People were always complicated and contradictory, and Zou Hyuga was no exception.
On the one hand, he hoped for a peaceful life, to resolve the drawbacks of the Caged Bird Seal after the Nine-Tails' Rampage and flee to a country that strictly maintained its neutrality.
On the other hand, he had written an anonymous letter, delivered it to the Hokage Building, and exposed the battle between Danzo and Orochimaru to the village.
He had chosen to wait until after the Nine-Tails' Rampage because he could not imagine how he would face Hyuga Yu after becoming a Missing-nin. That old man from the Main Family was already his only remaining relative in the Shinobi World.
For that very reason, he had continued to live up to his uncle's expectations. He had never truly refused promotion to Chunin or even ANBU, and had never truly disappointed him.
Yet his uncle was nearing the end of his life. When that time came, Zou would have a major choice to make.
Should I leave, or stay?
Zou Hyuga remained torn. Perhaps he would only be able to make a real decision when that day arrived.
Seemingly sensing the change in Zou Hyuga's mood, Oto stood silently behind him. She said nothing more, merely watching his back, close enough to touch.
After pondering for a moment, Zou Hyuga slowly turned around, looked into Oto's eyes, and asked, "Oto, what do you think about the relationship between the clan and the individual, or the village and the individual?"
What kind of question was that?
Oto Uchiha did not want to answer, but with Zou staring at her, she could not move away. Her gaze wandered as she said, "I'm a Ninja of the village, but even more than that, I'm a Ninja of the Uchiha. It's