Hizashi Hyuga, dressed in a beige squad captain's trench coat, arrived at the entrance to the clan compound.
Ordinarily, Anbu members did not wear their uniforms after getting off duty.
First, it was to keep their identities secret, though even with that rule, the effect was limited.
After all, once someone joined the Anbu, they naturally took on fewer ordinary missions. At most, during rotation breaks and days off, they would take on a few easy assignments.
Their former teammates would understand.
Making money from missions during their rest time was secondary. The main purpose was to relieve the intense pressure brought by Anbu work.
Missions such as escorting cargo allowed them to chat, enjoy the scenery, and keep themselves in shape.
Second, the Anbu was, after all, the Hokage's directly controlled violent institution, with duties such as surveillance.
Wearing Anbu clothing made others feel pressured and unwilling to approach.
But Hizashi Hyuga was different...
He had been personally invited into the Anbu by the Hokage in public. Everyone in the village knew...
And besides, he liked this outfit.
He had never had many friends. Most of those who could be called close friends were people he had met in the Anbu...
Hizashi Hyuga looked at the gates of the clan compound and smiled faintly.
Whenever he saw the clan emblem embedded above them, the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead would grow slightly cold.
Yet the Anbu uniform on his body gave off a warmth that drove away that chill.
"Brother Hizashi, long time no see..."
"You look so sharp in that outfit! This off-white trench coat is different from the old one..." Hyuga Iroha, a Branch Family member guarding the gate, greeted Hizashi with shining eyes.
His name was Hyuga Iroha.
Although the Main Branch had forbidden the Branch Family from discussing Hizashi's affairs.
How could they possibly keep it contained?
The story of Hatake Sakumo accompanying Hizashi back to the clan compound and openly standing up to Clan Head Hyuga Tenzo spread by word of mouth among every Branch Family member, like a banned storybook that only became more wildly circulated because it was forbidden.
Back in the era of ninja clans, the Branch Family had not even dared to entertain such fantasies...
At most, they hoped the next clan head would understand and care about the hardships of the Branch Family...
As for openly confronting the clan head, standing as equals, and throwing back one's head in laughter as one strode out the door?
That was the ultimate Branch Family fantasy!
"Fortunately, Lord Hokage thinks highly of me..." The corners of Hizashi Hyuga's mouth unconsciously rose. He stopped to chat with the Branch Family members and said with feeling,
"How has the clan been lately? You know, I don't come back very often now. I have to work for the village."
"I made a few friends in the Anbu, but I've neglected my old brothers in the Branch Family."
Hizashi Hyuga deliberately revealed his current situation—Lord Hokage valued him, and he was doing well in the Anbu...
Naturally, there was an element of showing off.
But his true purpose was to dispel the Branch Family's concerns about joining the Anbu...
Only if he, the first to blaze this trail, was doing well could he prove that it was the right path. Besides, it was the truth.
"Brother Hizashi, it's fine, it's fine. Take care of your important business outside first!"
Hyuga Iroha instinctively glanced around before lowering his voice slightly. "The Main Branch has been discussing you a lot lately. They say a situation like this has not happened in a hundred years, and they've even been talking about Lord Hokage..."
Hizashi Hyuga narrowed his eyes. "What have they been saying?"
Iroha felt that Brother Hizashi, who had been speaking so gently just moments ago, had suddenly become dangerous.
His tone was still calm.
But combined with that Anbu trench coat, it gave the impression that he might draw his blade at any second...
Iroha steadied himself and whispered,
"They haven't said anything too extreme. Mostly, they say that Lord Hokage suddenly interfering in Hyuga affairs has disrupted the unspoken rules. Why didn't he discuss it with them first?"
"It's more like resentment..."
Hizashi Hyuga snorted coldly.
If they had been cursing, then not only would he report it to Lord Hokage, he would also have a talk with Minister Danzo!
The generous and benevolent Hokage might not care about the Main Branch's grumbling, because of his great character.
But Minister Danzo would definitely make an issue of it!
Still, even if it was merely resentment, Hizashi would report it.
"Brother Hizashi, will we have a chance too?" Another Branch Family gate guard, named Hyuga Kamon, spoke up.
He was still a teenager and did not beat around the bush.
Hyuga Kamon looked at Hizashi with bright eyes. "The Anbu is still short on people, right? I heard the village has established a new Patrol Force. Even if we can't join the Anbu, going there would be fine too..."
Hyuga Iroha froze. Young people really were bold. Was he really being so direct?
But then he immediately followed up, saying repeatedly, "Brother Hizashi, I want to go too!"
Hizashi Hyuga smiled inwardly.
Half his plan had already succeeded...
Iroha and Kamon were both exceptionally talented ninja in the Branch Family.
And the more talented they were, the stronger their desire for freedom became...
"I'll remember your wishes."
Hizashi Hyuga smiled slightly. "Tell the Branch Family brothers that if anything comes up, they can come find me at any time."
"If I'm not around, find Lord Sakumo... If it's urgent enough, you can even go directly to Lord Hokage..."
"Although we are members of the Hyuga Branch Family, we are first and foremost ninja of Konoha."
"Lord Hokage's Will of Fire treats every ninja who wishes to work for the village equally," Hizashi Hyuga said softly.
"You probably don't know this..."
"Even Duy, whom everyone used to mock, had his potential discovered by Lord Hokage!"
"He mastered an extremely powerful secret technique. His Chakra is even stronger than mine. He has become a Special Jonin and is now my colleague, serving as the Anbu's physical training instructor."
Iroha and Kamon widened their eyes.
That Might Duy?
He was even stronger than Brother Hizashi?
The longing in their eyes grew even more intense, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's image in their hearts became even more towering.
A Hokage who could turn stone into gold...
Hizashi Hyuga took in their reactions and smiled inwardly. Everything went without saying.
Done!
Iroha and Kamon opened the gate for Hizashi. Their movements were eager, but they sincerely wanted to do it.
This was the Branch Family's hope!
As Hizashi stepped inside, he saw Hyuga Ko accompanied by a Branch Family member, pointing and gesturing everywhere again.
Their eyes met.
Hyuga Ko's smile instantly froze.
He had received Hyuga Tenzo's order to seek out Hizashi today and bring him back to the clan for a talk...
Ko had thought that even if Hizashi had joined the Anbu, he was still a member of the Main Branch.
They did not need to be openly hostile, but they should at least maintain appearances.
But then he saw that beige squad captain's trench coat.
Hyuga Ko's body seemed to move beyond his control. A smile rose unconsciously onto his frozen face as he warmly greeted Hizashi,
"Hizashi, long time no see!"
He had completely forgotten that when Hizashi confronted Hyuga Tenzo, he had been the first to jump out.
"Ko, it's you." Hizashi Hyuga gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Still the same as ever..."
Hyuga Ko's expression stiffened, but he had no intention of arguing with Hizashi.
As a talentless member of the Main Branch, one of the few ways he could feel important was by throwing his weight around before the Branch Family.
After so long, he truly found it dull and empty inside...
Why wouldn't he want the respect of ninja beyond the clan compound as well?
A thought flashed through his mind.
If he could, would he be willing to give up his Main Branch status in exchange for becoming the current Hizashi Hyuga?
He instinctively rejected the thought, but it felt as though another voice had arisen within him.
"Sigh, I don't want to either..."
"Hizashi, the clan head has something to discuss with you. I was just about to look for you." Hyuga Ko forced a smile, then turned and left without much interest.
Hizashi Hyuga quietly took note of that reaction.
The Main Branch did not seem to be completely united either...
When he arrived at the clan head's Reception Room.
Hizashi sat facing his father, Clan Head Tenzo, with a board of go between them.
Both waited for the other to speak first.
After a long while, Hyuga Tenzo finally spoke. "The Kaguya Clan sent a letter."
"Father, so you have been secretly colluding with hostile forces outside the village all along..."
"Did you come to turn yourself in?"
Hizashi's response made the clan head, who had always prided himself on having everything under control and understanding balance, lose his composure.
Starting off by pinning such a huge accusation on him...
Was he trying to kill his own father?
PS: Dear readers, Xiaofan is adjusting the update schedule.
Starting tomorrow, there will be one update at midnight and one at noon.
If the writing goes smoothly, there may be additional updates after midnight.
I write in considerable detail, and Xiaofan hopes to keep the plot flowing together coherently. I hope you all understand!
Before you continue