The Hyuga Clan's Stance

Hyuga Clan.

Reception room.

Listening to Hyuga Hiashi's words, Jin's eyes narrowed slightly.

So, this Hyuga Hiashi guy knew he'd killed those Kumogakure ninjas back then?

A clan that had stood for a thousand years, weathering the shinobi world and even growing larger through seven generations of Hokage—

It wasn't without reason.

But... knowing and not telling the Third Hokage?

Otherwise, he wouldn't have lived so carefree these past few years.

Interesting.

With that thought, a faint smile crept to the corner of Jin's mouth.

Then he squeezed Hinata's small hand with his right and pulled her down to sit beside him, making no move to let go.

As for Hinata beside him... her cheeks were already burning red to the tips of her ears.

Her mind was a blank.

She sat down in a daze, letting Jin guide her.

Hiashi glanced at the small gesture, and a vein bulged on his forehead.

Daring to act so familiarly with his daughter right in front of him!

This Uchiha chatterbox's character seemed different from the rumors.

He paused for a moment, then poured a cup of tea and said in thanks, "This cup is for saving my daughter's life."

"Thanking me now? That's two and a half years late."

Jin shook his head and downed the tea in one gulp.

He'd already guessed the gist of what the Hyuga Clan Head wanted to talk about.

It could only be one thing:

Hinting at Leaf's upper echelons' information, extending goodwill.

As the last two major clans in Leaf, the Uchiha's annihilation wasn't good for the Hyuga. They'd had someone to share the pressure before; now it was all on them, so wouldn't the heat concentrate?

Of course, Hiashi wouldn't go too far.

He only vaguely mentioned the wariness of Leaf's higher-ups.

And hinted that if needed, they could offer support.

Finally, he poured another cup of tea and asked with a smile, "Jin, how about staying in the Hyuga Clan for a few days as a guest?"

"These past two years, my daughter has missed you greatly."

"Father..." At those words, Hinata didn't know where to hide her face.

She could only shrink back.

Like a quail tucking in its head.

"No wonder—so when I saved Hinata that day, she woke up later?"

Jin shook his head, inwardly noting his inexperience back then.

If it were now, awake or not, he'd just knock her out with a palm strike.

He fiddled with the cup in front of him for a moment, then finally shook his head.

The Hyuga Clan was decent, but he still preferred the wild, crazy Uchiha.

That way, finding someone to chat or fight with came without pressure.

Besides...

The Hyuga's aid would probably only come when the annihilation battle shifted.

Before that, given Hiashi's level of forbearance, even speaking up was the limit.

They could add flowers to the brocade, but they wouldn't send charcoal in the snow.

Jin understood—it was a weak point; hedging bets was normal.

"In that case, let my daughter show you around the clan."

After chatting for a while, Hiashi stood up and waved for Hinata to take him on a tour.

[Ten-Minute Talk with Hyuga Hiashi. Attempting to copy Copyable Trait.]

[Copy failed.]

Jin rolled his eyes and deliberately took Hinata's hand as he walked out.

It doesn't matter that Hiashi failed—the Hyuga Clan has plenty of young men.

And among them is the most talented youth of the early Konoha 12: Neji.

If talk won't work, then...

Swoosh.

As the wooden door slid shut, the reception room gradually fell into silence.

A moment later, an elder slowly emerged from behind the screen inside the room.

His hair was white, his figure stooped.

He paused with every step to catch his breath.

He shuffled slowly to the spot where Jin had been sitting, and after a long silence, murmured, "I can't see through him."

"Hm?" Hyuga Hiashi was visibly startled, his Byakugan flaring to life. "Great Elder, even you can't see through him?"

The Great Elder was the oldest living member of the Hyuga Clan.

He had also mastered the Byakugan to a divine level.

"That kid is shrouded in a haze—my Byakugan can't pierce it... but his strength probably isn't great..."

The elder hesitated, then added uncertainly, "Hiashi, are you really going to bet on him?"

"The Uchiha Clan is already a done deal. Inviting Uchiha Jin at this point will only draw the Third Hokage's displeasure."

Hearing this, Hiashi waved a hand. "Displeasure doesn't matter. The front lines need our Hyuga Clan's Byakugan; the Third Hokage won't do anything."

"Besides... this is what they owe Hizashi..."

As he spoke, his mood darkened.

Back then, facing pressure from the Third and the others, he had no choice but to sacrifice his younger brother.

But that didn't mean he had let it go.

And this time, it was merely an attempt.

At the mention of Hizashi, both men fell silent.

Boom!

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the house.

Hiashi frowned, then slid the door open to look outside.

Outside.

A crowd of Hyuga youths had surrounded Jin, blocking him completely.

The hot-blooded young men, upon seeing the Young Lady's hand being held, couldn't hold back any longer.

One by one, they started shouting.

"Hmph! Let go of the Young Lady, you bastard!"

"Do you think you're worthy of defiling the Young Lady?"

"Let go, or else—I'll duel you!"

Amid the noise, a distinct voice quietly rose: "Are you sure you want to duel someone from the Uchiha Clan?"

The Uchiha Clan!

The youths' expressions shifted in shock as they finally noticed the clothes Jin was wearing.

Their momentum immediately weakened.

After all, among the Leaf's prestigious clans, the Uchiha were the most feared.

Not only were their abilities eerie, but the most terrifying thing was becoming a friend of the Uchiha!

Who hadn't heard the rumor: sacrifice your kin and friends, and the Uchiha Awakening begins?

"Heh..."

Seeing the surrounding clansmen quiet down, Neji stepped forward with a cold face.

"Jin, what are you doing here?"

The two were in the same year, and though they rarely met, Neji still recognized him.

In fact, for a while, Uchiha Jin had pestered him every day to chat, then suddenly disappeared.

Strange as hell.

"Huh? Even a genius like you, Neji, is skipping class?"

Jin shot Neji an annoyed glance.

This guy was interrupting his harvest!

He turned back, raised Hinata's little hand, and grinned cheerfully at the Hyuga leeks.

"Ahem. Is there anyone here who doesn't like the look of me? You—can all come at me together!"

With that, he openly brought Hinata's small hand to his lips and gave it a light kiss.

Whoosh!

Hinata's face flushed crimson, bright red all over.

Then... her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

The other youths could no longer contain their envy, jealousy, and resentment, shouting loudly as they charged forward.

"Everyone, let's go together!"

"That's right, we'll all attack together! Even if he's an Uchiha, that doesn't mean he can beat all of us!"