After finishing lunch in a stifling atmosphere, Hiashi and his wife left without so much as a glance at Goryu standing nearby.
As for Hyuga Hanabi, who also stood up, she did acknowledge Hyuga Goryu—but her words left him feeling bitter.
"Clean up the place! I don't want to see a single dirty spot! Otherwise, I'll make you lick it clean with your tongue!"
"…"
"Why aren't you saying anything? You useless trash! Did you not hear me, or do you have a problem with it?"
Seeing Hyuga Goryu remain silent, Hanabi, who had been about to leave, stopped in her tracks and questioned him sharply.
"…I'll clean it up properly!"
Knowing that if he didn't agree, Hanabi might escalate things further, Hyuga Goryu responded with a dry, sorrowful tone, his face full of bitterness.
"I said if you don't clean it properly, you'll have to lick it clean with your tongue! Did you hear me?"
Seemingly only able to vent her anger by humiliating Hyuga Goryu, Hanabi continued her harsh insults without holding back.
"I heard you!"
Not wanting to clash with his resentful little sister-in-law, Hyuga Goryu once again responded in a bitter tone.
"Hmph! Trash!"
With an angry snort and a look of utter disgust in her eyes, Hanabi finally turned and left.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Hinata silently watched all of this unfold, never saying a word from start to finish!
Only before leaving did she cast a glance at Hyuga Goryu—one filled with both anger and disappointment—before turning to go.
Seeming to understand Hinata's disappointment, Hyuga Goryu, still cleaning up, gave a bitter smile and murmured softly to himself, "Hinata! Give me a little more time! I'll change soon!"
As if she had heard Hyuga Goryu's muttering, Hinata, who had already stepped out of the room, paused briefly before continuing on her way.
But as she left, a complex expression appeared on her face!
There was a hint of expectation, but far more of it was an indescribable lack of trust!
…
After meticulously cleaning the dining area, Hyuga Goryu finally left the place and headed toward his own quarters.
Tomorrow, he would start going on missions!
In this dangerous world of kill-or-be-killed, if he wanted to survive, he had to seize every moment to grow stronger!
Only by becoming strong enough could he survive in this perilous world!
Only by becoming strong enough could he ensure A-Tian no longer had to suffer!
Thinking of his utterly pathetic self from his previous life, Hyuga Goryu swore! In this life, he would no longer be a coward!
A determined glint flashed in his eyes as he began practicing the combat techniques stored in his mind!
…
After training hard for an afternoon and a night—and enduring two more rounds of cold mockery—Hyuga Goryu, finally free for the moment, embarked on his first mission!
Since it was a family team, Hyuga Goryu faced deliberate isolation from his teammates throughout the journey!
But for this situation, Hyuga Goryu, on his first mission, didn't mind at all!
This body was despised by the entire Hyuga clan. The fact that people didn't mock or taunt him to his face was already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune!
So, being ignored by the others? Hyuga Goryu genuinely didn't care!
He believed that, with time, he would make this clan see him in a new light!