Chapter 9: Work Off Your Debt, Young Man! (Part 1)
Around ten in the morning, Ichiraku Ramen was bustling with customers. Whether it was Ino and the others or the newly hired waitstaff, everyone was so busy their feet barely touched the ground. When Hiashi Hyuga arrived holding Hinata's tiny hand, he couldn't help but be slightly surprised. As the head of the Hyuga clan, his daily duties left him little time to pay attention to the changing atmosphere of a ramen shop.
"Big Sister Sakura, I'm here!"
Just as Sakura stepped out from the kitchen after being dragged by Ino, she heard Hinata's joyful call.
"Clan Head Hiashi, good day!" Sakura greeted him politely before gently pulling Hinata over and having her sit beside her.
"Thank you for yesterday," Hiashi said stiffly, his expression solemn. However, when he saw how affectionate Hinata was with Sakura, a barely concealed jealousy surged in his eyes. Why is my daughter so close to someone she's only met once? She's never been this warm toward me!
"Ahem, no need to be so formal, Clan Head Hiashi. We're all from Konoha—it's only natural for us to help one another."
Sakura let out a small cough, feeling awkward at the strange expression on Hiashi's face. It was far too out of character—he looked more like a sulking father than a stern clan head.
"Even so, I must offer my thanks for your help. If there's anything you need in the future, the Hyuga clan will do everything in its power to assist you."
Hiashi made a formal promise, a trace of fear still lingering in his eyes. Had Sakura not acted in time yesterday, those cloud shinobi might truly have succeeded in abducting Hinata—or at the very least, her life would've been in serious danger.
"You really don't need to be so serious about it. Hinata and I are friends now. When a friend's in trouble, of course I'll help."
Sakura accepted a tray of snacks from Ino and placed it on the table, picking up a piece and offering it to Hinata.
…You've only met once. How did you become friends already? And why is Hinata acting so sweet with you? She hardly even smiles at me…
Watching Hinata happily nibble the snack that Sakura had handed her, Hiashi was practically drowning in jealousy, his whole presence radiating an air of disgruntled dissatisfaction.
"Clan Head Hiashi, are you wondering why Hinata and I seem so close already?" Sakura took a sip of tea, carefully avoiding Hiashi's vinegar-soaked glare.
Hiashi didn't say a word, but his eyes betrayed his curiosity.
"Sometimes, fate works in mysterious ways," Sakura said with a warm smile. "It's like with Ino and Naruto—when we first met, we just naturally clicked and became close friends. The same with Shikamaru and the others. We were strangers, but we quickly bonded. That's the beauty of fate."
Then she added with a subtle jab, "Of course, beyond fate, attitude matters too. I'm open and willing to befriend others, and people can sense that. But Clan Head Hiashi, you're always so serious. You keep that stern expression all the time—how could Hinata possibly feel comfortable joking or playing around with you?"
"Too serious, huh…" Hiashi reflected quietly. She might be right. As head of the Hyuga clan, I've always maintained a composed demeanor, especially in front of others. Even when I'm happy with Hinata, I still default to this stern face. The clan's atmosphere is rigid, and I've rarely played or chatted with her. No wonder she gets nervous around me…
"Why not observe how other parents in the village interact with their kids?" Sakura suggested gently. "You might find a better way to connect with Hinata. I can tell you care deeply for her—it's just that your serious demeanor can be hard for a child to handle."
"I'll consider it," Hiashi said thoughtfully, deciding he might sneak out later to see how other families bond.
Just then, an ANBU wearing a mask appeared, interrupting his train of thought.
"Lord Hiashi, the Hokage requests your presence."
With that message delivered, the ANBU vanished instantly. He was just a messenger—whatever came next wasn't his business.
Hiashi's brows furrowed. It must be about last night's incident.
"Miss Haruno, I'll leave Hinata in your care for now. I need to report to the Hokage's office."
"Don't worry, Clan Head Hiashi. I'll look after her!" Sakura eagerly agreed—talking to someone as stiff and traditional as Hiashi was exhausting for her.
After Hiashi Hyuga left, Sakura immediately took Hinata into the kitchen. Given Hinata's shy and introverted nature, working as a waitress wasn't really suitable for her. Helping out quietly in the kitchen with pastries and desserts, however, was a much better fit.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha, a young boy with the Uchiha clan's fan symbol on his back walked with a sour expression on his face. His older brother had promised to hang out with him, but once again had bailed at the last minute. As a diehard big-brother fan, this left him deeply annoyed.
As he approached the Ichiraku Ramen shop, the little Uchiha—now feeling a bit hungry—walked in without thinking twice. After glancing over the menu, he ordered a bowl of tomato and egg noodles, then continued sulking in silence.
After some time...
"Someone trying to dine and dash? And it's a kid from the Uchiha clan?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow when she heard from Ino. An Uchiha skipping out on a bill? That didn't add up. The Uchiha clan was wealthy and proud. Even Obito, an orphan in the original story, never seemed short on money. She could believe a regular person might try it, but an Uchiha? With their pride? That'd be out of character.
But when she walked out of the kitchen and saw the kid being held for trying to dine and dash, she nearly burst out laughing.
"Uchiha... Sasuke?!"
She couldn't help but laugh internally. This tomato-faced little kid is supposed to grow up into that brooding, revenge-driven teenager from the original story? The contrast was just too much. Is this… a black mark in young Lord Sasuke's history?
"Y-you know me?!" Sasuke's face flushed an even deeper red. Being caught without money and accused of dining and dashing was already humiliating enough—but to be recognized on top of that? In that moment, Sasuke felt like his entire world had collapsed in shame.
"Let's just say I do," Sakura said with a mischievous glint in her eye. As she glanced around at Shikamaru and the others bustling around the shop, a new idea suddenly struck her—What if we gathered all nine of us from the same year and had us work part-time together? That could be fun...
"Um… could someone come with me to the Uchiha compound? I'll go home and bring the money back!" Sasuke offered quickly, sensing that something ominous was about to happen. A strange chill ran down his spine.
"Oh, there's no rush," Sakura replied, her smile growing even more playful. "Why don't we sit down and have a nice little chat first?"
You walked into this one yourself, little Sasuke. Did you really think you'd get away that easily?