A Reunion with Hinata Hyuga

The scent of tea still lingered in the reception room.

When Hyuga Hiashi heard his daughter's voice outside the door, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Hinata, is that you?"

His tone softened.

"Come in."

The wooden door slid open gently.

A little girl in a pale pink kimono stepped inside.

She looked about seven or eight, with blue-black hair cut neatly to her neck and straight bangs across her forehead. A trace of baby fat still rounded her cheeks, giving her a childlike softness.

Most striking were her pure white eyes.

She carried a tray with two cups of freshly brewed tea.

Steam rose from the cups. Her fingers gripped the tray's edges tightly; she was clearly nervous.

"Father..."

Her voice was soft, as though she were afraid of disturbing someone.

"I brought tea for you and your guest..."

Hiashi smiled and beckoned to her.

"Hinata, come here."

"Let me introduce you."

Carrying the tray, Hinata took small steps to the low table and carefully set down the two cups.

Hiashi pointed to Uchiha En across from him, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"This is Uchiha En, head of the Uchiha Clan."

"He's only a few years older than you, but he's already an exceptionally skilled ninja."

At that, Hinata instinctively looked up at the person across the table.

Then she froze.

That face. Those eyes...

She recognized him. He was the boy who had saved her from the people bullying her in the woods.

Heat rushed into her cheeks.

The blush spread from the base of her neck to the tips of her ears.

Her white eyes flew wide, then quickly dropped. Her eyelashes trembled without stopping.

Her fingers caught at the sleeve of her kimono.

"You... you're..."

Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

Hiashi immediately noticed something was wrong with his daughter.

Hinata's face was red as a boiled shrimp. She stood frozen in place, unable even to get her words out.

He assumed she was simply too nervous about meeting the head of another clan for the first time.

"Hinata?"

Hiashi called to her softly.

"What's wrong?"

Hinata snapped back to herself with a slight tremor.

"N-nothing..."

Her voice grew even smaller, and her head dipped so low it nearly touched her chest.

"I... I just..."

She had no idea what to say.

All she could see was that day in the woods: someone had shoved her to the ground, those children had surrounded her and laughed, and then this boy had appeared and driven them off in a few blows.

He had turned to look at her and asked whether she was hurt.

Just that one look.

She still remembered it.

Sitting across from her, Uchiha En watched the little girl grow so shy she looked ready to sink through the floor. A gentle smile tugged at his lips.

Of course he remembered Hinata too. That day in the woods, he had only been passing by.

He had heard the noise and looked over, never expecting it to activate the God-Level Choice System.

It had granted him the Mangekyō Sharingan.

In a way, the girl had brought him good fortune.

"Hello, Miss Hinata!"

En's voice was much gentler than usual.

Hinata jolted.

He... he remembers me too?

Her face turned even redder, as if it might catch fire.

"I... I..."

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her mind went blank. Nothing came out.

At last, flustered, she set the tray on the table and bowed to Hiashi.

"Father... I-I'll take my leave!"

With that, she turned and ran.

She did not even stop to close the door.

The reception room fell silent for a few seconds.

Watching his daughter flee, Hiashi coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem..."

He picked up his tea, took a sip, then set it down, looking a little embarrassed.

"Clan Head En, I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Hinata has been shy since she was little. She's uncomfortable around strangers."

"I hope you won't take offense."

En shook his head, the smile still lingering on his lips.

"Not at all."

"You needn't worry, Clan Head Hiashi."

He picked up his cup and took a sip too.

Seeing that En did not mind, Hiashi finally relaxed and brought the conversation back to business.

"Then... shall we continue?"

En set down his cup and nodded.

"Yes."

They both straightened in their seats, and the mood turned serious once more.

After a moment's silence, Hiashi said:

"Since our clans have decided to form an alliance, we should make a few things clear first."

En gestured for him to continue. "Go ahead, Clan Head Hiashi."

Hiashi nodded and raised one finger.

"First, mutual support."

"If either clan comes under attack, the other must provide immediate aid."

"That is nonnegotiable."

En nodded. "Of course."

Hiashi raised a second finger.

"Second, we must stand together at leadership meetings."

"Whatever the issue, we must present a united position."

En did not agree right away. "And if... we disagree?"

Hiashi met his gaze calmly.

"Then we discuss it in private first and reach an agreement before bringing it to the meeting."

"Now that our clans are working together, we cannot show any cracks in front of the leadership."

En was silent for two seconds, then nodded.

"Agreed."

Hiashi raised a third finger.

"Third, as long as it does not go against the interests of the Hyuga Clan, we will give priority to supporting the Uchiha Clan's position."

"And likewise..."

He looked at En, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze.

"As long as it does not go against your own interests, you must give priority to supporting the Hyuga Clan."

En smiled when he heard that.

The condition was fair.

"No problem."

"Fourth..."

Meanwhile.

Outside the reception room, along the covered walkway.

Hinata had not gone far.

She leaned against a pillar, both hands pressed to her burning cheeks as her heart pounded.

How could it be him...

How could it be that boy...

She had never imagined that the guest her father had invited tonight would be the boy who had saved her in the woods.

And he was the head of the Uchiha Clan.

He was so young, yet he was already a clan head.

Leaning against the pillar, Hinata could not help recalling that day.

That snowy afternoon, she had lost her way and wandered into a secluded patch of woods.

Then several older students had blocked her path.

"Everyone, look! Her eyes are white!"

"A white-eyed freak."

"I heard everyone in the Hyuga Clan has white eyes. That's so gross..."