Hizashi Hyuga

"Hiashi, you're the older brother. Remember to take good care of Hizashi," Hyūga Tenmei told the two brothers in the dim secret chamber.

Kneeling before Hyūga Tenmei, Hiashi and Hizashi looked at each other, both their faces filled with sorrow and reluctance to part.

"Father, do we really have to do this? We could find another way..."

His face full of grief, Hiashi addressed the father who had been so stern with them all their lives.

Hyūga Tenmei slowly shook his head, determination in his eyes. All his life, he had maintained the solemn bearing unique to great clans, but even he could not help softening now as he slowly addressed the brothers.

"It's no use. Ever since the Hyūga established the distinction between the main and branch families, we haven't produced another top-level expert... and we've only grown more divided. Every Hokage of Konoha has wanted to interfere... sooner or later, the branch family powder keg will blow.

"The stubborn old fools in the Main Family are all my elders. The older they get, the less willing they are to give up their status... when they were young, they couldn't stand the main and branch family policy either."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We can set off this hidden threat early without weakening the Hyūga..."

"All it will cost is this old man's life... I know the Caged Bird Seal won't come between you brothers. You're the perfect choice! Perhaps heaven gave me twin sons so I could put an end to all of this..."

"Starting today, neither of you may leave this secret chamber until you hear of my death! After I die, Hiashi, you must take over as clan head. Hizashi, you must lead the branch family as well. Under Takahashi Yū's pressure, bring about main and branch family integration!"

Hyūga Tenmei's tone grew sterner, making Hiashi and Hizashi feel as though they had returned to the days when their father taught them Gentle Fist.

After finishing, Hyūga Tenmei did not spare them another glance. He rose, walked straight out, and closed the secret chamber's door.

"I'm entrusting the future of the Hyūga to you brothers..."

Through the last sliver of the doorway came words gentler than any the brothers had ever heard from him.

They exchanged a look, each seeing the sorrow in the other's eyes. Gripping the cushions beneath their knees, they bowed low toward the door.

Hizashi Hyuga pulled himself out of his memories, reined in his emotions, and expressionlessly knocked on the front door of the man who was presumably his father's killer.

A red-haired woman came to answer. Hizashi knew she was an Uzumaki descendant Takahashi Yū had brought back after she had been on the run. The habits instilled by his great clan prompted him to bow to Mizuki.

"My name is Hizashi Hyuga. I have come specifically to visit Lord Takahashi Yū."

"Oh... all right! Please come in." It was Mizuki's first time being bowed to by someone older than herself, and she froze in the doorway for a moment. Once she recovered, she hurriedly welcomed Hizashi inside.

Hizashi removed his outdoor shoes in the entryway and entered the living room, where he saw a "large" man nestled on the sofa, watching him. Takahashi Yū's presence made Hizashi uncomfortable, but he still bowed to him with the utmost respect.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, my name is Hizashi Hyuga. I have come specifically to deliver the intact eyes."

Takahashi Yū was not surprised to hear this. He tipped his chin, signaling for Hizashi to sit on the cushion before the table.

Hizashi knelt before the low table, took a scroll from inside his clothes, and spread it flat on the tabletop. He raised his hands to form hand seals, and a puff of white smoke immediately burst from the scroll.

Two jars containing two Byakugan appeared on the table. The eyeballs floated up and down in pale green liquid.

Takahashi Yū did not understand any of this either and waved a hand.

"Take them to Konoha Hospital. I want eyes that are compatible with Ryūhei. If this pair won't work, replace them."

"Of course, Lord Takahashi Yū. We Hyūga will treat Hyūga Ryūhei unconditionally," Hizashi Hyuga said expressionlessly, sealing the eyeballs away again as he spoke.

He tucked the scroll back inside his clothes and rested both hands properly on his thighs.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, all the remaining Main Family members in their prime have gone to the Land of Water Frontline. They will return only once they have matched Senior Takeshi's military contributions."

"Hahaha!" Takahashi Yū could not help laughing at that.

"The Land of Water Frontline? Isn't that where the branch family's main force is? You branch family people really are so willing to be dogs?"

Indeed, Hizashi Hyuga was the younger brother, so naturally he belonged to the branch family. The way to tell the twins Hiashi and Hizashi apart was to see who wore a forehead protector. The one covering his forehead was naturally Hizashi; the Main Family master went around showing off his smooth, bare forehead every day.

Hizashi's expression did not change at Takahashi Yū's mockery. Still childless, he did not yet harbor the bitter hatred for the Caged Bird Seal that he would in later years.

"You misunderstand, Lord Takahashi Yū. This time, the branch family members will only be responsible for recovering the bodies of Main Family members killed in battle. The Uchiha will oversee the Main Family's accumulation of military contributions."

"Oh? That ruthless?" This news actually startled Takahashi Yū enough to make him sit up on the sofa.

"The three Uchiha of the Undying Squad demanded it."

That explains it. I wonder how many of these Main Family members will make it back? Utatane Koharu at the Land of Water Frontline doesn't think much of the Hyuga Main Family either. They're in for it.

Even without the Uchiha F3's demand, Hiashi had decided against accepting the branch family's help this time. Deaths in the Main Family would help win over the branch family members in the Land of Water, so that when they returned and learned that Ryūhei, a member of the dual bloodline branch family, was still alive, they would not get hotheaded and do something stupid.

"All right. In that case, there's nothing else to say."

"Lord Takahashi Yū, I have one more presumptuous request."

"If it's presumptuous, don't say it." Takahashi Yū waved a hand, signaling that he could leave.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, I would like to ask what we could offer you in exchange for my father's head," Hizashi Hyuga hurriedly said. For the first time since he had entered, his expression changed slightly.

Takahashi Yū's killing intent erupted, bearing down entirely on Hizashi and frightening Mizuki and the two little redheads into retreating several steps.

"You think you can push your luck with me, huh?!"

"I spare your lives, and you get bolder?"

Hizashi Hyuga's hands dug hard into his thighs, drawing spots of blood. His previously straight back bowed under the pressure and trembled continuously. Yet he stubbornly raised his head, looked at Takahashi Yū, and spoke again.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, we brothers are willing to pay any price for our father's head! Please grant our request."

Although the killing intent covered only a small area this time, roughly half the living room, several ANBU could still be seen peeking over from a distance outside the window. They were beside themselves too. Again?! Why did you have to provoke him?

"Sure. Either remove that damned Caged Bird Seal from Ryūhei, or get the hell out!" Takahashi Yū sneered at Hizashi with disdain.

"There is no way to remove the Caged Bird Seal. Lord Takahashi Yū, please make another demand. We will do everything in our power to fulfill it!" Under tremendous pressure, Hizashi still persisted in answering, though his body sank lower and lower, and blood had already stained the clothing over his thighs red.

"Why, you fucking..." Takahashi Yū's killing intent grew denser. Caught in its spillover, the two little redheads already had tears brimming in their eyes.

"Then hand over your Caged Bird Seal Inscription," Uzumaki Shui Ling suddenly interjected from the side, where she was calmly drinking tea.

"Hm?" Takahashi Yū cast her a puzzled look.

At the demand to hand over the Caged Bird Seal, Hizashi's face filled with conflict, but he did not hesitate.

"Please allow me to return home and inform my elder brother. Only he can make decisions concerning the Caged Bird Seal!"

"Then get out!" Takahashi Yū withdrew his killing intent and lay back on the soft sofa.

Hizashi Hyuga breathed a sigh of relief, rose, and bowed to Takahashi Yū and Uzumaki Shui Ling in turn before taking his leave and closing the door.