Chapter 181: I like you! Naruto-kun
Hinata's transformation had been nothing short of remarkable. She had evolved from a timid girl into a responsible and determined leader. It wasn't just Karin who noticed—everyone in the Hyūga clan was stunned. The hesitant, uncertain heiress they once knew was now a completely different person.
"I... I know you don't trust me much," Hinata said, addressing the clan members. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the golden-haired figure standing nearby, giving her the strength to continue. She clasped her hands tightly against her chest. "But I will fulfill my duties and do my best as the acting head of the clan until Neji-niisan returns."
"Right now, I'm the only one who can do this."
The expressions of the former main family members softened slightly. Despite everything that had happened in the past few days, Hinata was still a member of the main family, Hiashi's daughter. With her leading the clan, perhaps their situation would improve.
However, the branch family members murmured among themselves, hesitant to accept her leadership. After all, Hinata was the "heiress" of the main family. Even though she and Neji had defied the Hyūga clan's oppressive system, the title of "heiress" was still a label she had carried since birth.
Neji stepped forward, and the branch members immediately fell silent. Before he could speak, Hinata quickly interjected, "Neji-niisan, please place the Caged Bird seal on me as well."
Neji was taken aback, as were the branch members. They looked at her in disbelief.
Hinata was the only member of the main family who had not been marked with the Caged Bird seal. The branch family had no objections to this; as she had said, she was the only one who had opposed the main family's system of enslaving the branch family. Her lack of a seal was one of her "rewards" as the victor.
But now, she was asking for it?