Kei felt he had already done more than enough. In the end, he had still chosen to give Shisui a subtle warning.
Of course, that wasn't entirely out of kindness. Diverting Shisui's attention was simply the most efficient way to stop him from hovering around the clinic day after day.
After all, even the brightest places conceal unseen darkness. That was inevitable.
Kei found himself faintly curious, once Shisui realized that the so-called light was not as pure as he believed, would he cling stubbornly to his faith, or awaken from it?
Though in truth, Kei already knew the answer.
Later that night, he reviewed what he had recently gained: the Phantom Body Flicker Technique and the theoretical framework behind human experimentation(Fragment). He felt he had grasped most of it. There had been no opportunity to test it in practice yet, but he wasn't in a hurry. Opportunities always came.
He drifted into sleep, and when he awoke, it was a new day.
Just as Kei was considering the clinic's schedule, a shadow appeared beyond the small courtyard.
"Hyūga Kei. The Clan Head wishes to see you."
"I understand. I'll come at once."
The torrential rain from the previous night had finally stopped by morning, if only briefly. Kei followed behind the messenger, walking at an unhurried pace with his cane in hand.
Though the rain had stopped, he couldn't shake the feeling that today would not necessarily be better than yesterday. Sometimes, what follows a storm is not a rainbow, but devastation.
Crossing an invisible boundary that marked the division between branch and main family, Kei stepped through the grand gates of the Hyūga estate. He passed scenery he could no longer see and entered the meeting hall.
The room was silent.
Through subtle perception, Kei sensed several figures seated in orderly rows, as if waiting. Their gazes swept over him one by one before inevitably settling on his gray, sightless eyes.
He stopped at the center of the hall.
"Clan Head. Honored elders."
Among Konoha's noble clans, the Hyūga stood apart. The hierarchy between main and branch families was absolute.
Hyūga Hiashi gave a slight nod. "How are your eyes recovering? Any physical discomfort?"
"They still cannot see. The doctors say that unless something unexpected occurs, recovery is unlikely." Kei answered only the first question.
Hiashi tapped lightly on the tea table. "Living without the ability to face the light directly must be difficult."
His pale eyes lingered on the dim gray of Kei's own before he continued, "There is no need to worry excessively. The clan will do everything in its power to help you recover."
Kei's lips curved into a polite, almost a ceremonial smile. "Thank you for your concern, Clan Head."
Inwardly, however, he thought that being unable to face the light was not nearly as difficult as people imagined. In some ways, it was almost,
"Very well." Hiashi rose to his feet. "Since you are here, we might as well conduct another examination. If there has been any improvement, it would be fortunate."
"Of course. Though I truly didn't expect so many people to still be concerned after all this time."
His tone was light, neither warm nor cold, as he set his cane aside and lay down on the wooden platform that had already been prepared.
Sensing someone approaching, Kei removed his forehead protector first and placed it to the side.
Several elders nodded faintly at the gesture before focusing their attention.
Time passed slowly.
For Kei, the examination felt unusually long. In addition to the medical instruments, he sensed that the elder conducting the check was paying particular attention to his forehead. The movements were subtle, just the lightest contact while examining his eyes, but Kei detected a thin thread of chakra slipping quietly inward, probing the Caged Bird seal branded there.
It happened more than once.
Only after repeating the check several times did the examination finally conclude.
After a brief silence, Hiashi glanced at the elder, who gave a slight shake of his head.
"Kei," Hiashi said, "I'm afraid your condition still shows no sign of improvement."
"It's all right. I've already grown accustomed to it."
"If you encounter any difficulties in daily life, inform the clan. We will do our best to accommodate you. And remember to return for examination every month. I'll send someone to escort you."
Kei inhaled quietly and nodded without replying. He understood perfectly well what lay beneath those words.
The main family did care about his condition.
But more than his blindness, they cared about what it might affect.
Especially whether it threatened the foundation of the clan, the Caged Bird seal.
Listening to the steady stream of well-meant reassurances, Kei pressed his lips together.
Hiashi noticed the small gesture. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing serious. Perhaps I ate something this morning that didn't agree with me." Kei smiled calmly. "Clan Head, if there is nothing further, I'll take my leave. I wouldn't want to continue disturbing everyone."
Seeing no sign of deception in his expression, Hiashi offered a few more perfunctory words of encouragement before dismissing him.
Kei retrieved his cane and left the meeting hall slowly.
"Kei, wait."
Just as he was about to step beyond the estate gates, an aged voice called out.
Kei stopped, turning slightly toward the sound. A polite smile returned to his face. "Great Elder."
Hyūga Taihiro stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "No need for such formality. I watched you children grow up. Time passes quickly…"
Though the elder's tone was warm, Kei did not mistake it for familiarity. Taihiro belonged to the main family and held immense seniority, even Hiashi treated him with great respect.
According to the original owner's memories, Taihiro had worn a single eyepatch for as long as Kei could remember. The reason was a subject the clan strictly forbade discussing.
Taihiro's gaze lingered on Kei's face, particularly on the dull gray of his eyes and the vivid blue Caged Bird seal.
"Do not overthink matters," Taihiro said gently. "Even if your sight never returns, the clan stands with you. If you face any difficulty, come to me."
"I understand. Thank you for your concern."
"Life must be inconvenient without your eyes." Taihiro's tone softened further. "In a few days, I'll send someone to assist you. Don't worry, she won't interfere much. She can also ensure your safety."
He added with a faint smile, "You're both young. You should have things in common. And Kei, you're not a child anymore. Some matters are worth considering."
Kei tightened his grip on the cane. "That's too much trouble for the clan. You've already done so much for me. I don't think it's necessary."
"It is what the clan should do." Taihiro interrupted him smoothly, then produced a forehead protector and extended it forward. "The weather is turning cold. Don't catch a chill. Falling ill again would not be good."
Kei tilted his head slightly as he sensed the object held before him.
Taihiro's expression remained kindly, though his attention never left Kei's reaction.
"Thank you. I'll be more careful." In the end, Kei accepted the forehead protector and tied it back around his brow.
Taihiro nodded, his voice gentler now. "What happened to you was unfortunate, but the future is long. Don't dwell on it. Live well."
His words carried the weight of elder concern, and he even reached out to pat Kei lightly on the shoulder.
Kei maintained his composure. "Great Elder, I hardly know how to repay such kindness."
"We are family. There is no need for repayment." Taihiro paused before continuing, "I hear you've opened a psychological clinic. The business seems good."
"With my condition, I can hardly take on missions anymore," Kei replied evenly.
"That is not a bad thing. The clan supports it." Taihiro's eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly. "However, I also hear that Uchiha Shisui has been close to you recently. Are you two acquainted?"
Shisui truly has a talent for stirring trouble, Kei thought. Three separate inquiries already.
Given the current situation of the Uchiha, however, he wasn't surprised.
"We are not close," Kei answered calmly. "He is anxious about the relationship between his clan and the village. He sought psychological reassurance."
"The relationship between clan and village…" Taihiro murmured thoughtfully before asking, "In your view, how does our Hyūga clan stand within Konoha?"
"I am merely a blind man. How would I know such matters?"
"Speak freely," Taihiro encouraged. "If Shisui sought you out, you must have some perspective."
Kei sensed the elder's interest had been piqued. Maintaining his composed demeanor, he finally said with a faint air of reluctance, "Then I will speak casually. If I'm wrong, please do not take offense."
"Go on."
"In my view, the clan is like the lead bird flying at the front of a flock. We are the few among the many, highly visible, admired, but burdened with immense pressure."
Taihiro's expression grew slightly more focused. "Continue."
"These are merely idle thoughts," Kei added lightly. "But whether an individual or a clan, being too outstanding is not always a blessing."
He paused before reciting softly, "There is an old saying: The tree that rises above the forest will be felled by the wind."
A few stray raindrops began to fall once more.
Kei turned his sightless gaze toward the elder, who had fallen into thought. "Great Elder, the storm is returning. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
As he stepped beyond the main family's domain, the smile vanished from his face.
He had intended to remain quietly within his clinic.
But if others insisted on stirring the waters,
Then he could hardly be blamed for letting the wind blow a little harder.
After all, his words had never been simple.
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