Hyuga Clan Siblings

Xu Fan followed behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, chatting about trivial matters along the way.

However, seeing that Xu Fan did not deliberately bring up Root's assassination attempt, Hiruzen Sarutobi avoided the subject as well.

The two tacitly acted as though nothing had happened yesterday.

It was only after Xu Fan arrived at the Hyuga Compound that he noticed how heavily guarded it was. At almost every interval, a member of the Branch House could be seen.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paid it no mind, as if he had long since grown accustomed to it.

The Main House's gate was easy to find. In fact, it was exceptionally conspicuous, exuding an imposing grandeur.

To be precise, the Hyuga Clan had joined the village back when Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha reconciled and founded Konoha.

After several centuries of development, they were undoubtedly one of Konoha's oldest clans.

At the same time, the Hyuga Clan had endured until the very end and earned the title of "Konoha's strongest clan."

But in Xu Fan's eyes, it felt rather like there were no tigers in the mountains.

"Lord Hokage."

Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Main Family, came to the entrance to greet him personally.

Although the Hyuga Clan was one of the village's founding clans, they still had to show the Hokage proper respect.

More importantly, the matter of Hinata being kidnapped had not yet been settled.

They still needed the Third Hokage's decision on how to quell Kumogakure's anger.

Behind Hyuga Hiashi stood members of the Hyuga Clan's Branch House.

It was clear from this that Hiruzen Sarutobi had not come to see how Hinata was recovering.

It looks like the Third Hokage really came to discuss the kidnapping with Hiashi, Xu Fan thought. At the same time, he knew Hiruzen Sarutobi probably would not bring him into that meeting.

"Mm, Hiashi." Hiruzen Sarutobi responded, then shifted his gaze to Xu Fan.

Hyuga Hiashi followed his gaze and looked Xu Fan over.

In fact, he had already investigated the person who had saved his daughter.

Now that he saw Xu Fan in person, he recognized him at once.

"Senju Xu Fan."

Xu Fan nodded to Hyuga Hiashi and introduced himself.

"I am Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Main Family and Hinata's father."

Hyuga Hiashi did not look well. The dark circles beneath his eyes were quite noticeable.

It was not hard to see that he had been physically and mentally exhausted these past few days.

Even so, Hiashi gave Xu Fan a faint smile, as though expressing his gratitude.

Of course, he did not mention a single word about what had happened that night, nor did he voice his thanks.

"He is Hinata's classmate. He came to visit her, and we happened to meet on the way, so he came with me."

"Lord Hokage, this way." Hiashi did not speak further with Xu Fan. He gestured with one hand, then walked ahead of Hiruzen Sarutobi to lead the way.

Xu Fan, meanwhile, was stopped by a member of the Branch House.

"Lady Hinata is this way. Please follow me."

"Mm." Xu Fan glanced toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hiashi before following the man's directions into the Main House's inner courtyard.

Just as the man had said, Hinata was resting here.

But after leading him there, the Branch House member turned and left.

"It looks like the Third really is here to discuss the kidnapping with Hiashi."

Xu Fan could not help shaking his head. Following the original plot, Hizashi Hyuga would probably soon offer himself up and be handed over to Kumogakure by the Konoha leadership to calm this conflict that could erupt at any moment.

And because of that, Neji Hyuga would come to hate the Main House and later seriously injure Hinata.

Thinking of this, Xu Fan stood in the Hyuga Clan's courtyard and looked up at the sky.

A gentle breeze brushed against his cheeks, giving him a sudden realization.

Not only the Hyuga Branch House—perhaps even the Main House was a caged bird.

Unable to resist, they could only silently endure the rules established by their ancestors.

Whether those rules were right or wrong.

"Hinata."

After gathering his thoughts, Xu Fan took a step forward, only to discover that Hinata, who had noticed him at some point, had hidden behind the door. She revealed only one eye as she secretly peeked at him.

Why does she feel like a cat that was just brought home?

Xu Fan could not help complaining inwardly.

He was certain Hinata remembered him from that night. He had thought she would be happy to see him again.

But remembering that this was simply Hinata's personality, Xu Fan quickly let it go.

"Who are you?"

However, just as Xu Fan hesitated over whether to approach and greet Hinata, another voice came from behind him.

That voice...

Xu Fan instinctively turned around and saw a boy with long brown hair tied into a small bundle at the ends. Several layers of white bandages were wrapped around his forehead.

The moment he saw Xu Fan here, the boy immediately assumed an attacking stance and sized him up.

Xu Fan recognized his identity at a glance.

The unmatched genius of the Hyuga Branch House, Neji Hyuga.

"Neji?"

Xu Fan furrowed his brow slightly, then glanced at Hinata hiding by the doorway and instantly understood.

At this point in time, Hizashi had not yet sacrificed himself for Hiashi, and Neji was still being taught by him to protect Hinata at all times.

Now that the Main House head and the elders were discussing important matters with the Third Hokage, Neji, as a child of the Branch House, naturally had no right to remain there and listen in.

And when Hinata saw her brother Neji suddenly appear, she became somewhat nervous.

She had noticed the person who had saved her the moment Xu Fan entered, but because of her personality, she had not dared to speak to him.

Unexpectedly, her brother Neji had mistaken him for a bad person.

"Senju Xu Fan."

Seeing this, Xu Fan directly revealed his identity, though his feelings were somewhat complicated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had instructed him on the way here.

He was not to say anything unnecessary at the Hyuga Clan, and he had also dropped several hints.

It was Hyuga Hiashi who had defeated the Kumogakure leader and rescued Hinata.

"I'm Hinata's classmate. I heard she was ill, so I came to see how she was recovering."

After thinking briefly, Xu Fan could only use that excuse. At the same time, he glanced at Hinata, signaling for her to say something.

But what Xu Fan had not expected was for Hinata, hiding behind the doorway, to turn around and run away.

"..."

No matter how shy she was, there had to be a limit.

"As expected..."

Seeing this, Neji Hyuga became even more convinced that Xu Fan was not a good person. His little sister Hinata must have run away because she was afraid.

Certain of this, Neji Hyuga held nothing back and attacked Xu Fan with all his strength.

After all, the Branch House's mission was to protect the Main House!

And Hinata was not only the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter—she was also his little sister!

Thank you, and wishing everyone a prosperous Year of the Rooster. Thanks to SLIver for the donation!