After a warm breakfast, they went together to a nearby pet shop and carefully picked out a soft, comfy bed for Da Huang.
Then, carrying the new bed and Da Huang, the group chatted and laughed all the way back to Naruto's house.
Once the bed was set beside the living-room sofa, Da Huang dove in excitedly, turned a few circles, and settled down contentedly—clearly delighted with his new nest.
With the little guy settled, Naruto, Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi headed out for the training ground.
They had barely stepped past the gate when a crisp, slightly urgent female voice called from behind:
"Please wait, Miss Hanabi—and Miss Hinata!"
Everyone turned to see a young woman hurrying toward them.
She had delicate features and wore the Hyuga's simple traditional robe, yet over it an incongruous white lace-trimmed apron. A Konoha forehead protector rested on her brow, and her eyes betrayed a hint of barely hidden tension.
"Big Sister Natsu?"
Hanabi recognized her at once: Natsu Hyuga, the branch-house maid who had once looked after her every day.
Hinata greeted her softly as well. "Big Sister Natsu."
Natsu stepped closer and bowed respectfully to the two main-house girls.
Her gaze flicked to Naruto and Ino, hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she lowered her voice: "Young ladies, the Elders… wish to see you immediately."
"Elders?"
Ino frowned, sensing the shift in atmosphere.
Naruto's reaction was faster and more direct.
The instant he heard the word "Elders," he moved on instinct, stepping in front of the sisters.
His brows knitted, sharp blue eyes fixed on Natsu.
"Which Elders?"
His tone carried a rare chill and vigilance.
Not long ago Hiashi had made it plain: leaving the village this time was partly bait to draw out snakes, and he'd asked Naruto to watch over Hinata and Hanabi—especially against certain "old things" in the clan.
Now, with Hiashi barely gone, those same Elders wanted a private audience?
Anyone who'd sat through a Blue-Planet history class could guess they were planning something big.
Seize the sisters as bargaining chips to force concessions—or even grab more power—from Hiashi the moment he returned.
The thought tightened Naruto's chest; he planted himself more firmly in front of them.
Da Huang, perched on his shoulder, lifted his head and growled low, eyeing Natsu warily.
Ino slipped to Naruto's side, hand subtly brushing her ninja tool pouch.
She didn't know every Hyuga secret, but Naruto's stance and Natsu's nervous face told her this was no simple summons.
Under Naruto's piercing stare the air grew taut; Natsu unconsciously stepped back, panic flashing across her face.
She bit her lip and whispered, "The Main-House Elders led by the Grand Elder… they're all waiting in the compound."
"Then let them wait. Uncle Hiashi will be back in two or three days; they can tell him whatever they like."
Naruto didn't yield an inch.
"But…"
Natsu had no choice; controlled by the Caged Bird Seal, she couldn't refuse the Elders' order.
Seeing her distress, Naruto realized she was just another pawn.
He'd met her often before—after Hanabi's mother died, Hiashi had hired her to raise his youngest daughter.
With Hiashi away, the Elders must have used the seal to force her here.
"Tell them I'm the one keeping the girls. If they've got a problem, let them complain to the Third."
Relief washed over Natsu's face.
A reply—any reply—was all she needed.
"Yes, I'll report to the Elders at once."
Watching her disappear down the street, Naruto's eyes glinted sharply.
A line echoed in his mind with perfect clarity:
"I am not yet strong; once strong, there will be change."
Wasn't he "strong" yet? In those decrepit, narrow minds he was still just a promising Genin, a Jinchuriki to be managed—a piece to be shuffled across their board.
But they forgot: players aren't seated by seniority.
As the saying goes, why sit the imperial exam when you can storm the gates?
A long-smothered flame kindled quietly in the depths of his blue eyes.
His low profile, his hidden strength, his by-the-book path—all looked like "not yet strong" to some.
But now, claws were reaching for those he'd sworn to protect, using rotten rules to crush the people he cared about.
Looks like the time has come.
Time to give this seemingly calm yet secretly surging Konoha a small, Uzumaki-style "shock."
Consider it a pop-quiz before the Chunin Exams.
Those old Hyuga fossils don't even rank "Five-Three"*.
Perfect chance to test his Ice Release, too.
He reined in his killing intent, turned, and looked at worried Hinata, indignant Ino, and little Hanabi with her small fists clenched.
Naruto reached out, warm palm resting atop Hanabi's soft hair, and gently ruffled it.
His voice was quiet, yet carried a rock-solid certainty:
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
He met Hanabi's eyes, then Hinata's and Ino's.
"Their hands can't reach you."
A plain, even arrogant claim.
Publicly, Naruto still held no lofty rank; most of his true strength stayed hidden.
In the eyes of the mighty he remained an unpolished gem.
Yet when he said "I'm here," trust blazed in Hanabi's eyes and she nodded hard; color returned to Hinata's pale cheeks as if she'd found her anchor; even independent Ino relaxed, a small "just as it should be" smile tugging at her lips.
They believed him.
Without reason—and with absolute certainty.