Konoha, the Hyuga Clan Compound.
In the main hall, the lights stayed on longer than usual.
During the rollout of the new policies, Konoha changed by the day.
The Point-Based Mission System had taken effect, the Five Great Forces had been formed, and orphans from the Ninja Academy were being recruited into them, batch after batch.
The whole village was like a fully wound machine, thundering forward.
And as for the man who controlled that machine's master switch...
According to the Special Reconnaissance Corps' routine reports, the lights in the Hokage Building had not gone out before midnight for an entire month.
Several elders of the Main Family had gathered in the main hall.
Hyuga Hiashi sat at the head, holding a teacup as his gaze swept across their faces.
"Tomorrow," he began, his voice quiet, "Hinata will go to the Hokage Building herself."
"She will deliver the gifts the Hyuga Clan has prepared for Lord Hokage."
"Lord Hokage works from dawn until late at night. Konoha would not be what it is today without him. The Hyuga Clan was the first clan to ally with him. We must show our appreciation."
A stir ran through the room.
A low murmur of discussion filled the hall.
They were sending the Main Family's young lady in person?
None of the previous Hokage seemed to have received such treatment.
In the corner, the girl who had been quietly pouring tea suddenly jerked her hand.
Tea sloshed out, splashing onto the back of her hand.
It scalded.
But she seemed not to feel it as she raised her head, her eyes wide.
"M-me...?"
Her voice was tiny, no louder than a mosquito's buzz.
The elders' gazes all snapped toward her.
Hinata's face reddened visibly, the flush spreading to her ears. She wished she