Chinya couldn't quite understand why Hizashi Hyuga had risked the Hyuga clan's pursuit and possible future repercussions just to bring Neji to see him after guessing Chinya would leave.
Chinya asked, "Hizashi, if you already suspected that… then why…?"
Looking seriously at Chinya, Hizashi said, "Actually, I hesitated at first. I wondered whether you wouldn't stay in Konoha forever. If your departure affected Neji, should I give up on making him your disciple?
But after careful consideration, I decided not to give up. I don't care about other reasons—I only believe in who you are, Chinya."
Chinya frowned slightly with a complicated expression. "Believe in my character? Hizashi, perhaps you're the only one in Konoha who does. Others always say I'm cold-hearted and unfeeling."
Hizashi shook his head with a smile. "Before I really knew you, I thought the same way too. But ever since the wedding of The Fourth Hokage, when you announced your intent to take Neji as a student, I did my own research on you—please forgive me for that.
After all, a teacher is second only to a parent. I wanted Neji's master to be someone responsible and trustworthy. For Neji's sake, I needed to be cautious."
Chinya nodded. "I can understand that."
Hizashi continued, "Perhaps because of your past experiences, you've been extremely distant toward others. During the war, although we were stationed on different fronts, I often heard stories about you—disregarding human lives, not just enemy lives but even those of our own comrades.
Even though every battle you led ended in victory, a lot of our men didn't make it out alive.
At the time, I felt lucky not to serve under your command; if I had, I probably wouldn't have made it past the first battle.
Initially when you said you wanted to accept Neji as your student, I was genuinely happy. Back then, I admired your reputation and hoped to find a powerful protector for Neji's future. Kakashi had your protection after you bestowed the Sharingan upon him, and even the Uchiha Clan dared not cause him trouble.
But eventually, I realized you weren't anything like they painted you to be. You deeply care for your students and love your wife dearly. You aren't indifferent—you simply reserve your concern for those closest to you.
So… now I truly hope Neji can become your disciple. I won't worry about what others think or any attempts to interfere. I just want to seize this opportunity.
This is Neji's chance, and I don't want to miss it, because I genuinely believe you're an excellent teacher. My intuition tells me allowing Neji to become your disciple will be the wisest decision I've ever made.
Chinya, please don't feel pressured—be exactly as you are. Even if you decide to leave Konoha in the future, you needn't worry about Neji. As his father, I'll protect him from both clan pressure and threats from Konoha itself. It's the only thing I, as his father, can do for him."
Chinya held Hizashi Hyuga's gaze in silence.
Chinya never expected Hizashi Hyuga would go this far for Neji Hyuga.
Because if he left Konoha in the future, it would obviously have a huge impact—and becoming a rogue ninja would be inevitable.
As Neji Hyuga's mentor, Neji would definitely be implicated.
And Hizashi Hyuga, who had firmly insisted at the time on making Chinya Neji's mentor, would certainly face questioning from the Hyuga clan.
If things followed their original course,
When Hinata Hyuga turned three years old, she was kidnapped by a ninja from Kumo, and Hiashi Hyuga killed that Cloud Ninja.
This incident worsened relations between Kumo and Konoha, indirectly sparking war.
To prevent war, Konoha made a deal with Kumo. The Cloud Village demanded Hiashi's body—the father of Hinata Hyuga—for Konoha to hand over, and Konoha was forced to accept. The Main Family of the Hyuga clan offered the body of Hizashi Hyuga from the Branch Family as a substitute for Hiashi's.
And just like that, Hizashi Hyuga was killed as a replacement for Hiashi.
Hinata Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki were born about a month apart. Now, Sōnagi Uzumaki—who is one month younger than Naruto—has already been born. So Hinata Hyuga is probably going to be born within a month at most.
In other words, Hizashi Hyuga only had about three more years left to spend with Neji.
Chinya silently pondered for a moment, gazing repeatedly at Hizashi Hyuga before finally making a decision.
He said seriously to Hizashi Hyuga, "Hizashi, I won't hide anything from you—I've founded an organization outside Konoha. There are already five official members now, including myself, and Orochimaru-sensei has joined as well. I'd like to invite you to join my organization."
Before Hizashi could speak, Chinya stopped him and continued, "Let me finish first. Hizashi, right now, because of Nine-Tails' chaos, Konoha has once again become the target of many hidden villages. Many enemy ninjas are already surrounding Konoha, keeping close surveillance on all our movements.
Although there's no sign of war yet, we should expect infiltration and spying activities from other villages.
Konoha is made up of clans that have bloodline limits or secret techniques. In other words, during Konoha's recovery period, many shinobi from other villages might infiltrate here specifically targeting these bloodline limits and secret arts.
Among them, your Hyuga clan will be the most likely target. Didn't someone already succeed? During the Third Great Shinobi World War, there was a ninja who successfully transplanted the Byakugan. His wanted poster still circulates across Konoha today. He was from Kiri—Ao, wasn't he?
Since a successful case already exists and Konoha has entered another weak period, ninja from other villages will descend upon us like hunting dogs catching the scent of prey.
Even the Sharingan, one of the greatest dojutsu, isn't as strategically valuable as the Byakugan. On the battlefield, the Byakugan's strategic significance remains supreme. Therefore, if anyone actually manages to infiltrate Konoha, the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan will definitely be their first target.
So… at that time, all Branch Members of the Hyuga clan will constantly face danger, while the Main Family continues to enjoy protection as if it were natural."
However, if anything were to happen to the Main Family, you, as head of the Branch Family, would bear all the responsibility.
I think you've already come to terms with it—the Hyuga Clan isn't worth your life. Otherwise, you wouldn't have allowed Neji to remain my disciple at such great risk. So join my organization, Hizashi.
Hizashi Hyuga had chosen to trust him, and Chinya wanted to honor that trust, praying for his survival.
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