Hyuga Hiashi looked no different from usual.
But Hanabi noticed that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deeper than before he left, and there seemed to be a few more white hairs at his temples.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something lighthearted to ease the atmosphere, but something seemed to block her throat. In the end, she merely gave a very slight nod.
Then Neji came in behind Hiashi.
He still wore a thin layer of bandages, with the edge of some white gauze visible at his collar, but his movements were much more nimble now.
He first nodded to Sakura in greeting, then walked over to the bed and looked at Hanabi's eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Hanabi blinked, and, as though trying to prove something, her pupils contracted slightly. The veins around her eyes briefly bulged before subsiding.
"See? They work normally."
Neji observed her for a moment, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips.
"Hanabi!"
Seeing this from beside them, Sakura hurried forward to stop her.
"Your eyes were only just implanted back in. You can't activate your Byakugan yet, or you'll put more strain on them."
"Oh, all right." Hanabi stuck out her tongue.
Clearly, seeing her family had made her much more cheerful.
Just then, Naruto and Hinata returned as well.
Besides notifying Hiashi and Neji, the two had also gone to visit the other injured Hyuga Clan ninja.
That was why they had been held up for a while.
Hinata stood beside her younger sister, resting a hand on Hanabi's shoulder.
Hiashi turned around then, facing Naruto and Sakura, and bowed solemnly.
Neji followed suit.
The gesture nearly made Naruto jump back a step.
"Wait, I-"
Hiashi remained bowed. "The Hyuga Clan owes you a