CHAPTER 21
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The Next Day
Uchiha Tunan woke up early and stepped out of the Uchiha compound.
Instead of heading straight to the Ninja Academy, he made his way to a pet shop in Konoha's commercial district and picked out a kitten.
The kitten was pure white, with soft fur and small, delicate paws—adorable in every way.
Placing the kitten inside a small cage provided by the shop, Uchiha Tunan proceeded toward the academy.
As soon as he entered the classroom, as usual, he attracted a lot of attention.
Among those watching were Hyūga Chiretsu, Uchiha Mina, and, of course, Hatake Kakashi.
Uchiha Tunan ignored the stares and walked directly to Uchiha Mina's desk. Gently, he placed the cage in front of her.
"I thought about it last night," he said, his voice calm. "This little one might be able to help you."
Uchiha Mina's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the kitten inside the cage. "Tunan-kun, is this… for me?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Excited murmurs spread across the classroom as their classmates reacted to the scene, teasing them playfully.
In the corner, unnoticed by most, Hyūga Chiretsu sat motionless. Under the desk, her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
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The Confrontation
Class went on as usual. Umino Iruka lectured from the podium, while Uchiha Tunan, as always, listened attentively—despite having already mastered the material.
Maintaining a perfect image was essential.
Meanwhile, Hyūga Chiretsu sat stiffly in her seat, her lifeless eyes locked onto Uchiha Tunan's back.
Uchiha Mina, oblivious to Chiretsu's gaze, was quietly playing with the kitten. She curiously slipped her finger into the cage. The kitten sniffed it hesitantly before giving it a soft lick with its pink tongue.
Uchiha Mina's heart melted instantly.
Her gaze flickered toward Uchiha Tunan's back, her expression sweet and grateful.
I'll take good care of this little one, Tunan-kun. Don't worry.
After the first class ended, Hyūga Chiretsu suddenly approached Uchiha Mina. Her expression was ice-cold.
"Come outside."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the academy's training field.
Uchiha Mina glanced at Uchiha Tunan, who was engrossed in a book, then smirked and followed Chiretsu without hesitation.
Under the shade of a tree, the two kunoichi stood facing each other.
"You really think I won't kill you?" Chiretsu's Byakugan activated, veins bulging around her pale lavender eyes. A sickly cruelty twisted her face.
"Hah. What happened to your weak little act?" Uchiha Mina scoffed, arms crossed. "Don't think flashing your Byakugan is enough to scare me."
Chiretsu slowly raised her hands into a Jūken stance, her voice eerily calm.
"People of the same kind should stay together."
She took a step forward.
"Tunan-kun and I are both orphans. That's why we're the perfect match."
Uchiha Mina narrowed her eyes before reaching for her kunai pouch.
"That's ridiculous. My parents were killed in the Second Great Ninja War." She twirled the kunai between her fingers. "By your logic, that makes me an orphan too. So why should I hand over Tunan-kun to you?"
Chiretsu froze.
Her breath hitched as she processed Mina's words.
Silence stretched between them.
Then, without warning, Hyūga Chiretsu dropped to her knees. She placed her hands on the ground, bowing her head.
"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Let me have him. You still have your clan. But I… I have nothing. I need him."
Uchiha Mina was stunned.
A moment ago, Chiretsu had looked ready to kill her. Now she was begging?
Mina hesitated, then sighed. Her voice softened slightly.
"You should give up."
Then, after a brief pause, she smirked.
"Besides, there's something you don't seem to know."
Chiretsu slowly lifted her head, confusion flickering in her usually cold eyes.
"The Hyūga clan doesn't allow marriage outside their bloodline," Mina said matter-of-factly. "I never even saw you as a rival—I just found you annoying."
Mina turned, twirling the kunai once before slipping it back into her pouch.
"Better luck next time," she added with a smug grin, walking back toward the classroom.
As she left, a satisfied feeling settled over her. Chiretsu's humiliating surrender had completely erased the sting of her previous defeat.
Under the shade of the tree, Hyūga Chiretsu remained kneeling, her head bowed, her expression unreadable.
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The Hyūga's Curse
By the time she returned to class, Chiretsu looked like a walking corpse.
The Hyūga clan's strict rules weren't exactly a secret, but people rarely spoke about them. Chiretsu had never paid much attention to such things.
But now…
Mina's words echoed in her mind.
As she sat in her seat, her pale fingers reached up, brushing against her forehead. Beneath her bangs, hidden from view, was the Caged Bird Seal—a cruel reminder of her fate.
Even if Tunan-kun loved her back…
Even if he chose her…
The Hyūga elders would never allow it.
And even if she tried to run…
The Caged Bird Seal would make sure she never escaped.
Only death could free her.
But in death, there was no Tunan-kun.
Chiretsu's trembling gaze shifted to Uchiha Tunan, who sat calmly at his desk, lost in thought.
Tunan-kun… even if I die, I will be with you.
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The Hunter Watches
Outside the classroom window, two white doves perched on a tree branch, nestled together.
Uchiha Tunan observed everything.
He didn't need to hear their conversation to understand what had happened.
Hyūga Chiretsu was no longer useful.
She was weak, obsessed with love, and had wasted too much of his time. The only reason he had entertained her was to push her into competing with Uchiha Mina.
But now, she had lost all motivation.
Pathetic.
His attention shifted to Uchiha Mina, who sat happily stroking the kitten he had given her.
Yes. She still had potential.
When the time was right—before the start of the Third Great Ninja War—he would kill the kitten.
And if all went as planned, then…
Uchiha Mina would awaken the next stage of her Sharingan.