The Hyuga Clan Compound—
Kakuzu and Hyuga Hiashi walked side by side, strolling without a specific destination in mind.
"Brother."
Approaching them was a man who bore a striking resemblance to Hiashi—his younger twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi. Beside Hizashi stood a nine-year-old boy with sharp eyes and a composed demeanor.
"Come, Neji, greet them."
Neji looked at Hiashi with respectful eyes and gave a formal bow.
"Greetings, Uncle."
Then, shifting his gaze to Kakuzu, he bowed even deeper.
"Lord Kakuzu, it's an honor to meet you."
There was more than just respect in Neji's eyes—there was admiration. The name 'Kakuzu' was legendary, and even someone as young as Neji had long heard of his exploits.
After the brief exchange, Hiashi and Kakuzu continued walking. As they moved through the compound, Kakuzu couldn't help but take note of the changes within the Hyuga Clan.
"Your clan has changed a lot."
Hiashi nodded solemnly.
"Yes, especially after that incident... I've begun to wonder if I was too harsh on the branch family."
His gaze lowered slightly, tinged with regret.
The incident he referred to was the infamous attempted abduction of Hinata by Kumogakure. In response, Hiashi's first instinct had been to sacrifice a branch family member to resolve the conflict. But only afterward did he realize the deep wounds his decision had inflicted on his own clan.
Losing his daughter and facing the ensuing crisis within the clan had forced Hiashi to reflect. Over the following years, the once rigid and authoritarian clan head began to change. His attitude toward the branch family softened, and he no longer ruled with an iron fist. While the Caged Bird Seal still remained on the branch family's foreheads, he no longer looked at them as expendable.
"The branch family devotes their lives to the main house... They deserve more respect."
Hiashi's voice wavered slightly with emotion.
"If possible, I would like my successor to be my nephew—Neji."
"Oh?" Kakuzu stopped in his tracks, slightly surprised. "You're willing to break tradition? The Hyuga Clan has always adhered strictly to its laws. Are you saying that ends with you?"
Hiashi gave a bitter smile. "If that incident had never happened, I wouldn't even be considering this. But now, I realize... ensuring my children can live in peace is more important than stubbornly clinging to outdated rules. The children of the main house are children, but so are the children of the branch family. I hope that in the next generation, the Caged Bird Seal will be nothing more than a memory."
Kakuzu remained silent, simply walking beside Hiashi.
The world was changing. If a clan wished to survive, it too had to evolve. Those who clung to the past would inevitably be swallowed by the tides of time.
One could only imagine what Hyuga Tennin, resting in the Pure Land, would think upon witnessing these changes...
...
Before long, Hiashi and Kakuzu arrived at the Konoha Ninja Academy.
Today, the academy was livelier than usual. A special exchange event was taking place—students from the Land of Dragons had sent a class to Konoha, and in turn, Konoha had selected a class to participate in joint activities.
Naturally, Kakuzu had personally designated the participating Konoha class. He was quite interested to see how Konoha's new generation—the so-called "Rookie Twelve"—had grown.
Under Iruka's guidance, the two classes gathered in the training field. Unlike civilian social gatherings, their "exchange" didn't involve singing and dancing. Instead, it was a meeting of future shinobi, where they would share insights and experiences.
At the edge of the field, Kakuzu and Hiashi's eyes were drawn to a particular student among the visitors—Hinata Hyuga.
She sat quietly, her large white eyes attentively observing the Konoha students before her.
"Hinata... Hinata!!"
Hiashi could barely contain his emotions, his body tensing as he instinctively wanted to rush forward.
"Hey, Hiashi, calm down!" Kakuzu's voice cut through, stopping him in his tracks.
"Lord Kakuzu, why—why stop me?!" Hiashi's voice trembled with suppressed emotion. This was his daughter—his flesh and blood—standing right in front of him after so many years.
Kakuzu shook his head. "Do you think it's appropriate to tell her the truth now? That you're her real father?"
When Hinata had been taken to the Land of Dragons, she had only been three years old. At that age, memories were just beginning to form.
If she were suddenly told she had a father in Konoha, how would she even begin to process it?
"Wait until she grows older—when she has her own beliefs and understanding of the world. Then, she'll be able to face the truth on her own terms."
Hiashi lowered his head, fists clenched. He had been reckless.
"Don't worry," Kakuzu continued. "Now that you've seen her today, there will be more chances in the future. And each opportunity will only bring you closer."
Hiashi took a deep breath. "You're right... I was too impulsive."
Hinata had been a pawn in the political struggle between Konoha and Kumogakure. That was an unchangeable fact.
But as long as he persevered, one day, he would be able to reunite with her properly.
The resolve in Hiashi's eyes grew firmer.
...
Just then, two shinobi approached them.
Both wore Konoha's standard flak jackets. One had a bowl-cut hairstyle and thick eyebrows, while the other had silver hair, a slanted headband, and a mask covering the lower half of his face.
"Hey! Lord Kakuzu, long time no see! The Hokage assigned us to be your guides! I will make sure to showcase my youthful energy to you today!"
Might Guy dashed forward, striking his signature pose with a blinding grin and a thumbs-up. His enthusiasm was enough to make anyone take a step back.
For Guy, Kakuzu was both an elder and a benefactor. So, displaying his fiery passion in front of him felt perfectly natural.
Kakuzu, however, was less than thrilled. A few dark lines appeared on his forehead, while Hiashi simply shut his white eyes in mild exasperation.
"Ahem... How's your father doing?" Kakuzu asked, attempting to shift the conversation.
Guy maintained his proud stance. "Thanks to you, Lord Kakuzu, my father survived! Though he's paralyzed from the waist down, he still encourages me every day to keep burning with the flames of youth!"
"That's... good to hear." Kakuzu forced a smile but inwardly cursed Hatake Sakumo.
What was the White Fang thinking, sending Guy of all people? He could have assigned someone more suitable, like Kurenai or Anko. But no, he sent the most hyperactive person in the village.
Resigned, Kakuzu turned to the other shinobi.
"Lord Kakuzu," Kakashi greeted, offering a respectful nod.
"The Hokage instructed me to serve as your guide. I noticed that you personally selected this particular class for the exchange event. I assume you have a vested interest in them?"
With that, Kakashi handed over a dossier.
Kakuzu took it and skimmed through the pages.
Sharp, that one. Kakashi had already deduced that Kakuzu held a special interest in these students...
Perhaps this new generation truly would be worth watching.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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