Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi knelt on the floor, respectfully bowing to Uchiha Yuzuru.
"Lord Yuzuru, all Hyūga clan ninja have completed registration. They've now been integrated into the village's ninja squads and have already departed for the front lines."
Yuzuru nodded and said calmly, "No one has any complaints, right?"
Hearing this, Hiashi hurriedly replied, "Of course not. Everyone volunteered willingly."
"I already told the clan that it was you who killed the main family elders and forcibly abolished the Caged Bird system for the Hyūga clan."
"Everyone is grateful beyond words. How could there be any dissatisfaction?"
Hizashi quickly added, "Lord Yuzuru, the clan members finally have vitality now. They're no longer lifeless like before. Everyone says they're willing to die for you."
"In my opinion, your prestige within the Hyūga clan has already surpassed my elder brother's."
Facing their overt goodwill, Yuzuru waved a hand. "How are Hinata and Neji doing? Are they adjusting well to the school in Kumogakure?"
Hiashi smiled. "Neji shouldn't have any problems. Hinata is introverted, so she may need some time to adapt to the new environment."
Yuzuru replied casually, "Hinata's body seems a bit frail. For the sake of her future, I think you should prepare more food for her at every meal. Don't let her go hungry."
Hiashi froze for a moment before reacting with delight. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Yuzuru. I'll be sure to pay close attention."
"Mm."
Seeing Yuzuru lift his teacup, Hiashi and Hizashi tactfully took their leave.
After leaving the Uchiha grounds, Hizashi couldn't help asking, "Brother, what do you think Lord Yuzuru meant by what he just said?"
"Even if Hinata is your eldest daughter, it shouldn't be enough to draw Lord Yuzuru's attention, right?"
Hiashi shook his head, speculating, "I'm not sure either. Maybe Hinata has some potential we haven't noticed?"
"I've heard Lord Yuzuru has discovered many outstanding juniors."
The two exchanged glances. Hizashi said solemnly, "Brother, we should follow Lord Yuzuru's instructions for now. Make sure Hinata has plenty to eat at every meal."
"I don't believe Lord Yuzuru would mention this without reason. There may be some arrangement behind it."
Hiashi nodded. "That's right. Lord Yuzuru plans far ahead. From leading his clan away from Konoha back then to preparing to reclaim it under the banner of 'Konoha's rightful lineage,' every step of his decade-long plan has been meticulously arranged. It's not something we can easily fathom."
They looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Hinata's meals might very well be tied to the life or death of the Hyūga clan. It had to be taken seriously. (T/N: is he thinking about naruto's wife?)
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Kumogakure.
Ninja Academy.
Hyūga Neji sat alone on the training field, staring blankly up at the sky.
After a while, he raised his hand and gently touched his forehead.
There, a faint blue Caged Bird seal was engraved.
"…Sigh."
Neji let out a quiet sigh.
Under Lord Yuzuru's orders, the Caged Bird had been abolished. Children born into the Hyūga clan in the future would never again be divided into main and branch families.
He was genuinely happy about that.
Yet when alone, he couldn't help but think… if only Lord Yuzuru had come to the Hyūga clan a few years earlier.
Perhaps this was fate.
"Hey!"
Footsteps sounded behind him. Neji turned around and saw a black-haired boy with clear eyes running over.
"White eyes… you're Hyūga Neji, right?"
Neji frowned slightly. "Who are you?"
"My name is Uchiha Naruto. I'm a discipline committee member at the academy." Naruto pointed to the armband on his arm. "Why aren't you in class?"
Neji replied indifferently, "My strength is already enough to apply for early graduation. Attending class or not doesn't make much difference."
Hearing this, Naruto sat down beside him. "You just transferred here, so you probably don't know yet."
"We don't have early graduation. Everyone studies at the academy until fifteen before they can take the genin selection exam."
"Fifteen?" Neji looked puzzled. "Why so late?"
At Konoha's ninja academy, as long as one could refine chakra, grasp some basic combat skills, and throw shuriken properly, they already met the genin standard.
Even back when things were stricter, mastering the most basic Three Body Technique was enough.
No matter how poor one's talent was, it wouldn't take until fifteen to graduate.
In Konoha, many people could already be promoted to chūnin by that age.
"That's because in Kumogakure, becoming a ninja isn't judged by strength alone. Cultural studies and ideological education are equally important, so enough time is needed for learning."
Seeing Neji's confusion, Naruto smiled warmly. "Besides, twelve is really too young. Many people haven't yet formed a solid worldview or set of values. Becoming a ninja too early can lead to serious psychological issues."
"I heard my father say that once the ninja world stabilizes, they might even delay graduation from the academy to eighteen."
"Eighteen?" Neji grew even more confused and couldn't help asking, "Who is your father?"
Naruto grinned. "Uchiha Yuzuru."
Neji froze, then immediately stood and bowed. "So you're Lord Yuzuru's child. Please forgive my earlier rudeness."
Naruto hurriedly waved his hands. "Don't do that. We're all friends here. I just came to persuade you to go back to class."
Seeing how approachable Naruto was, a faint smile appeared on Neji's face. "Understood. I won't skip class anymore. I'll be in your care."
Then he couldn't help but sigh. "As expected of Lord Yuzuru's child. Completely different from those spoiled heirs I've seen before."
Back in Konoha, members of the Shimura clan, Sarutobi clan, Utatane clan, and Mitokado clan—who among them wasn't arrogant and overbearing?
They strutted around the village all day, abusing their power. It was infuriating.
"Speaking of that…" Naruto lowered his voice and reminded him, "If you run into a guy named Sasuke later on, make sure to stay far away from him."
"Why?"
Just as Naruto was about to answer, Uchiha Sasuke used Body Flicker to appear beside them.
He glanced at Neji, lifted his chin, and said, "You're Hyūga Neji, right? Everyone says you're the Hyūga clan's genius, first in your grade at Konoha's ninja academy."
"Come fight me. Let me see just how much that so-called Konoha genius is really worth."