Huh! That Little Crybaby Over There! Sasuke and Hanabi's First Meeting

Noon.

Although the signing ceremony for the alliance had concluded, Konoha was filled with singing and dancing, hosting a grand celebration.

Celebrating the alliance, celebrating Konoha, and celebrating peace.

The Hyuga Clan had been absent that morning; those with a keen eye knew their actions had already stirred dissatisfaction among Konoha's upper echelons.

Consequently, no one dared to court disaster at such a time, risking the wrath of the village leadership to notify the Hyuga Clan.

And although the Hyuga had yet to determine the next head of the Main House, today was the birthday of the two young ladies of the Main House, so a grand birthday celebration was still being held within the clan.

It was just that this birthday ceremony felt completely out of place with the world outside...

Afternoon.

In the indoor training hall of the Main House, Hiashi was sparring with Hinata.

"You retracted your leg too quickly!"

"Yes, Father."

"Your speed is too slow, and your force is insufficient!"

"Yes, Father."

Neji, already branded with the Caged Bird, knelt to the side with his father to watch.

Although Hinata's fist technique still appeared somewhat immature, overall, it was quite methodical.

At this moment, Hizashi took the opportunity to instruct: "Neji, you must remember, you were born to protect the Main House, which is to say, to protect the bloodline of the Hyuga."

"Yes, I know!" Neji, who had been constantly instilled with these thoughts, answered fluently. Watching Hinata, who was stiff and rigid in her movements, he even felt a sense of yearning, secretly vowing that he would definitely protect this cute younger sister well.

However, looking at Hanabi, who had been keeping her head down on the other side, he felt a bit strange.

He remembered that his father had become a member of the Branch House because he was born after Hiashi, and was responsible for protecting his older brother.

Now, Hanabi should also be a member of the Branch House; why was there no Branch House mark on her forehead?

Noticing Neji's gaze, Hizashi, who already knew what had happened that morning, gave a subtle look. Seeing this, Neji immediately withdrew his gaze and sat up straight.

Then, Hizashi looked at Hiashi obscurely, a trace of doubt flashing through his eyes.

Brother, are you really doing this just to optimize the Main House bloodline?

What exactly are you trying to do?

Perhaps others would believe Hiashi's words about selecting the best or having another son.

But as his twin brother, Hizashi knew very well that Hiashi's wife had been diagnosed as unable to conceive again shortly after giving birth to the twins.

Therefore, he sensed something different.

His brother did not want his child to be branded with the Caged Bird!

His brother was stalling for time!

But the rules of a clan that had stood for a thousand years could not be broken so easily!

The Main House could not allow both children to become members of the Main House; otherwise, the rift between the Main House and the Branch House would only deepen and widen!

Do not think that the Branch House is truly unable to resist just because of the Caged Bird. If they were to strike with a blade in the middle of the night or use poison in secret, the Main House could also be killed by the Branch House!

The reason such things had not happened yet was that the system in place for a thousand years prevented the Branch House from reaching a consensus, and no one was willing to risk the consequences of being the first to act.

But if the conflict between the Main and Branch Houses deepened, leading the Branch House members to reach an agreement...

From the perspective of a brother, Hizashi believed that Hiashi's approach of challenging the Hyuga system was unwise.

But from the perspective of the Branch House, did this mean that they could reclaim some of the interests that belonged to the Branch House from the hands of the Main House?

For example, the status of the Main House?

Or perhaps, the Caged Bird?

Hizashi did not know if his thoughts were correct, but at the very least, there was hope.

At this moment.

"Hah!"

Hiashi struck out with a palm. Hinata retreated rapidly, lost her footing, and fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Hiashi's dissatisfaction was faintly visible, but upon seeing the bruises on Hinata's body, he still said, "Step down."

"Yes, Father." Hinata climbed up, bowed respectfully, and returned to sit beside Hanabi.

Hiashi then spoke: "Hanabi, come up."

"Yes, Father." Hanabi, who had been keeping her head down, responded, then walked to the opposite side of Hiashi and set her starting stance for the Gentle Fist.

The mere starting stance made Neji's eyes light up.

Unlike the rigid Hinata, Hanabi's posture was not stiff; she had already integrated her own style into it, even giving him the feeling that no matter where he attacked from, it would be easily blocked.

Hizashi said: "Neji, watch closely. Hanabi's understanding of the Gentle Fist is no less than yours."

"Yes!" Neji nodded.

Hearing their conversation, Hinata, who was kneeling to the side while enduring the pain, couldn't help but lower her head. I truly am not as good as Hanabi. She is much better suited to be the head of the Main House than I am...

Suddenly!

With a loud bang, Hiashi struck Hanabi directly on the shoulder, sending her crashing heavily to the ground.

Hinata jerked her head up, covering her mouth with an expression of disbelief.

Neji looked stunned, while Hizashi appeared lost in thought.

Hiashi stared blankly at his own palm, then at Hanabi, who was on the ground clutching her shoulder in pain, before roaring, "Hanabi!"

"Do you think you can resist the family's decision by acting this way!?"

"What do you take our status as the Main House to be!"

"Is it something you can just give away or decide upon at your own whim?"

"If you continue like this, do you believe I won't brand both of you with the Cursed Seal and make you and your sister nothing more than members of the Branch House!"

The threat of being branded deeply stung Hanabi, reminding her of her father's comment that morning about having another son. Her eyes turned red, and she scrambled up from the ground, wiping the overflowing tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. Then, she shouted somewhat hysterically, "Then go ahead and brand both me and my sister, and just have another child to inherit your precious Main House status!"

Having said that, she could no longer hold back her tears, and she turned abruptly and ran outside.

"Hanabi!" Hinata's heart tightened. She stood up instinctively, wanting to chase after her, but seeing her father's livid expression, she couldn't help but pause.

At this moment, Hyuga Natsu appeared. "Lord Hiashi, I will bring Lady Hanabi back immediately."

Hiashi took a deep breath and waved his hand with a look of desolation. "Follow her, and let her have some time to herself."

"Yes!" Hyuga Natsu bowed respectfully and then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Seeing this, Hizashi took the opportunity to take his leave. "Lord Hiashi, if there is nothing else, I will take Neji and return."

However, Hyuga Hiashi spoke up, "Neji, take Hinata out to apply medicine first. Hizashi, you stay behind."

Understanding that his brother had something to say, Hizashi nodded to Neji. Neji stood up immediately and walked over to Hinata. "Lady Hinata, please."

"Yes, Brother Neji."

Once the two had left, Hiashi began, "Hizashi, you must have heard about this morning's events."

It's coming... Hizashi lowered his head and said, "I have heard."

Hiashi nodded slightly. "Then you should understand what I mean."

Hizashi remained silent.

He dared not voice his own speculations recklessly.

Seeing this, Hiashi understood and said, "Hizashi, you are my own brother. I know you understand my meaning, so I hope you can help me."

Hizashi kept his head bowed, hesitating. "What right does a member of the Branch House have to interfere in the affairs of the Main House?"

Hiashi replied, "You only need to stabilize the Branch House and promote support for my decision to choose the most capable heir and have another son. You don't need to worry about the rest. In the future, I will raise Neji as a member of the Main House and arrange a wife from the Main House for him, so that his future children—your future grandchildren—will also become members of the Main House."

Hizashi's pupils constricted. "Is that true?"

"It is true!"

Elsewhere.

"Huh?"

Because Konoha was holding a festival, Uchiha Izumi and Itachi Uchiha both needed to help their father with the work of the Police Force. Sasuke, who was wandering aimlessly through Konoha, happened to stroll near the Hyuga Clan compound and was taken aback.

Why does that little crybaby over there look so familiar?

Hearing the sound, Hanabi, feeling her pride challenged, jerked her head up and snapped fiercely, "What are you 'huh'-ing at! What are you looking at! Have you never seen someone cry before?!"

Immediately, noticing the look of astonishment and dullness on Sasuke's handsome young face, her cheeks flushed red, and she felt a wave of chagrin in her heart...

Oh no, was I too rude just now?

Damn it! Hanabi... where did all your family etiquette go!