July 23, Konoha Year 57.
In the Hyuga Compound in Konoha, loud, crisp impact sounds echoed in the dojo attached to the clan head's estate.
Inside, a boy and a girl—both young—were locked in a taijutsu sparring match. Each strike produced a resounding clash, coming from their hands.
Hinata and Neji both had the veins around their temples bulging, their hands moving so fast they appeared as blurs.
Their fingertips glowed with blue chakra flares, aimed at each other's tenketsu (chakra points). Yet each attempt was blocked or forced to stop midway by the other, forcing a shift from offense to defense.
Continual chakra collisions caused waves of pressure to whip around the dojo. The pace of this duel heavily tested both fighters' willpower—drop your guard for even a moment and your opponent would seize the opening, ending the match.
Sure enough, after dozens of exchanges, a sharp thrust broke the deadlock.
Pop!
As Neji's eyes widened in shock, Hinata—her expression serious—landed a finger on his torso, injecting chakra into him without hesitation.
Instantly, Neji's chakra vanished from his hands. Then a storm of blows rained down on him—each strike forcing chakra into his body, sealing his chakra flow and inflicting intense pain. Still, Neji gritted his teeth to keep from crying out.
When the combo finished, Hinata withdrew her hands, and the bulging veins at her temples subsided. She looked down at Neji, who had slumped to the floor, and spoke softly:
"Thank you for going easy on me, Neji-nii-san."
Observing from a distance, Hiashi Hyuga felt a surge of satisfaction. But the moment Hinata turned her gaze away, he returned to his stern mask and said flatly to Neji, "Neji, go get yourself treated."
"Yes, Lord Hiashi."
Neji lowered his head to hide the bitterness and hatred within, then stood and bowed slightly to Hinata. "Thank you, Lady Hinata, for your mercy." After that, he left.
Hinata didn't notice Neji's mood at all. Having finished this "monthly clan test," she immediately approached Hiashi with a hopeful look. "Father, may I take Hanabi out to play?"
"Mm, go," Hiashi nodded.
"Thank you, Father."
Hinata flashed him a small smile, then jogged out of the dojo to bring her three-year-old sister, Hanabi, outside the compound to find Izayoi for some fun.
It had been exactly three years since Hinata began going out to train with Izayoi.
How drastically she'd changed in that time was obvious from the fact she could now defeat Neji—and from Hiashi's very different attitude. She'd beaten Neji numerous times since the start of the year; in recent months, the matches had been close to one-sided.
Gentle Fist (Jūken) depends on both Byakugan's clarity and precise chakra control. Among her peers, only Izayoi's chakra control surpassed Hinata's. Even Sakura—who had a Purple-tier "Chakra Control" entry—couldn't match Hinata's proficiency, as Hinata practiced Gentle Fist diligently every single day.
Conquering her once-intimidating cousin led to Hinata's complete transformation into a confident, self-assured young lady.
Hiashi and the other main-branch elders were now unanimous: Hinata was the future leader of the main family. Several elders even pushed for Hanabi to receive the Caged Bird seal.
But Hiashi, citing the loss of his wife and wanting Hanabi to have a happier childhood, declared he wouldn't decide on that until she turned twelve.
Meanwhile, Hiashi no longer stopped Hinata from interacting with Izayoi. He didn't even mind that their relationship was slowly shifting. He even allowed her to bring Hanabi along to spend time with Izayoi. Whatever his deeper reasons, no one else knew. Perhaps he was playing a larger game—trying to ensure neither daughter ended up with the Caged Bird mark.
Izayoi, of course, had no idea about Hiashi's hidden motives. He simply assumed that since Hinata's performance proved she was worthy of inheriting the Hyuga clan, the family had relaxed.
He also never considered that Hinata keeping her top spot might end up expediting the mark for Hanabi. And even if it crossed his mind, he probably wouldn't worry too much.
After all, the Caged Bird seal is just a curse mark—arguably less potent than Orochimaru's Earth or Heaven Seals. Even if no one in the Hyuga clan knew how to remove it, Izayoi would be able to dispel it with Yin-Yang Release once he fully mastered it.
So even if Hanabi did get branded, it'd just be a temporary discomfort. She was nowhere near graduating from the Academy by the end of Shippuden anyway, so she'd hardly be hindered.
…
Knock, knock, knock…
"Onii-chan! Let us in! We wanna play with you!"
High-pitched knocks and a childish voice echoed through Izayoi's house. When he opened the door, he found two figures: one taller, one shorter. The smaller one dashed right over, hugging Izayoi around his waist and shouting, "Onii-chan, let's go play!"
Three-year-old Hanabi was dressed in a tailored pink kimono, well on her way to making it a habit. Her short black hair hung around ear-length, parted at the forehead. She had a round face still full of baby fat—utterly adorable, practically begging to be pinched. And Izayoi obliged.
He gently pinched her cheeks and smiled. "Sure thing, Hanabi. What do you want to do today?"
From Izayoi's perspective, several colored "bubbles" floated around Hanabi:
1. [Princess of the Byakugan (Gold)]
2. [Kekkei Genkai: Byakugan (Purple)]
3. [Otsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]
4. [Jonin Aptitude (Blue)]
5. [Chakra Control (Blue)]
Compared to civilian kids and average clan members, Hanabi's set of talents was downright luxurious.
The only area where she lagged behind Hinata was her Byakugan Princess status being Gold instead of Red. Still, her eyes had nearly as much hidden potential—she'd proven it in the movie, where Toneri Otsutsuki stole Hanabi's eyes and evolved them into the Tenseigan within days.
Like Hinata, she had the capacity to dramatically alter her fate.
Izayoi had a special fondness for this "little sister-in-law" who was both adorable and full of promise.
"I want mochi dumplings, and I wanna ride on your shoulders!" Hanabi said, going on tiptoe and trying to climb him.
"Sure, whatever you say."
Izayoi ruffled her hair, then squatted down so she could straddle his shoulders. Holding her tiny hands, he straightened up and turned to Hinata—who was standing there smiling. "Hinata, shut the door," he said.
"Okay."
Once she shut the door, Izayoi took the Hyuga sisters to the bustling shopping district. Ever since Hinata's mother passed away, what was originally "Izayoi + Hinata" time had gradually become a trio.
He still remembered that day: Hinata cried her heart out, devastated at losing the mother who'd provided the warmth and affection she needed—affection only matched by Izayoi.
Losing her mother deepened Hinata's reliance on him, and that dependence slowly turned into something more over time.
Wanting to spare Hanabi from going through what she did, Hinata poured all her effort into training—aiming to ensure her sister had a happier childhood.
Whenever she could, she'd bring Hanabi along to hang out with Izayoi, feeling he was better at caring for kids than their father.
After all, Hiashi's intimidating aura and strict parenting would've crushed Hinata long ago if it weren't for her mother's gentle love. With that love now gone, Hinata was determined to keep Hanabi from going through the same loneliness.
And as she watched Hanabi laugh while riding Izayoi's shoulders, Hinata felt her choice had definitely been the right one.