Makes Sense

"No objection."

Hyuga Shunichi raised his head and looked at Hyuga Tokuhiro, completely ignoring the gaze of his own father, Hyuga Taichi.

Hyuga Shunichi knew that if he wanted to, he could insist that the Branch Family needed to be taught a lesson.

That way, not only would he avoid any punishment, he might even receive some compensation.

And he would get to watch Hiashi and Shuji receive their punishment firsthand.

But the question was, could Hyuga Tokuhiro execute Hyuga Shuji and Hyuga Hiashi?

Obviously not, unless he himself was Hyuga Tokuhiro.

Since that was the case, rather than suffer retaliation from Hiashi and Shuji afterward, Hyuga Shunichi chose to accept the family's punishment.

Even though his father might still scold him when he returned home, and he might even get beaten if it was serious enough.

Compared to the alternative, though, it really was not that painful.

In this lifetime, Hyuga Shunichi never wanted to experience what happened that day again.

"Since that's the case, then this matter is very clear."

Hyuga Tokuhiro smiled and nodded. You had to admit, the family really did have thorough rules for matters like this.

It was just that, generally speaking, those rules were difficult to truly enforce.

Under normal circumstances, even if the Branch Family was bullied by the Main Family, most would choose to let the matter rest to prevent retaliation afterward.

Even though such behavior from the Branch Family encouraged the Main Family's arrogance to a certain extent.

Useless trash...

Hyuga Taichi stared silently at Hyuga Shunichi, cursing through gritted teeth in his heart.

"Since that's the case, then the matter is clear. Hyuga Shunichi, for unjustifiably oppressing the Branch Family and undermining unity within the family, your allowance will be suspended from today onward. You will also cover Hinagiku and Hizashi's medical expenses."

Hyuga Tokuhiro immediately addressed Hyuga Shunichi.

"Furthermore, starting today, the family will assign a member of the Branch Family as your personal protector. If anything similar happens again, your status as a member of the Main Family will be stripped."

After saying that, Hyuga Tokuhiro continued.

Removing the Caged Bird from the Branch Family might be difficult, but branding it onto the Main Family was much simpler.

If a member of the Main Family died outside, the loss of a bloodline limit would be a loss to the family. But if the family punished a member of the Main Family internally, there was not much difficulty involved.

"Yes."

Hyuga Shunichi's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this, but there was nothing he could do. He could only obediently nod.

Hyuga Shunichi understood very clearly that the true meaning of this punishment was not that he would no longer receive an allowance, nor that he would no longer be able to do whatever he pleased to the Branch Family, nor even that he had to pay medical expenses.

The most important thing was that Hyuga Shunichi would have to take good care of the Branch Family member assigned to him from now on.

Otherwise...

"As for Hiashi and Shuji, you bullied fellow clansmen and likewise undermined unity within the family. However, considering the cause of the incident, your allowances will be suspended for three months, and you will receive a public reprimand before the entire clan."

After speaking, Hyuga Tokuhiro stopped paying attention to Hyuga Shunichi and turned to look at Hiashi and Shuji.

"Yes!"

Hiashi and Shuji lowered their heads without hesitation and accepted the punishment.

"Mm."

Hyuga Tokuhiro nodded in satisfaction and adjourned the clan meeting.

In the small grove.

Nawaki stared blankly at Mikoto before him. Honestly, Mikoto's words had completely confused him.

Pressing his lips together, Nawaki asked Mikoto.

"Then why are you willing to let me win?"

"Because I don't want to graduate early."

Mikoto gave a bitter smile and shook her head.

"Once I defeat you, my father will definitely make me graduate early. So I can't win."

After saying that, Mikoto explained the matter to Nawaki in detail.

"I see..."

Nawaki nodded. He could accept that reason.

Besides, if Mikoto truly did not want to win, there was nothing he could do to stop her, was there?

After a pause, Nawaki continued asking Mikoto.

"Then what do you want me to help you with?"

"After graduation, I want to be on the same team as Shuji."

Mikoto pressed her lips together, sat on the ground, and spoke to Nawaki.

"Huh?"

Nawaki froze, staring at Mikoto in surprise.

Could Mikoto like Shuji?

The thought suddenly appeared in Nawaki's mind.

"Then... uh... you... uh... I mean... why do you want to be on the same team as Shuji?"

After struggling to organize his words several times, Nawaki asked Mikoto.

Once he finished speaking, Nawaki looked at Mikoto expectantly.

"Hmm? Don't you want to be on the same team as Shuji? His powerful taijutsu, proficient Medical Ninjutsu, and the Byakugan's scouting ability with virtually no blind spots."

Mikoto tilted her head slightly as she held out her hand and listed them one by one.

"Is that so?"

Nawaki froze. Honestly, hearing Mikoto put it that way made him feel rather disappointed.

But he had to admit, what Mikoto said made sense.

A Shuji like that was someone no team could refuse.

"But I originally wanted to be on the same team as Shuji and Hiashi."

Nawaki said with some hesitation.

For now, that was indeed Nawaki's truest thought.

As for whether he could make it happen...

Nawaki felt that there definitely would not be a problem. At most, he would just have to cling to Tsunade's leg and ask her a few more times.

But now that Mikoto had suddenly made this request, Nawaki was genuinely conflicted.

Shuji definitely could not be moved. When they carried out missions in the future, Shuji would be the absolute backbone of the team.

But Hiashi...

Their relationship really was quite good, but Mikoto was also truly strong.

If Mikoto joined the team, she could essentially make up for the team's lack of genjutsu.

In comparison, Hiashi seemed insignificant.

After all, everything Hiashi knew, Shuji knew too. And what Hiashi did not know, Shuji still knew.

From the perspective of carrying out missions, Mikoto was far stronger than Hiashi.

But... Nawaki still wanted to choose Hiashi.

"How could that work? If both Hiashi and Shuji are on the same team as you, what will happen to Hinagiku and Hizashi?"

Mikoto immediately laughed softly and asked Nawaki.

"Do you want what happened today to happen again?"

After saying that, Mikoto continued to question him.

"I see..."

Nawaki froze. What Mikoto said really did make sense.

Once they graduated, either Shuji or Hiashi would definitely need to look after the two Branch Family members.

If he had to choose one of Shuji and Hiashi as his teammate, Nawaki would definitely choose Shuji.