Neji Hyuga's Answer

The Hyuga Clan compound.

In a house belonging to the Branch Family.

Neji Hyuga looked at Su Yu and bowed to him.

Su Yu was the person Hinata Hyuga loved. To someone from the Branch Family like Neji, he was someone Neji had to protect with all his might.

"Neji, from today onward, stay by Su Yu's side," Hyuga Hiashi said slowly.

"Clan leader, this..."

Neji was confused.

"Neji, I want you to become the Branch Family's head and Su Yu to become the Main Family's head. We'll erase every Caged Bird Seal," Hyuga Hiashi said earnestly.

"You... What did you say?" Neji looked utterly disbelieving.

"Su Yu will study the Caged Bird Seal, and he needs someone who bears it. Besides, Hinata will be leaving with Su Yu. So I want you to stay by his side, remove the Caged Bird Seals, and make the Branch Family and Main Family into one true family," Hyuga Hiashi said, enunciating every word.

"Su Yu, is... is that true?" Neji's eyes held a glimmer of hope.

Su Yu nodded.

Then he looked at Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi understood and stood up.

"I'll leave the rest to you, Su Yu."

"Take care, clan leader."

Su Yu watched Hyuga Hiashi leave.

There were things Neji would feel awkward discussing in front of Hyuga Hiashi, so Su Yu had asked him to leave.

Hyuga Hiashi understood, and trusted Su Yu deeply.

Once Hyuga Hiashi was gone, Neji's expression relaxed.

"Neji, your father died for one reason: the higher-ups in Konoha. Danzo was largely to blame. He feared the Hyuga Clan's influence, while the Third Hokage didn't want to start another war, so..."

"I know." Neji's eyes dimmed.

"Ultimately, it's because the Hyuga Clan is too weak," Su Yu sighed.

Neji was taken aback.

"I have the same Byakugan as you." As Su Yu spoke, he activated his Byakugan.

Neji's eyes widened.

"My Byakugan is a little unusual. Since I have other ocular Kekkei Genkai, I can switch my Byakugan on and off at will. To me, the Hyuga Clan's system of a Main Family and Branch Family is utterly foolish. The clan leader wants to break that system, too. But you should understand that he can't do it. We can." Su Yu looked at Neji.

"You mean we need to grow stronger?" Neji asked tentatively.

"The Branch Family is like people trapped in a cage. They need someone to break it open. I chose you because I know you yearn for freedom, and your talent far surpasses that of the Main Family." Su Yu's expression was serious.

"You're right." Neji fell silent for a moment, then answered.

"The clan leader wants me to become head of the Main Family, but I'd rather help you take that position. Only by uniting the Main Family and Branch Family can we break the system," Su Yu continued.

"But..." Neji hesitated.

"Neji, you have two tasks. First, become truly strong. Second, shoulder the burden of the Hyuga Clan. All I can do is unlock the cage. Whether you walk out, and whether you dare to, is entirely up to you." Su Yu spoke earnestly.

Neji looked at Su Yu, countless thoughts passing through his mind. At last, he met Su Yu's gaze.

"I want the Main Family and Branch Family to become one."

Su Yu smiled. He had known Neji would agree.

"Then let's discuss the details of the plan."

When Su Yu returned to the Main Family's grounds,

Hinata Hyuga and Temari had already had several cups of tea.

The two girls looked at him.

Hinata Hyuga looked shy, but also a little happy.

Temari's expression was more complicated.

"Get your things ready today. We leave tomorrow morning," Su Yu told Hinata Hyuga.

"Mm." Hinata Hyuga nodded.

"Come to my house tonight," Su Yu continued.

Hinata Hyuga blushed and softly murmured her assent.

"There's a lot I want to tell you." Su Yu rested his hand on Hinata Hyuga's head.

"I... I do, too," Hinata Hyuga said softly.

"Then we'll have a good talk later." Su Yu bent down and kissed Hinata Hyuga lightly on the forehead.

Hinata Hyuga lowered her head, too shy to look up.

Temari looked envious.

"Let's go." Su Yu raised his hand and said to Temari.

"Lady Hinata, thank you for your hospitality. If you ever get the chance to visit Sunagakure, I'll be sure to give you a proper welcome," Temari said, standing up.

"If I get the chance, I'll definitely visit," Hinata Hyuga replied politely.

The two girls smiled at each other.

Su Yu and Temari left the Hyuga Clan compound.

Temari walked along the street.

She gazed at Su Yu up ahead, lost in thought.

Su Yu had saved her, and she had grown quite fond of him. She had even started to like him a little.

Anyone would be moved if someone rescued them from such a desperate situation.

Besides, Su Yu was powerful and could even speak directly with the Hokage.

Temari had already found herself imagining how the relationship between Konoha and Sunagakure would grow closer after the two of them married.

But Su Yu already had someone he loved, and she was the Hyuga Clan's young lady.

In terms of status, Temari and Hinata Hyuga weren't that different. But the Hyuga Clan was one of Konoha's prominent families, and Temari couldn't compare.

She felt utterly dejected.

Just as Temari was lost in thought,

Su Yu suddenly stopped.

Temari was a step behind and bumped into his back.

Su Yu turned to look at her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Temari said, coming to her senses.

"It's fine. Don't get distracted in the future. Being a ninja is a high-risk job, and danger can strike at any moment. You need to stay alert. Don't think about strange things. You can think about me, though. I don't mind," Su Yu said with a straight face.

The first half of his words made Temari feel ashamed. The second half made her face flush red.

While she lowered her head, Su Yu walked into the bookstore beside them.

Temari hurried after him.

They entered the bookstore together.

Su Yu picked up a book and headed for the counter.

Temari stared at the book, dumbfounded.

Th-this wasn't one of Jiraiya's...

The bookstore owner thoughtfully wrapped the book in a paper bag for Su Yu, as if worried someone might see it.

After paying, Su Yu headed for the door.

Temari stared blankly at him.

A long while passed.

Her face grew even redder.

Why had Su Yu bought a book like that?

Did he want to learn the things in it?

Or...

At the thought of Su Yu spending the night in the same room as Hinata Hyuga, Temari felt as if images were appearing in her mind.

Her face grew hot. She lowered her head and followed Su Yu.

Su Yu was heading to his home.

Since he hadn't been branded a rogue ninja, the house still belonged to him.