Rushing all the way to the kitchen, Hyuga Goryu was stunned to find that the Hinata sisters were already waiting there.
Looking at the furious Hyuga Hanabi, a wry smile involuntarily flashed across Hyuga Goryu's face.
He knew he was probably in for it again.
Sure enough!
The moment Hyuga Hanabi saw Hyuga Goryu appear, she, who had been holding back a belly full of anger, immediately began scolding him without any restraint.
"Why are you only showing up now? Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting here?
Do you think you performed so well today that you forgot who you are?"
"Sorry! It won't happen again!"
"It won't happen again? Hyuga Goryu! Is that your attitude? It seems you really—"
"Hanabi! Let's go! If we delay any longer, Father and the others will get impatient."
Seeing Hanabi's words growing harsher and noticing the increasing number of clan members gathering around, Hinata, standing nearby, quickly tugged at Hanabi's sleeve to stop her from continuing.
"Hmph! I'll deal with you later! Pick up the food box! If you dare spill even a drop of the soup, you'll lick it clean bit by bit! Got it?"
Casting a glance at the food box on the ground, the still-fuming Hyuga Hanabi spoke again.
"Understood."
Knowing that saying anything else would only provoke Hanabi further, Hyuga Goryu chose to back down immediately.
This complete lack of resistance caused the surrounding Hyuga clan members to burst into laughter.
Though under Hanabi's glare, those who laughed quickly forced themselves to stop, once the three of them walked away, the clan members who had been holding it in erupted into unrestrained laughter!
Naturally, this outcome made the prideful Hyuga Hanabi's expression even uglier.
Hurrying back to the dining area, Hanabi, who had been suppressing her anger the whole way, flipped out the moment she stepped inside.
*Slap!*
"It's all because of you, you useless waste! How else would we end up as laughingstocks to everyone else?"
Turning around and delivering a slap to Hyuga Goryu's face, the furious Hyuga Hanabi roared at him.
As if one slap wasn't enough to vent her anger, Hanabi raised her hand again after her outburst.
Looking at Hyuga Goryu, who stood there expressionless and let Hanabi hit and scold him, Hyuga Hiashi, sitting nearby, immediately furrowed his brow.
"Hanabi! That's enough!"
"F-Father?!"
Not expecting her father to intervene, Hyuga Hanabi's face instantly filled with disbelief.
"I said enough!"
Without even glancing at his stunned younger daughter, Hyuga Hiashi, kneeling in his seat, spoke again.
"Goryu! Take the dinner out of the food box!"
"Yes, Lord Hiashi!"
Responding respectfully, Hyuga Goryu, who had just taken a slap from Hanabi, walked past her toward the nearby dining table.
Steadily setting out all the food, everyone began eating at Hyuga Hiashi's signal.
Throughout the meal, the still-angry Hyuga Hanabi kept shooting glares at Hyuga Goryu.
If not for her father Hyuga Hiashi's earlier intervention, she might not have been able to resist continuing to humiliate him.
After finishing the meal quietly, as Hyuga Goryu began clearing the dishes, Hyuga Hiashi spoke again.
"Goryu!"
"Lord Hiashi!"
Pausing his cleaning, Hyuga Goryu immediately stood respectfully.
"The Hokage wishes for you to train under his direct Anbu for a while. What do you think?"
Looking at Hyuga Goryu, who showed not a trace of defiance, Hyuga Hiashi asked in a calm tone.
"I leave everything to Lord Hiashi's arrangements!"
Facing Hyuga Hiashi's question, Hyuga Goryu answered without hesitation.
"Very well! In that case, you'll go meet the Hokage tomorrow!"
Pausing briefly, Hyuga Hiashi continued.
"Remember! In front of the Hokage, you must not bring shame to the Hyuga clan's name!"
"Please rest assured, Lord Hiashi! Goryu will do everything in his power to uphold the Hyuga clan's honor!"
"Good!"
Nodding with satisfaction, Hyuga Hiashi then said something that surprised the others present.
"You don't need to worry about the things on the table! Rest early; your meeting with the Hokage cannot be delayed!"
"Yes, Lord Hiashi!"
Bowing respectfully once more, Hyuga Goryu left the dining room under Hyuga Hanabi's incredulous gaze and headed toward his quarters.
It was still early, and he planned to practice everything he had mastered so far once he got back.