Hinata, Stop Pretending

Seeing Hinata step to Hyuga Hiashi's left, Hanabi Hyuga nodded at her in greeting, carrying a touch more aloofness than the Hanabi who used to trail around Hinata.

She was not as careless as Hinata appeared to be. She had long understood the purpose of today's gathering. Today, she would face her own sister in battle.

The winner would become the next heir to the Hyuga Clan Head, while the loser, once the winner truly inherited the position of Hyuga Clan Head, would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.

They would become a member of the Branch Family completely, their lives forever subject to the control of the Main Family.

Though she was still young, years of seeing and hearing had given her a thorough understanding of these matters.

But when she thought of how her sister was always so soft and weak, always looking foolishly innocent, she did not know how she should face her sister later.

But if they really fought, she should probably win, right? Hanabi thought. After all, Father usually gave her more instruction.

Yet her sister was a full five years older than her. Whether it was Chakra or physical ability, she was far superior to Hanabi. But there was no such thing as absolute fairness in this world.

Hinata was thinking the same thing. If they fought later, how many moves should she take before losing? If she lost in one move, anyone would notice something was off.

What if Father became furious and asked why she had hidden her strength? She could hardly say, "Tch, I couldn't care less about being the Hyuga Clan Head."

Then he would slap her right out of the Hyuga Clan and coldly tell her, "Then fend for yourself from now on!"

Wouldn't that mean Hinata could go around pretending to be a mystic—ah, no, predicting the future—or become the clan head.

Well, Hinata admitted she was only thinking about it. If she were cast aside now, plenty of people would eagerly come asking how much her Byakugan cost and when she planned to get married.

Although she was much stronger than she had been at eight years old, Hinata secretly measured a length with her fingers, she still felt she could not drive away those so-called well-meaning people.

Then she secretly laughed to herself. Little Hanabi, you have to do your best! Don't make it so that even when your big sister wants to cooperate with you, it's full of holes!

Hyuga Hiashi stood straight, his black kimono looking slightly loose on him. His pale eyes swept over everyone as he spoke in a calm yet firm voice:

"Today, I have gathered everyone here to witness the selection of the next heir to the Hyuga Clan."

"My two daughters will compete. The winner of this match will become the future Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan."

"Does anyone have any questions?" The dozen or so people present all shook their heads, indicating that they were quiet and dignified, and would absolutely not interfere with the selection of the clan heir.

After sweeping his gaze around once more, Hiashi brought Hinata and Hanabi forward and said, "Did you understand what I said?"

The two nodded. Hanabi was weighed down with worry, while Hinata looked innocent and ignorant. It was not that her acting was particularly good; under the system's supervision, after several years of cultivation and ingraining a fixed impression in others, her persona had been successfully established.

Hiashi crouched down and said, "This is a selection for the clan heir. I hope both of you will give it your all. Do not hold back, and do not leave regrets for the future."

"Although the Hyuga Clan has the Main Family and Branch Family system, I hope that in the future, no matter who inherits the position of Clan Head or who joins the Branch Family, you are still blood sisters. Setting those rules aside, you will still be good sisters."

At those words, Hanabi immediately thought of the bond between herself and her sister. Though becoming part of the Branch Family meant receiving the Caged Bird Seal, would her sister look down on her because of it?

Thinking of her sister, who seemed confused about everything in daily life, Hanabi felt that her sister probably did not even know what the Caged Bird was. She sighed. "Sigh, forget it. Who told me to end up with a sister like this?"

Sigh, the author was shamelessly asking for votes again. One request a day, never tired of asking.

A Fierce Flurry of Moves

Hinata felt rather speechless. Why are you suddenly acting all sentimental now? When I lose later, you still won't give me a kind look. What's the point of putting on this scene?

After another round of encouragement from Hyuga Hiashi, Hinata and Hanabi officially stepped onto the field. The spectators all moved away, while Hyuga Hiashi remained in the center as the referee.

The two sisters looked at each other and assumed their stances. Both stared intently at the other's movements, as though the slightest opening would trigger a swift assault the other could scarcely endure.