The Main Family Makes Trouble, Hinata Steps Forward

"Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding."

The furthest distance...

Younger Hinata asked softly, "Why?"

Admiration was expectation and longing toward something.

And she really did admire that mysterious, powerful big brother.

"When you admire someone, when you're infatuated with someone, all you see is what you want to see—not what they truly possess."

Older Hinata's tone was somewhat complicated. "Though you worship him as a god, dress him in splendid robes, and devoutly bow and kiss his feet, you also forget his inner self and his soul. You forget to understand who he truly is."

"You can only think about him from your own perspective. You can't think from his perspective about the world he sees."

"...That's so hard to understand."

Younger Hinata entwined her two index fingers, a slight troubled look on her face.

Older Hinata choked up as well and said helplessly, "Honestly, why am I talking about this with a little brat like you?"

The reason those words resonated so deeply with her was because she had once been both the admirer and the admired.

She had admired Menma, while the cowardly Main Family had admired her.

"You clearly don't know anything, yet you act as though you understand me so well. You even forcefully drag me into the intimate relationship you see in your own eyes."

"This is entirely your own need. You don't know in the slightest what I need, do you?"

"And besides, if I really asked you to give as much as you claim you would, you'd only be disappointed, wouldn't you?"

Menma had said all those things to her himself.

Mercilessly, without leaving her any room to retreat.

Older Hinata had been unable to understand at first, but she finally did after taking on the heavy responsibility of being the Hyuga clan head.

—Admiration was merely a relationship unilaterally imposed by the admirer upon the admired. It looked weak, but in truth carried no concrete obligations.

If she could only stand behind Menma and watch his ever-advancing back with admiring eyes, then there were only two possible outcomes in the end.

—She would be abandoned by him, or she would become a burden holding him back.

And that was why Older Hinata had done everything she could to grow stronger.

She wanted to stand at Menma's side, not remain where she was and watch him gradually walk farther away.

Although she ultimately still failed to meet that guy Menma's expectations and could only barely follow behind him, when Menma had wanted to slip away in secret, her soul body had already met the conditions to cross the boundaries between worlds. That also let him see her resolve and will.

"Honestly, I don't know what to do with a young lady like you..."

After Menma's voice fell silent, Older Hinata lost consciousness.

When she woke again, she had already appeared within Younger Hinata's body.

At the same time, without realizing it, Younger Hinata had lowered her head and followed closely behind her father into the Hyuga Council Hall.

Hiashi frowned tightly as he looked at Younger Hinata, who had stopped behind him. The corner of his mouth twitched. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow."

Seriously, Hinata's sense of disconnect was far too strong.

He did not even know what attitude he should take toward his own daughter anymore.

Younger Hinata's thoughts were interrupted. Coming back to herself, she answered softly, "Oh..."

The two entered the Council Hall one after the other.

The moment she stepped inside, Younger Hinata's body stiffened. She keenly sensed the gloomy, oppressive atmosphere.

This was her first time attending a Hyuga Clan Meeting.

"What are those old men from the Main Family trying to pull again?"

Through Younger Hinata's eyes, Older Hinata also saw the many silent Hyuga clansmen.

Over this period of time, she had also come to understand the differences between this so-called Real World and the world she came from.

Just as Menma had casually mentioned before.

"They're practically two completely opposite worlds!"

In the world she came from, the Main Family was weak and easily bullied. They could only rely on the Caged Bird Curse Mark to barely suppress the aggressive and hot-tempered Branch Family.

And she was considered one of the few members of the Main Family acknowledged by the Branch Family.

Otherwise, her useless father and most of the Main Family would not have placed all their hopes on someone as young as her.

"Given this world's circumstances, the Branch Family, which has no decision-making power, was actually summoned to attend the Clan Meeting?"

Looking at Hizashi Hyuga seated at the front, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, Older Hinata's doubts immediately surged.

Hiashi arrived at the head of the Council Hall, nodded to the three Main House Elders beside him, then took his seat as clan head.

His back was straight and his expression stern, yet he showed no intention of speaking.

The Hyuga clansmen below exchanged glances, while Hizashi Hyuga grew increasingly restless.

"Father..."

Neji Hyuga frowned deeply and shifted his gaze toward the four members of the Main House seated at the head.

"Cough, cough!"

One of the Main House Elders cleared his throat twice. Once everyone's attention had turned to him, he said, "Today's meeting is to discuss the Branch Family's recent attitude toward the Main House."

The Branch Family... toward the Main House...

Upon hearing the elder's words, the Branch Family members displayed varying expressions.

Some looked grave, some fearful, and some disdainful.

The Main House Elder took in every change in their expressions, and a trace of displeasure flashed through his eyes.

Sure enough, the Branch Family was starting to become disobedient.

"Hmph!"

The Main House Elder snorted coldly and turned his gaze toward Hizashi and Neji.

"As far as I know, Neji lost to Hinata during their previous sparring session, then became enraged out of humiliation and revealed killing intent toward her."

"Furthermore, someone recently reported to me that certain members of the Branch Family have been secretly gathering to discuss some unspeakable matters."

The Main House Elder swept his cold gaze over the Branch Family members and demanded, word by word, "I am very curious. What exactly have you been discussing?"

Under the long-standing oppression of the Caged Bird, many people lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Just then.

Under Neji's astonished gaze, Hizashi suddenly grabbed the wrist of his restless son.

"Whew..."

Then he let out a long breath, dropped to his knees, and said, "Please rest assured. I guarantee that the Branch Family will never allow such things to happen again."

"Lord Hizashi..."

"Father..."

Seeing this, the Branch Family members, including Neji, clenched their teeth. After hesitating for a moment, they still lowered their heads.

Hiashi's gaze was complicated as he watched the scene before him, but he did not intervene.

The three Main House Elders exchanged smiles, a hint of smugness flashing through their eyes.

What killing intent? What secret gatherings? They were all excuses.

They simply wanted to suppress the Branch Family's spirit, with their main target being Hizashi Hyuga, who had selflessly sacrificed himself some time ago.

That man had been drawing far too much attention lately.

If he harbored rebellious intentions, then with a single call to arms, it would be difficult to say how many Branch Family members would choose to rebel against the Main House alongside him.

"Such a weak and easily bullied man—surely no one would trust or follow him, right?"

Just as the three elders were congratulating themselves.

"A bunch of old fools who throw their weight around because of the Caged Bird. What a disgrace."

Writer's block...