Everyone was a brother, so why was his own big brother so completely different from everyone else's?
Uchiha Fun wasn't as kind as Hyuga Hiashi, who would step up to protect his younger brother. Nor was he as warm as the older brother of the pair they'd met on the street, who had run back to comfort his younger brother.
Neither younger brother seemed particularly outstanding, yet both older brothers had reached out to help them, offering support and care.
But despite all his efforts, all he got from his own big brother was scorn and cold indifference. Now, he'd even told him not to call him "big brother" in front of outsiders.
At that moment, Uchiha Zuho was filled with confusion.
Second by second, time passed. At last, Uchiha Zuho slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Moonlight spilled like water across his sorrowful face, as though it could soothe all the endless pain and grief in his heart.
But his tears wouldn't stop. They ran down Uchiha Zuho's cheeks, shimmering in the moonlight.
Each teardrop glistened like a crystal-clear gem beneath the moonlight, shining with a faint but heartbreaking glow.
Those glimmers of tears seemed to speak of the pain and helplessness deep in Uchiha Zuho's heart, moving anyone who saw them.
On that quiet night, Uchiha Zuho sank into his dreams. Perhaps only there could he find a moment's peace and comfort.
The shadow outside the window watched for a while, then disappeared.
Back to Hyuga Shinichi, who was still soaking in the hot spring at the bathhouse.
The two Hyuga brothers, who'd been brought along to bathe with him, were chatting with Hyuga Shinichi.
"Shinichi, I heard you're about to become a Special Jonin. Not bad! You've really done the Hyuga Clan proud."
Hyuga Hiashi draped an arm over Hyuga Shinichi's shoulder as he spoke.
"It's not confirmed yet, is it? I'm probably still too young, so Lord Hokage won't approve it."
Nawaki spoke up.
"Don't get cocky. You're already acting like you've won before it's even approved. Who knows how bad you'll be once it is?"
Hizashi Hyuga chimed in too.
"Yeah, I can picture it already. When someone comes looking for Shinichi, they won't even get a word out before he jumps in and says, 'Hey! How'd you know I became a Special Jonin at seven?' Something like that."
Back when Hyuga Shinichi was still with the clan, he'd spent a while showing off to everyone, all because he'd awakened his Byakugan at the age of two. He'd go up to people and say:
"Could you take a look at my eyes? I think I've got sand in them. Huh, how'd I activate my Byakugan?"
He only stopped after everyone started ignoring him.
So Hizashi Hyuga had long been able to predict and imagine how this would go.
Hyuga Shinichi seemed a little embarrassed too. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and mumbled:
"I'm not really like what Hizashi says I am..."
Hyuga Hiashi lightly patted his shoulder, then replied with a serious, earnest expression:
"No, that's exactly what you're like."
Listening to his clan cousins tease him, Hyuga Shinichi could only laugh helplessly.
He knew that when he was little, he'd thought awakening the Byakugan at such a young age meant he was following the script of a genius and a protagonist. That had made him a little proud and conceited, but as he grew older, he'd gradually matured.
The main thing was, nobody listened to him brag anymore.
"All right, all right, enough joking. Shinichi, it's been a long time since you visited the clan, hasn't it?"
Hyuga Hiashi asked.
"Yeah, I haven't been back since last year."
Hyuga Shinichi said with a sigh.
"True, you're always out on missions. You must be pretty busy."
Hizashi Hyuga continued:
"How many days are you planning to rest this time?"
"I should be resting for a while. I'm using up all the leave I didn't take earlier, so I should have about two months off."
As Hyuga Shinichi spoke, he stretched.
"I see. Everyone in the clan misses you, especially the kids. They're always asking about you."
Hyuga Hiashi said with a smile.
Hyuga Shinichi's lips curled into a small smile as the innocent faces of the children he'd met on his previous visit to the clan came to mind.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel genuinely pleased that relations between the Main House and the Branch House were gradually easing.
The once tense and conflict-ridden situation had slowly faded, replaced by an atmosphere of harmony. The Main House no longer imposed excessive restrictions and constraints on the Branch House, but instead gave them more freedom and room to grow.
The clan was gradually beginning to flourish as one united whole.
Whether they belonged to the Main House or the Branch House, the younger generation was growing stronger. They carried the clan's future and hopes on their shoulders.
These young people were full of energy, each with their own talents and potential.
They learned from one another, supported one another, and worked together to help the Hyuga Clan prosper.
Hyuga Shinichi's words had made them understand that only by standing together could the Hyuga Clan truly hold its own amid fierce competition and ensure the clan's continued existence.
The change delighted the clan members, and it had also astonished the other great clans of Konoha, who'd never expected this ancient, conservative clan to change.
In the years to come, as long as the Main House and Branch House stayed closely connected and worked together, the Hyuga Clan would truly be Konoha's number one clan—not merely one by its own claim.
"Yeah, I'll go back in a few days and see everyone. I want to help Minato consolidate what he's learned first. Then I'll feel at ease making a trip back to the clan."
Hyuga Shinichi explained with a smile.
"Oh? You're helping Minato train too? I never thought you'd take on a younger brother. From our conversation just now, I have to say Minato seems like a pretty good guy. Even I like him."
Hyuga Hiashi said, making it clear just how much he approved of Namikaze Minato.
Hearing Hyuga Hiashi say that, Hyuga Shinichi thought to himself:
If you didn't like him, that'd be a problem. You two will be in-laws one day, after all. Your eldest daughter will be so smitten with the blond kid from Minato's family that she won't know which way is up.
Then Hyuga Shinichi nodded proudly and said:
"Yeah, Minato works hard, and he's talented too. He's bound to become Hokage one day! My little brother Minato has the makings of a Hokage!"
Hearing this, Namikaze Minato felt that something about it sounded a little strange, but still replied shyly:
"Big brother Shinichi, I still have a lot to learn. I think you'd be a much better Hokage."
Nawaki, who was standing nearby, immediately took offense at Namikaze Minato's words.
"Minato, what are you saying? Are you saying I'm not suited to become Hokage?"
"Uh, no, Big Brother Nawaki. I just think Big Brother Shinichi would be a good fit because he's so strong."
"Hmph! I only lost to Shinichi today because I let my guard down. Just wait until next time—I'll show him!"
Minato thought he was suited to be Hokage? What a joke! He had no interest in sitting in an office all day, buried in piles of paperwork.
Hyuga Shinichi had this thought, then spoke up:
"Ahem. Minato, you have to understand that becoming Hokage isn't just about being strong. Only someone who has earned the village's approval is qualified to take on such an important position.
"And don't forget, your big brother here has no interest in becoming Hokage. A life tied down like that would be unbearable! My real dream is to travel wherever I please, exploring unknown places!"
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