Hyūga Hizashi and Hyūga Neji
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Today was the wedding ceremony of Minato Namikaze and Miyuki Uzumaki.
As the Hokage's wedding, it was bound to be a grand affair. Even if Minato had wished for something modest, the political and social importance of the occasion made that impossible.
Konoha's high-ranking officials, the heads of the great clans, and Minato's closest comrades were all in attendance. For security reasons, given the number of distinguished guests, the wedding could not be as informal or personal as Minato might have liked.
For example, a Shinto-style wedding at the Inari Shrine, like the one Chi Yu and Kushina Uzumaki had, or a Buddhist-style ceremony at a temple, was out of the question. Minato had only one remaining option: a Jinzen-shiki wedding—a ceremony held in accordance with the couple's guiding beliefs.
In Minato's case, his guiding belief was the Will of Fire, making this style perfectly fitting—or so Chi Yu guessed.
Chi Yu and Kushina entered the ceremonial hall, each carrying gifts. Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raido, and Yamashiro Aoba guided them to their seats. In an event of this scale, where rival political factions mingled under one roof, seating arrangements had been carefully assigned to avoid unnecessary tension.
Although Orochimaru had declined the invitation, Minato had still extended one to him. Chi Yu had therefore brought a gift in Orochimaru's name.
Their seats were positioned toward the front, their names neatly printed on small cards.
Kushina, scanning the decorated hall, looked around with open curiosity.
Chi Yu smirked.
"Why do you look like it's your first time at a wedding? Haven't you already had your own?"
Kushina chuckled, clearly in high spirits.
"That's different. Back then, we were the ones getting married—I was too nervous to pay attention. This is my first time attending someone else's wedding, and Miyuki's ceremony is so different from ours. I can't help but be curious. Actually… I want to see her right now! I'm going backstage!"
Before Chi Yu could respond, she dashed off like an impulsive child. He shook his head in amusement, sipping his tea.
The wedding was scheduled to begin in an hour, but most of the guests had already arrived. The first rows were reserved for dignitaries such as Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife, Biwako. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura entered together, while Danzo Shimura was conspicuously absent—though Chi Yu suspected Danzo would appear at the last possible moment, purely out of obligation.
Across from Chi Yu sat the heads of the major clans—Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyūga, and Shikaku Nara among them. Nearby were veteran shinobi Chi Yu knew, like Nara Watada, with whom he had once worked.
His gaze settled on a small boy beside Fugaku—Itachi Uchiha. Despite being only four years old, the child carried himself with unusual composure. Noticing Chi Yu's eyes, Itachi looked up, meeting his gaze without flinching.
Chi Yu's smile widened. Interesting.
Fugaku quickly noticed and called to his son.
"Itachi."
"Yes, Father?"
Fugaku spoke quietly.
"Remember everyone here. These are the pillars of Konoha. Some, our clan must ally with… others—"
He left the thought unfinished. Itachi, perceptive even at his age, understood perfectly. Chi Yu belonged in the "others" category.
Just then, two figures arrived and took the seats beside Chi Yu—Hizashi Hyūga, holding an infant barely a year old.
Chi Yu's expression softened. These two were a tragic pair. Hizashi, born only moments after his elder brother Hiashi, was doomed from birth to live under the control of the Hyūga main family, even to the point of sacrificing his life in his brother's stead. And Neji, the boy in his arms, though destined to become a genius of the Gentle Fist, was marked with the same fate—born into the branch family, forced to serve the main family without question.
Chi Yu knew Neji's story well: witnessing his father's sacrifice, growing bitter and cynical, convinced that destiny was absolute—only to later be challenged by Naruto Uzumaki's unyielding belief that fate could be changed. Naruto's words had freed Neji from his fatalism… but in the Fourth Shinobi World War, Neji had still died protecting Hinata—the main family. Even in death, the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead had remained.
From Chi Yu's perspective, it was a bitter irony: Neji believed he had defied fate, yet had ultimately fulfilled it.
Hizashi noticed Chi Yu looking at him and prepared to greet him—only for Chi Yu to speak first.
"Hizashi-dono, long time no see."
Hizashi nodded politely.
"Indeed, it has been a while, Chi Yu."
They had crossed paths during the war, when Hizashi led branch family Hyūga to support Orochimaru. At the time, Chi Yu had been too focused on Uchiha affairs to converse much with him.
Chi Yu's eyes went to the boy in Hizashi's arms.
"And this is…?"
A rare smile touched Hizashi's lips.
"My son. His name is Neji."
"A fine name for a fine child." Chi Yu reached out, gently poking the baby's cheek.
Neji stirred, opened his pale eyes, and fixed them on Chi Yu. Then, giggling, he grabbed Chi Yu's finger in his tiny hand.
At that moment, Kushina returned. Seeing Neji's chubby fingers clutching Chi Yu's hand, she melted instantly and hurried over.
"He's adorable!"
Hizashi chuckled.
"Would you like to hold him?"
"I can?!" Kushina's face lit up.
"Of course. It seems he likes both of you."
Kushina took Neji into her arms, swaying him gently.
"Little Neji, you're so cute."
Chi Yu set down his teacup, an idea taking shape.
"Hizashi-dono, I am fond of your son. When he's older, I'd like to take him as my disciple. Would you agree?"
Hizashi froze, cup halfway to his lips. Chi Yu was one of the most formidable shinobi in Konoha, and had only ever taken one disciple—Hatake Kakashi—whose rapid rise in strength was owed in no small part to Chi Yu's guidance.
For Hizashi, the offer was both astonishing and deeply tempting.
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