Dream-Eating Snake

By evening, a light rain had begun to fall from the sky.

Makoto had been summoned to Hyuga Hiashi's residence.

Warm yellow lights glowed in the living room, but there was not a soul in sight.

"Has Makoto arrived?"

Hiashi's voice came from the study.

"Yes, Lord Hiashi."

"Come in."

Makoto removed his shoes at the door and walked in slowly and quietly. The study door was open, and he could see Hiashi bent over his desk, writing something on rice paper with a brush.

"Have you eaten dinner?" Hiashi asked without looking up.

"No."

"Then eat with me later."

"Huh?" Makoto's gaze shifted slightly before he put on a surprised expression.

"What is it?" Hiashi asked, glancing up at him.

"No... I don't think that would be appropriate." Makoto hesitated. "How could I dine with Lord Hiashi?"

"What is inappropriate about it? We are of the same clan. What is wrong with sharing a meal?"

"Thank you, Lord Hiashi. Then I will impose on you."

After saying this, Makoto stood quietly to the side without another word, watching Hiashi wield his brush.

After a while, Hiashi finally let out a long breath, set down the brush, and picked up his work to inspect it carefully.

He looked at Makoto and pointed to it. "What do you think?"

Makoto had been watching from the side. Hiashi's skill was probably only at the beginner level; it was barely passable.

He remembered that the Third Hokage seemed to be very fond of calligraphy.

"It is very impressive."

"You understand calligraphy?" Hiashi was somewhat surprised.

"No, but Lord Hiashi's work must be very impressive."

Hiashi could not help but smile at his guileless, straightforward answer. "You really know how to talk."

He walked out from behind his desk and headed out of the study.

They conversed as they walked. Makoto followed half a step behind Hiashi, and after leaving the living room, they made their way along the covered corridor toward another courtyard.

Along the way, Hiashi only asked about everyday matters, seemingly expressing concern for Makoto.

The rain showed signs of growing heavier. Though they were sheltered beneath the corridor, gusts of wind occasionally swept raindrops against them, cold and clammy against their skin.

Before they reached another courtyard, a young woman dressed as a servant was waiting there with two umbrellas in hand.

Makoto knew her. Hyuga Harucha, Hyuga Ayano's maid.

"Lord Hiashi." Hyuga Harucha bowed in greeting, handed one of the umbrellas to Makoto, and then held the other over Hiashi.

Only then did Makoto understand. Hiashi's invitation to eat together meant they were coming to Ayano's home.

Ayano's residence was much larger than Ayari's. As the future clan head's wife, she was the only one outside the Main Branch who could enjoy the services of servants like Harucha.

Makoto often went to Ayari's home, but this was his first time at Ayano's. The furnishings were clearly far more luxurious, and a faint fragrance hung in the air.

"Hiashi."

"Mm."

"Makoto is here."

"Lady Ayano."

"Don't be so reserved. I told you, just call me Sister Ayano." Ayano wore casual clothes and smiled gently at Makoto. "I did not know what you liked, so I made a few dishes I am fairly good at. Try them and see how they taste. I hope you won't mind."

"Of course not! It is an honor to eat food made by Sister Ayano." Makoto quickly said.

Three or four dishes were arranged on the table, all beautifully presented. It was not an especially lavish spread and looked more like an ordinary family dinner.

But that was what made it feel more intimate.

That was what Makoto thought, though his face wore a slightly nervous expression.

Hiashi took the seat at the head of the table.

At some point, Harucha had already left, though Makoto did not know where she had gone. Ayano began serving him rice herself, gently telling him not to stand on ceremony and to treat the place as his own home.

"How does it taste?"

"It is delicious! I have not had food this good in a very long time." Makoto said with a satisfied expression. "Sister Ayano's cooking is truly amazing!"

"Makoto, you live alone now. If you need anything in daily life, feel free to ask. The clan will do its best to fulfill its members' requests." Hiashi said. "If you are short on living expenses, we can give you more."

"No, no, I have more than enough." Makoto hurriedly set down his chopsticks.

That was not a lie. As one of Konoha's great clans, even members of the Branch Family enjoyed very comfortable living standards.

"You went to the hospital today, did you not?" Hiashi asked again.

"Yes."

"How were the results of the examination?"

"The doctor said I would be fully recovered in another week."

Hiashi nodded. "Your surgery will be arranged around that time as well."

At the mention of the surgery, Makoto suddenly lowered his head.

Hiashi's gaze shifted slightly as he saw this. "What is wrong?"

Makoto forced a smile. "No... nothing."

"Are you worried about the surgery? Do not worry. The surgeon is an experienced Jonin. Nothing will go wrong," Hiashi said.

"I trust the village's medical capabilities. I am not worried about the surgery," Makoto said.

"Then what are you worried about?" Hiashi continued in an even tone.

Makoto seemed to hesitate before speaking haltingly. "I heard that the eyes to be transplanted into me belonged to some of the clan's most outstanding seniors... I am only an ordinary Chunin. I might disgrace my seniors' eyes."

Hiashi had been watching Makoto's expression as he spoke. If this child was acting, then his scheming ran far too deep.

How much cunning could a boy of merely twelve or thirteen possess?

Hiashi felt far more at ease and smiled faintly. "Do not worry. The fact that you risked your life to bring intelligence back from the battlefield alone proves that you deserve these Byakugan. The Hokage personally praised you to me as well. He said you had accomplished what many adults would struggle to do."

"I only did what I was supposed to do," Makoto said.

Hiashi said approvingly, "The Byakugan passed down through our clan are not meant to sit on display. Even if the person whose eyes had been destroyed today was a clan member who was not a ninja, the clan would still replace them without hesitation. If a family cannot make its members trust and rely on it, then that family is already on the path to ruin."

"Not to mention that you have rendered merit to the village and brought honor to the family. The clan will never allow you to suffer the slightest grievance!"

Makoto looked deeply moved. "Lord Hiashi!"

"Makoto, you are a future pillar of our Hyuga Clan. The Hyuga are a family with the oldest history in the ninja world. Our ancestors once possessed supreme glory, and we must always remember the duty of restoring our clan to greatness. In the future, this burden will need young people like you to bear it."

Suppressing his excitement, Makoto replied, "Yes, Lord Hiashi. Makoto will remember it well!"

Hiashi nodded in satisfaction.

Ayano chuckled from the side. "Honestly, why make things so serious during dinner? Makoto, eat more."

As she spoke, she picked up more food for Makoto herself.

"Thank you, Sister Ayano."

Makoto was already nearly full from the empty promises Hiashi had fed him, but he still lowered his head and earnestly continued eating.

The rain outside grew heavier, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing. The room was warmly lit and the atmosphere harmonious. If Makoto had been a little younger, they might truly have looked like a family.

"Have another bowl."

"No, Sister Ayano. I am already full."

"You are at the age when you should be growing. How can you eat so little?"

"Actually... I ate quite a few snacks at home before coming here." Makoto said somewhat embarrassedly.

Seeing how guileless he was, Ayano could not help but cover her mouth and laugh.

"All right, but eat less of that stuff in the future. It is unhealthy."

"I understand, Sister Ayano."

Makoto asked to leave, and Ayano gently walked him to the door and gave him an umbrella.

"The rain is heavy. Be careful on your way back."

Makoto bowed to them both in turn, then opened his umbrella and walked into the thick curtain of rain.

Only after Makoto's figure had disappeared into the downpour did Ayano turn and return to the room.

Hiashi was still sitting there.

"Well? Do you feel at ease now?" Ayano asked.

"I was never worried that he had any ulterior motives," Hiashi said indifferently. "He is only a child. Even if he holds some resentment toward the Main Branch, how much trouble could he possibly cause?"

"I am worried about those old men in the clan. They might take this chance to use him to stir up trouble. It would be best if they had never contacted Makoto. Once his eyes are replaced and the seal is applied, everything will return to normal."

"It seems we were worrying for nothing," Ayano said.

"Hopefully. The Hokage has been hinting that I should return to the front lines. In wartime, staying in the rear for too long will inevitably invite criticism. Let this disturbance pass soon." Hiashi slowly stood after speaking.

"I should go too."

"Take care on the way."

"You should rest early."

Hiashi also left alone beneath an umbrella, and the room fell quiet.

Outside the door, the night was bleak and cold, while rain poured down in torrents.

Ayano sat alone at the dining table, looking at the dishes that had barely been touched. She had not taken a single bite.

Then she glanced at the seat where Makoto had sat. His bowl was empty; he had eaten everything cleanly.

She picked up the bowl and chopsticks he had used and casually tossed them into the trash bin beside the dining table.

"Harucha."

"I am here, Lady Ayano."

"Clean this up. Keep it quiet. I am going to sleep first."

The thunder that had roared throughout the night finally fell silent at dawn.

Water still dripped intermittently from the eaves. Numerous shallow puddles had formed in the courtyard, and the air carried a chill as a streak of dawn light rose on the distant horizon.

A terrified scream alarmed the entire Hyuga Clan Compound.

Makoto slowly stepped out of his room and looked toward where the sound had come from.

Sibi ran out after him and rubbed against his legs.

Makoto picked it up in his arms and gently stroked its fur.

"It is morning."