"Hizashi!"
The commotion from the fight immediately drew a crowd of Hyuga clansmen, led by their clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, who was also Hizashi's older brother.
Although the Hyuga Clan was divided into a Main Family and a branch family, the Caged Bird Seal enforced an extremely strict master-servant hierarchy.
But any Naruto fan knew that the brothers Hizashi and Hiashi actually shared a close bond. Otherwise, Hizashi would never have willingly died to save Hiashi.
"Are you all right?"
Hiashi hurriedly helped Hizashi up from the ground, his voice full of concern.
"Brother, I'm fine, but my Rotation... was broken!"
Hizashi gritted his teeth.
Despite how ferocious Shinichi's attack had looked, he had actually exercised precise restraint. Hizashi had suffered only minor injuries.
This also made him realize that Shinichi really had come only to challenge them and demand an explanation, not to make an enemy of the Hyuga Clan.
What Hizashi found hardest to accept was that Rotation, hailed as the Hyuga Clan's ultimate defensive technique, had actually been broken!
"What did you say?"
Shock crossed Hiashi's face, and he instinctively asked, "That man just now... was he Kakashi?"
When Hiashi rushed out earlier, he had caught a glimpse of long, silvery-white hair amid the smoke, so he naturally assumed the attacker was Kakashi Hatake.
"It wasn't Kakashi. It was Hatake Shinichi."
Hizashi's expression was conflicted.
Tap, tap.
Footsteps sounded. At some point, Shinichi had approached the brothers. With a faint smile, he said, "The man in charge finally showed up. Clan Head Hiashi, it's been a while."
"Hatake Shinichi!"
Hiashi snapped, "What exactly do you mean by coming to our Hyuga Clan and attacking our people? Aren't you afraid Lord Hokage will punish you?"
He truly could not understand why the Hatake Clan had come to cause trouble for the Hyuga Clan. Even more baffling was how Hatake Shinichi, whom everyone considered mediocre in talent, had managed to break Hizashi's Rotation.
After all, although Hizashi belonged to the branch family, his strength was no less than Hiashi's as clan head. In fact, he was even slightly stronger!
"Clan Head Hiashi, don't get so worked up!"
Facing the furious stares of the Hyuga clansmen, Shinichi remained perfectly calm. He smiled and said, "I came to challenge you today because I wanted a proper talk with you, the great clan head. But certain people wouldn't let me see you, so I had no choice but to get a little physical!"
In truth, he had no intention of making an enemy of the Hyuga Clan.
He had come specifically to challenge them today for two main reasons: first, to stand up for Naruto, and second, to demonstrate his strength.
"Senior Hiashi, my older brother is right."
Kakashi stepped forward at just the right moment and earnestly explained, "The Hatake Clan has no intention of opposing the Hyuga Clan. My older brother just has a rather fiery temper, which led to these misunderstandings..."
If he did not step in and explain now, the Hatake Clan would really be in a bind once this reached the Third Hokage.
"In that case, please come and take a seat in the reception room."
True to his position as clan head, Hiashi quickly composed himself and spoke evenly.
People in high positions like theirs generally did not resort to violence when a problem could be resolved through negotiation.
Besides, the Hatake Clan belonged to the Hokage's faction, and Kakashi was a member of the ANBU under the Third Hokage. Now that there was also Hatake Shinichi, whose strength remained unknown, the Hyuga Clan had no reason to deliberately turn the Hatake Clan into an enemy.
Of course, this was only because Hizashi had not been seriously injured. Otherwise, Hiashi would already have turned against Shinichi.
The Hyuga Clan's reception room.
Everything, from the tables and chairs to the tea, was in the classic Japanese style, which clearly did not quite suit Shinichi's tastes.
Still, his hosts had shown the appropriate courtesy, so he had nothing to complain about.
It was worth noting that even Shikaku and the others, who had come along to watch the excitement, were invited inside.
"Tell me, then. Why exactly did the Hatake Clan make a special visit to our Hyuga Clan today?"
Expressionless, Hiashi looked at Shinichi.
"Clan Head Hiashi, before I explain, there's something I need to confirm with you."
Shinichi's expression did not change as he said evenly, "Did you send someone to warn our Naruto to stay away from little Hinata, and even insult him by calling him a stray?"
Having never witnessed anything like this before, Naruto was already so nervous that he did not know what to do.
After all, he was only three years old. No matter how thick-skinned he might be, even he could feel the tension in the room.
"That happened?"
Hiashi frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he said, "I knew nothing of this. I imagine some other clansmen acted on their own. However, Hinata is often busy training, and I certainly don't want her going out whenever she pleases and wasting time."
His expression was open and composed; he did not appear to be lying.
Shinichi was not surprised, though. Hinata was the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter, after all, so it was hardly strange that the clansmen around her would do something like this.
"As long as you acknowledge it."
A warning flashed in Shinichi's eyes as he said coldly, "Since so many people are here today, let me make this clear once again. Naruto is now a child of the Hatake Clan. He is not some Demon Fox, and he is certainly not a stray!"
"If it's just ordinary squabbling between children, I can stay out of it. But if anyone dares to deliberately bully him, the Hatake Clan will not stand by and watch! He is my younger brother, just as Kakashi is! That is how I, Hatake Shinichi, truly feel, and I would say the same even if Lord Hokage were here!"
His uncompromising tone stunned everyone present.
"Shinichi..."
Naruto's nose stung, and he nearly burst into tears.
No one had ever defended him so fiercely, treating him as family whom no one was allowed to hurt.
He knew he would never forget what had happened at the Hyuga Clan today. Although his surname was Uzumaki, he already considered himself a member of the Hatake Clan!
"I understand."
After a long silence, Hiashi nodded solemnly.
He knew Shinichi was not merely warning the Hyuga Clan today. He was using them to warn everyone in Konoha.
Naruto was a child of the Hatake Clan. Anyone who wanted to bully him had better be prepared to face their wrath first!
"With you being so accommodating, Clan Head Hiashi, I'd feel bad pressing the issue any further."
Shinichi had not expected Hiashi to be so agreeable.
"Your business is settled."
But in the next instant, Hiashi's expression grew grave, and he said in a low voice, "Mine is not. You came all the way to the Hyuga Clan to challenge us and injured my younger brother Hizashi. Don't you owe us an explanation for that?"
As expected of a clan head, he was not that easy to handle.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense again. Kakashi quietly readied himself, afraid that Hiashi might suddenly attack.
Shikaku and his three companions also had their hearts in their throats, ready to intervene at any moment.
"Of course I owe you an explanation."
Shinichi smiled without a care and said, "I was rash earlier, so let me first apologize to you, Clan Head Hiashi. And as a gesture of sincerity from the Hatake Clan, I promise to owe the Hyuga Clan a favor."
It was not just Hiashi. Everyone present looked surprised.
No one had expected Shinichi to agree so readily, let alone volunteer to owe them a favor.
Kakashi wore a strange expression. Since when had his older brother been this easygoing?
You lot don't know a damn thing! The Hyuga Clan will be our in-laws someday. Do you really think I'd offend them beyond repair?
Shinichi inwardly rolled his eyes at them.
"I'm curious. How exactly do you intend to repay this favor?"
Hizashi, who was sitting nearby, could not help asking.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Shinichi gave Hizashi a meaningful look, seeming rather enigmatic.
In the end, the Hyuga Clan accepted Shinichi's apology and agreed to let the matter go.
As for Naruto and Hinata, Hiashi said nothing openly, but prejudice was not something a few words could resolve. Even with the Hatake Clan's backing, the Hyuga Clan would still never allow Naruto, as he was now, to freely associate with Hinata.
But that did not matter. Shinichi still had a backup plan, and sooner or later, he would make the Hyuga Clan accept it willingly.
"If you don't mind, may I ask one more question?"
An unusual glint flashed in Hizashi's eyes.
At those words, everyone, including Shikaku, turned to Shinichi.
Even an idiot could guess what he wanted to ask.
"You want to ask why I have a Sharingan too, right?"
Shinichi calmly took a sip of tea and chuckled. "It's not just you. Everyone here seems quite curious about that!"
Before you continue