After packing two sets of clothes and a few daily necessities, Kirito slung a modest-sized backpack over his shoulders and walked out the front gate of the Hyuga compound. Even in the face of cold sneers and scornful glares from the clan, his demeanor remained calm as ever. It wasn't an act, this was simply who he was.
And just like that, Kirito quietly left the Hyuga clan. No lingering, no resentment. To him, those icy walls and the constant hostility and suspicion were nothing more than tedious noise.
"Kirito…"
Just as he crossed a few streets away from the clan compound, a soft, hesitant voice called out from behind.
Kirito instinctively turned around, and saw her.
Wearing a pristine white maid-style outfit, with large, silver-white eyes gleaming with purity and life, her gentle features radiated grace. It was none other than one of the few people within the Hyuga clan Kirito could truly call a friend, his distant relative, Hyuga Ayako.
Ayako, like Kirito, was a branch family member from the lineage that had traditionally served as protectors of the Main House heirs. In this generation, Kirito had once been assigned to safeguard the eldest daughter, Hinata. Ayako, meanwhile, was tasked with guarding the younger daughter, Hanabi.
Because Hinata and Hanabi were close as sisters, Kirito and Ayako, serving as their childhood attendants, naturally got to know each other well. Despite being seventeen, five years older than Kirito, Ayako's position as Hanabi's attendant meant she remained under strict clan supervision. Hanabi had been raised with a particularly rigorous and traditional regime, rarely leaving the compound, and so Ayako also had few opportunities to venture beyond its walls.
A sheltered life had nurtured Ayako's innocent and straightforward personality.
Truthfully, Kirito, stripped of his role as guardian and cut off from his monthly stipend, had been forced to work part-time jobs to support himself from a young age. In terms of mental maturity, the twelve-year-old Kirito had long since surpassed the seventeen-year-old Ayako.
"You came to see me off?" Kirito asked with a rare note of warmth. Among the entire Hyuga clan, Ayako was one of the very few who had always treated him as a human being.
Ayako's brows furrowed slightly. Her expression was filled with sorrow, her voice catching as she tried to speak, but no words came. Tears welled up and shimmered in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Kirito's heart softened. He stepped forward and gently embraced her.
Due to their slight difference in height, Kirito had to stand on tiptoe just to meet her eye level. One hand stroked her soft, fragrant hair, while Ayako, almost reflexively, rested her chin on his shoulder.
Her tears finally broke free, dripping silently down onto his back.
"Don't cry, Ayako," Kirito whispered. "It's not like I'm leaving the village. I'm just a few blocks away from the compound. You can come visit anytime, you know?"
"Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi… they both wanted to come see you off," Ayako said through her tears. "But the clan head is personally overseeing their training today, so they couldn't get away…"
After a while, Ayako seemed to realize how openly she had lost composure. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she backed away slightly, mumbling in her heart, I'm the older one… so why does it feel like I'm the one clinging and pouting like a child?
"It's fine. It's enough that they care," Kirito said with a smile.
To him, Hinata had been his closest childhood companion, his truest friend growing up. Even if they hadn't spoken much in recent years, the bond remained. One look, one shared glance would still say everything. As for Hanabi, she used to cling to him all the time as a child… but after he was stripped of his post and she began her own strict clan training, the two had rarely interacted again.
Still, they shared good memories. That was enough.
"All right, Ayako. You should head back now," Kirito said gently. "You're Hanabi's personal guard. You shouldn't be gone too long."
Ayako took her duties very seriously. No matter how small the matter, she approached it with precision and discipline. Though reluctant, she nodded obediently and turned to leave.
"Whew…"
With the farewell behind him, Kirito continued on his way. His mood was actually pretty good, getting to share a few parting words with a close friend made the separation feel lighter.
As for being expelled from the Hyuga clan? He'd long anticipated this day would come.
Especially after failing the graduation exam. There was no way the Hyuga clan would tolerate such a shame lingering under their roof.
So, Kirito had already prepared for this.
He soon arrived at a modest storefront: the Tenten Weapons Shop.
Though the shop's frontage wasn't large, this was merely one of its branch outlets. The main store was the oldest and most established weapons vendor in Konoha, supplying over 80% of the village's ninja tools, from shuriken and kunai to wire and explosive tags. With high-quality products at fair prices, the Tenten shop even fulfilled bulk orders from villages outside the Land of Fire.
Its reputation? Massive.
Kirito had earned most of his living expenses here, working as an apprentice.
He stepped inside, greeting the store owner and the craftsmen with casual familiarity, proof that he'd been here for quite a while already.
He'd already discussed things with the owner ahead of time. In a few days, Kirito would officially move in.
The shop's master, being an old acquaintance, didn't object. There were spare rooms available, after all. With no reason to refuse, Kirito was quietly accepted.
And so, his new life began.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters