CHAPTER 214

Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji

After the Uchiha Clan was massacred, the Hyūga Clan's estate became the most isolated family compound in Konoha, resembling a small, semi-independent kingdom within the village.

However, unlike the Uchiha, who once controlled the Konoha Military Police Force and were feared by the Hokage, the Hyūga Clan followed a different path.

Despite being one of the strongest and most prestigious families, the Hyūga had never sought key leadership positions in the village, nor had they expressed any ambition for the title of Hokage. Instead, they remained quietly in their secluded compound, keeping to their traditions.

This self-imposed withdrawal stemmed from two main reasons: first, the caution learned from the long-standing conflicts between the Senju and Uchiha, and second, the deeply flawed Caged Bird Seal system. If any undue ambition was exposed, it could easily ignite tensions between the Main and Branch families.

At this moment, in the Hyūga dojo, Hinata, Neji, and Hanabi were training in Gentle Fist.

After completing several sets of strikes, Hinata wiped away the light sweat forming on her forehead. She gracefully sat on the tatami mat and took a sip of water. As the eldest daughter of the Main Branch, she was expected to maintain perfect composure at all times—even though she had already lost her position as heir.

As she caught her breath, her gaze drifted toward Hanabi, who was engaged in a sparring match with Neji.

Compared to her own timid nature, Hanabi was far more assertive. Her natural talent in Gentle Fist was undeniable—on par with Neji, the proclaimed genius of their clan. Hanabi was clearly more suited to be the next heir.

Moreover, the Caged Bird Seal was too cruel. Hinata didn't want to see that mark placed on her little sister's forehead.

Fortunately, their father, Hiashi Hyūga, had not yet decided to brand either of them. He seemed intent on postponing the official selection of the clan's future leader until both she and Hanabi reached adulthood.

But when that time came… would she once again intentionally lose to Hanabi, or would she truly fight to become the Hyūga Clan's matriarch?

Her eyes drifted toward Neji, the cousin who bore the Caged Bird Seal. If she did become the clan head, could she abolish this cruel system? Could she finally grant Neji his long-denied freedom?

To her, Neji was not just a fellow Hyūga. She preferred the version of him who treated her as family, rather than the one who referred to her as "Lady Hinata."

But could she truly achieve something even her father had failed to do?

The only person who had ever given her confidence was Naruto-kun… but he had been gone for so long.

Thinking of him, Hinata felt lost. She didn't know what to do.

Then, Naruto's voice echoed in her memory.

"If you're stuck on something and don't know what to do, then don't overthink it. Just train. Even if strength can't solve the problem, it can solve the person who caused the problem."

She wasn't sure if Naruto's words truly made sense, but ever since he disappeared, she had been following that advice—escaping into training, pushing her body to its limits in solitude.

Unbeknownst to her father and the elders, she had already mastered the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. Just days ago, she had even learned the clan's secret technique—Eight Trigrams Rotation.

But there was a price. Her appetite had grown noticeably larger, and she had completely lost the ladylike grace expected of her.

Shaking off her wandering thoughts, Hinata stood up and silently slipped out of the dojo, intending to train alone at one of the clan's more remote practice grounds.

However, before she could leave, several figures blocked her path.

They were all members of the Hyūga Clan, and at the front stood Hiashi Hyūga, her father and the clan head.

Hiashi silently observed her. Ever since Naruto's disappearance, Hinata had seemed hollow, burying herself in training whenever she was faced with difficulty.

A month ago, she had found an old, discarded fox-shaped wallet. She had smiled while holding it, lost in thought.

Hiashi sighed inwardly. With a personality like this, she would never be able to bear the weight of the Hyūga Clan. But despite this, he felt reluctant to place the Caged Bird Seal on her.

Was this system, which turned siblings into master and servant, truly necessary?

Yet it was tradition. A rule handed down by their ancestors. Even the Hyūga Clan Head had no authority to defy it.

Though he felt sympathy for his daughter, Hiashi maintained a strict expression.

"Hinata, it's time for the monthly assessment. Where are you going?" His tone was firm. "Running away won't change anything. If you want to be the next leader, you must defeat Hanabi."

Under the watchful eyes of the clan members, Hinata obediently returned to the dojo.

Realizing the situation, Hanabi straightened, clenched her fists, and stared at her sister. "Sister, it's time for the assessment."

Hinata took a deep breath and stepped forward, forming the Seal of Confrontation with Hanabi.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The fight began. Their movements were swift, their Gentle Fist strikes precise. At first, Hinata planned to hold back as she always had, but when she struck, Hanabi was pushed back several steps.

Hanabi's eyes widened in shock.

Hinata frowned. She had controlled her strength—so why had Hanabi still been pushed back? It was becoming difficult to continue suppressing herself.

As their battle continued, Hinata carefully adjusted her strikes, trying to make her loss appear natural. She deliberately left an opening for Hanabi, allowing her to land a hit. With that, Hinata collapsed to the ground and admitted defeat.

But her act was far from convincing.

The clan elders exchanged glances, then turned to Hiashi. One of them spoke.

"Hanabi, step aside. Neji, spar with the eldest daughter."

"Yes."

Neji stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Lady Hinata, I accept."

The battle resumed, their soft fists clashing with precise, deadly force. The air trembled with each strike.

At first, Hinata barely held her ground, but she was steadily pushed into a corner.

Just as she was about to let Neji win, one of the elders spoke again, his tone cold.

"Hinata, stop holding back. Show us your true strength. Or do you not wish to be clan leader?"

Neji hesitated, his Byakugan focusing intently on her.

Had Hinata, who he had always defeated with ease, been hiding her strength all along?

Hanabi was equally stunned. Could it be that her sister had been letting her win on purpose all this time? If so… was it because she didn't want Hanabi to receive the Caged Bird Seal?

Now that her deception had been exposed, Hinata clenched her fists and finally released some of her strength. The battle became evenly matched, and Neji felt the pressure mount.

The clan elders narrowed their eyes at the sight, then turned to Hiashi.

"Nizu, I did not expect Hinata to have this level of talent. If she had revealed it earlier, she should have been trained within the Main Branch, not wasting time at the Academy."

Hiashi sighed. "I underestimated her willfulness. I did not expect her to become this strong—her ability is nearly at a Chūnin level."

But unlike the elders, Hiashi was troubled. Hinata's habit of hiding her strength was something she had learned from Naruto. That boy had been gone for so long… yet she still hadn't let go.

As clan head, he knew the truth behind Naruto's disappearance.

And he knew what it meant for the future of Konoha.

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