An Uncle

As expected of one of Konoha's top noble clans.

As Yun Xi arrived at the gates of the Hyuga Clan's compound with Tenten and Hyuga Neji, a vigorous aura instantly washed over him.

A partially open wooden gate stood before them, yet the atmosphere radiating from within was enough to make one feel intimidated.

The plain white walls also gave Yun Xi an immediate sense of the traditions held within this family.

"Is this the place?"

Looking at the gate before him, Yun Xi walked directly to Hyuga Neji's side to ask, though Hyuga Neji did not speak.

He merely gave a slight nod before walking slowly into the Hyuga Clan's compound.

Watching the somewhat aloof Hyuga Neji, Yun Xi couldn't help but offer a helpless, wry smile.

Compared to Uchiha Sasuke, the current Hyuga Neji was more like a cold, edgy teenager.

"Brother Yun Xi, I don't like the atmosphere here..."

Little Tenten, who was sticking close to Yun Xi, was unusually nervous. Normally, Tenten was a very lively girl.

But right now, she looked more like a timid little kitten.

Her expression clearly showed how uncomfortable she was.

"We'll leave in a moment."

Seeing that Tenten was ill-at-ease with the Hyuga Clan's atmosphere, Yun Xi gently patted her head to soothe her, then said calmly, "We'll leave as soon as we drop this little guy off."

"Fine..."

Tenten looked at Yun Xi, then at Hyuga Neji who was already walking ahead, feeling a bit unhappy. She hadn't expected that the little boy they'd picked up would live in a place like this.

At the same time, she secretly decided that she would definitely stay far away from him next time.

"Let's go."

Meanwhile, as Hyuga Neji slowly pushed open the gates of the Hyuga Clan, Yun Xi followed along with little Tenten.

In truth, Yun Xi could have let Hyuga Neji go home on his own once they reached the main street of Konoha.

However...

Yun Xi's real goal wasn't just to bring Hyuga Neji home.

He wanted to use this opportunity to make contact with the power-holders of the Hyuga Clan.

"Who are you?!"

But unfortunately, the very next second after Yun Xi followed Hyuga Neji inside, a dignified, middle-aged voice suddenly echoed in the surroundings.

Then, with a whoosh...

A tall man with a stern expression appeared directly between Yun Xi and the others.

He first cast a displeased glance at Hyuga Neji behind him before focusing his attention on Yun Xi and little Tenten.

"The little girl from the ninja tool shop..."

After a brief stare, the middle-aged man recognized little Tenten standing behind Yun Xi, but he did not recognize Yun Xi.

He then walked up to Yun Xi and said in a detached tone, "This is the Hyuga Clan's compound. Outsiders are not permitted to enter. Please leave."

With that, the middle-aged man blocked Yun Xi from entering, while casting another annoyed look at Hyuga Neji, who was already standing by the door.

"Mister, we didn't even want to come in."

Just as Yun Xi was about to speak, Tenten suddenly jumped out. Wringing her small hands, she muttered, "It's cold and dreary here, and it's not fun at all. Plus, you're so mean. If Brother Yun Xi hadn't wanted to bring him back, I wouldn't have followed..."

Yun Xi: "..."

Middle-aged man: "..."

"Little girl, has no one told you that the Hyuga Clan does not allow outsiders here?"

As Tenten complained, a dark vein appeared on the previously dignified middle-aged man's forehead. He continued, "Only members of the Hyuga Clan are allowed to stay here. I'll let it slide today since you're just children, otherwise, I would have taken action!"

"Brother Yun Xi, he's trying to bully me!"

The moment the middle-aged man spoke, Tenten immediately darted behind Yun Xi, saying in a wronged tone, "Brother Yun Xi, this man is really scary!"

"Sir, we actually don't have any ill intentions. We just happened to run into this lost little guy on the road, so we brought him back."

After patting Tenten's head, Yun Xi explained the reason for his presence to the middle-aged man.

In fact, the second this man appeared, Yun Xi had already guessed who he was.

He was in his thirties or forties, and there was no Caged Bird seal on his forehead.

He wore grey-white robes...

And his body emitted an inexplicable aura...

He could be none other than the current head of the Hyuga Clan—Hyuga Hiashi.

There shouldn't be anyone else.

"Neji, is everything he said true?"

As Yun Xi spoke, the expression on Hyuga Hiashi's face grew even more displeased.

He immediately turned to question Neji, who stood behind him.

At this moment, Neji didn't know how to explain himself; after a moment of hesitation, he simply nodded.

"Hmph, useless!"

As Neji admitted to the matter, a flash of anger crossed Hyuga Hiashi's face, though he refrained from exploding on the spot, hindered by the presence of Yun Xi and Tenten.

Instead, after temporarily suppressing the rage in his heart, Hyuga Hiashi said indifferently to Yun Xi, "Since Neji has returned home, let this matter end here."

Having said that, Hyuga Hiashi immediately turned to leave...

But how could Yun Xi possibly let Hyuga Hiashi walk away just like that!

As one of the most rigid characters among the Konoha clans, and even within the original Hokage story, Yun Xi could naturally guess exactly what was going through Hyuga Hiashi's mind right now.

It was nothing more than the feeling that Hyuga Neji getting lost this time had caused the Hyuga Clan to lose face.

He wanted to drive Yun Xi and Tenten away before going to discipline him...

But Yun Xi hadn't come here just for this matter.

In other words, in this whole affair, Neji was merely a tool and a scapegoat...

(I can't help but shout here: Neji, you really are so miserable...)

Actually, Yun Xi hadn't wanted to do this at first.

But...

There was no other way.

Aside from this opportunity, Yun Xi truly couldn't think of any other way to make contact with someone from the Hyuga Clan...

So, how could Yun Xi possibly let Hyuga Hiashi leave just like that?

"Mister, wait a moment."

The instant Hyuga Hiashi turned around, Yun Xi spoke up.

"What business does a brat like you have with me?"

After pausing to look back, Hyuga Hiashi asked, puzzled.

"Dare I ask, Mister, have you heard of the Uchiha Clan..."

Although this guy Hyuga Hiashi didn't appear many times in the original story, and his presence wasn't particularly strong.

However...

Someone capable of becoming a clan head.

How could he lack a certain level of wisdom...

Therefore, Yun Xi didn't beat around the bush at all.

He went straight to the point, speaking up to test Hyuga Hiashi's attitude toward the Uchiha Clan first...

"You brat..."

Hearing Yun Xi actually bring up the Uchiha Clan, a strange smile appeared on Hyuga Hiashi's face, and he then slowly said, "Interesting..."