"Yay!"
The group cheered as they made their way toward Ichiraku Ramen. The streets of Konoha were quiet, with the occasional villager waving at them. Naruto, however, couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer.
"Hinata," he asked, glancing at her as they walked, "what's all this about the 'main family' and 'branch family' nonsense you and that Hyuga Neji guy were arguing about?"
The question immediately drew everyone's attention to Hinata. She clutched the corner of her kimono, her gaze dropping to the ground, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly in sadness.
Hinata took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the question. She had always known that the main and branch family system in the Hyuga Clan carried a heavy burden, even for children, but she had never fully explained it. Now, she had to.
"Neji-nii," she began softly, "has hated the main family ever since Uncle Hizashi died. But… the truth behind it all… I'm not completely sure."
Naruto's brow furrowed as he processed her words. Even though he didn't hear the full story, he could understand enough.
Ino, walking beside him, looked solemn. "This is… too much. A bloodline should never go this far, even to protect the branch limits. They're part of the same family—biological siblings—yet one is forced to serve the other under a strict system that dictates their fate. Only death can free them from it."
Rock Lee, usually full of energy and optimism, was silent for a moment, staring blankly at his chopsticks. His ramen forgotten, he seemed to be lost in thought.
"So that's why Neji has been in so much pain all this time?" Naruto murmured.
Hinata nodded. "Yes… but… even so, I don't want to excuse my father. The reasons behind all of this are not so simple. Ultimately, Baba… my father… he's just enforcing a system that even he sometimes cannot change."
Naruto slammed his palm on the table, startling everyone. "Then why not abolish the damn system altogether?!"
"Na-Naruto-kun…" Hinata began, flustered.
"This is clearly something harmful! Why was it hidden from everyone until now?" Naruto shouted, his eyes burning with determination.
Ino reached over to calm him, frowning. "Naruto, slow down. This is a matter of the Hyuga Clan. Even Hokage-sama wouldn't interfere directly—it's not that simple."
Naruto's eyes blazed. "Then I'll wait. When I become Hokage, I'll change it myself!"
Hinata flinched slightly at his intensity, but then a sweet smile spread across her face. "Naruto-kun…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I believe you can do it," she said, a blush rising to her cheeks, "and… I'll do my best to support you in changing it too."
"Of course it has to change! Or would you become a branch family member too, Hinata?" Naruto asked, his tone fierce yet caring.
"I will never allow such a thing!" Hinata exclaimed, her fists clenching in determination.
Naruto's gaze softened. "Hinata… you are very important to me."
Ino rolled her eyes and chuckled, shaking her head. "Naruto, you really know how to act cool. But it's obvious… Hinata means a lot to you, doesn't she?"
Hinata's face turned crimson as she bowed her head, unable to meet Naruto's eyes. Naruto, however, remained direct and unshaken.
"Of course! Hinata is my best friend!" he declared proudly.
"Oh?" Ino raised an eyebrow, surprised by his sincerity.
"Really, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked timidly, hope lighting up her eyes.
"Really!" he answered without hesitation.
Rock Lee piped up, a bit jealous but earnest. "What about me, Naruto?"
"Of course you're a good friend too!" Naruto said with a grin, patting him on the shoulder.
Ino shook her head again, sighing. "Just like you, Naruto…" she muttered. His straightforwardness was infuriatingly simple, yet somehow reassuring.
Naruto turned to Hinata, his expression serious. "So… what about Neji? What will you do?"
Hinata hesitated, then nodded. "I… I don't have a perfect plan yet. But I really hope we can reconcile with Neji-nii and work together to change the Hyuga Clan's destiny. I just… I don't know if he'll accept it."
Naruto's hand went to his chest, and he pounded it confidently. "Don't worry, Hinata! A man like Hyuga Neji responds to strength, not words! If he won't listen kindly, he'll understand after a good lesson!"
Ino tilted her head thoughtfully. "You know… that might actually be true. Neji's personality… it makes sense."
"But can you actually beat him?" she added, a teasing glint in her eye.
Naruto's grin never wavered. "Of course!"
Rock Lee nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Naruto… do not underestimate Neji. His strength… at least for now… surpasses most of our generation. He's exceptional, even beyond Chunin level."
"He stands out among the crowd. To challenge him, you have to be extraordinary… even to fight him at all!" Lee added, his fists clenching tightly.
Naruto waved dismissively. "So what? It's not like I've never fought Chunin before!"
The fight spirit in Rock Lee surged. "You're right! Even if we can't match him now, with hard work, we'll surpass him!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled with determination. "Right! Ichiraku, one more bowl, please!"
"Coming right up!" the ramen chef called, handing him a steaming bowl of noodles.
As Naruto and his friends savored their ramen, the peacefulness of the shop contrasted sharply with the figure at the nearby riverbank. Sasuke sat alone, staring at the water as it flowed quietly beneath the wooden bridge.
His expression was a storm of suppressed emotions: anger, frustration, and a profound sense of loneliness. Losing to Naruto… had it really mattered? Perhaps deep down, Sasuke knew the answer.
The man he truly wished to face was Uchiha Itachi, not Naruto. His efforts to grow stronger were personal, his rivalry with Naruto incidental—a byproduct, not the goal.
But still, Sasuke hated himself. Why was he so weak? Why could he not yet attain the strength he so desperately craved? The burning desire for revenge had long consumed him, yet he remained trapped in this endless cycle of struggle and disappointment.
He thought of the darkness surrounding him, the suffocating weight of his own ambition. Sometimes he wished to escape it all, to end the pain permanently. Could death offer that release?
Yet, even that choice was denied to him. His hatred for his parents, his clan, and the injustice of his fate left no room for compromise. Uchiha Itachi's words after the massacre haunted him: "Do you want to kill me to avenge your clan? Then live, even if it's dishonorable. Live, holding on to life, bowing, giving all you have. Living is worse than death—but it is your path."
And so Sasuke remained alive, trapped in a life that felt heavier than death itself. It was his greatest sorrow: the knowledge that he could not escape, yet he must continue forward.
"I knew I'd find you here."
The familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. Sasuke recognized it immediately—it was Iruka-sensei.
Sasuke said nothing, neither acknowledging nor responding. Iruka approached slowly along the wooden bridge, his eyes filled with concern.
"How are you, Sasuke? Are you… very angry?" Iruka asked gently, though his tone betrayed the worry beneath his calm demeanor.
Sasuke remained silent, staring into the flowing water as if hoping it could wash away his burdens.
Iruka sighed softly, watching the lonely, distant young man. There was so much pain in Sasuke's heart, so much unresolved anger. Yet, Iruka's presence was a quiet reassurance, a reminder that someone cared, even in the depths of despair.
The two sat in silence for a moment, the gentle rustle of the river filling the air. Outside, the laughter and chatter of Naruto and friends drifted faintly to the riverbank, a contrast to the stillness surrounding Sasuke.
Even in solitude, the bonds of friendship and hope lingered—waiting for the moment Sasuke might finally confront his past and embrace his future.
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