Village and Clan

Village and Clan

A day later.

Hyuga Yuto stopped running and slowly emerged from the forest.

Ahead lay a vast stretch of open land, densely packed with buildings. Behind them stood a massive cliff face, upon which three enormous stone faces had been carved.

This was the Hidden Leaf Village.

The ninja village of the Land of Fire, one of the world's "Five Great Powers." For most of its history, the Hidden Leaf Village had been the strongest hegemon in the world!

Hyuga Yuto calmly looked toward the village gates and walked over at an unhurried pace.

The chunin on guard duty nodded slightly when he saw him, considering that a greeting.

The Land of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village had always been densely populated, but the village was only so large. Even if one did not know everyone, after living there long enough, faces would vaguely become familiar.

Besides, over the past year, the name "Hyuga's Jade" had gradually gained some renown. Hyuga Yuto's appearance was also exceptionally striking, making him easy to remember.

The buildings of the Hidden Leaf Village possessed an antique charm. There were not many towering structures, but the village was far from backward. Electrical facilities could be seen everywhere, and the roads were broad. Sturdy trees flourished with lush branches and leaves, their foliage breaking the sunlight into mottled patches across people's bodies. The aromas from shops along the street drifted with the breeze, filling the air with the warmth of everyday life.

Setting all prejudice aside, even Hyuga Yuto had to admit that the Hidden Leaf Village was indeed brimming with vitality.

When he had read the manga and watched the anime in his previous life, he had been full of goodwill toward the Hidden Leaf Village. He had even imagined that if he truly transmigrated, he would surely stand on the side of justice during the Fourth Shinobi World War and watch Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, those peerless prodigies, battle Lord Madara.

"Those who do not value their comrades are worse than scum." That line had made his blood boil in his previous life. He had faithfully followed the manga through wind and rain, accompanying that blond-haired dead last.

But things had not gone as hoped. After truly transmigrating into the world of Naruto as an infant, his way of thinking had changed completely.

What kind of sane person puts the Bird in a Cage seal on the foreheads of comrades who would live and die beside them?

Hyuga Yuto silently sighed and continued down the street.

Logically, as a chunin who had followed a jonin out of the village on a mission and returned as the sole survivor, he should have immediately gone to the Hokage Building to report, recount the entire mission, and hand over that hard-won intelligence.

But Hyuga Yuto knew he could not do that.

He was Hyuga Yuto, "Hyuga's Jade, a genius of the branch family who had been indoctrinated from childhood to place the main family at the core of everything."

For someone like him, the first thing to do upon returning to the village was naturally to return to the clan grounds and report to the clan head.

Every action had to match his identity. He could not reveal his true will. Thinking this, Hyuga Yuto soon arrived at the Hyuga clan grounds.

Unlike the Uchiha, although the Hyuga clan also occupied a vast area, their grounds were not far from the village center. Even with ordinary eyesight, one could easily see the Hokage Building from the entrance to the clan grounds.

Hyuga Yuto did not enter through the main gate. Instead, he made several hand signs to the Hyuga guards, entered a hidden passage, and headed straight for the deepest part of the clan grounds.

Having survived in the world of Naruto for twelve years, Hyuga Yuto understood very well that this world was not as "bright and sunny" as the manga portrayed it. There were far too many filthy matters that required special caution.

At this time, the Hyuga and Uchiha held immense influence in the Hidden Leaf Village and possessed many privileges.

Even an overstepping act like "a ninja returning from outside immediately goes back to the clan grounds" would be overlooked by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The premise was that one did not go too far and leave the Hokage Building unable to save face.

If Hyuga Yuto swaggered back into the village and entered the clan grounds directly, it would be a blatant slap in the face. At best, it could be said that a child did not know better and missed home. At worst, it would mean that the Hyuga, those white-eyed ingrates, did not regard the Hokage with any respect.

Sneaking quietly into the clan grounds let everyone save face. Good for you, good for me.

Before long, Hyuga Yuto arrived outside a courtyard. He knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and stared at the tips of his shoes.

"Is that Yuto? Come in."

A voice came from within the courtyard. Hyuga Yuto respectfully replied, then slowly entered the house.

Inside, a young ninja clad in a loose kimono sat quietly in the center.

He had long hair and pale eyes. His lightly pursed lips gave him an air of natural authority without anger. He wore no forehead protector, and his smooth forehead bore no markings whatsoever.

"Clan Head." Hyuga Yuto spoke respectfully, still kneeling on one knee.

The young man before him was Hyuga Hiashi, who had only recently become the head of the Hyuga main family!

"Yuto." Hyuga Hiashi smiled faintly.

"Did this mission go smoothly?"

"Reporting to the Clan Head, there were complications, but we obtained the intelligence from the Hidden Cloud."

"Complications?"

"Yes. Senior Sugisaki Tetsujiro, and the genin Sato Mahiro, Yamagata Reiro, and Hirahara Eiji all died in battle."

Hyuga Hiashi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Even Sugisaki Tetsujiro..."

The young Hyuga clan head appeared somewhat wistful. Only after a moment of silence did he say, "These are cruel times. I am glad you returned alive."

"It was all thanks to the clan's excellent guidance." Hyuga Yuto's answer was flawless.

Hyuga Hiashi pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Your reconnaissance squad rendered meritorious service this time, but with all the other members dead and only you remaining, all the credit falls to you alone... The Hokage is always fair in rewards and punishments. He will reward you. Have you thought about what you want?"

"I leave it entirely to the Clan Head's arrangements."

"What are you saying?" Hyuga Hiashi snorted.

"Even I cannot change the Hokage's decision. Do you understand?"

"Yuto understands!"

Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand.

"You may leave. If the Hokage wishes to reward you immediately... stall him. The Anbu, the Barrier Team, a position within the Hokage Building, a direct promotion to jonin... In any of those places, you would be of great help to the clan."

You only consider the Hyuga clan and do not care about me at all? Hyuga Yuto sneered inwardly, but he still responded respectfully on the surface and backed out of the room.

However, just as he was about to leave, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly said thoughtfully, "Rumiko, Yoshihiko, Kengo... those children are nearly three years old as well. Their ceremony will be held this week. You are an outstanding junior of our Hyuga clan, so I will make an exception and allow you to attend as a guard and witness it with them. This is an honor I am granting you."

"Yuto is deeply honored, Clan Head."

Ha... Marking three-year-old children with the Bird in a Cage and turning them into slaves whose lives and deaths are no longer their own. Is watching that cruel ceremony also a form of grace for a slightly older slave like me...?

Hyuga Yuto pressed his tongue against his lower jaw, doing everything he could to avoid showing the slightest abnormality. He walked steadily out of Hyuga Hiashi's courtyard and left the clan grounds.

Once outside, he took a deep breath and suppressed every emotion.

He knew that today's difficult mission had only just begun.

The mad choice to risk killing Sugisaki Tetsujiro and claim all the military merit for himself had all been for the actions to come.

Hyuga Yuto raised his head and looked toward the imposing Hokage Building in the distance.

(End of Chapter)