Nohara Rin shook her head slightly and took her leave, giving the space to Shimizu Uchiha and Hatake Kakashi.
"Is this about the ANBU?" Shimizu asked.
"The Hokage wants us to head over now," Kakashi replied.
"Let's go." Shimizu nodded.
He figured today would involve receiving gear—a standard-issue combat uniform and an animal mask. There'd also be the red tattoo on the arm: left for men, right for women. Of course, for Shimizu, removing it would be trivial. With his current medical ninjutsu skills, he could easily erase ink from skin.
As Shimizu and Kakashi made their way to the Hokage Tower, a man entered through the gates of Konohagakure.
Hyuga Tetsuka—Tokuma Hyuga—gazed at the familiar village and let out a breath. While on a mission, a clan member had suddenly summoned him back. The mission site wasn't far from Konoha, so he'd returned quickly. Yet, standing before his hometown, Tokuma felt a mix of nostalgia and unease, as if the place were both familiar and foreign.
"Natsu, how are you now?" Tokuma murmured.
His body bore new scars, his frame more robust, exuding a faint aura of blood from years on the battlefield. The grind of war had forged Tokuma into a stronger man. Thinking of Natsu Hyuga's pure smile warmed his heart, and he quickened his pace into the village.
"You're back, Tokuma," a voice greeted him not long after he reached the Hyuga Clan compound.
It was Hyuga Ginka. "Lady Ginka," Tokuma responded respectfully.
But the woman before him seemed a far cry from the Ginka he remembered. Her lips and face were pale, as if she'd endured some great ordeal. "Go apologize to Shimizu Uchiha," she said. "Natsu has been apologizing on your behalf, but you haven't paid a visit yourself."
"Apologize?!" Tokuma was stunned. Apologize for what? Was Shimizu still holding a grudge over some trivial past matter?
Ginka, too drained to explain, waved over a branch family member and left, clutching her forehead. The recent turmoil involving Hyuga Nobuhiko had left her sleepless and without appetite. Now that Shimizu's demanded "sincerity" had arrived, she could finally rest, if only briefly.
The branch family member explained the situation to Tokuma, who listened in disbelief. The clan had undergone such a drastic upheaval?
"Listen, Tetsuka," the clansman sighed, patting his shoulder. "Just go to the Uchiha. Otherwise, Lady Ginka won't rest easy. Who knows what she might do in her despair?" With that, he headed off to eat—it was dinnertime.
Tokuma didn't follow. He stood rooted, frowning. Truth be told, after years of training abroad, he'd entertained the idea of challenging Shimizu. During the Ninja World War, to bolster the Hyuga Clan's strength, many restricted Gentle Fist techniques had been taught to the branch family. Tokuma had mastered Kaiten and Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. Given more time, he was confident he could learn Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
Kaiten was hailed as an absolute defense! Tokuma doubted Shimizu could breach it. Sure, Shimizu had made a name for himself on the battlefield, but mostly for his medical skills and Body Flicker Technique. His Lightning Release and Fire Release? Hardly noteworthy.
Tokuma searched the compound for hours but couldn't find Natsu. Returning to his small room, he sighed. "So much has changed—blankets, tatami mats, everything."
The room was dusty from his long absence; other clansmen must have replaced things. His gaze fell on a woven grass flower on the table—a gift from Natsu when they were children, a symbol of their friendship.
"Natsu…" Tokuma sank into memories, her every smile and gesture vivid in his mind. When he snapped out of it, night had fallen.
Under the darkening sky, Tokuma set out for the Uchiha district. If need be, he'd swallow his pride, ask Shimizu to heal someone, and later challenge him to a spar to reclaim his lost honor.
Blending into the bustling crowd, Tokuma felt out of place. Years of war had distanced him from peaceful life, and readjusting would take time.
As he walked, shops bearing the Uchiha crest grew more frequent, signaling his arrival in their district. Asking for directions, he wound his way to Shimizu's home.
Staring at the pristine courtyard, Tokuma cursed under his breath at the indulgent leech. Shimizu had clearly renovated, the exterior gleaming anew. The ornate structures inside screamed wealth, even from afar.
"Luxury is meaningless," Tokuma muttered, wiser now than before. "Every few dozen ryō spent is one less kunai forged."
Thud. His ears twitched at the sound of a knock on the gate. Not wanting to use his Byakugan openly in the Uchiha district at night, Tokuma stepped closer to see if Shimizu had emerged.
Then he saw her—a girl with short, dark green hair, clad in a black robe with a maid's apron. As her eyes met his, a single thought roared through his mind.
"Natsu!" Tokuma called out, voice trembling with excitement.
"Tetsuka?" Natsu Hyuga turned, shocked to see her childhood friend back from the war.
"It's me. I'm back." Tokuma stepped forward.
Natsu looked much as she had in their youth—pure, beautiful. "Why are you in the Uchiha district?" he asked, his voice quivering with emotion.
Now a skilled ninja, he was eager to impress her. "I… was just passing through," Natsu stammered. "But you, Tetsuka, why are you here?"
"Lady Ginka sent me," Tokuma explained quickly, recounting his purpose.
"I see. So my sister sent you to apologize for the past," Natsu said, understanding. This was Ginka's idea of "sincerity." But after spending time with Shimizu, and judging by his skilled techniques on her, Natsu knew his "sincerity" was far more complex—perhaps even the opposite. Maybe the true "sincerity" was Ginka herself…
"We can catch up later," Tokuma said, knocking on the gate. No answer came. "Where's Shimizu gone?" he muttered.
Moments later, he decided it didn't matter. Having found Natsu, he wanted to stroll with her. The war had eased, and Konoha's economy was recovering, making the village lively at this hour. On his way, he'd seen intriguing sights and couldn't wait to share them with Natsu, to see her smile.
"No… no need, Tetsuka. I have things to do. I'm visiting a friend," Natsu said, naming a female Uchiha as an excuse.
"This late?" Tokuma asked.
"We planned it earlier."
Reluctantly, Tokuma left. But as he walked, doubts gnawed at him. The clan hadn't encouraged mingling with the Uchiha. His visit was only to secure Shimizu's help for the main family. Natsu's hesitant manner replayed in his mind.
He stopped abruptly and doubled back. "Natsu wouldn't lie to me," he told himself, heading toward her.
The night was dim, streetlights sparse and some broken, but it didn't hinder Tokuma. While the Byakugan lacked night vision, its perception surpassed the Sharingan. With faint light, he soon spotted Natsu.
But he instantly regretted his Byakugan.
Natsu wasn't visiting another Uchiha. She was waiting for Shimizu. When Shimizu returned, she stood respectfully by his side. Even as he touched her, she only murmured, "No… don't…" Yet her actions betrayed her words, allowing his touch.
"Natsu!" Tokuma's heart roared.
He slammed his fist into a wall, blood dripping, leaving a small dent. Why had she lied? How could she be with Shimizu?
His mind reeled, Natsu's gentle smiles now cutting like knives, stabbing his heart. A few years at war, and everything had changed beyond recognition.
Something must have happened—something he didn't know.
Tokuma resisted confronting them. Ginka needed Shimizu's help, and ruining that would bring punishment. So he stood, eavesdropping.
"Shimizu… Master, will you really help my sister?" Natsu asked.
"Of course," Shimizu replied.
Tokuma watched as Natsu followed Shimizu into the courtyard, the gate slamming shut.
Natsu must be coerced by Shimizu! Tokuma convinced himself. Though she and Ginka weren't close, blood was thicker than water. Natsu helping Ginka made sense.
"Vile Uchiha, I'll get answers," Tokuma growled, pounding on the gate.
The gate opened faster than he expected, as if anticipated. As a reconnaissance ninja, Tokuma prided himself on blending in—how had they known?
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