Chapter 22 : Friends!!

Hyuga Hinata?

Genya was surprised to see a young Hinata here, and she was crying.

He couldn't believe his luck in stumbling upon her.

Then he felt a bit pleased—it looked like this was the scene where Hinata ran away from home.

"The eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, the future beauty. I didn't expect to meet her. What a lucky guy!" Genya couldn't help but smile, feeling happy inside.

He thought, "Sorry, Naruto. Hinata is such a sweet, innocent girl. I'll be the one to protect her from now on."

"Anyway, you don't care about Hinata. Go after your so-called perfect Haruno Sakura. The kind and gentle Hinata isn't right for you."

"Who are you? Wuwu~~" Seeing Genya's relaxed smile, Hinata became tense again, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Ahem. I'm a good person," Genya said, a bit speechless. Seeing her pitiful state, he smiled and said, "Why are you crying? You must be hungry. Let me take you to get some ramen!"

Without waiting for her response, Genya took her hand and led her towards the ramen shop.

"There's nothing a meal can't fix for kids."

Hinata hesitated, "I'm not hungry!"

Gurgle~~

But just then, her stomach growled loudly, revealing she was very hungry.

"You're not hungry? Come on with me!" Genya smiled and quickened his pace.

"Um...I don't have any money," Hinata said softly, her voice barely audible. 

Her quiet demeanor and timidity showed she had likely been heavily controlled by her father.

"I, Genya, will pay for everything. I never make others pay!" Genya waved his hand generously and continued to pull her along.

He hoped Ichiraku Ramen was still open.

Genya knew that Hinata spoke very softly at home due to family issues. She was also worried about angering her father, which meant she often didn't get enough to eat. 

Because of this, Hinata's pure Byakugan had weakened, turning into a regular Byakugan due to lack of energy. If she had enough nutrition, her Byakugan could improve further.

It was late, and Ichiraku Ramen was about to close with no customers in sight. Genya, who had been trying to coax Hinata inside, finally succeeded in getting her to come in.

Genya casually took a seat and called out, "Uncle Ichiraku, I'll have ten deluxe ramen sets!"

"Got it!" Uncle Ichiraku knew Genya well. He often ate at least five bowls, sometimes ten, so he wasn't surprised by the order. He went to prepare the food.

Hinata, still a bit nervous, sat down and fiddled with her clothes, avoiding eye contact. "Ten bowls? We can't finish that!" 

She braced herself for a scolding from Genya.

Seeing her anxious, Genya gently ruffled Hinata's hair. "Don't worry about it. If you can't finish, I'll help. I'm so hungry I might need all ten bowls myself!"

Genya's appetite had really grown lately.

"By the way, what's your name?" He already knew, but asked to avoid making her suspicious.

Hinata, shyly, replied, "Hinata...Hinata Hyuga."

Genya grinned and said, "Hyuga Hinata, that's a wonderful name!"

"How did you end up here? Did you get lost?"

Hinata just looked down, seeming hurt. Before Genya could ask more, Uncle Ichiraku brought out the ramen.

"Eat quickly, or it'll get cold!" Genya began eating eagerly, having not eaten since noon due to intense training. His stomach was empty.

Hinata watched Genya enjoying his meal and hesitated at first, but soon couldn't resist the delicious smell and started eating.

After finishing her first bowl and about to set down her chopsticks, Genya placed another bowl in front of her with a supportive smile.

Hinata blushed and said, "I'm full!"

"You're not done yet!" Genya said seriously, "Food should not be wasted!"

Hinata picked up her chopsticks again after Genya reluctantly agreed. 

So, after the meal, three-year-old Hinata had eaten four bowls, and Genya had eaten eleven bowls.

Today, Hinata realized she wasn't the only one with a huge appetite. It was a relief to find someone who ate as much as she did. She looked at Genya with admiration.

"Thank you!"

After finishing her meal, Hinata burped and remembered to ask Genya his name. She asked timidly, "Can you tell me your name?"

"Uchiha Genya!" Genya replied, patting his full stomach.

Once they had introduced themselves, Genya stood up, took Hinata's hand, and said, "Come on, I'll take you home!"

At the door, Genya suddenly remembered something. He turned and told Uncle Ichiraku, who was cleaning up, "Uncle Ichiraku, put today's food on my dad's account. And... when Hinata comes for ramen in the future, put it on my dad's account too!"

Meanwhile, Uchiha Kinya, who was working in his office, suddenly sneezed.

"Thank you, thank you!" Hinata said, her eyes red with gratitude.

"What are you thanking me for!" Genya waved it off, holding Hinata's hand as they walked through the snow. "We're friends now, so don't be too polite. Otherwise, I'll get mad!"

He quickened his pace slightly.

He called them friends because, according to studies, most close relationships start as friendships!

Genya had been to the Hyuga clan's territory before. It was a small place, and he knew it well.

"Friends?" Hinata, holding Genya's hand, seemed surprised by the word. A smile spread across her face as she said, "Yes, we are friends!"

At the Hyuga mansion...

"Is this your home? It's quite luxurious!"

Genya looked at the luxurious mansion before him. He had only hurried past it before, but today he took a closer look and couldn't help but feel impressed.

The Hyuga clan is indeed one of the most prestigious families in Konoha and is highly respected by the Hokage. This mansion is even more extravagant than Fugaku's current home in the Uchiha clan.

Of course, it's still not quite as impressive as the house where Genya lives now!

His father is Uchiha Kinya!

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