The Seemingly Unchanged Timeline

"Not easy? What could be difficult about merely surviving in this world?"

Hyuga Hiashi clearly did not understand Ryosuke's words.

As a member of the Hyuga Main Family, with so many Branch Family members throwing themselves into danger to protect them, even during the chaos of war, the Main Family line had remained unscathed. Let alone now, in this time of peace.

But soon, he seemed to think of something. The anger on his face gradually froze, turning into alarm, then disbelief.

"You... saw something again?" Hyuga Hiashi asked quietly.

Since Ryosuke had put it that way, if he still did not understand, then he truly would have been a fool.

Living in this world was not easy?

Had anyone else said that, it might not have carried much weight in Hyuga Hiashi's heart. But coming from Ryosuke, it became immensely significant.

He had nearly forgotten that this boy's eyes could see the future.

Even Hyuga Ryosuke, given his current standing within the Hyuga Clan, found surviving in the future difficult. One could imagine just how complicated the crises this world would face were.

Yet the Ninja World had only just managed to enter an era of peace. Could a Fourth Ninja World War really be about to begin?

Then... how long could the current peace last?

The moment he realized this, doubts began surfacing in Hyuga Hiashi's mind one after another.

Given Konoha's status and strength in the Ninja World, surely no force capable of threatening the Hyuga Clan should emerge, right? At least, the other four great nations had failed to do so despite struggling against them for so long.

Then... who would the enemy be?

Seeing the uncertainty on Hyuga Hiashi's face, Ryosuke smiled again and reassured him, "There will be plenty of trouble, but Father needn't worry. I'll handle everything."

"...Can't you reveal even a little?" Hyuga Hiashi asked unwillingly.

But before Ryosuke could answer with a smile, he answered his own question. "I understand. Once you say it, the future will change, and it may affect both your judgment and mine."

He was already quite used to this.

Ever since learning about Ryosuke's Byakugan, whenever something important happened within the clan or a major decision had to be made, he would always speak with Ryosuke and hope that he could reveal something about the future.

Unfortunately, every time, Ryosuke would brush him off by saying that the ability was unreliable, or that he could not reveal too much. All Hiashi could get were vague and obscure answers.

Still, those blurry answers had been of considerable help to Hyuga Hiashi when it came to the broader direction.

Unfortunately, he did not know that those suggestions were actually judgments Ryosuke made based on the circumstances, not things he had seen in some so-called future.

"All right, get some rest early."

Hyuga Hiashi gave up on questioning him further, and also gave up on correcting Ryosuke's dreams and goals.

He did not know what Ryosuke was facing, nor did he know what the clan would face in the future.

"Then we'll take our leave, Father. You should rest early as well." Ryosuke smiled lightly, took Hinata's hand as she stood quietly beside him like she was invisible, and left the room.

Ever since Hinata had completed her physical training ahead of schedule through her own efforts and begun practicing the Gentle Fist Style, she had formally joined the conversations between Ryosuke and Hyuga Hiashi.

Though every time, she merely stood silently to the side without speaking, listening attentively.

Ryosuke always brought her along, and Hyuga Hiashi never told her to leave.

As the future clan head, she should learn these things, and she should know them as well.

Watching their departing backs, Hyuga Hiashi remained silent for a while before sitting back down and closing his eyes.

Once he calmed down, he realized how badly he had lost his composure earlier.

Still, it was understandable. Ryosuke's goal had seemed far too short-sighted. Without understanding the actual situation, Hiashi's first reaction could only be frustration at his failure to live up to expectations.

But thinking about it now, Ryosuke was already far too outstanding. Even if that truly was his goal, he was destined to be extraordinary.

He had already learned everything he needed to be taught, whether as a ninja or as a member of the Hyuga Main Family. He had learned it all exceptionally well.

Now, Hyuga Hiashi had little left to teach Ryosuke. All he could do was offer him guidance in actual combat.

But that gap was shrinking rapidly. Every time they fought, Ryosuke gave him a new surprise.

If not for his physical attributes, Chakra reserves, and other advantages, Hyuga Hiashi felt that Ryosuke might soon surpass him.

"Perhaps... it's time to move up the plan to let him face real combat and killing."

With that thought surfacing in his mind, Hyuga Hiashi opened his eyes again and began handling the clan's affairs...

"That's all for this lesson. Class dismissed."

After announcing the end of the lesson from the Ninja Academy podium, Iruka called out to the blond figure seated in the very last row, "Naruto, come to my office."

With that, he packed up his ninja tool pouch and left the classroom.

Seated beside Ryosuke, Naruto went limp and collapsed onto his desk the moment he heard Iruka's words. He said irritably, "Ah... Iruka-sensei is definitely calling me over to recite what we just learned. Why does he have so much free time?"

Yet there was also a trace of happiness in his annoyed tone.

"Who told you not to pay attention in class? If he wants you to remember this knowledge, he can only give you extra lessons after class. Other people don't even get that chance." Ryosuke replied with a light smile, waving for him to hurry up.

Naruto did not delay for long either. After lying there for a moment, he sprang up and left the classroom beneath the disdainful looks of some of his classmates.

A week had passed, and studying at the Ninja Academy was far more tedious than Ryosuke had imagined.

Still, he was very patient. This knowledge related to cultivation was all new to him, and he found it fresh and interesting.

Just as he would unhesitatingly choose researching the nature of energy such as Chakra—something ordinary in the Ninja World—over becoming Hokage and leading a village, something considered great in the Ninja World.

As long as it was related to cultivation, he could maintain his curiosity and patience for a long time.

As for socializing, since he and Naruto had become desk mates, Ryosuke naturally could not avoid speaking to him entirely.

They would occasionally exchange a word or two. It was not much, but over time, they gradually became acquainted.

Such a thing was unavoidable, but it was also perfectly ordinary, and it did not draw anyone's attention.

It was worth mentioning that after the first day of school, Naruto seemed to have truly followed Ryosuke's advice and gone to ask the Third Hokage about something.

For some reason, when he arrived at school the next morning, Ryosuke discovered that Naruto's entire personality had changed. He had become positive and cheerful, and he had firmly set his sights on becoming Hokage.

He kept declaring that he would make everyone in the village acknowledge his existence.

And on the first day of school, Iruka, who had initially hated Naruto because of a misunderstanding, much like some of the villagers did, seemed to have been summoned by the Third Hokage and told part of the truth about Naruto's background.

That instantly transformed the hatred in Iruka's heart into guilt and sympathy.

This change made him place great importance on Naruto. Whenever Naruto attended his classes, he made sure Naruto truly mastered the material and did not allow him even the slightest slackness.

After sensing Iruka's goodwill, Naruto gradually accepted him as well. Though he always complained about him, he treasured that attention in his heart.

It seemed that nothing had changed because of Hyuga Ryosuke's appearance. It seemed that... everything was still moving along according to the original history.

But with him as a butterfly, how could the timeline possibly remain the same?