But she dared not disobey that man's command even more.
And... deep down, a twisted voice seemed to be telling her:
His Majesty is right, perhaps this is truly for everyone's good?
It's better for Hanabi to follow His Majesty than to face the cruel fate of the main and branch families in the future?
The Hyuga Clan can also be protected because of this?
This self-comforting thought.
Like a poison, it eased her guilt.
Hinata took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil within her.
She squeezed out a gentle but somewhat stiff smile on her face.
She gently stroked Hanabi's hair:
"Hmm, Big Sister is back. Outside... nothing happened, I made Hanabi worry."
She squatted down, looked into Hanabi's eyes, and softened her voice even more:
"Hanabi, do you want to... go out and play with Big Sister?"
"Just the two of us, go... go see Big Sister's current residence?"
"There are many... many new and interesting things there."
Hinata's heart trembled as she spoke these words.
But she tried hard to make her eyes seem sincere.
Upon hearing this, Hanabi's eyes instantly lit up!
Big Sister wants to take her out to play?
And to Big Sister's place?
For Hanabi, who was usually strictly disciplined within the clan, this was an immense temptation!
She was completely immersed in the joy of her Big Sister's return and the anticipation of going out.
She did not notice the struggle and pain deep in Hinata's eyes.
"Really? That's great! Big Sister is the best!"
Hanabi jumped up happily, clutching Hinata's hand tightly, "Are we going now? Should we tell Father?"
"No... no need."
Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head, her voice a little hurried, "We... we'll go secretly and come back soon."
"It'll be a surprise for Father, okay?"
She made a clumsy excuse.
"Mm! Okay! I'll listen to Big Sister!"
Hanabi nodded vigorously, completely trusting her Big Sister's words.
So, Hinata held Hanabi's small hand.
Just like when she used to secretly take her to the backyard to practice when they were little.
They avoided the gaze of some clan members.
And quietly walked out of the side gate of the Hyuga main residence.
The sunlight spilled onto the two sisters, outlining a seemingly warm and beautiful picture.
The Big Sister gently held the younger sister's hand, and the younger sister skipped and hopped, her face full of excitement and dependence.
However, only Hinata herself knew.
She was holding her younger sister's hand, walking step by step towards that magnificent yet cold cage, which she had personally helped weave.
Every step felt like treading on knife edges.
The guilt in her heart almost devoured her.
But Di Yan's figure and words were like invisible shackles, pushing her forward, unable to turn back.
She could only tell herself over and over again in her heart:
This is for Hanabi's good... for the clan's good... His Majesty will treat Hanabi well... Hyuga Hiashi had just seen off Di Yan, that unfathomable Buddha.
Returning to the tea room, he hadn't even had time to drink some tea to calm himself, and the ripples in his heart had not completely subsided.
A Hyuga Clan member burst in, flustered, reporting with a pale face:
"Clan Head! Something's wrong!"
"Lady Hanabi... Lady Hanabi is missing!"
"What?"
Hyuga Hiashi stood up abruptly.
The teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a "smash," shattering into pieces.
His face changed dramatically.
The composure he had maintained while dealing with Di Yan instantly vanished!
Hinata was still in Di Yan's hands.
This had already made him restless.
Now his most promising and talented second daughter, Hanabi, was also missing?
This was simply adding insult to injury!
... 53 Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law; Konoha's Combat Power
Could it be Danzo's people?
Or other forces eyeing the Hyuga Clan covetously?
At this critical juncture.
Any mishap with either daughter could bring disaster to the clan!
The succession of the main family now only depended on these two daughters.
Just as Hyuga Hiashi was burning with anxiety, preparing to immediately order a full clan search.
Even considering whether to immediately seek an audience with the Hokage.
Another clan member walked in quickly.
Holding a sealed letter in his hand.
"Clan Head, someone just delivered this letter."
"The sender specified that you open it personally. The messenger... seemed to be dressed from the palace."
Hyuga Hiashi's heart sank instantly.
A very ominous premonition instantly gripped him!
He almost snatched the letter, his fingers trembling slightly as he tore open the wax seal.
The letter unfolded, with only one line of text.
The handwriting was powerful and carried an undeniable domineering aura:
"Hanabi is innocent and lovely. I have invited her to play for a few days. Clan Head Hiashi need not worry."
There was no name at the bottom.
Only a simple flame emblem.
That was the mark of the Emperor of the Land of Fire!
"Thud..."
Hyuga Hiashi seemed to have all his strength drained.
He staggered and fell back into his chair.
His face was ashen, and the letter in his hand fluttered to the ground.
"Invited to play for a few days?"
Easier said than done!
This was clearly blatant kidnapping!
It was a threat!
Di Yan was using the lives and safety of his two daughters.
To force him to take a stand.
To control the lifeline of his Hyuga Clan!
Hinata was still in his hands, and now even Hanabi had been "invited" away!
The other party had left him no choice at all!
He suddenly remembered Di Yan's words before he left.
That seemingly casual mention of his brother Hizashi's death... "Sometimes, overly adhering to so-called 'rules' can instead chill the hearts of loyal subjects..."
These words were like a cold warning bell, ringing wildly in his mind!
Hizashi's death was an eternal pain for the Hyuga Clan.
It was also an indelible thorn in their hearts against the Konoha Higher-Ups.
Di Yan was reminding him.
Konoha's "rules" had once sacrificed his brother,
And in the future, they might also sacrifice his daughters!
Following Konoha might not lead to a good outcome!
Silence.
Suffocating silence enveloped the entire tea room.
Hyuga Hiashi seemed to have aged a great deal in an instant.
He had spent his life striving to maintain the Hyuga Clan's transcendent status.
Surviving in the cracks between Konoha's various 01 forces.
He never expected to ultimately be swept into this monstrous wave,
And in such a passive and humiliating way.
On one side was Konoha, deeply rooted but internally strife-ridden, which had caused the Hyuga to bleed.
On the other side was a young Emperor with ruthless methods, who controlled his two daughters, and displayed terrifying strength and ambition.
"Alas..."
After a long while, Hyuga Hiashi let out a deep, powerless sigh.
That sigh was filled with helplessness and unwillingness.
But it ultimately turned into a resigned compromise.
He slowly raised his head and instructed the clan members waiting anxiously by his side: