Hyuga's Overture

Uchiha Fugaku's residence is located in the south-central part of the clan's territory. It is a traditional Japanese-style building with a spacious courtyard.

At this moment, dozens of low tables have been set up in the courtyard, with brand-new cushions laid out.

All the doors to the main hall were open, creating a large space connecting the interior and exterior, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people at the same time.

In a corner of the courtyard, several Uchiha Clan ninjas were talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing at the passageway leading to the entrance—their mission today was not only to attend the banquet, but also to be in charge of security.

After all, the guests today represent almost every named ninja clan in Konoha.

Around 10 a. m., the first group of guests began to arrive.

The Akimichi Clan was the first to arrive.

Akimichi Choza —the current head of the Akimichi Clan, a robust, kind-looking middle-aged man—entered the Uchiha Clan Grounds with several clansmen and a huge gift box.

"Hahaha! Fugaku, congratulations!"

Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward with a polite smile, "Clan Chief Choza, you're too kind. Please come in."

Akimichi Choza handed the gift box to a servant of the Uchiha Clan and patted Fugaku on the shoulder. "I heard you invited quite a few people this time? Even that person... came?"

Uchiha Fugaku knew who he was talking about and nodded slightly. "Yes, Jun-kun has confirmed he will come."

"Tsk tsk." Akimichi Choza clicked his tongue, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Then I really need to take a good look."

Next to arrive were the Nara Clan.

Nara Shikaku —the head of the Nara Clan, a man who appears somewhat lazy but has sharp eyes—walked slowly with his wife and several clansmen.

Their gift was practical: a whole box of high-quality herbs and tonics, packed in an exquisite wooden box.

"Congratulations, Fugaku." Nara Shikaku smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "This is just a small token of my appreciation."

"Shikaku Chief Shikaku is too kind," Uchiha Fugaku returned the greeting.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing more.

Nara Shikaku is a renowned high-IQ ninja in Konoha, and also one of the confidants of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In this context, he represents not only the Nara Clan, but also the attitude of the Hokage lineage.

As for the relationship between the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans and the Uchiha Clan, the fact that the Akimichi Clan was the first to arrive is enough to show that the Ino-Shika-Cho has clearly sided with the Uchiha Clan.

The reason they still maintain this attitude is simply because they are considering the influence of the Third.

Uchiha Fugaku understood this, Nara Shikaku understood this, but some things didn't need to be said out loud.

Following Nara, representatives from various Konoha ninja clans, including the Yamanaka Clan, Aburame Clan, and Inuzuka Clan, arrived one after another.

Each family brought a unique gift.

By around 11 a. m., the courtyard of Uchiha Fugaku's residence was already full of people.

A rough estimate suggests that there were over a hundred guests present, representing almost every ninja clan in Konoha that could be named.

However, the most important guests have not yet shown up.

Just then, a commotion arose at the door.

"The Hyuga Clan — Hyuga Hiashi has arrived!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room subtly changed.

Hyuga Hiashi, dressed in the Hyuga Clan's signature white kimono, walked Earth Flow the courtyard.

He was followed by two Main Family and four guards from the branch family—the procession wasn't grand, but for a reclusive ninja clan like the Hyuga Clan, the clan head's personal presence was enough to demonstrate their importance.

Hyuga Hiashi walked up to Fugaku and nodded slightly. "Clan Chief Fugaku, congratulations."

He took out a scroll tied with a silk ribbon from his sleeve and handed it to him with both hands. "This is a meridian chart treasured by our Hyuga Clan. It has unique reference value for the precise control of Chakra, and we hope it will be helpful to your son's future training."

This gift caused many people present to gasp in surprise.

The Hyuga Clan's meridian charts—precise medical/training data that only Byakugan users of the Hyuga Clan can draw—are extremely rare and priceless, impossible to buy on the market.

Hyuga Hiashi of presenting this gift was clearly not just a simple congratulatory gesture for the full moon.

This is an attempt to curry favor.

Uchiha Fugaku understood perfectly well, but remained outwardly calm, accepting the scroll with both hands. "Hiashi Chief Hiashi is too kind, please take a seat."

Hyuga Hiashi nodded slightly and led his clansmen to their seats, guided by the attendants.

The surrounding guests began to whisper among themselves—although the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan clans were both prominent families in Konoha for their Dōjutsu, the relationship between the two clans had always been lukewarm.

Of course, the original relationship between the two clans was more like 'irreconcilable differences', with each looking down on the other. However, with the emergence of Uchiha Jun, the Hyuga Clan also decisively submitted under violent suppression.

It was thanks to Uchiha Fugaku's strict discipline of his clansmen that things became much more difficult for the other ninja clans in Konoha.

Someone glanced furtively at the head seat—there was still an empty seat there.

It's clearly reserved for today's most important guest.

Just then, an even more violent commotion came from the doorway.

Uchiha Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly—here it comes.

"Uchiha Clan... Uchiha Jun has arrived!"

The entire courtyard fell silent instantly.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the doorway.

Uchiha Jun walked in from outside the door.

He wasn't wearing his combat uniform today; instead, he was dressed in a dark blue traditional Uchiha Clan kimono, with the Uchiha Clan crest—a red and white Gunbai pattern—embroidered on the cuffs and hem. This outfit, combined with his calm and composed aura, made it difficult to look away.

Behind him were two people: on the left was Yugito, Yugito cold eyes—his identity as the Two-Tails Jinchuriki was no secret among the higher-ups, but because of Uchiha Jun, no one wanted to be the first to speak out.

Didn't you see that the Cloud Ninja had no objections? If he shows up again at this time, given Uchiha Jun's personality, he'll most likely get hit by the legendary Mangekyo Dōjutsu.

Uchiha Jun stood at the door, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on Uchiha Fugaku, who was approaching, and he gave him a gentle smile.

"Congratulations, Fugaku."

Uchiha Jun wasn't carrying any gifts—but no one dared to show the slightest disrespect.

Or rather, unlike other guests who needed to attract attention with gifts, Uchiha Jun presence was already a great honor.

Uchiha Fugaku quickly stepped forward to greet him, and to everyone's surprise, he bowed slightly, saying, "It is an honor for the Uchiha Clan that Jun-kun has come."

This gesture of respect stunned everyone present.

Then she quickly came to terms with it.

Uchiha Fugaku – Head of the Uchiha Clan and captain of the Konoha Military Police Force.

But these titles seemed far too insignificant to Uchiha Jun, who swept across the entire Shinobi World.

At this moment, Uchiha Jun's status is probably only comparable to that of the legendary Madara Uchiha.

No.

It should be that he surpasses Madara Uchiha!

After all, Konoha had Senju Hashirama who could reliably suppress Madara Uchiha back then. Now, let alone Konoha, it's hard to find a ninja who can rival Uchiha Jun in the entire Shinobi World!

Ignoring the shocked looks, Uchiha Jun casually patted Fugaku on the shoulder. "Don't be so polite, you're the host today. Come on, let me see little Sasuke."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded and personally led Uchiha Jun to the top of the main hall.

After Uchiha Jun took his seat at the head of the table, the banquet officially began.

A variety of dishes were served one after another: steaming hot pot, exquisite and delicious sushi, crispy tempura, and dango and sweets specially made by the Uchiha Clan —each one was made with great care.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Akimichi Choza was already flushed from drinking and was playing Yamanaka Inoichi next to him; the head of the Inuzuka Clan was discussing the coordinated tactics of Ninja Dog and Kikaichū with Aburame Shibi; Nara Shikaku held a cup of sake, seemingly nonchalant, but his gaze kept sweeping over Uchiha Jun in the main seat.

Of all those present, the one with the most complex feelings was probably Hyuga Hiashi.

He looked at Uchiha Jun sitting in the main seat, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

The Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan for their Dōjutsu, but the Hyuga Clan has remained stagnant for far too many years.

The sudden rise of Uchiha Jun not only allowed him to subdue various forces within Konoha single-handedly, but also made him the true power core of the Uchiha Clan.

Under the leadership of the Uchiha Clan, Konoha has not declined but has instead become increasingly prosperous.

Considering the previous conflict between the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Jun, this is definitely not good news for the Hyuga Clan!

--I have to swallow my pride and fawn over them.