A few days later...
Konoha welcomed a day filled with lanterns and decorations.
The one-eyed ninja leader wearing a Kumogakure forehead protector.
Along with the other Cloud Ninja from the delegation.
Passed through the main street amid the cheers of the people.
Today.
Was a special day.
According to the announcement made by the Konoha High Command...
The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure had sent a delegation to Konoha to establish an alliance.
From Jonin to Genin.
From ninjas to villagers.
The residents of Konoha filled the roads from the village entrance all the way to the Hokage Building.
The deafening cheers of the packed crowds surrounded the Cloud Ninja delegation.
The one-eyed ninja leader repeatedly waved to the crowd.
The tense relationship between the two countries...
Seemed ready to be brought to a perfect close in the annals of history.
At this exciting moment.
It seemed... everything was so perfect.
Except...
The members of the Hyuga Clan alone had not attended the welcoming ceremony.
The reason was simple.
Today was also a special day for the Hyuga Clan.
According to the new regulations.
Children who had reached the age of four.
Would have the Caged Bird branded onto their foreheads to protect the clan's bloodline.
Among them.
Was four-year-old Neji Hyuga, the next clan head.
Those present.
Included Hyuga Hiashi, Hizashi Hyuga, Hyuga Suetsuchi, Hyuga Tokuma, Hyuga Iroha...
Nearly every member of the Hyuga Clan.
Nearly.
In other words, three-year-old Hinata and the other children, along with the elderly, the weak, women, and children, were not included.
Therefore.
These family members stayed behind in their rooms.
The ceremony began at noon.
And ended at night.
Apart from branding them with the Caged Bird.
There were also the traditional activities of eating and drinking.
As for the Curse Mark being branded