Recruiting a Disciple
Hinata Hizashi sat down, intending to greet Chi Yu first, but to his surprise, Chi Yu beat him to it.
As the head of the Hyūga Clan's branch family, Hizashi was destined for the battlefield. During the Third Shinobi War, he had once led a team of branch family Hyūga to support Orochimaru, which meant he and Chi Yu had met before.
However, at that time Chi Yu had been preoccupied with matters involving the Uchiha Clan, so the two had exchanged little more than formal nods.
Hizashi gave a curt but respectful greeting.
> "Chi Yu—it's been a long time."
For a moment, Hizashi was taken aback. Chi Yu's reputation in Konoha was one of cold reserve and iron will. To hear him speak so casually and with a hint of warmth was disarming.
In terms of rank and influence, Hizashi was the highest authority in the branch family of the Hyūga—the second most powerful clan in Konoha. Yet, despite his military merits, his standing was arguably no higher than Chi Yu's. In fact, it could be considered lower.
The reason was simple: Hizashi was of the branch family. If it had been his twin brother, Hyūga Hiashi, the head of the main family, his position alone would have placed him above most, regardless of military service. Any honor the branch family earned on the battlefield was claimed by the main family as the clan's collective merit.
Chi Yu, for his part, had little regard for these internal politics. Beyond maintaining appearances before Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzō Shimura, he did not bother with formalities—even toward Minato Namikaze, the Hokage himself.
Chi Yu's gaze shifted to the child in Hizashi's arms.
> "Hizashi-sama, what is this child's name?"
A rare, gentle expression softened Hizashi's face.
> "His name is Neji."
> "Neji, hmm? A fine name. He's a cute one."
Chi Yu reached out and lightly poked the boy's chubby cheek. Neji stirred, blinking open pale lavender eyes—the hallmark of the Byakugan—and stared straight at him. Then, with surprising coordination for his age, Neji grasped Chi Yu's finger and let out a cheerful giggle.
At that moment, Uzumaki Kushina returned from the back of the reception hall. She stopped mid-step at the sight, her expression melting. She quickly crossed the floor to stand beside Chi Yu, leaning in to coo at the baby.
> "He's so chubby—adorable!"
Hizashi chuckled quietly.
> "Would you like to hold him?"
> "Eh? Really?" Kushina blinked in surprise.
> "Of course. It seems Neji is fond of both you and Chi Yu."
Kushina accepted without hesitation, carefully lifting Neji from Hizashi's arms and swaying him gently.
> "Neji-chan, you're just too cute."
Chi Yu took a slow sip from his teacup, a thought taking root in his mind. Setting it down, he spoke plainly:
> "Hizashi-sama, I'm quite taken with Neji. When he's older, I'd like to take him as my disciple. Would you agree to that?"
Hizashi froze mid-motion, the teacup halfway to his lips. His eyes narrowed slightly—not in suspicion, but in disbelief at the offer.
Chi Yu was one of Konoha's most formidable shinobi, a man whose influence rivaled that of the legendary Sannin. In all his years, he had taken only one disciple: Hatake Kakashi. Under Chi Yu's tutelage, Kakashi had grown into one of Konoha's most elite jōnin, his talent sharpened to a razor's edge.
It was no secret that Chi Yu had guided Kakashi personally on missions during the war, training him in both strategy and combat. His reputation alone had shielded Kakashi from political consequences—such as when he received the Sharingan from the late Uchiha Obito. Under normal circumstances, the Uchiha Clan would have demanded its return. But no one dared confront Chi Yu, especially given his long-standing, open hostility toward them.
Hizashi knew his own fate as a branch family member: no prospects, no escape from the Caged Bird Seal, and a life lived in service to the main family—even to the point of death. But for Neji, he dreamed of something different.
If Neji became Chi Yu's disciple, the seal would still be placed upon him at age three, but his life would no longer be entirely in the main family's hands. Should the main family ever contemplate sacrificing him, they would have to weigh whether they could withstand Chi Yu's retaliation.
And Chi Yu was not a man one provoked lightly.
> "Chi Yu," Hizashi said at last, his voice firm, "for you to take an interest in Neji is his great fortune. Refusing would only do him harm. I thank you."
> "I believe Neji will become a fine shinobi," Chi Yu replied. "I'll teach him without reservation."
Hizashi's chest swelled with relief and pride. He had come to Minato's wedding expecting only to fulfill a social obligation. Instead, his son's future had just shifted dramatically—for the better.
He silently praised Neji's impeccable timing: waking just as Chi Yu approached and holding onto that finger as if seizing his destiny.
> "In a few days," Hizashi said, "I'll bring Neji to visit you and Kushina. We'll trouble you then."
Chi Yu's lips curved faintly.
> "Hizashi-sama, a personal visit from you is no trouble. Kushina and I will look forward to it."
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