Showdown!

Reader's note:

Some content in this chapter has been revised on a small scale after observing readers' long-term discussions. The overall setting remains unchanged. There may be some conflicts with vague settings from the original work, so there is no need to argue over them. The rest has been handled more rigorously; any mistakes will be corrected.

The main changes concern the Hyuga Clan's population settings, chiefly increasing the number of Main House NPCs as well as the number of Hyuga Branch House ninja. Some readers felt this conflicted with the original work, but I could not find detailed material explaining the questionable parts. I also felt it was rather unreasonable for the Main House to have only a handful of people, so I chose to use my own setting.

Fanfiction was already liable to make one's scalp tingle because of the original author's vague settings. This is a novice's humble work, so please be understanding. These settings will not affect the story's flow or richness; this explanation has merely been placed here in advance because there has been much debate.

During the days when Yuzuru Hyuga shut himself away, devoting himself wholeheartedly to practicing "calligraphy," Konoha's war situation grew increasingly dire.

Konoha during the Third Shinobi War was no longer what it had been in the past. It fought on multiple fronts at once, yet its combat strength was far inferior to what it had been during the Second Shinobi War.

The Konoha White Fang had been driven to suicide.

Among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya had begun wandering the world in search of his Child of Prophecy.

Tsunade, afflicted with hemophobia, left Konoha and plunged into a gambling abyss, gradually making a name for herself beyond the ninja world—Big Fat Sheep.

Only Orochimaru remained, but he was now fanatically obsessed with human experimentation. At an age when a man should have been settling into middle age, he had begun contemplating how to attain immortality. He was even considering whether he might need to defect from Konoha, making him unsuitable for great responsibility.

Most of Konoha's top-tier fighters had either fled or died. Its mid-level ninja had not yet built up their numbers, and among its talented ninja, only Minato Namikaze could be counted on.

Facing the AB Duo, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and ninja armies numbering in the thousands, Konoha suffered defeat after defeat. Had Minato Namikaze not turned the tide by first fighting the AB Duo and then destroying Kannabi Bridge—

—and had the hot-blooded legend Might Duy not used the strongest trial card in the ninja world to send four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen flying along with the hilts of their swords—

Konoha might already have had to consider the possibility of defeat.

Even so, Konoha was still unable to reverse its decline. For the first time in history, enemies had fought their way to its very doorstep.

If someone could have summoned Hashirama Senju at that moment and let him take a look, the God of Shinobi might have experienced high blood pressure for the first time in his life.

At Konoha's final defensive position, Kikyo Mountain, Konoha's ninja staked everything on a battle for survival.

It had to be said that Fugaku Uchiha truly deserved to be the head of the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps because Kikyo Mountain was close to home, he simply brought four-year-old Itachi along to broaden his horizons.

That shock education was truly fucking—sick-in-the-head—awesome. It depressed Itachi on the spot. The fact that he had not awakened his eyes right then could only be blamed on insufficient talent. He directly skipped ahead to pondering the great matters of life and death: why rejoice in life, and why die?

Yuzuru Hyuga had only caught a brief glimpse of Itachi. He had returned alongside the wounded being sent back to Konoha, and Yuzuru saw him while going to receive his injured clansmen.

The poor child had no idea how much emotional trauma he had suffered. Even getting slapped across the face nonstop for a day and a night probably would not have left him in such a state. Even when Yuzuru Hyuga showed him rare, sincere concern, he merely answered a few words in a daze before heading home. He probably would not recover for at least a month.

Other than that, there was the final victory at the Battle of Kikyo Pass.

As Konoha's super savior in this battle, Minato Namikaze's personal prestige had reached its peak. With no one else available and public sentiment backing him, the old Third finally confirmed the candidate for Fourth Hokage.

And today, Yuzuru Hyuga rose early to prepare for the "triumphant return" of Konoha's warriors.

According to Hyuga Clan custom, they would first hold a feast.

His mother, still weak after childbirth, happily prepared a lavish family banquet. As the eldest son, Yuzuru Hyuga had to go out and welcome his father home.

The moment he stepped out through the Hyuga gates, the long-suppressed atmosphere had already transformed into feverish joy. The villagers had taken to the streets of their own accord. Those with flowers scattered flowers; those without shouted their cheers. They lined both sides of the road at Konoha's main gate to welcome the ninja home.

Though fatigue and the grief of war had yet to fade, most of the ninja wore smiles at that moment. They straightened their backs and loudly, freely celebrated their return with family and friends.

At the head of the procession, Minato Namikaze's smile beneath his dazzling blond hair was warm and sunny. When the red-haired Kushina Uzumaki came running over and threw herself into his arms without caring about anyone else's stares, the villagers erupted into wave after wave of cheers.

Yuzuru Hyuga merely watched quietly, his gaze wandering until it finally settled on the people least adept at controlling their emotions.

Among Konoha's Genin ranks were many children no more than ten years old. They could not smile as brilliantly as their seniors. Some even covered their faces and sobbed aloud. The villagers assumed they were overwhelmed with excitement or emotion, never considering whether the childhood companions who had stood beside them when they marched off to war were no longer there.

The Third Hokage loudly praised the Will of Fire and extolled the fearlessness of ninja. Yuzuru Hyuga simply wore a gentle, passionate smile, following everyone else in clapping and cheering again and again.

Once the nonsense was over and the ranks dispersed, everyone went home to find their mothers—sorry, some of them might not have mothers anymore. But in any case, this joyous moment of triumphant return was over.

First, everyone ate.

As for commemorating the dead ninja and holding collective prayers of mourning, that would wait until tomorrow.

After all, it took time to count exactly who had died, who could still be buried, and who only needed a memorial stone, didn't it?

Yuzuru Hyuga found his father in the crowd.

His imposing body looked somewhat weary from exhaustion, but the moment father and son met eyes, he straightened his back. Smiling, he pulled Yuzuru Hyuga into his arms and, ignoring his resistance, refused to let go.

"Why aren't you happy?"

Hizashi Hyuga asked.

No one knew a son better than his father. Even if Yuzuru Hyuga's smile was flawless and his eyes gentle as water, how could his father not know that his little brat would never genuinely smile like that at a time like this?

The prettier he smiled, the sadder he was inside.

Of course, perhaps he was angry instead?

Hizashi Hyuga lowered his head. Held in his arms, Yuzuru Hyuga's smile grew colder. He buried his face against his father's chest, his voice low. "How many people did we lose?"

Hizashi Hyuga fell silent for a moment, then laughed bitterly. "Can't you let me be happy for a little while? Around a hundred."

"All of them?"

"Branch House."

"What about the Main House?"

"Ten."

In silence, they returned to the Hyuga residence. The welcoming cries from men and women, young and old alike, roused the silent father and son, and they smiled together.

"Congratulations on your triumphant return, Lord Hizashi!"

"Long live Lord Hiashi! Long live the Hyuga Clan!"

"Long live Konoha!"

The cries rose and fell without end.

Of course, every now and then, there were also a few muffled sobs.

"Xiaofu... he isn't coming back?"

"Where is Xiaojing's body? Ah..."

Yuzuru Hyuga could not help looking over, but Hizashi Hyuga simply pressed a large hand against his forehead and stopped him.

Covering his face, Hizashi Hyuga went to greet his elder brother.

"Lord Hiashi."

Hiashi Hyuga was equally tall. A smile hung on his face, which resembled Hizashi's. "Hizashi, you've worked hard!"

"For the Hyuga Clan, nothing is too hard." After saying that, Hizashi Hyuga smiled and asked, "Now that you're back, are you ready?"

"Hm?" Hiashi Hyuga looked puzzled.

"I already have two sons." Hizashi Hyuga smiled. Hiashi Hyuga did not know whether to laugh or cry. He reached out and gently patted Hizashi's shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't lose at that."

The two brothers laughed heartily.

"What's wrong with Yuzuru? This kid usually hates being held." Hiashi asked curiously as he looked at Yuzuru Hyuga, still pinned against Hizashi's chest.

Hizashi Hyuga released him. "That's why I have to hold him while I still can. Once he gets a little older, this brat will probably hate even eating with me."

"By that logic, it's better to have a daughter." Hiashi Hyuga teased. Looking at Yuzuru Hyuga's handsome face, his gaze paused briefly on the Caged Bird that was barely concealed on his forehead.

Yuzuru Hyuga showed a gentle, embarrassed smile. "Please don't believe Father's words."

"Hahahaha!" Hiashi Hyuga laughed heartily and ruffled his hair. "How has your training been lately? I'll be testing you after a while."

"He's working so hard he's nearly going to ruin himself." Hizashi Hyuga complained in a tone that was really boasting, then smiled. "It seems I won't need to worry about my future."

"Tch, I get it, I get it. I'll go have one when I get home!" Hiashi Hyuga found himself bored of the topic, so he turned to speak with the other clansmen.

After greeting the clansmen, Hizashi Hyuga led Yuzuru Hyuga through several gates and headed home.

Yuzuru Hyuga was finally free. Hizashi Hyuga's unwashed clothes did not smell very pleasant at the moment. After climbing down from him, he could not help sighing. "Can't you be like the clan head and change clothes before coming home?"

Hizashi Hyuga suddenly had nothing to say.

Only when they reached the threshold, as he removed his shoes and looked at his smiling wife inside the house and Neji in the cradle, did he belatedly say in a soft voice, "He didn't change clothes."

Before Yuzuru Hyuga could react—

"I'm home!" Barefoot, Hizashi Hyuga strode toward his wife.

The two embraced tightly for a moment, after which he was driven off to bathe.

Yuzuru Hyuga volunteered to scrub his back.

When father and son faced each other naked in the small private bath at home, Hizashi Hyuga finally darkened his face. Looking as though he was saying, if you're going to ruin my mood, do it now, he said coldly, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Yuzuru Hyuga was silent for a moment. Soaking in the bath, he tilted his head back. "Tell me, if I could break the Caged Bird—"

"Don't say it!" Hizashi stopped him nervously.

"Would you be willing to join me?" Yuzuru Hyuga scooped up water and sprinkled it over his hair.

"I said, don't say it!" Hizashi Hyuga clenched his fists tightly. The veins around his eyes bulged, and his Byakugan looked terrifying.

"To change our family's fate?" Yuzuru Hyuga wet his hair and swept his long locks back behind his head.

At that moment, his sharp eyes were no longer hidden behind his glasses. He stared straight at Hizashi Hyuga. Endless rage and determination flickered within those pale eyes, transforming into a chill like ten-thousand-year ice that made Hizashi Hyuga shiver despite the warmth of the bathhouse.

"Do you know what you're saying!?" Hizashi Hyuga lowered his voice. The veins around his eyes bulged as he used his Byakugan at full power to scan the surroundings, making sure there were no ears beyond the walls.

Yuzuru Hyuga swept his hair back, his face displaying an extremely rare defiance. "Of course I know."

"I wasn't born to be their dog!" Yuzuru Hyuga's forceful words were met only by his father abruptly rising to his feet, unable to suppress his fury.

"You can't do anything!" he shouted while standing in the pool.

"I'll do whatever I want! Whatever I want to achieve, I can achieve!" Yuzuru Hyuga widened his eyes as well.

"You can't do anything! No matter who they are, they're our family!" Hizashi Hyuga's clenched fists trembled.

"If change is right, then bloodshed is right too!" Yuzuru Hyuga's icy words tore away his final shred of pretense. "Blood will be spilled no matter where it is, won't it? Look at the clothes you threw over there. Isn't there blood on them from the clansmen who clung to you and entrusted their last words to you?"

"When those Branch House clansmen died without hesitation in place of Main House members, wasn't the blood they spilled blood too?"

"Or had you already made up your mind that even your blood would be shed in Hiashi's place!?"

"What about me? What about your family!?"

Yuzuru Hyuga's words only made Hizashi Hyuga smash a furious fist into the water.

A piercing explosion of water rang out, accompanied by a spray that filled the air, as though a small rainstorm had fallen inside the little bathhouse.

Hizashi Hyuga restrained himself and stared at Yuzuru Hyuga with murderous eyes. "Do you know what the bloodshed you speak of feels like?"

"All I know is that it's better than watching your family die with your own eyes." As Yuzuru Hyuga finished speaking, Hizashi Hyuga no longer wanted to continue the conversation.

He stepped out, threw open the bathhouse door in a rage, and left without washing.

The bang of the slammed door marked the end of their conversation.

Yuzuru Hyuga relaxed and sank beneath the water. In the clean bathwater that had only been changed today, he opened his eyes and looked through the watery veil toward the electric lamp.

The small light seemed as enormous as the morning sun beneath the water.

He stared at it for a long time. Then, all the emotions he had been suppressing could no longer be contained. Soundlessly, he opened his mouth underwater. His voice became a string of bubbles as he used up all his air, his expression nearly savage as he screamed beneath the surface.

I'll fucking do whatever I want!

PS: A novice setting out on the road—please bookmark and recommend!