Brother and Sister of Hyuga
Xu Fan followed behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, engaging in small talk along the way. However, noticing that Xu Fan did not bring up the assassination attempt by the Root, Sarutobi Hiruzen also avoided the topic.
Both tacitly agreed to pretend that nothing had happened the previous night.
When Xu Fan arrived at the Hyuga clan's residence, he immediately noticed how heavily guarded it was. Every few steps, a branch family member was stationed, standing vigilantly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, acted as if he was used to it, paying no attention to the guards.
The entrance to the main family's residence was easy to find—grand and imposing, exuding an air of authority.
To be fair, the Hyuga clan had joined Konoha since the days of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara's reconciliation and the village's founding.
Having flourished for centuries, they were undoubtedly one of Konoha's veteran clans. At the same time, the Hyuga main family had reached the pinnacle of their strength, earning the title of "Konoha's Strongest Clan."
To Xu Fan, this felt like a case of "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."
"Third Hokage-sama."
As the head of the Hyuga main family, Hyuga Hiashi came to the entrance, actively greeting them.
Though the Hyuga clan was a prestigious family, proper etiquette had to be maintained when addressing the Hokage.
Most importantly, the matter of Hinata's kidnapping had yet to be resolved. How to quell the anger of Kumogakure was still a pressing issue that required the Hokage's decision.
Behind Hiashi stood several members of the Hyuga clan. It was clear that Sarutobi Hiruzen was not just here to check on Hinata's condition.
Xu Fan thought to himself but also realized that Sarutobi Hiruzen would not involve him in such a meeting.
"Well, Hiashi." Sarutobi Hiruzen acknowledged Hiashi's greeting before turning his gaze toward Xu Fan.
Hyuga Hiashi also studied Xu Fan, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
In truth, he had already investigated the person who had saved his daughter long before today.
Now that he saw Xu Fan in person, he recognized him immediately.
"Senju Xu Fan."
Xu Fan nodded at Hyuga Hiashi and introduced himself.
"I am Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga main family, and Hinata's father."
Hiashi looked exhausted, with visible dark circles under his eyes.
It was easy to see that he had been both physically and mentally drained during this ordeal.
Yet, despite his exhaustion, he managed a smile for Xu Fan, expressing his gratitude silently.
Of course, he did not mention the events of that night, nor did he voice his thanks outright.
"He's Hinata's classmate. He came to visit her. I happened to meet him on the way, so we came together."
"Hokage-sama, this way, please." Hiashi did not speak further to Xu Fan. Instead, he gestured respectfully and then walked ahead, leading Sarutobi Hiruzen inside.
Xu Fan, however, was stopped by a branch family member.
"Miss Hinata is here. Please follow me."
"Alright." Xu Fan glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hiashi before following the branch family member into the main family's inner courtyard.
As the attendant had mentioned, Hinata was recuperating there.
However, after leading Xu Fan inside, the branch family member promptly turned and left.
"It seems that the Third Hokage really came here to discuss the kidnapping incident with Hiashi."
Xu Fan shook his head. Given the way events were unfolding, it wouldn't be long before Hyuga Hizashi would step forward and sacrifice himself. Konoha's higher-ups would hand him over to Kumogakure to settle this looming conflict.
Because of this, Hyuga Neji would come to resent the main family and, in the future, would seriously injure Hinata in battle.
Thinking about this, Xu Fan stood in the Hyuga courtyard and gazed up at the sky.
A gentle breeze brushed against his cheek, giving him a sudden realization.
Not only the branch family but perhaps even the main family were like caged birds.
Bound by their fate, unable to resist, silently enduring the rules passed down by their ancestors.
Right or wrong, it no longer mattered.
"Hinata."
Xu Fan pulled himself out of his thoughts and stepped forward, only to notice that Hinata had hidden behind the door. Only one of her eyes peeked out at him.
"You look just like a cat that's scared to come out after being brought home."
Xu Fan couldn't help but tease her.
He was certain that Hinata remembered him from that night and thought she would be happy to see him again.
But then, recalling Hinata's shy nature, he quickly understood.
"Who are you?"
Before Xu Fan could speak further, another voice came from behind him.
That voice...
Xu Fan instinctively turned around and saw a young man with long brown hair tied in small bundles, his forehead wrapped with several layers of white bandages.
The moment the young man spotted Xu Fan, he immediately assumed a defensive stance, scrutinizing him with sharp eyes.
Xu Fan recognized him instantly.
The Hyuga branch family's prodigy—Hyuga Neji.
"Neji?"
Xu Fan furrowed his brows slightly before glancing at Hinata, who remained hidden behind the door. Suddenly, he realized something.
At this point in time, Hizashi had not yet sacrificed himself for Hiashi, and Neji was still being taught to protect Hinata at all costs.
Now, with the clan head and elders occupied in a meeting with the Third Hokage, Neji, as a branch family member, was naturally not allowed to be present.
And now, Hinata, seeing her brother Neji appear, grew even more nervous.
She had noticed the man who had saved her the moment he arrived, but due to her timid nature, she was too afraid to talk to him.
Unexpectedly, her brother Neji now seemed to view Xu Fan as a threat.
"Senju Xu Fan."
Seeing Neji's wariness, Xu Fan decided to state his identity outright, though he found the situation slightly amusing.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had warned him on the way not to say anything unnecessary in the Hyuga compound.
He had also subtly hinted that it was Hyuga Hiashi who had defeated the leader of Kumogakure and rescued Hinata.
"I'm Hinata's classmate. I heard she was unwell, so I came to check on her."
Xu Fan chose to go with this simple explanation and then glanced at Hinata, hoping she would say something.
However, to his surprise, Hinata, who had been hiding behind the door, suddenly turned and ran away.
"..."
No matter how shy she was, this was a bit much.
"Just as I thought..."
Seeing this, Neji became even more convinced that Xu Fan was a threat. He was certain that Hinata had run away out of fear.
With that conclusion in mind, Neji wasted no time. Without holding back, he launched a full-force attack on Xu Fan.
After all, protecting the main family was the duty of the branch family!
And Hinata, as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, was not just any clan member—she was also Neji's younger sister!