Neji Hyuga's Answer

The compound of the Hyuga Clan.

Inside a residence belonging to the Branch House.

Neji Hyuga looked at Su Yu standing before him and bowed in respect.

Su Yu was the person Hinata Hyuga loved, and to someone like him from the Branch House, Su Yu was someone he had to protect with everything he had.

"Neji, from today on, you will follow by Su Yu's side," Hyuga Hiashi said slowly.

"Clan Leader, this is..."

Neji Hyuga looked puzzled.

"Neji, I want you to become the head of the Branch House, and I want Su Yu to become the head of the Main House, to erase every single Caged Bird Seal," Hyuga Hiashi said earnestly.

"You... what did you say?" Neji Hyuga's face was filled with disbelief.

"Su Yu will be researching the Caged Bird Seal, which requires someone who bears the mark. Furthermore, Hinata will be taken away by Su Yu, so I want you to follow him, have the seal removed, and let the Branch House and the Main House become one true family," Hyuga Hiashi stated, enunciating every word.

"Su Yu, is... is this true?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Neji Hyuga's eyes.

Su Yu nodded.

Then, he looked toward Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi understood the gesture and stood up.

"I will leave the rest to you, Su Yu."

"Take care, Clan Leader."

Su Yu watched as Hyuga Hiashi departed.

There were certain things that would make Neji Hyuga feel constrained if said in front of Hyuga Hiashi, which was why Su Yu had asked him to leave.

Hyuga Hiashi understood this logic well; he trusted Su Yu implicitly.

Once Hyuga Hiashi was gone, the tension on Neji Hyuga's face visibly relaxed.

"Neji, there is only one reason your father died: the upper echelons of Konoha. A large part of the blame lies with Danzo, who feared the influence of the Hyuga Clan, and the Third Hokage, who did not want to trigger another war, so..."

"I know," Neji Hyuga said, his eyes dimming.

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

Neji Hyuga was slightly taken aback.

"I possess the same Byakugan as you," Su Yu said, activating his Byakugan.

Neji Hyuga's eyes widened.

"My Byakugan is somewhat unique; because I possess other ocular Kekkei Genkai, I can freely open and close it. In my eyes, the system of the Main and Branch Houses is utterly foolish, and the Clan Leader intends to break this system as well. However, you must realize that the Clan Leader cannot achieve this alone, but we can," Su Yu said, looking at Neji Hyuga.

"Do you mean by becoming stronger?" Neji Hyuga asked tentatively.

"The Branch House is like a bird trapped in a cage, waiting for someone to break it open. I chose you because I know you crave freedom, and your talent far exceeds that of the Main House," Su Yu said with a serious expression.

"You are right," Neji Hyuga said after a moment of silence.

"The Clan Leader wants me to become the head of the Main House, but I would rather elevate you to that position, allowing the Main and Branch Houses to merge into one; only then can the system be broken," Su Yu continued.

"But..." Neji Hyuga hesitated.

"Neji, you have two tasks: first, to become a true powerhouse, and second, to shoulder the burden of the Hyuga Clan. As for me, I am merely unlocking the cage. Whether you can walk out, and whether you have the courage to do so, depends entirely on your own will," Su Yu said firmly.

Neji Hyuga looked at Su Yu, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, until finally, he met Su Yu's gaze directly.

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

Su Yu smiled; he knew Neji Hyuga would agree.

"Then, let us discuss the specific plan."

When Su Yu returned to the Main House grounds.

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

The two girls looked up as he arrived.

Hinata Hyuga's expression was shy, yet tinged with happiness.

Temari's expression, however, was somewhat complex.

"Pack your things today; we depart tomorrow morning," Su Yu said to Hinata Hyuga.

"Yes," Hinata Hyuga nodded.

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

Hinata Hyuga blushed and gave a soft, affirmative sound.

"I have many things I want to tell you," Su Yu said, placing his hand on top of Hinata Hyuga's head.

"I... I do too," Hinata Hyuga whispered.

"Then we shall have a good talk when the time comes," Su Yu leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.

Hinata Hyuga lowered her head in shyness.

Temari wore an expression of envy.

"Let's go." Su Yu took her hand and said to Temari.

"Miss Hinata, thank you for your hospitality. If there is an opportunity, when you come to Sunagakure, I will certainly treat you with the utmost care," Temari said as she stood up.

"If there is a chance, I will definitely go and see it," Hinata Hyuga said politely.

The two girls smiled at each other.

Su Yu and Temari left the Hyuga Clan.

Temari walked along the street.

She looked at Su Yu in front of her, feeling somewhat dazed.

Su Yu had saved her, which made her feel very favorably toward him, even sparking a bit of affection.

To be rescued in such a desperate situation—any girl would likely be moved.

On top of that, Su Yu possessed great strength and could speak directly with the Hokage.

Temari was even imagining how the relationship between Konoha and Sunagakure would become even closer after the two of them were married.

As it turned out, Su Yu already had someone he liked, and it was the young lady of the Hyuga Clan.

In terms of status, Temari and Hinata Hyuga were not much different, but the Hyuga Clan was a prestigious family in Konoha, and Temari felt she couldn't quite compare.

This left her feeling very dejected, very dejected indeed.

Just as Temari was lost in thought.

Su Yu suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Temari was a step behind and bumped into Su Yu's back.

Su Yu turned around to look at Temari.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Temari snapped back to reality.

"It's fine. In the future, don't space out. Being a ninja is a high-risk profession; you can encounter danger at any moment. You must maintain constant vigilance. Don't think about strange things—thinking about me is fine, I don't mind," Su Yu said with a straight face.

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Temari felt a bit ashamed, but upon hearing the second half, her face turned red instantly.

While she had her head lowered, Su Yu walked into a nearby bookstore.

Temari hurriedly followed him inside.

The two of them arrived in the bookstore together.

Su Yu picked up a book and walked toward the counter.

Temari stared at the book, dumbfounded.

This... isn't this Jiraiya's...

The bookstore owner was very considerate, using a paper bag to wrap the book for Su Yu, fearing someone might see it.

After Su Yu paid, he walked toward the door.

Temari stared blankly at Su Yu.

A long time passed.

Her face became even redder.

Why would Su Yu buy this kind of book?

Could it be that he wants to learn the things inside?

Or perhaps...

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 began to burn, and with her head bowed, she followed in Su Yu's footsteps.

The place Su Yu was heading to was his home.

Since he had not been branded a missing-nin, this home naturally still belonged to him.