Hizashi Hyuga's Heart Was in Turmoil
Light snowflakes drifted down from the sky, adding a beautiful white scene to Konoha.
The Hyuga Clan.
The rustic houses are located on the outskirts of the Branch Family's residences. This is evident from the layout of the houses, which show that the Branch Family's residences are all surrounding the Main Family's houses in the central area.
Inside the wooden house, a pot of steaming tea was slowly poured out. Hyuga Hizashi, who was holding the teapot and brewing the tea, looked Hizashi Hyuga and his demeanor was completely focused, showing the profound heritage of his thousand-year-old Noble Houses family.
"Please!" After brewing the tea, Hizashi Hyuga respectfully gestured for him to taste it.
Seeing Hyuga Hizashi Hyuga's actions, which were as rigid as his expression, Uchiha Yoruro smiled. Although he had something to do, he couldn't be impolite; it was a matter of mutual respect.
"Please!" Uchiha Yoru gestured politely, raising his teacup. The two sipped their hot tea while gazing at the snow falling outside, seemingly enjoying the experience.
With his eyes half-closed and a look of enjoyment on his face, Uchiha Yoru sipped his tea and exclaimed with delight, "Senior Hizashi's tea ceremony skills are truly first-rate."
"Lord Yoru, you're too kind."
The two men's behavior was full of adherence to traditional etiquette, representing a communication between two prominent families without the slightest transgression.
Although they didn't drink three rounds of wine, after sipping a few cups of tea, both of them appeared calm and composed, as if today was simply a day for enjoying tea and appreciating the snow.
Hizashi Hyuga's composure was impeccable, but Uchiha Yoru, while also patient, didn't want to waste any more time there, as his time was already running out.
A year has passed since the Nine-Tails' Rampage, and Itachi is now six years old, soon to be seven.
However, a major event occurred when the protagonist was three years old: the Hyuga Clan incident. Clearly, Konoha must have experienced significant turmoil under those circumstances, which is why the Land of Lightning took advantage of the situation.
This upheaval could only be caused by Teacher Orochimaru's defection, which could shake the entire Konoha and even the Shinobi World.
"How old is Senior Hizashi's child this year?"
Uchiha Yoru put down his teacup, a smile on his face that betrayed no hidden meaning. Hizashi Hyuga, however, remained impassive, his face expressionless, and said softly, "Neji will be four years old soon after the New Year."
"Time flies, Neji will be four years old soon." Uchiha Yoru's calm smile revealed nothing, and Hizashi Hyuga was also unusually calm. However, his next words completely shattered Hizashi Hyuga's composure.
"Four years old isn't young anymore. I heard the Main Family's children will be three after the New Year. Teacher Orochimaru wants to see the Hyuga Branch Family Caged Bird of the Hyuga branch family."
Uchiha Yoru's casual remark caused Hizashi Hyuga's expression to tremble. Hizashi, who was still preparing tea, only realized what was happening when the tea spilled. He hurriedly restrained his chaotic thoughts and took out a towel to wipe up the spilled tea on the table.
"I'm so sorry, my apologies."
Despite his respectful apology, Hizashi Hyuga, though still maintaining his stern demeanor, was clearly flustered. Uchiha Yoru, seeing this, chuckled and nodded, saying, "You're too kind, senpai. It was I who disturbed you today."
Under the strict etiquette, the two seemed to have returned to the atmosphere of enjoying tea and admiring the snow. However, at this moment, Hizashi Hyuga's mind was in turmoil, and the tea in his mouth tasted extremely bitter.
In contrast, Uchiha Yoru was squinting, looking quite content. His elegant movements as he sipped tea and admired the snow revealed his noble birth.
At this moment, Uchiha Yoru seemed calm and collected, while Hizashi Hyuga was filled with torment. The words he had just heard made him lower his head, but the words "Caged Bird" kept echoing in his mind.
Three years old! When Neji, the heir of the Main Family, is three, it will be time for him to be branded with the Caged Bird. He has always suppressed his anger and resentment in his heart, and he has been able to suppress it in front of outsiders and even within the family. But today, this demon is surging out wildly, all because of one person's name.
Orochimaru!
Orochimaru, one of the Cold Lord Sannin, is a genius of Ninjutsu, especially in the field of Ninjutsu research and development. He is the most outstanding person in Konoha in this era, and is a genius who is proficient in almost all of them, including Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and Sealing Jutsu.
At this moment, Hizashi Hyuga suppressed the pounding in his heart, but his hand holding the teacup was trembling uncontrollably, and the tea tasted bland in his mouth.
Orochimaru might actually be able to break them Hyuga Branch Family this cage!
Once the thought appeared in his mind, it began to spread wildly. Hizashi Hyuga tried desperately to suppress the thought in his heart, but he couldn't control it at all. Images kept flashing through his mind: images of people crying out in pain and begging for mercy in front of the Main Family, images of people completely losing their dignity.
Finally! When Neji Hyuga's innocent smile appeared in his mind, Hizashi Hyuga instantly woke up.
The teacup slipped and fell to the ground, its exquisite shape sloshing across the wooden floor. Hyuga Hizashi Hyuga stood up, bowed, and apologized, "It was my fault."
However, Hizashi Hyuga was unaware that his forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and his entire back was soaked with sweat.
Seeing Hizashi Hyuga's flustered expression, Uchiha Yoru smiled and bowed in return, saying, "It was I who disturbed Senior Hizashi."
After saying that, he was about to get up and make a gesture that today's tea tasting and snow appreciation would end there. Hizashi Hyuga wanted to reach out to stop him, but he didn't know how to start the conversation, and his hesitant appearance was even more noticeable.
However, Uchiha Yoru chuckled modestly, "Senior Hizashi, if you have time, you can come find me. After all, only by personally inspecting the birdcage can one have a chance to find the 'cage door,' right?"
Beneath a knowing smile, Uchiha Yoru bowed slightly, his polite smile masking his intention to leave. Hizashi Hyuga, hearing the blunt words, managed a forced, stiff smile, unsure of what to do.
"By the way, Senior Hizashi, Teacher Orochimaru's research funding is running low lately, especially since many eyes were watching him when he came today."
As he stepped outside and changed into his own shoes, Uchiha Yoru suddenly turned around with a humble smile, as if he had just remembered something.
After saying that, Uchiha Yoru bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Senior Hizashi. I'll be leaving now."
Watching Uchiha Yoru's figure disappear amidst the swirling snowflakes, Hizashi Hyuga's face revealed a complex expression.
"Father? Father?"
He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name. Hizashi Hyuga a rare panic and saw a timid and young face looking at him with worry, as if concerned about his father's panic.
Upon seeing that youthful face, connected by blood, Hizashi Hyuga's terrifying thought began to spread wildly.
He understood the other party's meaning from the last sentence: the Uchiha Yoru had come to visit tonight, and many people were watching; they needed a reasonable excuse, and Orochimaru's research funding was that excuse.
Thanks to: 'Troublesome' for the 100 coins and 'Heart Plus Blade for Endurance' for the 100 coins.
Thank you to all the brothers who supported me through this experience.