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

Noon.

Although the treaty-signing ceremony had ended, Konoha was filled with singing and dancing as a grand celebration got underway.

They celebrated the treaty, Konoha, and peace.

The Hyuga Clan's absence that morning had made it clear to anyone with eyes that their actions had already displeased the Konoha High Command.

So nobody dared risk drawing their ire at a time like this by notifying the Hyuga Clan and risking the High Command taking its anger out on them.

Though the Hyuga hadn't decided on the next heir to the Main House, today was the birthday of the two young ladies of the Main House. The clan was still holding a grand birthday celebration.

But this birthday celebration seemed completely at odds with the festivities outside...

Afternoon.

In the Main House's indoor training ground, Hyuga Hiashi was sparring with Hinata.

"You're pulling your leg back too quickly!"

"Yes, Father."

"Too slow, and not enough power!"

"Yes, Father."

Neji, already branded with the Caged Bird, sat kneeling beside his father as they watched.

Hinata's punches still looked rather unpolished, but overall, they were quite methodical.

At that moment, Hizashi took the opportunity to remind him, "Neji, remember this: you were born to protect the Main House—in other words, to protect the Hyuga bloodline."

"Mm, I know!" Neji, who had been fed these ideas repeatedly, answered without hesitation. Watching Hinata, who moved stiffly and by the book, he even felt a little envious. He secretly vowed to protect his adorable little cousin.

But he was also a little puzzled as he glanced at Hanabi, who had kept her head bowed the whole time.

He remembered that his father had become a member of the Branch House because he was born later than Lord Hiashi, and had been tasked with protecting his older brother.

By that logic, Hanabi should have become a member of the Branch House too. So why wasn't there a Branch House mark on her forehead?

Noticing Neji's gaze, Hizashi, who already knew what had happened that morning, gave him a subtle look. Neji immediately looked away and sat up straight.

Then Hizashi glanced discreetly at Hiashi, a trace of confusion in his eyes.

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

What are you really planning?

Others might believe Hiashi's words about choosing the best candidate or having another son.

But as Hiashi's twin younger brother, Hizashi knew perfectly well that Hiashi's wife had been diagnosed as unable to bear any more children after giving birth to the twins.

So he sensed there was more to it.

His brother didn't want his children branded with the Caged Bird!

His brother was buying time!

But the rules of a clan that had stood for a thousand years couldn't be overturned so easily!

Nor could the Main House allow both children to become members of the Main House. Otherwise, the rift between the Main House and the Branch House would only widen!

Don't think that having the Caged Bird meant the Branch House couldn't fight back. If someone slipped in a knife in the middle of the night or secretly poisoned them, the Branch House could still strike back against the Main House!

Nothing like that had happened yet because the system that had endured for a thousand years kept the members of the Branch House from uniting, and no one wanted to risk becoming the first to defy the rules.

But if the conflict between the Main House and the Branch House worsened until the members of the Branch House united...

As a brother, Hizashi thought Hiashi's attempt to challenge the Hyuga system was unwise.

But from the Branch House's perspective, could this mean they might reclaim some of what the Main House had taken from them?

For example, the status of the Main House?

Or the Caged Bird?

Hizashi didn't know if he was right, but at least now there was hope!

Just then.

"Hah!"

Hiashi swung a palm. Hinata darted backward, but her footing faltered and she fell to the ground.

Hiashi's expression showed a hint of displeasure, but when he saw the bruises on Hinata, he still said, "You may go."

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

Hiashi then said, "Hanabi, come up."

"Yes, Father." Hanabi, who had kept her head bowed, answered and stepped in front of Hiashi, assuming the opening stance of the Gentle Fist.

That single stance made Neji's eyes light up.

Unlike Hinata, who was stiff and by the book, Hanabi's posture wasn't rigid. She had already made the style her own, and he even got the feeling that any attack, from any direction, would be easily blocked.

Hizashi said, "Neji, watch carefully. Hanabi's understanding of the Gentle Fist isn't much worse than yours."

"Mm!" Neji nodded.

Hearing them talk, Hinata, who was kneeling nearby and enduring the pain, lowered her head. I really am not as good as Hanabi. She's more suited to becoming the heir of the Main House...

Suddenly!

Thud! Hiashi struck Hanabi in the shoulder with his palm, sending her crashing heavily to the ground.

Hinata jerked her head up and covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

Neji stared in shock, while Hizashi looked thoughtful.

Hiashi stared blankly at his palm, then at Hanabi, who had fallen and was clutching her shoulder in pain. Then he snapped, "Hanabi!"

"Did you think that acting like this would let you resist the clan's decision?!"

"What do you think being part of the Main House means?!"

"Is it something you can just give away whenever you feel like it?"

"If you keep this up, believe me, I'll brand both of you with the Cursed Seal and make you and your sister members of the Branch House once and for all!"

The threat to brand them both deeply upset Hanabi. It reminded her of her father's words that morning about having another son. Her eyes reddened at once. She scrambled to her feet, wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, and shouted almost hysterically, "Then brand me and my sister with the Cursed Seal, and have another child to inherit your place in the Main House!"

After she spoke, she could no longer hold back her tears. She abruptly turned and ran outside.

"Hanabi!" Hinata's heart tightened. She instinctively stood up to chase after her, but seeing her father's livid expression, she hesitated.

Just then, Hyuga Natsu appeared. "Lord Hiashi, I'll bring Lady Hanabi back right away."

Hiashi took a deep breath and waved his hand despondently. "Go with her. Let her have some time to herself."

"Yes!" Hyuga Natsu bowed respectfully, then vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.

Hizashi also took the opportunity to say goodbye. "Lord Hiashi, if there's nothing else, I'll take Neji home first."

Hiashi replied, "Have Neji take Hinata out to get her wounds treated. Hizashi, stay here for now."

Understanding that his brother wanted to talk, Hizashi nodded to Neji. Neji immediately stood and went over to Hinata. "Lady Hinata, please."

"Mm, Neji-nii."

After the two had left, Hiashi said, "Hizashi, you've heard about what happened this morning, haven't you?"

Here it comes... Hizashi lowered his head. "I have."

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

Hizashi fell silent.

He didn't dare voice his guesses carelessly.

Seeing this, Hiashi understood. He said, "Hizashi, you're my own younger brother. I know you understand what I mean, so I hope you'll help me."

Hizashi kept his head lowered and hesitated. "What right does someone from the Branch House have to interfere in the affairs of the Main House?"

Hiashi said, "You only need to keep the Branch House steady and spread the word among them that you support my decision to choose the best candidate and have another son. Leave the rest to me. In the future, I'll raise Neji as a member of the Main House, find him a wife from the Main House, and make sure his future children—your future grandchildren—become members of the Main House too."

Hizashi's pupils contracted. "You mean it?"

"I do!"

Elsewhere.

"Huh?"

With Konoha holding a celebration, both Uchiha Izumi and Itachi Uchiha had to help their father with his work at the Konoha Military Police Force. They were wandering aimlessly around Konoha when Sasuke, who had accidentally ended up near the Hyuga Clan compound, froze.

That little crybaby over there—why did she look so familiar?

Hearing him, Hanabi felt her pride had been challenged. She jerked her head up and glared at him. "What are you 'huh'-ing at? What are you looking at? Never seen someone cry before?!"

Then she noticed the stunned look on Sasuke's handsome little face, and her cheeks flushed. She felt annoyed with herself...

Oh no, was I too rude just now?

Damn it, Hanabi... where did all your family manners go?!