After the Battle

The scorching summer heat gradually faded away, and before they knew it, autumn had arrived.

It was evening, and the sun had yet to fully set.

Crimson afterglow blossomed across the sky like a sea of fire, just like... the forest blaze from several days ago.

"This weather and temperature are perfect for traveling. Think about when we first left the village—we were soaked from head to toe in sweat every day."

With a small backpack containing wilderness supplies on his back, Souji walked at an unhurried, relaxed pace.

Beside him, Seisai Hyuga was much the same, unable to hide the joy and happiness on her face.

Ever since the battle ended that day, the two of them had remained excited and energized, never calming down.

"Ryosuke-sama, would you like some water?"

Seisai warmly offered Ryosuke a canteen filled with fresh spring water.

Ryosuke chuckled and declined her kindness. "No, thank you."

"Then would Ryosuke-sama like something to eat? We only rested briefly at noon today. Shouldn't you eat something to restore your strength?" Souji smiled ingratiatingly as he offered some edible wild fruit that tasted rather good.

"I don't need that either."

Ryosuke continued to decline politely.

"Then..."

Just as Souji was about to speak and take something else from his backpack,

Ryosuke, who had been walking at the front the entire time, stopped and turned to look at the two smiling people behind him. Helplessly, he said, "Can you two act normal? Haven't you been a little too enthusiastic toward me lately?"

In the past, as members of the Branch Family, they had conscientiously fulfilled their duty to protect the Main Family by remaining at his side.

But ever since learning about his Byakugan, their attitude had suddenly changed.

Though they had been respectful before, it had been more out of the clan system, out of the Caged Bird Seal, that they behaved with such courtesy and humility.

Now, however, their respectful attitude carried a little more genuine regard.

It was no longer because of the system, but from the bottom of their hearts.

The difference in their behavior before and after was so great that Ryosuke found it difficult to get used to.

"No, no, this is what we should do."

Looking at Ryosuke, who was watching him, Souji nervously took a step back and scratched his head. "You are a member of the Main Family, and you possess such... extraordinary eyes."

"You will become someone like Madara Uchiha in the future. We are already more than satisfied to have the chance to assist you, even for a time. Please, grant us that opportunity."

Seisai, standing beside him, nodded in agreement as well.

After seeing those eyes and sensing how different Ryosuke's eyes were, they had come to understand far too many things.

That included why the clan head had arranged for two Chunin like them to serve as guards, and why Ryosuke-sama had been given the chance to marry into the Main Family.

Their Hyuga Clan's Byakugan could truly undergo a transformation like the Uchiha's Sharingan and gain even greater power.

Could it be that the era of their Hyuga Clan was finally about to arrive?!

"Assist me..."

Ryosuke repeated the word, then shook his head with a laugh. "Since I revealed my abilities before you, it naturally means I have already considered and trusted you to a certain extent."

"So you do not need to be so enthusiastic. Once we return to the village, this attitude of yours will instead make me stand out too much and expose my existence."

"Th-this... we are deeply sorry!"

The moment he said that, Souji and Seisai panicked, taking several steps back and bowing in apology.

They feared that the two of them might affect the future of the Hyuga Clan.

"You truly do not need to act like this. Just treat me as you did before."

Ryosuke looked at them with exasperation. "As for my abilities, I believe you have guessed that they are among the clan's most closely guarded secrets. The fewer people who know about this, the better."

"At least until I have grown strong enough, this will be the Hyuga Clan's greatest secret."

Hearing his words, Souji and Seisai hurriedly promised, "Rest assured, Ryosuke-sama. We will absolutely not reveal a single word to anyone else, including our families!"

"We have known one another for so long. Of course I believe you."

Ryosuke nodded to them gently before continuing, "At present, the only people in the village who know about me are my father—the clan head—the Great Elder, and Hinata."

"And you are the fourth and fifth people to know. Even the person in charge of the Branch Family, my uncle Hizashi Hyuga, is unaware of this."

These words, spoken as if from the heart, made Souji and Seisai clench their fists in excitement.

The feeling of being trusted by Ryosuke made it impossible for them to conceal their emotions.

"After we return, Souji, I will suggest to my father that the Guardian Ninja position at the Daimyo's Mansion, which we secured from the Daimyo, be assigned to you."

"At that time, you will become an important link between our Hyuga Clan and those nobles. Much of the communication will be handled by you. At the same time, the Branch Family will likely value you more, and some of the more radical people may try to win you over and have you work for them."

"I hope that when that time comes, you will still stand by my side and help me set this fragmented Hyuga Clan in order."

After speaking from the heart, he entrusted Souji with a heavy responsibility. Ryosuke stared at him, his smile never fading.

It was one of his habits, especially during relatively important conversations like this.

The more important the conversation, the more sincere and gentle his smile became.

Souji nodded happily and promised once more, "I will never disappoint your expectations! The Byakugan you possess is the future of our Hyuga Clan. Those radicals in the Branch Family simply do not understand the Main Family's intentions."

"Very good."

Ryosuke nodded in satisfaction.

In truth, he had already made plans the moment he revealed his abilities before the two of them.

While he needed to hide himself during his growth and could not let too many people know about his abilities,

he only needed to keep the number of people limited.

After all, Ryosuke could not personally handle everything. He would always need capable people to help shoulder some of his burdens.

Otherwise, he would have to act personally in every matter.

Every time he acted, if he needed to conceal himself, he would have to clear the area beforehand or clean up afterward to prevent his abilities from being exposed.

That might be possible once or twice, but if it happened too often, it would be difficult to ensure that nothing leaked.

Therefore, Ryosuke needed to cultivate trustworthy subordinates to become his right-hand men.

People like Souji and Seisai, whose attitude toward the Main Family had always been friendly within the Hyuga Branch Family and who had already known Ryosuke for some time, were undoubtedly the most suitable candidates.

Sorry, work was a little busy today, so there is only one update.