"Are you all right, Arashi-sama?"
The voice was low and composed, but I could feel the worry behind the words. I turned slightly toward the speaker.
A tall man stood at the doorway, clad in the dark-gray uniform of the Hyuga bodyguards. His forehead protector was fastened tightly, but the real mark of his position was the Branch Family seal burned into his brow.
Hyuga Riyon.
He was my assigned protector. Quiet, cold-eyed, and utterly obedient. Yet something in his gaze right now... it wasn't just duty.
I gave him a simple response. "…Hmm."
That was all I could manage.
He bowed his head slightly, but didn't speak further. His eyes closed for a long moment. I sensed something deeper beneath that surface — guilt, perhaps. Or grief.
From Arashi's memories, I understood.
Riyon's father had died during the Third Great Ninja War—killed protecting Arashi's father, the then-young heir of the main family. The tragedy wasn't spoken of often, but within the Branch Family, it was a quiet wound that never closed. What stung more? That Riyon's father had been more talented than the man he died for… or that his sacrifice was expected?
I looked away. In this world, the Hyuga hierarchy wasn't just tradition—it was law.
Even as a child, I remembered watching Naruto and thinking the clan system seemed unfair. But being here... living it... feeling it?
It was worse.
To the Main Family, the lives of ten Branch Family members were nothing if it meant safeguarding one heir.
And I—Hyuga Arashi—was that heir.
I rested my head back against the pillow, breathing slowly. Every inhale burned faintly in my lungs.
A short while later, footsteps rushed across the wooden hallway outside. The door slid open with a thunk.
"Arashi-sama!"
It was Aiko, the maid who had cared for me since I was a toddler. Her eyes were still slightly red from crying earlier, but her voice was full of hope now.
"The Grand Elder is on his way," she said breathlessly. "He's bringing the dean of Konoha Hospital…!"
In another part of the Hyuga compound, Aiko had sprinted across three courtyards before reaching the Grand Elder's private residence. A scroll lay open on his table, scattered with handwritten notes and medical references. Beside him sat a man in standard shinobi robes — not a Hyuga, but someone clearly respected.
Retsuken.
The current Dean of Konoha Hospital. After Tsunade fled the village years ago with Shizune, Retsuken had stepped into her shoes. Known for his unwavering spirit in the Third Great Ninja War, he had earned his name not through power, but compassion. When others abandoned the frontlines, he stayed to shield the wounded — sometimes even without chakra.
Aiko knocked respectfully. "Grand Elder-sama. Arashi-sama… he's awake."
The Grand Elder Hyuga paused mid-sentence.
The stoic discipline of the clan held him for a moment. He was raised not to show emotion, not even for his own kin. But a father's heart—no, a grandfather's heart—was harder to quiet.
He inhaled deeply, composed himself, then nodded. "Retsuken-san. Would you accompany me?"
"Of course."
When they entered the small residence where I lay resting, I could feel the air change. Riyon moved aside silently, standing like a shadow in the corner. The Grand Elder stepped in first, stopping at the foot of the futon.
His sharp eyes softened as they scanned my face. For a second—just a second—I saw moisture in the corners of his eyes. But he didn't let it fall.
"…Arashi."
His voice was gentler than I expected.
Behind him, Retsuken stepped forward, carrying a small scroll pouch. He knelt beside the futon and gave me a reassuring smile.
"I've heard you've been pushing yourself too far," he said, opening the scroll and summoning a glowing diagnostic seal. "You activated your Byakugan recently, didn't you?"
I didn't respond. I could barely move my lips.
Retsuken frowned slightly as he examined me, then nodded to himself. "Severe chakra depletion. Multiple blockages in the tenketsu. But your chakra coils are recovering well for someone your age."
He rolled up the scroll and looked at the Grand Elder. "He'll live well there will be no future problems. But he needs complete rest. No training. No sparring. Nothing for at least two days."
Retsuken handed Aiko a written prescription. "Follow this diet exactly. Bring him to the hospital the day after tomorrow for a full chakra scan."
"We're grateful," the Grand Elder said, bowing politely.
Retsuken simply smiled and took his leave. Once he was gone, the Grand Elder looked at me again, stepping closer to the futon.
His gaze, though aged, held great weight. This man was feared throughout the clan… but at this moment, he was just a worried elder.
"…Are you all right, Arashi?"
My throat was still dry. My chest ached from simply lying down. But I forced the words out.
"Y… yes."
It nearly drained me.
The Grand Elder knelt beside me, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "I will not allow such reckless overtraining again," he said quietly. "You've inherited much from your father, but you are not him. You must live well my dear g..grand son."
I said nothing. But I understood.
Arashi's death… gave me life.
End of the Chapter.