Chapter 15
The Hokage's office.
The treaty exchange ceremony proceeded with unusual smoothness.
The Kumo leader spouted a long string of diplomatic platitudes—"The Raikage sends his regards," "May our nations enjoy eternal friendship," and so on—before both sides formally exchanged scrolls.
Once finished, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for the Kumogakure delegation to rest at the guest inn.
Right after seeing them off, a figure appeared outside the office window—Yūgao Uzuki.
"Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen motioned for her to enter.
Yūgao dropped to one knee and reported swiftly: "I made contact with Uzumaki Naruto earlier. There is important intelligence."
She quickly relayed Naruto's words—especially the part about "the Kumo delegation harboring malice."
Hiruzen's previously relaxed expression tightened slightly.
"Naruto said that? Malice…?"
He took two slow puffs from his pipe, sinking into thought.
He had never been naive enough to believe Kumo came in good faith. If they were truly kind-hearted, they wouldn't have launched a war against the Land of Fire in the first place.
But that "Fox Sage" alter… could actually sense malice in people's hearts?
Hiruzen recalled records of the First Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—Uzumaki Mito.
Lady Mito had possessed a remarkable ability to perceive malice—not through chakra, but directly sensing others' emotions.
Could it be… Naruto had inherited something similar?
Because he was so young, his main personality couldn't comprehend this perception—so it manifested through that calm, rational "alter"?
The explanation fit too perfectly.
"I understand."
Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring, expression turning grave. It seemed Kumo truly wasn't behaving.
The surveillance level on the Kumo delegation would need to be raised another notch.
The alliance treaty had just been signed. Unless a particularly severe political incident occurred, Kumo wouldn't tear it up immediately.
Both nations had endured years of stalemate; voices within each high command wanted a ceasefire. Prolonged war only benefited the other villages watching from the sidelines.
Still—he had underestimated Kumo's greed.
They weren't waiting for an opening—they were striking proactively.
Those two dark ops escorts were clearly here to support and cover the operation.
...
At the main gate of the Hyūga compound, beneath the heavy clan plaque.
Though today was Konoha's grand festival, it was also the third birthday of the main family heiress. No Hyūga—main or branch—had gone to the village celebration. All gathered in the compound for the clan ceremony.
Two groups in formal black kimonos stood quietly at the entrance, conversing.
Leading one group was the branch family head, Hyūga Hizashi.
Beside him stood a four-year-old boy—his son, Hyūga Neji.
"Congratulations on Lady Hinata's third birthday."
Hiashi approached, leading a somewhat shy Hinata by the hand.
As the day's central figure, Hinata wore an exquisite sakura-pink kimono.
She noticed the slightly taller boy across from her staring openly. Instinctively bashful, she hid half her face behind her father's sleeve, clutching his hem.
Neji didn't feel offended. Instead, he stood openly beside his father, bright and cheerful, pure light gleaming in his Byakugan.
Yesterday he had asked his father what the girl his age—his cousin—would be like.
So this was her: shy and adorable.
Neji tilted his head, covering his mouth with his hand, and whispered to Hizashi: "Father, Lady Hinata is really cute."
Hizashi's usually stern face showed no smile at the words.
He looked down at his innocent, radiant son. Deep in his eyes flickered an indescribable sorrow.
Yes… so cute.
But Neji… you are the one most blessed by the Hyūga bloodline. You should have been the one suited to be heir.
A child with such talent…
"Father?" Neji noticed his father's stiff expression, puzzled.
Hizashi offered no explanation.
Because today, that cruel Caged Bird seal would be placed on Neji's forehead.
No matter how great his talent, he was fated to remain a mere appendage to that "adorable" main family flower—even to sacrifice his life protecting the main line's blood.
"Then bring Neji inside, Hizashi."
Hiashi's dignified voice interrupted the father-son moment.
He glanced at his identical younger twin, eyes complex, then turned and walked through the gate.
Children born to the main line were designated main family first; any subsequent siblings became branch.
The main line stayed relatively small—established during the original main/branch division—to preserve purer blood.
Branch children remained branch, their bloodline less pure.
That was the usual rule—but Hiashi and Hizashi, as twins, had been an exception.
Same purity of blood, near-equal strength; birth order alone decided main and branch.
The Hyūga clan ceremony was utterly different from the noisy festival outside Konoha.
Here was a more feudal, conservative world.
Today was not only Hinata's birthday—it was also the day branch children received the Caged Bird seal. Naturally, main family elders performed the rite.
Hiashi first led Hizashi and young Neji to the main family dojo.
Inside, several elders and Hyūga Kamon—along with other clan elites—already waited.
Neji wasn't just here for the seal—he was also to serve as sparring partner for the main heir.
As future leader, Hinata would undergo rigorous training. Not just any child qualified to spar with her.
By custom, Neji had to prove his worth.
"Begin."
At Hiashi's command.
In the center of the dojo, four-year-old Neji and three-year-old Hinata faced each other, both assuming Gentle Fist opening stances.
Though young, Neji's movements were crisp and decisive, eyes firm.
The match quickly became one-sided.
Neji's Gentle Fist was still immature but sharp and steady.
Hinata, by contrast, averted her gaze, hesitated, every defense panicked and sloppy.
Pa.
In barely a dozen exchanges, Neji seized an opening, precisely caught Hinata's arm, pulled, and sent her tumbling to the floor.
Victory decided.
"Heh."
Hiashi watched without anger at his daughter's loss. Instead, he sighed to Hizashi beside him: "Watching these two spar reminds me of how we trained together when we were young."
Hizashi's expression remained unchanged.
Though brothers, he understood all too well their class divide was no longer that of childhood.
He replied humbly: "Neji was born to protect Lady Hinata."
The surrounding elders nodded in satisfaction.
Neji's displayed talent confirmed him as suitable sparring partner.
Sparring over, the adults continued discussing.
The two children were allowed a short rest at the entrance.
Hinata sat on the wooden steps, swinging her small feet, mood low.
"I… don't like… practicing taijutsu."
She whispered.
Neji stood beside her like a little adult, encouraging: "What are you saying, Lady Hinata? You're going to inherit the Hyūga clan someday. Please have confidence."
"But…"
Hinata lifted her head, pure white eyes full of reluctance. "It would be better if Neji-niisan could take my place. You're so much stronger than me."
Neji froze for a moment.
Looking at this cousin with no arrogance—kind almost to a fault—a protective urge rose in him.
"Don't say that."
Neji gave a bright smile. "I'll help you get stronger. And if you're ever in danger, I'll protect you."
"Protect me?"
Hinata lowered her head.
In that instant, her mind flashed back to a few days earlier—the blond boy standing in front of her in the snow.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Naruto-kun… Neji-niisan…
Having two such strong people say they'd protect her eased some of the fear and unease in her heart.
"Neji, come."
The dojo door slid open. A main family elder called expressionlessly.
Neji said goodbye to Hinata and walked toward the future that would decide his life's fate.
...
At that moment, on a high slope outside the Hyūga compound.
A white-haired man in ancient white robes—blind, no eyeballs—stood with his young son, both "gazing" from afar toward the Hyūga clan they shared distant blood with.
The tall man "looked" toward the compound: "See? That girl is Hyūga Hinata. Focus—feel her carefully."
The child beside him gathered chakra at his forehead, observing the girl playing in the courtyard.
"Mmm… she's a very cute girl."
The man patted his son's head. "When the time is right, go marry her. Make her your bride… though you probably don't understand yet."
Just then, the man's brows furrowed slightly.
"Someone's coming, Toneri. Let's go."
His tone carried faint confusion.
Something strange accompanied the approaching person.
He couldn't sense it with chakra, but a vague, almost mind's-eye feeling told him… it wasn't quite a ninja. A very peculiar presence.
With those words, the father and son's figures blurred like reflections on water—vanishing instantly, as though they had never been there.
Minutes later.
An orange figure scrambled breathlessly up the slope.
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