The Submissiveness of the Branch Family

Losing someone you know on the battlefield is always heartbreaking.

"I..."

Just as Hyuga Natsu was about to encourage Hyuga Tokuma and wish him a smooth journey,

she suddenly recalled everything that had happened today, and in an instant, she felt nothing.

She only wanted to wash her handkerchief and go home to think about how to discuss matters with Shimizu.

Seeing Natsu hesitating to speak, Hyuga Tokuma patted his chest and said with confidence,

"A-Natsu, don't worry about me. I still have the Byakugan. If I encounter danger, I can run away immediately."

To be bold enough to enter the battlefield and establish his name, Hyuga Tokuma naturally had his own reliance.

Byakugan—the strongest observation eye.

It could detect ambushes and sneak attacks, allowing him to react instantly and significantly enhancing his survival rate.

Because of this, other ninja villages coveted the Byakugan, eager to harness its power for war.

Hyuga Tokuma spoke at length. Having been immersed in training recently and unable to see Natsu, he had been holding back a lot.

"Mm, A-Tokuma, I hope you return safely."

Hyuga Natsu then excused herself, saying she needed to wash her handkerchief, and left.

"A-Natsu is becoming more and more beautiful."

Hyuga Tokuma stared blankly at Natsu's departing figure.

Like a mountain stream under the night sky—clear and beautiful, exuding an air of innocence.

"I will temper myself into someone stronger on the battlefield."

At that moment, Hyuga Tokuma made a vow. Only by doing so could he be worthy of the pure-hearted Natsu.

--

The next day, as the sun reached its zenith.

Hyuga Natsu used the pocket money she had saved for a long time to buy some gifts and set out to visit Shimizu.

She carried a basket as she walked toward the Uchiha settlement.

It was her first time coming here. Previously, when she visited Shimizu, she had only waited at the entrance.

Today, after waiting for a long time without seeing any passing Uchiha,

she feared that standing at the Uchiha gate as a Hyuga clansman for too long might cause some unwanted trouble.

So, she resolutely stepped inside.

She passed by a pancake shop, where an enthusiastic old man kindly pointed her in the direction of Shimizu's house.

Before long, she arrived at the entrance of a courtyard.

The courtyard was somewhat small and rundown. If not for the surrounding walls, it might not even qualify as a courtyard—just a small, standalone house.

She straightened her clothes, smoothing out any creases.

Adjusting her emotions, she gently knocked on the slightly faded wooden door.

Knock, knock.

The sound echoed in the courtyard. Hyuga Natsu waited for a while but heard no response.

Thinking her knock might have been too soft, she was about to increase her force when the door suddenly opened.

Contrary to her expectations, the one who appeared was not the person she was looking for.

A woman with short hair that reached her lips stood before her. Her hair was smooth like a waterfall, and as she moved, a stray strand brushed against the purple markings on her cheek.

Nohara Rin.

Hyuga Natsu recognized this woman. They were in the same class.

"Rin."

"A-Natsu, what brings you here...?"

Nohara Rin paused, wiping the corner of her mouth, looking at Natsu in surprise.

She had never noticed any interactions between Shimizu and Hyuga Natsu, except for a possible connection through Kurenai Yuhi.

That guy—how many girls has he deceived?

"I came to visit Shimizu."

Hyuga Natsu smiled slightly. Paired with her black-and-white maid outfit, she looked rather simple and pure.

She silently noted how close Rin's team seemed to be.

"Is Shimizu home? I should be at the right place."

"He's inside."

Nohara Rin stepped aside, pushing the door open.

She muttered to herself, Didn't Sarutobi Asuma just invite everyone for a gathering?

That day, she had seen Hyuga Natsu in the corner.

They had just met the day before, and now she was visiting?

Something feels off.

"A-Natsu, why don't we step outside for a moment? I have something to tell you..."

Nohara Rin didn't want to see another girl fall into Shimizu's hands. She intended to warn Natsu about him.

"Hyuga Natsu, you even brought gifts? Are you here to visit me?"

Shimizu's voice cut off what Rin was about to say.

A flicker of fear flashed in Natsu's eyes, but she quickly steadied herself and nodded firmly.

"Come in."

Shimizu made a welcoming gesture, then glanced at Nohara Rin.

"Rin, weren't you leaving?"

His half-smiling expression made Rin's heart tighten.

She had indeed been preparing to leave when she coincidentally heard the knock and opened the door.

Lowering her head, she quickly walked past the entrance. Just as the door closed behind her, she turned back with a look of concern.

"I hope I'm just overthinking. So far, I haven't seen him make a move on anyone else. Besides, Natsu is from a major clan—

The Hyuga clan is not weaker than the Uchiha."

She comforted herself, believing that Shimizu wouldn't dare make a move on Natsu.

Her kind heart didn't want to see another of her classmates share her fate.

--

Inside the living room, Hyuga Natsu quietly observed her surroundings.

The decorations were simple. A few books were scattered on the sofa.

Glancing at them, they seemed to be medical texts.

"Hyuga Natsu, I hope this tea suits your taste."

Shimizu placed a cup of tea in front of her.

In Konoha, serving tea to guests was a customary practice.

He had prepared plenty of instant tea powder in advance—not just for Natsu, but for Rin and Kakashi whenever they visited.

"Thank you."

Natsu politely accepted the tea.

The water stain at the corner of Rin's mouth earlier was probably from drinking this very tea.

The Hyuga clan was a feudalistic family that valued so-called etiquette, with some customs being excessively complex.

Both the main and branch families were required to learn proper manners, and the rules were strict.

She straightened her back and kneeled properly on the tatami, holding the tea with both hands.

Shimizu sat across from her, waiting for her to speak.

Both of them were well aware of the real reason for this visit.

After waiting for a while and seeing that Shimizu showed no intention of speaking first, Natsu couldn't hold back any longer and asked:

"Shimizu, what exactly happened yesterday?"

"What? You didn't like the gift I gave you?"

Hearing Shimizu's response, Natsu was certain—he was behind it.

"Why did you do this? Aren't you afraid it will cause discord between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans?"

Though she resented Hyuga Ginka, years of indoctrination had buried such feelings deep inside her heart.

Unless absolutely necessary, she would never let them show.

"Hyuga Natsu, I was helping you, wasn't I? But judging by your expression, you seem a little upset?"

Shimizu found it amusing.

The Hyuga branch family was indeed pitiful.

But it also showed their deeply ingrained submissiveness.

Everyone was deeply servile. Even when Hyuga Hizashi showed killing intent toward Hyuga Hinata, it was for the sake of his beloved son, Hyuga Neji.

In the end, he even voluntarily became Hyuga Hiashi's decoy, sacrificing himself.

Hyuga Natsu clearly harbored resentment but still put on a loyal facade toward the main family.

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