Konohagakure.
The Hyuga Clan compound.
Uchiha Mirai and Hyuga Hinata had just arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga compound when a slightly older boy ran toward them.
"Hinata, where have you been?" the boy asked, his tone carrying a hint of irritation.
Hinata stuck out her tongue playfully. "Neji-san, I snuck out to play for a bit..."
"Could you not tell Father?" she pleaded.
Hearing this, Neji sighed with a touch of helpless indulgence. "The Clan Head already knows. I can't help you with this."
After saying that, Neji finally noticed Uchiha Mirai standing beside Hinata.
At first glance, his body tensed in shock.
"Mi—Mirai-sama?!"
"It's me," Mirai replied with a nod. "Neji, it's been a while. How have things been for you in the clan lately?"
Hearing Mirai's inquiry, Neji's expression shifted to one of deep gratitude, and he immediately knelt down in respect.
"Thank you for your concern, Mirai-sama. I've been doing well."
He would never forget that time when his father died, and he had been on the verge of receiving the Caged Bird Seal.
Not even Hiashi-sama, the head of the clan, had been able to stop it.
Just when he had fallen into complete despair, Mirai had descended like a divine savior, overthrowing the centuries-old Caged Bird system with swift and decisive action at the Hyuga Clan Assembly.
Now, the Hyuga Clan no longer had a distinction between the Main and Branch families. Everyone possessed equal rights.
And he… had finally stepped out of the shadow of his father's death.
In fact…
After displaying his talent, Hiashi himself had even mentioned grooming him as the next head of the Hyuga Clan!
Everything he had today was thanks to the man before him.
Neji would never, not even for a moment, forget the debt he owed Mirai.
Seeing Neji's reddened eyes from emotion, Hinata tilted her head in confusion.
"Neji-san, what's wrong?"
At the time when the Caged Bird Seal had been abolished, Hinata had been too young to fully grasp its significance. She couldn't understand what Neji was feeling at this moment.
Sensing her concerned gaze, Neji wiped his eyes and smiled. "It's nothing."
"Hinata, why are you with Mirai-sama?"
Hinata grinned. "Hehe… Neji-san, Mirai-sama helped me when I was being bullied and scared those bad guys away."
"Then he even took me to eat at Ichiraku Ramen!"
Neji shot her a suspicious look.
Bullied? Who in their right mind would dare bully the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter?
Unacceptable. Those fools would have to pay!
Just as Neji was about to demand details, a somewhat cautious voice came from inside the compound.
"Mirai-sama, what brings you here?!"
As Hiashi emerged, Neji and Hinata instinctively stepped aside.
Seeing Hiashi's nervous expression, Mirai waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Hiashi."
He briefly recounted his encounter with Hinata.
Hiashi quickly lowered his head. "I truly appreciate your efforts. This was my failure in disciplining Hinata."
Mirai responded casually, "It's fine. I actually enjoyed my chat with her."
At those words, Hiashi's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed up. "Really? That's wonderful!"
"Hinata always tells me that you're the person she admires most. She's always saying how she wishes she could become your student…"
Though the Hyuga Clan outwardly remained prestigious, deep down, Hiashi constantly felt uneasy.
The reason was simple.
Uchiha Mirai was too harsh on the ninja clans.
Since he had come into power, countless clans had been wiped out for various reasons.
Even powerful clans like the Sarutobi and Shimura had vanished overnight—so what of the Hyuga?
Although Hiashi had firmly sided with Mirai in overthrowing Hiruzen Sarutobi, he knew that wasn't enough. If he didn't solidify stronger ties, the future remained uncertain.
He had agonized over this for a long time.
Now, an opportunity had finally presented itself. Hiashi knew he couldn't afford to let it slip away.
Of course, Mirai saw through his intentions.
He had considered taking on a student—but not yet.
With that thought, Mirai simply replied, "Hinata has potential, but she's still too young."
"We can talk about discipleship when she's a bit older."
Hiashi immediately nodded in agreement.
As long as Mirai hadn't outright rejected the idea, that meant there was a real possibility!
If Hinata could become Mirai's disciple, the Hyuga Clan's future would be secure!
Overjoyed, Hiashi quickly said, "Mirai-sama, please wait a moment. I'll have a banquet prepared right away."
"No need." Mirai shook his head but then added, "Oh, and one more thing—Hinata's appetite isn't quite the same as others. Make sure to prepare extra food for her from now on."
After all, how else was she supposed to grow into that enviable figure from the original story?
The three watched as Mirai departed, only looking away when his silhouette had completely disappeared.
Hiashi turned to Hinata, his tone serious. "Hinata, I need you to recount, word for word, everything that happened with Mirai-sama today."
"I must analyze this thoroughly. Not a single detail can be missed!"
Hinata blinked in confusion. "Father, I already told you everything once. Is it really that important?"
"Of course!" Hiashi replied firmly. "This concerns the very survival of the Hyuga Clan!"
Neji also spoke with conviction. "Hinata, becoming Mirai-sama's disciple is an honor one could take pride in for a lifetime."
"You must put in your best effort. You can't keep being so carefree about everything!"
Seeing even Neji—who usually doted on her—speaking so seriously, Hinata finally realized the gravity of the situation.
Maybe…
Meeting Mirai today really was an incredible stroke of luck that countless others would envy…
—
After leaving the Hyuga compound, Mirai glanced up at the sky.
Snowflakes had begun to fall again.
Exhaling a breath of warm air, he turned his gaze northward.
He had already secured eight of the nine Tailed Beasts. Only the Four-Tails remained unaccounted for.
It was time to claim it, along with the Gedo Statue.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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