Visiting Ruri
The Hyuga Clan's main compound was ready for a special visitor.
Sarutobi Ryo's presence required Hyuga Hiashi himself to greet him.
Because Sarutobi Ryo had previously suggested that Ruri join the Anbu, Hyuga Hiashi seemed worried. He feared that Sarutobi Ryo would cause more trouble today.
"It's nothing much. I just wanted to see Ruri..."
Sarutobi Ryo sat in the Head Family's living room, casually talking with Hyuga Hiashi.
Hearing that he only wanted to see his teammate, Hyuga Hiashi visibly relaxed.
Soon, Sarutobi Ryo's eyes moved to the side, focusing on the gentle and elegant woman next to Hyuga Hiashi.
A purple robe highlighted her beautiful figure.
Her dark hair, with a hint of purple shining in the sunlight, hinted at the hair color of Hyuga Hinata in the future.
Just by looking at her, it was clear that this was Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Hanabi's mother.
Such beauty...
The perfect picture of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko woman. This must be it.
"So, Young Master Ryo, how are things going on the war front?"
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly asked.
The Third Shinobi World War seemed much worse than the previous two great wars.
Even though the leaders were trying to hide things, Hyuga Hiashi had noticed the seriousness of the situation.
"The situation is not good."
Sarutobi Ryo looked right at him and gave his honest opinion.
"Iwagakure has more than 15,000 ninja. Right now, it's just small fights. They haven't really started a full-scale attack yet..."
"Sunagakure is fighting us head-on."
"Kumogakure keeps bothering the border."
"Kirigakure is watching us closely. People say they've taken back the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools..."
It seemed that Konoha was surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Their only chance to win would be if Onoki went crazy and, like in the story, sent 10,000 Iwa Ninja to Kumogakure to die, tiring out the Third Raikage and forcing Kumogakure to retreat and imprison Killer Bee.
Otherwise, Konoha was in danger of being destroyed.
This wasn't an exaggeration.
Remember, in the original story, Iwagakure Village sacrificed 10,000 lives.
Leaving only a few defeated soldiers.
Onoki took a huge gamble and sent 1,000 Iwa Ninja across the Land of Grass to invade the Land of Fire.
Konoha, with its supplies running low, had to send the Namikaze Minato Squad to defend, cut off the enemy's supply lines, and force them to retreat.
Instead of simply killing 1,000 people, which already said a lot.
Later in the war,
Konoha struggled to fight even 1,000 enemies. Facing 10,000 Iwa Ninja, they would probably be defeated instantly.
After casually mentioning the current situation, Sarutobi Ryo got up to leave.
"Natsu, show Young Master Ryo around..."
Hyuga Hiashi told Hyuga Natsu, who was standing outside, to go with him.
And this… was exactly what Sarutobi Ryo wanted.
After Hyuga Natsu led Sarutobi Ryo away, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but worry: "Is what Young Master Ryo said true, or is he testing the Hyuga Clan?"
If it was just a test, like Ruri joining the Anbu, then the Hyuga Clan would need to rethink its survival strategy.
But if it was true, it meant that things were about to fall apart. If Konoha was ever in danger, the Hyuga Clan should plan how to survive. That is... to protect themselves and keep the Byakugan's power safe.
"Hiashi, why don't we ask the Elders to talk about it?"
Hyuga Hiashi's fiancee, Hyuga Hazuki, noticing his expression, suggested to her fiance.
Hyuga Hiashi said, "Yes, that's the only thing we can do."
----
"Hyuga Natsu, right?" Sarutobi Ryo, walking behind Hyuga Natsu, suddenly asked.
"Yes, Young Master Ryo."
The Branch Family Maid nodded.
She was about the same age as Nohara Rin and was starting to become a young woman.
The white maid outfit suited her well.
Sarutobi Ryo looked at her, showing his appreciation.
Her short, dark green hair, styled in a bob, suited her perfectly.
"A maid..."
He followed Hyuga Natsu into the Branch Family's Courtyard.
Compared to the Head Family's compound, this place was a little more crowded. After all, the Branch Family had many members, but it was also more spacious.
Soon, Sarutobi Ryo saw Hyuga Hizashi practicing the Gentle Fist in the Courtyard.
He kept stopping and starting his practice.
Sometimes he would practice the Gentle Fist, other times he would stop to think.
It didn't seem like he was thinking about training, but about his own fate.
Sarutobi Ryo understood this inner struggle.
Because Hyuga Hizashi was just as talented as his brother Hyuga Hiashi.
Every time he used the Gentle Fist, he would start to question his life.
Why did he, who had the same talent, become a Branch Family member just because he was born a little later?
Hyuga Hizashi's sad face, depressed and unhappy, was the opposite of his brother's personality.
Looking around, he didn't see Ruri.
Hyuga Natsu quickly told him, "Young Master Ryo, Lady Ruri usually stays alone in her Room... thinking..."
In the end, Hyuga Natsu used the word "thinking."
Actually, everyone knew what she meant.
She was just avoiding the world, not wanting to come out.
"Mm." Sarutobi Ryo nodded and walked toward Hyuga Hizashi.
After a while, Hyuga Hizashi finally noticed someone had come. "Young Master Ryo."
He blinked, surprised, wondering why Young Master Ryo was here.
Then, Hyuga Hizashi started to say something but stopped himself.
Finally, he managed to say, "Ruri... is in the Room..."
Hyuga Hizashi pointed to a secluded Courtyard.
Clearly, Ruri didn't want to live with others, so she lived alone in a small Courtyard.
"Mm, I'm here to see Ruri about something... about the Anbu..."
Sarutobi Ryo used the Anbu as his excuse. Hyuga Hizashi watched Sarutobi Ryo walk away, deep in thought.
----
After Sarutobi Ryo entered the secluded Courtyard, Hyuga Natsu stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. "Ruri Lord, Young Master Ryo has come to visit..."
"..."
Silence.
After waiting a moment, Ruri opened the door.
Even though she didn't speak, Sarutobi Ryo knew she was letting him in.
So, Sarutobi Ryo, understanding her without words, quickly entered her private room.
The room was very clean, with a delicate scent.
He sat with his legs crossed on the Tatami mat.
Ruri knelt down across from him, facing him across the low table.
Hyuga Natsu started to leave, to give them privacy, but Sarutobi Ryo stopped her.
"Miss Natsu, you don't need to leave. It's nothing that others can't hear..."
Sarutobi Ryo's words confused Hyuga Natsu, but she walked over and stood to the side.
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 259 (Vol 2 Ch 201) (+141 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 133 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]