Hyūga Clan.
As soon as Hyūga Hiashi returned, he was informed that the elders wanted to see him and that Hanabi should accompany him.
"Hiashi, you've caused trouble again. Tell us about it."
The elderly Hyūga elder sat in the dimly lit room and slowly spoke when he saw Hyūga Hiashi open the door and walk in.
Hyūga Hiashi walked in and recounted everything that happened today to the Hyūga elder in detail.
"Hmph!"
"Are those branch family members trying to use this method to escape the main family's control, to escape the Hyūga Clan's rules?!"
When the Hyūga elder heard Hiashi mention that someone from their clan had married an outsider during the Third Great Ninja War and even had a child, he immediately concluded that it must have been a branch family member trying to avoid the fate of the Caged Bird Seal.
"Great Elder, what should we do about this matter?"
Hyūga Hiashi knelt on the ground, his head bowed, and asked.
"Hiashi, have you forgotten the lesson I taught you last time?!"
The Hyūga elder roared.
"This..."
Hiashi's expression stiffened, "Elder, you mean..."
"Regarding Hizashi's matter, I praised you back then, but I didn't expect you to have forgotten why I praised you.
Regardless of what Lord Third's thoughts are, or what decision he ultimately makes, as the Hyūga Clan Head, representing the Hyūga Clan, you can only express one attitude, understand?!"
"Since you've forgotten, I'll teach you again!"
"If you choose to resist, and Lord Third also chooses to resist, then it means Lord Third yielded to the Hyūga Clan's power.
If you choose to resist, and Lord Third ultimately chooses to compromise, then it's a conflict! A grudge!
If you choose to compromise and sacrifice, and Lord Third chooses to resist, that is Lord Third's kindness, valuing every person in the village.
If you choose to compromise and sacrifice, and Lord Third chooses to compromise, that is Lord Third respecting the Hyūga Clan's choice.
Do you understand!
Our Hyūga Clan is not the Uchiha Clan; they have no brains, which is why they were annihilated!"
Hyūga Hiashi was drenched in sweat listening to the Hyūga elder's reprimand.
Such seemingly 'scheming' words might seem out of place elsewhere, but within the Hyūga Clan, the most feudal clan in the Ninja World, their appearance was not surprising at all.
Hanabi, however, with her small head, couldn't comprehend so many things from the adults' dirty world and was already feeling dizzy.
"Hiashi, do you understand? Regardless of Lord Third's final decision, you should also be prepared."
After saying this, the Hyūga elder's gaze turned to Hanabi, who was standing behind Hiashi.
"...Yes, yes."
Hyūga Hiashi nodded with a bitter expression.
"Then have you made your decision? Who will inherit the main family? We have given you so many years of leeway, Hiashi, you should give an answer and fulfill the rules of our Hyūga Clan."
The Hyūga elder was very satisfied to see Hiashi nod.
Back then, Hiashi and his brother Hizashi were born only a dozen minutes apart; Hiashi, born earlier, became the main family, and Hizashi, born later, became the branch family.
Hizashi was branded with the Caged Bird Seal when he was three years old.
If Hinata and Hanabi had been born as twins, the result would have been the same.
But Hinata was five years older than Hanabi.
Hinata's abilities in all aspects were far inferior to Neji's, who was her sparring partner.
Hizashi, who was still alive at the time, thought of this, and his sadness and resentment were evident; as a result, Hiashi immediately activated the Caged Bird Seal, causing him to collapse on the ground in agony in front of Neji.
Later, when Neji was four, Hizashi became Hiashi's scapegoat.
During a practice match between Neji and Hinata, Neji also felt a surge of resentment, and Hiashi again activated the Caged Bird Seal, making Neji experience a feeling worse than death.
But this also made Hiashi and the clan elders realize Hinata's shortcomings.
Lack of ability and lack of character.
At that time, Hiashi's wife became pregnant again and gave birth to Hanabi.
Hiashi then proposed to the elders that Hanabi should grow up first, the winner would become the main family, and the loser would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal and become a branch family.
Hiashi's suggestion actually stemmed from his reluctance when the Caged Bird Seal was to be placed on his own children.
And Hanabi did not disappoint him; in terms of talent and personality, she showed more suitability to inherit the position of main family head than her older sister, Hinata.
Originally, this matter could have been delayed further.
Perhaps one day in the future, when the Hyūga elder passed away, or when a newly appointed Hokage decided to forcefully change the Hyūga Clan's rules, maybe no one would have to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
But unfortunately, due to this incident in Amegakure, this matter was brought up again, and Hiashi could no longer avoid it.
"Before the Chūnin Exams conclude and before Lord Third makes a decision, I will give my answer."
Hyūga Hiashi was about to speak, preparing to give up on Hinata, but Hanabi tugged at his sleeve. Seeing his younger daughter's determined expression, Hiashi reluctantly spoke.
Afterward, the father and daughter, who had left the Hyūga elder's residence, returned to the courtyard from the morning and began to converse.
"Hanabi, I know you've loved your older sister since childhood, but your sister is truly not suited to be the clan head.
Leaving her strength aside, her personality is simply too timid, do you understand?"
Hiashi earnestly tried to persuade Hanabi.
Hanabi shook her head vigorously: "This time, it was clearly my fault, how can I let my sister suffer in my place? Father, I suppose you've been blaming yourself for Uncle Hizashi's sacrifice all this time, haven't you?"
"..."
Hyūga Hiashi's expression was somewhat ashamed.
Not shame for his brother Hizashi, but because he actually didn't feel that much remorse.
After all, if he truly felt that much remorse, he wouldn't have used the Caged Bird Seal to warn Neji.
But to say that he was completely shameless and thought that the branch family's sacrifice was natural, that also didn't seem to be the case.
He still felt ashamed when Hanabi asked him now.
Humans are complex creatures.
"Father, let's go watch Big Sister's upcoming battles in this Chūnin Exams! If Big Sister can show a proactive and positive attitude, then Father, please don't involve Big Sister in this."
Hanabi clenched her small fists and looked up at Hyūga Hiashi.
"...Alright."
Hyūga Hiashi, helpless, agreed.
However, he didn't believe that Hinata could show any proactive behavior; it would be good enough if she didn't disgrace the Hyūga Clan.
The second round of the Forest of Death scroll competition had ended.
The 1v1 individual elimination matches were about to begin.
Hinata returned home, puzzled not to see Hanabi, and quietly asked her father: "Fa-Father, where's Hanabi?"
"Hmph."
Hiashi snorted, not answering.
Hanabi had left after dinner.
He had originally wanted to remind Hanabi not to wander off and to stay home.
But remembering the pressure on Hanabi, Hiashi softened and had Hinata Natsu follow her from a distance as a guard, allowing Hanabi to relax by herself.
So, where was Hanabi?
Hanabi asked around and found the Amegakure leader's residence.
Knock knock.
Bai Mo opened the door, and little Hanabi stood timidly at the entrance, holding a package.
"Um, I came to apologize, and I brought a medical kit. Where's the big brother with the severed arm who my father injured?"
"He returned to the village."
Bai Mo let Hanabi in, then closed the door.
As for Hinata Natsu outside, she was monitoring with her Byakugan, but she could only see the visuals, not hear the sounds.
"Actually, no one was injured or died yesterday, so you don't need to blame yourself."
After sitting down in the room, Bai Mo went straight to the point.
"Huh?"
"W-What no injuries?"
Little Hanabi took a sip of the hot tea Karin had brought her, and hearing Bai Mo's words, her small face was filled with confusion.
....
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