Reassurance

The system's notification sounded in Genya's mind.

But he had no time to spare for checking any reward package.

He tightened his grip on Hinata's hand, offering her silent support.

Feeling the strength flowing through his hand, Hinata looked up at Genya's sharply defined profile, and tears poured down her face again.

But this time, they were no longer born purely of fear and hurt.

There was gratitude, trust, and a resolve she had never felt before.

She leaned closer, resting half her body against Genya's arm.

That gesture

made her position and choice clear-at that moment, her heart had turned entirely toward the boy who had risked everything for her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took in everyone's reactions.

Especially the Uchiha Clan's barely contained excitement and the obvious change in Hinata Hyuga's attitude.

He sighed inwardly, knowing that today's incident could no longer be dismissed as merely "children causing trouble" or "Uchiha provocation."

He exhaled a puff of smoke, and his aged, authoritative voice silenced every whisper.

"Enough."

That single word brought silence to the courtyard once more.

"I now have a general understanding of what happened today."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hyuga Hiashi, a warning in his tone.

"Hiashi, Hinata is your daughter, but she is also the future hope of the Hyuga Main Family."

"As clan head, it is your duty to teach and protect your clansmen, especially those of the Main Family's bloodline."

"It is not my place to interfere excessively in your clan's internal affairs. But for things to reach this point today, even requiring a child from another clan to intervene... you need to reflect on your actions."

Hiashi's expression darkened, but he could only lower his head and answer in a subdued voice.

"...Yes, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned toward Genya, his gaze complicated.

"Genya Uchiha, your desire to protect your companion and your courage are commendable. Your understanding and practice of the Will of Fire taught at the Ninja Academy also... deserve recognition."

He offered limited approval first, then abruptly changed tack, his tone turning stern.

"However! As a Konoha Ninja, you have many ways to resolve a problem."

"Yet at your young age, you acted so rashly, trespassing on another clan's grounds, fighting, damaging their property, and even speaking outrageously to a clan head. You nearly provoked a far greater conflict!"

"This is neither the proper way to solve problems nor the wisdom and unity advocated by the Will of Fire!"

He was putting Genya in his place while also reassuring the Hyuga.

At the same time, he drew a firm line-he recognized Genya's motives, but would never approve of his methods.

"Given your youth and the circumstances behind your actions, I will not pursue the matter further this time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi delivered his final ruling, bringing the incident to a close.

"But there must be no next time! Sosuke Uchiha,"

he said, looking toward Genya's father.

"Your son possesses extraordinary talent, which makes strict discipline and guidance all the more necessary. Do not let that power stray onto the wrong path and become a weapon that destroys the village's unity!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will discipline him strictly."

Sosuke Uchiha stepped forward and bowed slightly, his tone neither servile nor arrogant.

Through Hiruzen Sarutobi's seasoned political maneuvering, a conflict that had nearly spiraled out of control was temporarily suppressed.

But everyone knew that a grudge had been forged today.

The name Genya Uchiha, along with everything he had displayed, would surely spread through Konoha even faster, stirring deeper undercurrents.

And the "ultimate reward package" waiting to be claimed in Genya's mind signaled that his own power was about to make another leap.

For now, however, he cared more about whether the girl beside him was all right.

And... how to handle the more complicated situation that might follow within his clan and the village.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi and his people departed, Sosuke Uchiha waved for the Konoha Military Police Force to withdraw and return.

Genya walked up to his father and bowed.

"Father, I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you and the clan today."

His tone was sincere, his eyes clear and resolute.

Sosuke Uchiha reached out and gently patted his shoulder.

That pat carried more unspoken emotion than words could express.

"We'll talk at home."

That was all he said. Then he nodded to the Uchiha Jonin behind him, thanking them on his son's behalf for coming to support him.

The Uchiha elders looked at Genya with complicated gazes, filled with both astonishment and expectation.

Today, this child had truly become the focus of every Uchiha elder's attention.

They glanced at Genya and Hinata, who nestled against his side, before turning and leaving one after another.

Soon, only Hyuga clansmen remained around the courtyard's edges, silently beginning to clean up the aftermath.

Along with Genya, Hinata, and Hyuga Hiashi, whose face remained grim.

The atmosphere grew somewhat delicate again.

Hinata's small hand clutched Genya's sleeve tightly, and she did not dare look up at her father.

Sensing Hinata's unease, Genya glanced at the silent Hiashi, knowing that the clan head's emotions must also be churning.

After a brief moment of thought, he took the initiative to break the tension, speaking gently to Hinata beside him.

"Hinata, the air here isn't very pleasant, and things have settled down for now. You've had a fright, and you're hurt too. Would you like... to go for a walk with me? Clear your head and get some fresh air."

Hinata's eyes brightened at his words. She truly did not want to remain in the place where such a fierce conflict had just unfolded, leaving her frightened and oppressed.

But out of habit, she still looked toward her father, her gaze seeking permission with a trace of pleading.

Hyuga Hiashi saw every bit of the trust and longing in his daughter's eyes.

A jumble of emotions filled him, along with a profound sense of helplessness.

This Uchiha boy, who had just nearly torn his home apart and left him speechless with a string of lofty arguments, was now asking her so patiently and gently.

In the end, Hiashi merely waved a weary hand. Without even looking at them again, he turned toward the main house, granting his tacit permission.

With her father's permission, Hinata breathed a sigh of relief and spoke softly to Genya.

"Y-yes, Genya."

Genya took Hinata's hand.

Side by side, they walked out of the devastated Hyuga courtyard.

Hiashi returned to his study alone and closed the door.

He walked to the window and watched his daughter disappear around the corner, her hand held by that Uchiha boy.

He let out a heavy sigh, weighed down by exhaustion and deep resignation.

It was not that he did not care about Hinata. But for so long, the Main Family's responsibilities, the clan's honor, the inheritance of the Byakugan...

These things had weighed on his heart like invisible mountains, shaping the way he raised his children.

He had believed that harshness and pressure were the only way to forge a worthy heir, yet he had overlooked Hinata's sensitive, gentle heart.

"Hinata... Genya..."

"That brat played me... a whetstone..."

He murmured the two names, his gaze complicated.

"The Hyuga Clan... the Main Family, the Branch Family... the Caged Bird Seal..."

He clenched his fists.

Were these systems, these rules, these traditions and shackles passed down for centuries truly right?

Had Neji's attack on Hinata today not been an eruption of resentment accumulated under this warped system?

And as clan head, he was both the system's protector and, to some extent, its victim.

Hizashi...

"These... aren't things I can easily change on my own..."

Hiashi felt utterly powerless.

As clan head, he had far too many concerns and obligations holding him back.

That boy Genya could disregard everything and dare to tear a hole in the sky for Hinata, but he could not.

He carried the entire Hyuga Clan on his shoulders.

Today's incident was like a sharp thorn, making him feel the difficulty of change more clearly than ever before.