes in his posture, the way his tone softened, all indicative of someone trying to bond with a person they respected. Yet, Naruto, oblivious to the social dynamics, was too focused on his own thoughts to pick up on the cues. He was simply a straightforward young man who spoke from the heart.

"Yeah, I don't really know how to say this…" Naruto trailed off, feeling the weight of his request for the first time. "I want to ask if I can learn the Gentle Fist."

Hiashi, though taken aback by the request, didn't show any outward surprise. His face remained neutral as he folded his hands in his lap, waiting for further clarification. He had never expected someone like Naruto to ask for something so personal and ingrained in the Hyuga clan's traditions. The Gentle Fist was a unique and powerful technique, but it was also something reserved for the clan, a heritage that few outsiders had been permitted to learn.

"Why do you want to learn it?" Hiashi asked, his voice calm but curious. "I don't think our meager skills are important enough for someone of your stature."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, trying to explain in a way that made sense to Hiashi. "I have power to protect and to kill, but I don't have anything to stop my opponents, to capture them, to keep them from running away." He paused, then continued, his voice earnest. "I think the Gentle Fist would help me with that, to incapacitate my enemies without causing unnecessary harm. I know it's a big request, but please, consider it."

Hiashi listened carefully, his expression unreadable. He knew the value of the Gentle Fist—how it could bypass natural defenses and disable opponents with precision—but Naruto's power was already immense. The idea of Naruto needing this skill seemed almost unnecessary, given the sheer magnitude of his chakra and his combat ability. Yet, Hiashi also understood that even someone as strong as Naruto could benefit from new techniques to control and direct his power more effectively.

Naruto was no ordinary requestor. He was the hero who had saved the world, the savior who was now standing before Hiashi, offering something the clan had never shared with outsiders. This was a rare opportunity, one that could change the future of both the Hyuga clan and Naruto's combat abilities.

"What will you give in return?" Hiashi asked after a long pause, his voice thoughtful.

Naruto, not fully understanding the magnitude of the question, immediately responded. "I can give you the Rasenshuriken, if you want." He offered the technique with a sense of casualness, as if it were just another tool in his vast arsenal.

Hiashi considered this, his brow furrowing. The Rasenshuriken was a powerful and destructive jutsu, but it wasn't exactly suited for the needs of the Hyuga clan. It wasn't something that would improve their unique style or help them defend their traditions. He needed something more than just an exchange of power.

"How about becoming an Honorary Elder of the Hyuga clan?" Hiashi proposed, his tone taking on a more official note. "This way, you won't be considered an outsider, and we can teach you our techniques as part of the clan. You would be an elder in name and only required to help in case of an emergency."

Naruto blinked, clearly unsure of what this meant. "Honorary Elder? What does that mean?" he asked, a little lost in the formality of it all.

Hiashi explained, "You would hold the title of an elder, but your responsibilities would be minimal. You would only be called upon in times of need, such as when the clan faces great danger. In return, we would allow you to learn our techniques."

Naruto rubbed his chin, thinking about the offer. "I see… Hmmm, please give me a moment to think about it. Hinata, could you follow me?" he said, standing up abruptly and motioning for her to join him.

Hiashi, a little surprised by Naruto's request to take Hinata with him, nodded and allowed them both to step out of the room.

As they left, Hiashi sat back in his chair, his thoughts drifting to the future. Could it be possible? Could Naruto marry Hinata and become a permanent part of the Hyuga family? He wasn't sure, but he had never seen his daughter so happy and hopeful as when she was with Naruto. Perhaps this could work…

Outside the small building, Naruto stood in thought, looking at Hinata with a sense of uncertainty. Normally, he would have made a decision without hesitation, but today he realized that rushing into things wasn't the right approach. This was important, and he needed a trustworthy perspective.

"What do you think?" he asked, turning to Hinata. His voice was steady, but there was an underlying sincerity in the way he sought her opinion. It was rare for him to seek advice so seriously, and it showed how much he valued her thoughts.

Hinata, her heart swelling with the honor of being trusted, smiled warmly at him. She had always admired his determination and impulsiveness, but she knew this was one moment where careful consideration was needed. She took a deep breath, knowing that her response had to be thoughtful.

"I think you should accept it," she said, her voice soft yet confident. "It's not detrimental to your purpose. The Hyuga clan would never misuse your presence—they understand your nature. They only wish to have your support for safety purposes, which you would have done regardless. And with this offer, you'll not only learn the Gentle Fist, but you'll also gain strong support for your future, especially when it comes to the Hokage seat."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Hokage seat? What does the clan have to do with that?"

Hinata paused, glancing at Naruto with a look of gentle surprise. She hadn't realized he didn't know the first thing about how the Hokage was chosen, especially since he had been dreaming of becoming Hokage for so long. "Do you know how the Hokage is chosen?" she asked softly, trying to gauge his understanding of the process.

"Not really," Naruto admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I never really thought about that."

Hinata was caught off guard by his honesty. She knew Naruto was always so focused on action, but she hadn't expected him to be so uninformed about this key aspect of his goal. "The Hokage is chosen by the council of clan heads," she explained, her tone informative but kind. "They vote for the candidate, and if the candidate doesn't have more than half the votes, they're rejected."

Naruto blinked, confused. "Really? But isn't the Hokage above them? How can they choose their superior?"

Hinata chuckled softly at his genuine confusion. "It's a system put in place by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. It ensures that the leader of the village is someone acknowledged by the founders of Konoha. Of course, there are other requirements, like knowledge, experience, power, and character." She paused, her eyes meeting his as she continued. "I believe you already have the support of everyone and the power. What you'll need now are lessons on governance and some experience in managerial roles. That will prepare you to be ready for the election."

Naruto's face scrunched up in thought, his usual enthusiasm dimming just a little. "I expected it to be hard, but that really sounds troublesome." He was someone who thrived in the heat of battle, the thrill of learning new jutsu, and the rush of adrenaline. The thought of taking on something so formal, so full of politics and procedures, went against his nature. Still, he had made a promise to himself, and no matter how difficult it was, he wouldn't back down. "But, I'll still do it. Hinata, you won't mind helping me out from time to time?"

Hinata's face lit up with warmth, her smile radiating affection as she nodded. "I won't mind. I would love to help you." Her words felt like a promise, and the sincerity behind them touched Naruto deeply.

He grinned, his heart swelling with a quiet joy. "Thank you for your support. And I didn't forget about what you said to me. I was really happy when you told me those words." His eyes softened with emotion as he continued, "But, we don't really know each other that well yet. We've never really hung out... so, I was hoping we could just start as friends and see if it works out."

Hinata's heart fluttered, feeling her emotions swell in response to his honesty. To hear him speak so openly, to acknowledge the connection between them—it meant everything. She could barely contain the warmth spreading through her chest, and before she even realized it, she hugged him tightly, her face glowing with affection. "Thank you for giving me a chance," she whispered, her voice full of earnest emotion. "I'll definitely make you happy."

Naruto, a bit taken aback by the suddenness of her embrace and the intensity of her words, hesitated for a brief moment. His face flushed with embarrassment, his mind whirling with the feeling of her love and trust. He wasn't used to being the target of such pure emotion, and it caught him off guard.

Still, he couldn't help but wrap his arms around her in return, his heart moved by her sincerity. Though he felt a little awkward, he knew one thing for sure: Hinata's feelings were genuine, and he would do his best to make her happy. For the first time in a long while, he truly felt like he was on the right path, not just for himself, but for the people who cared about him.

In that quiet moment, Naruto realized that no matter how hard the road ahead was, he wasn't walking it alone.