Neji’s voice rang out!
His figure had already vanished into the night.
At the Hyūga compound, Hizashi had already arrived.
He was speaking with Hiashi about Tiange, specifically, that Tiange had agreed to take on the role of a squad-leading jōnin.
“Hizashi, you’re saying Tiange actually agreed?”
“Agreed!”
“Come on, then.
Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Big brother, here’s the thing, look at how cold Tiange has become since coming back.
The killing intent is too heavy.”
“My idea was to have Tiange take a genin squad as their jōnin-sensei, and arrange a particularly rowdy team to lead.”
“I’m hoping it might help, at least make Tiange a little more like a normal person.”
“Not like now, radiating murderous intent everywhere except at home.”
“A rowdy one…”
Hiashi thought it over carefully, running through a general impression of the students in Hinata’s class.
Hinata’s personality would never be the rowdy type, but suddenly, a figure flashed through Hiashi’s mind.
When it came to being rowdy, who in Konoha could match that kid’s energy?
It was just…
the kid’s identity was a little special.
Would the Third agree?
Wait, the Third would agree.
“Hizashi, I have an idea.
I’ll go find the Hokage right now.
Don’t worry, absolutely rowdy.”
“Uncle!”
“Wait — wait, don’t go yet!”
Neji had run all the way there, and with injuries still on his body, he arrived panting and out of breath.
“Neji!”
“Why did you come here?”
Hizashi felt something was off.
Shouldn’t Neji be at home resting?
Why did he look like he was in such a rush?
What on earth had happened?
“Uncle!
Father!”
“Something’s happened — something big!”
By now Neji had caught his breath considerably, and he spoke to both brothers.
“Then spit it out already!”
“What are you gasping for?”
Hizashi let out a shout.
If it weren’t for the injuries still on this kid, he would have strung him up and given him a good beating.
This brat had even learned to keep his own father in suspense.
Did he think there’d be no consequences?
“If I stop gasping, I’ll drop dead,” Neji shot back without missing a beat.
“What did you say?”
“Say that again — I think you’re itching for a beating!”
Neji flinched at Hizashi’s shout, a little scared.
They always said a quiet person’s anger was the most terrifying, and his father was the most mild-mannered man alive.
“Brother told me, those eyes of his are called the Tenseigan!”
“And he said that me, Hinata, and Hanabi all have a chance to evolve our Byakugan into something like that!”
Neji watched his father’s expression darken and didn’t dare hesitate.
He blurted it all out.
“What?”
“Neji, are you sure you heard that right?”
“Tiange said that, Hinata can too?”
Hizashi hadn’t even finished reacting.
Hiashi was already struggling to believe it, wondering whether Neji had misheard.
Tiange saying Neji and Hanabi could evolve like that, that Hiashi believed.
But Hinata…
could she really?
“I heard it right!”
“I had doubts too, so I asked again just to be sure.”
“What did Tiange say?”
Hiashi looked on with eager anticipation.
If Hinata really could, that would be wonderful.
“Brother said Hinata has the greatest hope out of the three of us.”
“Because her Byakugan has the highest purity.”
“And the reason she performs so poorly is because of you, Uncle…”
“What about me?”
“Hurry up and say it!”
Hiashi was genuinely anxious.
When had this kid developed the habit of leaving things half-said?
“It’s because you spoiled Hinata into uselessness, Uncle!”
“Brother said Hinata has been afraid of you her whole life, she has never once eaten her fill!”
“If she had been allowed to eat properly from a young age, she might very well be stronger than me by now!”
Neji had polished Tiange’s words a little before delivering them.
Nine years ago, Tiange had made such a scene that Hizashi hadn’t died and Neji hadn’t been branded with the Caged Bird.
Thanks to Hiashi’s efforts to maintain the peace, the two families got along well, and Neji was all the more fond of his little sister Hinata.
He was, through and through, a devoted older brother, and he knew perfectly well that Hinata had always been afraid of their uncle.
Now that an opportunity had landed in his lap, shouldn’t he help Hinata collect a little interest?
That was also why he had rushed over so urgently.
He had seen hope for his little sister to grow stronger.
“Because she was afraid of me, she never once ate her fill, from childhood to now?”
“This girl…”
Hiashi was taken aback.
He knew Hinata’s usual appetite well.
Even that little hadn’t been enough?
At the same time, a deep remorse settled in his chest.
He had caused Hinata to become the way she was, and he had always been so strict with her on top of it.
“Big brother!”
“If you don’t know how to raise her, give Hinata to me.
You call yourself a father when you won’t even let her eat until she’s full?”
Hizashi was indignant.
He was genuinely fond of Hinata’s gentle, obedient nature.
Finding out the culprit was his own big brother, he couldn’t hold back.
“I…”
“Neji, go call Hinata out.
We’ll just ask her directly.”
Hizashi saw his big brother had gone speechless and turned to give Neji the order.
Neji heard it and immediately sprinted toward Hinata’s room.
“Hizashi, am I a failure?”
“Big brother, let’s not talk about that right now, Hinata might still be hungry!”
“Quickly give the order and have the servants prepare more of Hinata’s favorite dishes.”
“Oh, right.
You’re right.
I’ll go arrange it now.”
Hiashi snapped back to his senses.
Hinata had very likely been this way for all these years.
Every night, returning to her room alone to endure the hunger in silence.
The thought made it worse.
His footsteps quickened without him realizing it.
Soon Hiashi returned, and Neji came out with Hinata.
“Hinata, tell your father.
Have you always gone to bed without eating your fill?”
“I…
I…”
Hinata looked dazed.
They had called her out in the middle of the night just to ask her this?
“It’s alright, Hinata.
Speak freely, big brother won’t dare blame you.
And if he’s ever harsh with you again, come find your uncle.
I’ll sort him out for you.”
Hiashi heard that and shot Hizashi a displeased look.
Sort him out?
Did Hizashi really think he had what it took?
“Mm.”
Hinata heard what Hizashi said, mustered her courage, and nodded.
“Silly girl.
Why didn’t you say something when you weren’t full?”
“I…
I didn’t dare.”
Seeing Hinata like that, Hiashi’s chest ached.
It had all been his doing.
“Hinata, come here.
Father won’t be harsh with you anymore.
From now on, you can do whatever you want, even if you don’t want to train.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Wait just a little longer.
Father already gave the order, all your favorite dishes, it’ll be ready soon.”
“Eat as much as you can, Hinata.
If it’s not enough, I’ll have them make more.”
Hinata felt a gentleness from her father she had never known before.
The timid hesitation finally left her.
“Father, really?”
“Really.”
“Your uncle and Neji are both right here.”
“Father won’t lie to you.”
“Mm.”
Hinata smiled, wide and full and happy.
She felt it in her bones: this was the happiest day she had known in all her years.
➤ Next: Little Hinata,
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