Hyuga Clan

Finally, Haku returned home alone.

Upon returning home, Haku didn't see Might Guy or Might Duy. By all accounts, they should have been home at this hour, but neither was.

Haku initially intended to find someone to ask about the situation, but after glancing at the sky, he suppressed the urge to immediately seek out Hyuga Riko.

The next morning, Hyuga residence.

[Haku, you're back!]

Hyuga Riko was quite happy to see Haku, who had come to visit her.

[Mhm, I'm back. Just wanted to see how you've been. How have these past few months been?]

Haku asked, looking at a somewhat haggard Hyuga Riko.

[Mhm, I'm alright. These past few months at home, I've just been training. I'm waiting for you to take me out on missions again! I'm really strong now!]

Hyuga Riko said it very casually, but Haku still detected something amiss between the lines. However, Haku didn't say much, planning to investigate himself later when he had the time.

Afterward, Haku changed the subject and chatted with Hyuga Riko about his experiences on the battlefield over the past few months.

Glancing at the time, Haku asked about the Might father and son. After a night had passed, they still hadn't returned home.

Upon hearing Haku inquire about the Might father and son, Hyuga Riko was momentarily unsure how to answer. However, considering that Haku would eventually learn the news anyway, she hesitated before slowly beginning to speak.

[Haku, Mr. Might Guy passed away a month ago due to his depleted physical condition. He couldn't hold on and was buried in the Konoha cemetery.]

[As for Might Duy, according to information the Hyuga clan received, it seems he was assigned a mission to the battlefield against Iwagakure the day after you survived the Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's attack on the front lines.]

At this point, Hyuga Riko seemed hesitant.

[Also, this mission that Might Duy was sent on, it doesn't seem like it was originally his. Completing it would be quite a stretch even for his strength.]

[Mhm! I understand, thank you, Riko! I have something else to attend to, so I'll be going now. I'll visit again when I have time.]

Listening to Hyuga Riko's words, Haku understood that there was definitely something suspicious going on. Riko knew limited information; perhaps someone in the Hyuga clan knew more, but Hyuga Riko herself couldn't possibly know the deeper secrets.

Under Hyuga Riko's reluctant gaze, Haku still left her residence.

[Sigh! I'm being targeted! It seems it's better to stay away from Hyuga Riko. I'm sorry, Riko. Once I've resolved all these issues, I'll take you on missions with me again.]

Haku thought to himself as he walked on the road towards the Hyuga residence.

[Mr. Haku, my elder requests your presence!]

Before Haku could even exit the main gate of the Hyuga residence, he was stopped by a ninja from a branch family of the Hyuga.

[Your elder is?]

[Lord Hyuga Valley, Miss Hyuga Riko's father.]

[Mhm! Lead the way!]

As Haku followed the Hyuga branch family ninja, he began to ponder why Hyuga Riko's father wanted to see him.

[I am Hyuga Valley! You must be Riko's teammate, Might Haku!]

Before Haku could figure anything out, a deep voice, tinged with a hint of decay, reached him. Haku looked up and observed Hyuga Valley. He was a middle-aged man in Hyuga attire, with streaks of white already visible in his hair.

[Indeed! A young hero. I'm already aware of your actions on the front lines.]

While Haku was still appraising the man, Hyuga Valley had already spoken, and his opening words left Haku bewildered.

[What do you think of my Hyuga clan? Are you interested in joining us?]

[Hm? What do you mean, senior? I don't quite understand.]

Hyuga Valley didn't reply directly. Instead, he pushed back the hair from his forehead, revealing a smooth brow.

[I am an elder of the Hyuga Main Family. Hyuga Riko is my only child and will eventually inherit the position of elder in the main family.]

[If you also wish to hold a position as an elder of the Hyuga Main Family, that is actually possible.]

[What do you think, Haku?]

Hyuga Valley finished speaking without giving Haku time to react and waited quietly for his response.

[Lord Hyuga Valley? Regarding what you've said, what would I need to do, or rather, what price would I need to pay?]

[I don't believe the position of an elder in the Hyuga Main Family can simply be given to someone outside the clan.]

[Clap, clap, clap!]

Hyuga Valley listened to Haku's answer, then began to clap, looking at Haku with an appreciative gaze.

[Not bad. Although you are still very young, you haven't been blinded by the immediate benefits.]

[Becoming an external elder of my Hyuga clan is impossible.]

Hyuga Valley first denied Haku the possibility of directly becoming an elder of the Hyuga Main Family. However, he then changed his tone and presented an unexpected option.

[However, as Riko is my descendant, her partner, if they were to marry into the Hyuga clan and change their surname to Hyuga, they could possess the rights of an elder.]

[The responsibilities would be limited to protecting Hyuga Riko's safety and carrying out certain missions that must be executed on her behalf.]