Kageyama Kogetsu understood Hyuga Hiashi's thoughts, and naturally he understood Hyuga Hizashi's as well.
This was insurance, in case the clan pulled any tricks after his death, a safeguard for his son.
Fine words meant little without backing. If others reneged later, what could Neji do besides suffer a tarnished reputation?
Should he agree, or refuse?
Seeing Kogetsu hesitate, Hizashi kept bowing his head to the floor. "Lord Kogetsu, please grant this. In the Pure Land I will pray night and day for you, and Neji will honor you as he honors me."
Enough—having stepped in, he would see it through. Neji truly had it rough; among the Konoha Twelve, his lot was the worst. And once Kogetsu rose to power he would need trusted hands; he couldn't do everything himself or leave it to clones. Through Neji, he could also intervene in Hyuga affairs when necessary.
"All right, I agree. Please rise, Hizashi," Kogetsu said with a smile.
Hiashi's mouth twitched. This had become troublesome. If he didn't push these promises forward, how could he face Hizashi?
Overjoyed, Hizashi bowed hard again. "Thank you, Lord Kogetsu. I'll inform the Hokage and the others at once, and bring Neji here."
He hurried off.
"Phew… Kogetsu, you've dumped quite a mess on me," Hiashi muttered.
"Hmph. Compared to keeping your life, what does any of that amount to? He's your brother, and Neji is your nephew. You've come out ahead, haven't you? Or do you want your children divided into main and branch as well?" Kogetsu shot back without giving him face.
Hiashi's expression darkened, but he had no retort. After a few dry words, he took his leave.
Hizashi first sent a branch member to notify Hiruzen and the others, then returned home and found his son practicing Gentle Fist in the courtyard.
From the corner of the corridor he watched, eyes full of reluctant affection. After a moment, he gathered himself and stepped out.
Hearing movement behind him, the sweat-damp Hyuga Neji turned, blinked, and bowed with a bright smile. "Father, you're back."
"Mm. Neji, come here. I have something important to tell you."
"Yes."
Neji trotted over to the corridor.
Hizashi crouched, placed a hand on Neji's head, and smiled. "Neji, I'm taking a long-term mission. It's far from home and will take a long time. While I'm away, you must listen to your uncle and aunt. And you're going to acknowledge your uncle as your godfather."
"I already have a father. Why do I need a godfather?" Neji was confused and unwilling. He didn't like his uncle—ever since that day when his father collapsed in pain, he hadn't.
"Because your uncle trusts me more and likes you more. Also, I've found you a teacher. You must listen to your teacher even more than to your uncle and aunt. He won't harm you. Respect him as you respect me, and be filial to him as you are to me. Do you understand?"
In the crucial moment, kin and clan made him the sacrifice, while an outsider with only ordinary ties reached out a hand. It left one with complicated feelings. Though the idea had been Miwa's, with his knowledge of the main family's nature, they would surely agree.
Neji swallowed his resentment and, recalling his father's teachings, answered obediently. "I understand. When will you be back, Father?"
Hizashi smiled and counted on his fingers. "About ten years."
"Ten years? That long?" Neji's face fell, full of reluctance.
"It can't be helped. This task concerns the clan's future. Only I, as head of the branch house, am qualified to undertake it. Others lack the rank and the ability. The capable must bear more. I have to shoulder it."
"Don't think you can slack off while I'm gone. If your training isn't up to standard when I return, I'll tan your hide."
"Oh." Proud of his father's importance yet still dejected, Neji moped.
"Neji is already a little man. Be strong and optimistic." Hizashi squeezed his son's cheeks.
"Mm okay," Neji mumbled through pinched cheeks.
"It's time for the adoption and apprenticeship ceremonies."
"Yes, Father."
Hand in hand, they left the bright outer corridor for the dimmer inner hall.
In the rear courtyard of the clan head's residence, the three-year-old Hyuga Hinata was practicing Gentle Fist with serious form, though her attention kept drifting to her parents in the walkway.
"What? You want to make Neji your adopted son, move him from branch to main, and work to improve the Caged Bird seal? That's too much. I don't agree!"
Hyuga Miwa's face changed, her tone intense. Yet ingrained poise kept her voice from rising; it was firm and heated, not shrill.
Her outrage at the branch was secondary. Above all, she felt it was a threat to her daughter, a mother's instinct. Neji's talent was outstanding. Though Hinata had not trained long and nothing was settled yet, she likely couldn't match him. Worst of all, Hinata was kind, gentle, and shy. If she didn't change, she wasn't fit to be a leader, perhaps not even a shinobi.
"Neji-nii will become Father's adopted son? Then he'll be my real brother? That's wonderful. Neji-nii is so nice."
Unaware of adult schemes, Hinata only rejoiced to be closer to Neji.
"Keep your voice down. Don't disturb Hinata's practice. Come with me, I'll explain."
Hiashi slid a door open and stepped into the inner training room off the corridor.
As the main family's eldest daughter and heir, Hinata bore both privilege and duty. Aside from her birthday and major holidays, training filled every day, indoors when the weather was poor and outdoors when fair.
Once her parents went inside, their voices faded and Hinata returned to her forms.
Within the room, after hearing the whole story, Miwa snapped, "That Kageyama Kogetsu is meddling. I clearly…"
"What, clearly what?" Hiashi's brows drew together.
"Speak. If I choose to investigate, you won't hide it from me," he said sternly.
Miwa fell silent for a moment. "I wrote a letter and had it sent to Hizashi." Before Hiashi could flare, she hurried on. "I did it for you, for Hinata, for our home."
For this home, you break apart your brother's. Hiashi's expression flickered, his chest tight, yet he could hardly scold her further. He was the biggest beneficiary. What right or standing did he have to berate her?
People are complicated—both guilty and relieved.
Hiashi let out a long sigh. "Forget it. We'll treat it as compensation. And stop making a scene, for the sake of the life he saved."
Though unwilling, Miwa could only accept reality with reluctance. "I understand."
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