Chapter 23: The Pitiful Byakugan Girl
Konoha's Year 54 was drawing to a close, but the entire ninja world was still in turmoil.
First, the leader of the Cloud delegation died in Konoha, with the culprit being none other than the Hyūga clan head, Hyūga Hiashi.
The Cloud demanded the Hyūga clan hand over their clan head, and Konoha actually agreed to this unreasonable request.
If it were only that, it would merely expose Konoha's 'strong outside, weak inside' nature and the Cloud's shameless ambition.
But the subsequent developments shocked the various powers of the ninja world.
The Cloud Village's Eight-Tails Jinchūriki appeared on the front lines, directly killing Konoha's hundred-strong unit stationed in the Valley of the Moon.
Public opinion, previously against the Cloud, instantly reversed, swinging towards Konoha's side.
The Fourth Shinobi World War seemed just a hair's breadth away.
Yet, less than three hours after the incident occurred, the Cloud actually retreated at lightning speed and has given no response whatsoever to date.
But the intelligence agents of various nations aren't fools.
The terrifying battle fluctuations, the horrifying roar – the surrounding small nations and great powers clearly witnessed it. The echoes resounded for a long time, lingering without cease.
The area around that deep forest suffered extremely severe damage; the ground over a vast area was overturned, with tragic marks of destruction everywhere.
Intelligence agents also detected the violent nature unique to Tailed Beast chakra, as well as traces of very strong Lightning Release ninjutsu.
Without a doubt, someone had battled the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.
And judging by the Cloud's silent withdrawal, the outcome of that battle was likely...
Instantly, the major powers realized a new, unknown powerhouse had appeared in the ninja world.
Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the lake, an undercurrent was surging.
...
Hyūga Clan Grounds.
Hyūga Hiashi walked onto the outer corridor, followed by Hyūga Hizashi, whose expression was complex.
The Jōnin Council, which usually convened maybe once every few months, had met four times consecutively in just a few days.
However, this time it ended after only an hour. Hiashi agreed to dispatch three branch family Jōnin into the ANBU, considered a form of accountability to the Konoha leadership.
"How does it feel?"
Hiashi asked suddenly, without stopping.
Hizashi, behind him, paused, then smiled bitterly: "Somewhat... fortunate, I suppose."
Although he had already made his resolve, if one could live, no one wished to die.
Moreover, Neji was still young.
If he died, Neji might well be blinded by hatred.
But in the end, whether voluntary or forced,
In the eyes of the Konoha leadership and the main family, his life was, from beginning to end, merely a tool to avoid war and protect the main family.
Therefore, while feeling fortunate to be alive, Hizashi also thought of Neji, a deep sorrow rising from his heart.
"Too lowly. The lives of the branch family are too lowly."
Once branded with the Caged Bird, one could no longer be seen as a complete 'person'.
And Neji, in the future, would have to bear this fate...
"Then hold onto today's fortune and live on."
Hearing this, Hiashi merely nodded expressionlessly and said coldly: "Your previous offense against me – I forgive you. But don't let it happen again."
He himself hadn't wanted to satisfy the Cloud's unreasonable demands, let alone sacrifice Hizashi in his place.
The Hyūga clan, since the Warring States Period, had never encountered such humiliation.
Unfortunately, times had changed.
This was no longer the chaotic Warring States Period.
In the era of 'one village, one country', it was difficult for their Hyūga clan to defy the orders of the Konoha leadership, let alone resist the public will of the entire village.
Otherwise, their clan would surely find it impossible to move forward in Konoha and suffer targeted persecution.
Before the interests of the clan, individual interests are insignificant.
Similarly, before the interests of the village, the interests of a clan are equally insignificant.
The two brothers walked through the corridor and reached a corner.
Suddenly, a small figure appeared before them.
The figure paused, startled. Recognition flashed in their eyes, quickly replaced by a strange look, but they immediately lowered their head and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Clan Head, Father."
Hiashi frowned slightly: "Neji? Isn't this Hinata's training time? Where are you going?"
Neji had now been branded with the Caged Bird; his entire future life was bound to Hinata as her dependent.
And he had arranged for the two to practice together earlier, but the direction Neji was heading seemed to be towards the branch family area.
But facing Hiashi's semi-questioning tone, Neji answered calmly: "Because Lady Hinata told me she wasn't feeling well, so today's practice is temporarily postponed."
"Not feeling well?"
Hearing Neji's words, Hiashi's frown deepened further.
He didn't recall Hinata's constitution being so fragile.
Is she pretending to be sick? Or perhaps...
"In that case, then today's practice is cancelled."
Hiashi nodded, brow still furrowed, then turned to Hizashi: "Hizashi, you go back with Neji. I'll go check on Hinata."
Hizashi nodded expressionlessly and left the main family grounds with Neji.
Hiashi watched the silent backs of the father and son, his gaze becoming profound.
He had keenly sensed the change and abnormality in Hizashi's emotions.
"Hizashi, I hope you haven't lost the most basic rationality of a ninja. This isn't something you can change alone."
...
Evening approached, but a bamboo forest in Konoha was rather noisy.
A group of snotty-nosed brats were playing and roughhousing there.
A short-haired little girl ran through the forest, head lowered, wiping away tears.
"Ouch!"
The girl didn't notice the few people ahead and bumped right into a chubby little boy among them, making him stumble.
"Sorry."
The little girl scrambled up, wiping her tears, still politely apologizing.
Her chubby little face, delicate features, combined with her tear-streaked expression now, was truly pitiable; anyone seeing her would feel sympathy.
But clearly, this group of snotty-nosed brats lacked such awareness.
Thump!
"Hahaha! Look everyone, her eyes are white!"
The chubby boy pushed the girl down, then pointed at her eyes, laughing: "Like a monster!"
"Yeah! A white-eyed monster!"
"Is she like that thing? Are they both monsters?!"
The other brats saw this and joined in the teasing and jeering. Someone even picked up a stone from the ground, intending to throw it at the girl.
Vicious words and twisted smiles formed a stark contrast with their tender faces.
At an age that should be innocent and kind, they now seemed like little demons.
The little girl seemed scared stiff. Her blue-white eyes instantly misted over, looking even more pitiful.
Seeing this, one of the brats, far from stopping, grew bolder, brazenly raising the stone high.
Then, smiling, threw it directly at the girl's eyes.
Thud!
The girl shielded her face with her hands, eyes squeezed shut, but the expected pain never came.
She only heard a dull thud, and then a gentle, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear.
"Why don't you fight back?"
(End of Chapter)