Chapter 218: Little Hinata: I'm Just a Crybaby
Compared to the seemingly furious Main Family elders, the members of the Branch Family were not at peace either.
Hyūga Hanabi, the clan head's younger daughter.
Although her status in their hearts couldn't compare to Lady Hinata's, Hanabi was, at the very least, the designated future head of the Main Family.
Now, she had been attacked by a mysterious enemy, an enemy who also possessed the Byakugan, and one without the Caged Bird seal.
This news instantly detonated throughout the entire Hyūga Clan.
"Lord Clan Head, Neji was also involved this time. Please, tell me the identity of the enemy!"
Inside the clan head's residence, Hyūga Hizashi knelt before Hiashi, his face grave as he made his request.
But Hiashi only gave him a meaningful look, then lifted his teacup and calmly took a sip.
It was as if this invasion incident was nothing to be concerned about in his eyes.
This caused the corner of Hyūga Hizashi's eye to twitch.
The main target of the enemy this time wasn't Neji.
Your own daughter, the next clan head, was almost killed, so why are you still able to sit so calmly?!
"Hizashi, this matter is rather complicated. You shouldn't get involved."
Hiashi put down his teacup, his tone indifferent. "I will naturally tell you what I can. But there are some things that it's not that I don't want to say, but that as the head of the Hyūga Clan, I cannot say."
Hearing this, Hizashi gritted his teeth.
That line again. I'm sick of it.
"Is it because I'm from the Branch Family that you refuse to tell me?" Hizashi asked, losing some of his composure.
SLAM!
"Hyūga Hizashi, don't think for a second that I am unaware of the little moves you've been making behind my back!"
Placing the teacup heavily on the table, Hiashi's tone suddenly turned grim. "Now that Hinata is also part of the Branch Family, I don't want her to be affected by the Caged Bird, which is why I've been turning a blind eye to your little schemes."
"If it weren't for that, do you think you would still be alive right now?"
"I… I don't know what you're talking about."
Hizashi's face stiffened. He opened his mouth to offer a defense, then fell silent.
Hiashi actually knows about the things they've been doing in secret.
So, how much does he know?
Is he saying this now to draw a line in the sand?
"Say what you will, but I must remind you that many things in this world are not simply black and white. The 'Caged Bird' is one of them."
Hiashi said in a low, meaningful voice, "Perhaps for some, it is a shackle and a cage. But for others, is it not also a form of protection?"
"While it controls the members of the Branch Family, it has also protected the legacy of the Hyūga Clan, preventing the old, the weak, and the women and children from becoming targets for others to steal the Byakugan."
With that, Hiashi gave his own younger brother a strange look.
His eyes met Hizashi's, which were filled with astonishment.
"Clan... Brother."
Hizashi spoke, his face full of disbelief. "You mean…"
"I don't mean anything special."
Hiashi raised a hand, cutting him off. "I just don't want there to be a next time. If you understand, then you may leave."
Hearing this, Hizashi paused, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
"Brother, I will keep the Branch Family in line."
With that, after giving Hiashi a respectful bow, Hizashi turned and left.
After Hizashi had gone far away, Hiashi, who had been sitting quietly, let out a silent sigh.
How could he not know about Hizashi's little schemes?
The appearance of a Byakugan without the "Caged Bird," one that possessed such great power, was something no one in the Main Family had expected. It had given the members of the Branch Family other ideas.
Although it was still unknown how the intruder had obtained an unrestricted Byakugan, judging from the blind child with him and his attempt to gouge out Hanabi's eyes…
A child's eyes were almost the same size as an adult's.
That bold idea, like a nail, had been driven into the hearts of the Branch Family, already causing unrest.
Hiashi sighed inwardly. "If it were the old me, I probably would have punished Hizashi with the cursed seal."
The two of them were born as twins.
Hiashi knew he had only become a member of the Main Family because he was lucky enough to have been born a few seconds earlier.
There was only one Main Family member in each generation. As the younger brother, Hizashi was destined to be branded with the Caged Bird, becoming a Branch Family member whose life and death were controlled by the Main Family.
It wasn't fair at all.
But, so what?
This was never something one person could change, nor was it ever something the Hyūga Clan could control.
But…
It was just as Hinata had told him earlier.
"A slap is often most intimidating when the hand is raised. If you actually strike, all that's left is pain and hatred."
He never thought that he, a father, wouldn't see things as clearly as a little girl.
"I just hope that damn girl doesn't make things too difficult for me."
Hiashi shook his head with a bitter smile. "Thinking back, when I saw Hizashi being branded with the Caged Bird, I also made a resolution in my heart that I would never use the cursed seal on him."
He just hadn't expected that as they grew older, this initial resolve would be gradually forgotten, and the relationship between the brothers would drift further and further apart.
Just then, Hiashi suddenly looked up toward the door.
Swish!
"Lord Clan Head."
A figure appeared outside the door and spoke respectfully, "In one hour, the elders will hold a clan meeting in the conference room. Two advisors will also be attending this time. We request your presence to preside over the situation."
Why would two advisors attend a Hyūga clan meeting?
And they made such a decision on their own without even seeking my approval. It seems the old geezers are dissatisfied with me as well.
Inside the room, Hiashi frowned. After a moment of silence, he responded, "I understand."
The figure outside the door bowed, then vanished with a Shunshin.
The room fell silent once again.
After a long while, a cold laugh could be heard.
"Where did you go, Lady Hinata?"
A male Branch Family ninja wearing a forehead protector suddenly appeared, standing in front of Hyūga Hinata and blocking her path back to the residence.
Hinata, who had been deep in thought, had her train of thought interrupted.
"Ah? Oh, it's Uncle Tokuma."
Hinata's expression was startled at first, but she quickly recovered, revealing a gentle smile. "May I ask if you need something?"
Her attitude was polite, her etiquette impeccable.
Although not overly familiar, there was no distance either.
But it was precisely this feeling of being both near and far, of being elusive, that made Hyūga Tokuma feel that this girl's sense of dissonance was even stronger.
After all, he was the one sent by the head elder to monitor her.
And this morning, he had actually been shaken off during his surveillance.
Hyūga Tokuma questioned in a deep voice, "You disappeared for three hours since this morning. Where were you during that time?"
"Disappeared? What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Hinata looked somewhat puzzled. "I never left. I went to see Lord Hizashi this morning."
Tokuma's gaze hardened.
He had heard that Hinata's personality was unpredictable, shifting back and forth between irascible and gentle.
This innocent and harmless appearance now, was it a facade or her true self?
"Is it convenient to tell me the reason?"
"My deepest apologies."
Hinata showed a sincere look of apology and bowed slightly. "Because it was a matter assigned by my father."
Hearing her use the clan head as a shield again, the corner of Tokuma's eye couldn't help but twitch.
"...You should remember that you still have the duty to protect Lady Hanabi."
"Of course, I remember. But it seems Lady Hanabi prefers Brother Neji's company, so I took the opportunity to step out while they were playing."
Hinata tilted her head and asked quizzically, "Is there a problem?"
Hearing this, Tokuma was at a loss for words.
Because what Hinata had done was not a big deal at all.
If he continued to press the issue, it would be making a mountain out of a molehill.
Even if the head elder found out, he would at most give her a few scoldings and take no real action.
In any case, with the Caged Bird as a restriction, the head elder was only worried that she would gather a following.
But for some reason, Hyūga Tokuma always felt that something was off about her.
"If Uncle Tokuma has no other business, then I will return to take care of Lady Hanabi. After all, protecting the Main Family is the Branch Family's responsibility."
With that, Hinata bowed slightly and walked past Tokuma.
But as the two brushed past each other, Hyūga Tokuma suddenly said, "You'd better not let me catch you making any funny moves."
"Funny moves? Uncle Tokuma, I don't understand what you mean."
Hinata stopped, her expression aggrieved. "If I've done something wrong, you can just tell me directly."
"Even if you can fool anyone else, you can't fool my eyes."
Hyūga Tokuma frowned, his tone low. "If you try to do anything detrimental to the Hyūga Clan, I will mercilessly bring you before the elders."
The petite body stiffened. Hinata feigned calmness and said, "...Uncle Tokuma, why are you so prejudiced against me?"
Big Sis, Uncle Tokuma sure is a nuisance.
"Hmph, just a watchdog," Big Hinata's impatient voice came from her mind. "He should be glad he's not facing me right now, or I wouldn't be able to resist swatting this barking dog to death."
Little Hinata comforted her. "Big Sis, don't be so grumpy."
…Although, she didn't like this kind of pedantic fellow either.
Hyūga Tokuma was naturally unaware of the communication between the two Hinatas.
"Hmph, I hope it is just my prejudice."
He informed her with a blank expression, "In one hour, attend the clan meeting in the conference room. All members of the Branch Family are required to be present."
"You… had better watch yourself."
With that, Tokuma vanished with a Shunshin.
Hinata showed no change, walking toward the residence on her own.
But in her mind, she had already begun to communicate with her sister.
"They still dare to make me attend a clan meeting?"
Big Hinata sneered. "Do those old fossils think that getting slapped on the left side of their face wasn't painful enough, so now they're offering up the right side for me to slap as well?"
"Maybe Grandpa Elder likes symmetry~"
Ever since Hinata had taught a few of the Main Family elders a lesson at the clan meeting, the situation between the Main and Branch families within the Hyūga Clan had become very delicate.
Although they maintained a harmonious surface, they had actually begun to fracture underneath.
More and more members of the Branch Family were growing closer to Hyūga Hinata, even forming a small faction with her at its head.
However, she also knew that the Main Family was trying all sorts of ways to deal with her.
It was only out of consideration for Little Hinata's soft heart and kindness toward her own clan that even though the old fossils of the Main Family were constantly spying on her, Big Hinata had not used any ruthless means to strike first.
But, if the old geezers were going to be shameless, then they couldn't blame her for being ruthless.
"I understand, Big Sis."
Little Hinata came to a mirror in the residence and gently touched the ugly cursed seal on her forehead. "If someone really does something underhanded, you can naturally go and openly rectify and take control of the family."
"Oh? Not so soft-hearted this time?"
Hearing this, Little Hinata smiled. "It's just as you said, Big Sis. The original intention of our ancestors in creating the Caged Bird was not wrong. What's wrong is that some people are blinded by greed and use the Caged Bird as a tool to establish their authority and solidify their position."
"What's more… not everyone is willing to wear this cursed seal and live their whole lives in a cage called 'protection'."
As she spoke, she tied a white cloth strip around her forehead, covering the ugly cursed seal.
Little Hinata smiled gently. "Some birds are destined not to be kept in a cage. Every feather on them shines with the light of freedom."
"Everyone should have the chance to choose their own destiny."
She didn't want her sister to use force to purge the Main Family and push for reform.
That would only lead to her being gradually consumed by extremism and arrogance, causing her to be loathed by gods and men, and even reviled by her own family and friends.
For the gentle-natured Little Hinata, that was absolutely not the final outcome she wished for.
That was why, when Hanabi was three years old, she had taken the initiative to ask her father to place the Caged Bird on her, ceding the position of Main Family head to her younger sister, Hanabi.
Little Hinata wanted to experience it for herself, only then could she understand everyone's pain.
"Hmph, I really don't know whether to call you gentle or stupid."
Big Hinata grumbled reluctantly. "If it weren't for the fact that I can suppress the Caged Bird, I would never have agreed to such an absurd thing."
Just because she had never felt the pain of others, she had to sacrifice her own future to empathize.
Such a thing…
"No, it's you who is very gentle, Big Sis."
Little Hinata shook her head, her small face full of seriousness. "If it weren't for you, Big Sis, I would just be a crybaby being comforted by others. How would I ever see the pain in everyone's hearts?"
The her of the past was like a selfish child.
Always expecting everything to go her way, completely unaware of the burdens she carried.
"Big Sis" had taught her what courage was, and what responsibility was.
Meanwhile, in the Hyūga Clan's conference room, members of the Branch Family had already arrived one after another.
Several Branch Family clansmen gathered together, discussing the intruder in low voices.
"Did you hear? The intruder actually has the Byakugan too!"
"Is that… is that true? I never heard about any other Byakugan being lost to the outside!"
"And that intruder doesn't have the Caged Bird. I heard the Main Family wants to cover this up now."
Hearing this, several of them looked at Neji, who was silent at the side.
"Neji, you were there. Is this news true?"
Just as Neji hesitated, a cold snort suddenly came from not far away.
"Hmph, what nonsense are you lot spouting?"
The few Branch Family members, including Neji, followed the voice and saw that the one shouting loudly from nearby was none other than the head elder of the Main Family, who had been late to arrive at the conference room.
The ashen-faced head elder swept his vicious gaze over the four Branch Family members before him.
"You fools dare to speak ill of the Main Family. Do you not know what a crime that is?"
(End of Chapter)
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