"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage, but I-I cannot say." Hinata glanced at the man beside her, smiling sweetly, "Saul-kun gives me the strength I need to face... Everything. Without him, I-I..."

Am nothing.

The Hokage was still silent, so Hinata forced herself to continue.

"He's incredibly smart, you know? H-he's just... Amazing! I never would have lasted t-to this day with what happened... If he wasn't there for me... Sorry. I will let Saul-kun decide. I-I trust him with all my heart."

The Hokage was processing her words silently. Their relationship had already progressed this far. It seems there was no point in pressuring Hinata to make a decision on her own. She had made it clear she would follow the boy Saul wherever he went.

"Well then. Genin Saul. What is your decision regarding Team Eight's situation and the Hyuuga clan's... requests?"

Alright then. It was time to push everything forward.

"For the Kurama clan, I do not believe there to be much conflict of interest. As a current good friend of mine, Yakumo is very familiar with me and by extension Hinata, who often accompanies me. She would be sad to have Hinata go. We have yet to ask the 3rd member of our team, Inuzuka Kiba, about his opinion. I've spoken with the Kurama clan head personally and personally know that he is both a righteous man and a loving father. Kiba as well is an understanding, kind man at heart. Properly negotiated, I'm sure we can reach some sort of compromise regarding Yakumo's addition to Team Eight."

"What of the Hyuuga clan?"

"Regarding the Hyuuga clan, they are quite frankly overstepping their bounds. Their requests are invasive and do not take into consideration the opinions of neither Hinata nor myself. I know however that as the Third Hokage, you are motivated to give the Hyuuga an explanation. As such I have a proposal."

Hiruzen took a puff out of his pipe. "Go on, boy. What is it?"

"Regardless of what the Hyuuga clan may think, I believe Hinata to be an incredibly strong and talented woman. Her Exile from the Hyuuga, while unjust, might have been the best thing for Hinata as a Kunoichi. She can fight. She is one of the most talented ninja I've ever seen! The Hyuuga clan should not be allowed to ruin her life any further than it already has.

Hyuuga Neji is publicly known as one of the most prodigious Hyuuga the clan has ever seen. He graduated a year before Hinata, and his reputation as a genius is impeccable. I would like to propose a duel between Hinata and the supposed prodigy, Neji during the upcoming Chunin exams. If she loses, Hinata shall follow their request by moving away from me. I shall publicly keep a certain distance from her as well in respect of the Hyuuga clan's wishes. 

If she wins however, Hinata shall be allowed to do as she pleases without fear of any of the Hyuuga clan's so-called requests! After all, her win will make it evident to all how much being within the Hyuuga stifled her potential. In addition to this as she is no longer a member of the Hyuuga clan, any of her future progeny will also never be subject to the Caged bird seal!"

Interesting... A bet, huh? He would publicize the boy's current words in the upcoming Chunin exams. It would make for much entertainment among the visiting nobles regardless of the result - and the boy had certainly intended for this as well by choosing such a public venue. Did he wish to force the Hyuuga to accept the results of this bet? Hiruzen was curious, what gave him so much confidence in Hinata?

"You do understand that both the Hyuuga and myself will force you to honor the words you've spoken today. Are you sure I should tell this proposal to the Hyuuga?"

Saul nodded with certainty, "I am sure of it. I believe what I have seen through my own eyes more than anything; Hinata has what it takes."

"Very well then, I shall relay your response to them shortly. You two may leave to meet up with your Jonin sensei. Make sure to talk with your other teammate, Kiba, as well. I will require his approval before I finalize any transfer requests from the Kurama clan about Yakumo."

Saul bowed, bringing a distraught Hinata to bow with him. "Thank you for your protection regarding the Hyuuga clan and your patience regarding Yakumo, Hokage-sama. Neither Hinata nor I will ever forget your kindness! We will do our best to repay you."

The Hokage smiled, "Do not thank me. I only act according to the Will of Fire. As long as you two work hard in service of Konoha and the Land of Fire, you will not be mistreated!"

Saul nudged Hinata. "Thank you as well, Hokage-sama. I-I..." *Sniff*

She wasn't able to finish her words. Saul took her hand supportively to tell her everything was going to be ok.

"We'll be taking our leave now. I'm sure Kurenai-sensei has a mission for us."

"Mhm." The Hokage nodded.

Once the two were outside Hinata burst into tears.

"Saul-kun... Neji is so strong...! I'll never be able to win! Doesn't something like that mean I won't be able to see you ever again?"

"No Hinata. I only promised not to see you publicly. In private that means I can come see you whenever you'd like, even if you lose."

"Really?"

Saul felt bad about lying to her.

"Mostly... Regardless, this is already the best case scenario regarding the Hyuuga. If you win, we never have to worry about their interference again. And if you lose... Well those things would have happened anyway; it was only a matter of time before they forced the Hokage's hand."

"But... Saul-kun. I'm a failure. My entire life I've been trying my best, but it's never enough. Even after I finally thought we were free, after I finally believed I could just live the life of my dreams with you, without having to worry about them..." 

Her voice turned incredibly deep and dark with hatred as she mentioned the Hyuuga clan. Saul spoke up during her furious silence.

"I believe in you. I've always believed in you, Hinata. You've shown to me time and time again that you're not a failure, that you're capable of any and everything you set your mind to! You are the woman I love, Hinata. Now, I need you to believe in yourself. I need you to show it not just to me, but to the entire world that the Hyuuga clan was wrong about you!"

She hung her head down low for a while. Saul comforted her as they walked, but she didn't even respond. Hinata was never like this! It was only when they arrived at the mission office that she finally spoke up.

"I understand... So all I have to do is win, right?" Black strands of hair covered her face.

"Y-yeah."

"Then... I'll win." She said with determination. Her head lifted up to reveal a crazy smile. "I love you too, with all of my heart! I'll kill anyone who tries to get between us, my beloved Saul-kun♥️"

Author's Note: Hiashi's sneaky decision of exiling Hinata to protect her from being branded with the caged bird seal would not keep the clan at bay forever. The proposal the MC made strikes at the very core of the Hyuuga, their honor, and challenges everything they thought about Hinata. They would never believe that they were somehow wrong, so with the Hokage egging them on and the publicity of the Chunin exams, they would be happy to take this bet.

In a few chapters coming up, I'll finally show you guys a small hint of Hinata's current strength. She's something of a monster right now lol, even if she doesn't know it.

The only ones she has to compare herself at the moment are Saul and Kiba. Saul was a ninja with no bloodline, and Kiba had a 'clan' so to speak but no related bloodline, only clan arts. Her upbringing as a prideful member of the Hyuuga leads her to unconsciously look down upon everyone else's strengths, even though she doesn't normally show it. They are not actual indicators of progress to her.

However, her general increased confidence and her motivation to not only train diligently, but to also train 'effectively' make her much, much different than how she was in canon. Additionally her increased food intake - supported by Saul - has made the training she does give ten times the results of her prior training! Keep in mind she only started taking things seriously in canon after she saw Naruto's efforts in the Chunin exams. The Hinata of now and the Hinata of then cannot even be compared in the same breath.

For now I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and are excited for the upcoming showcase of her strength!