After hearing Uchiha Itachi's report, Uchiha Ran didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Danzō Shimura's blind guess had actually hit the mark. Fortunately, because of his long-standing bond with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage hadn't taken Danzō's words seriously.
Otherwise, their situation would have been far worse.
Truly the embodiment of "You'll regret it—when I'm Hokage."
"Alright, Itachi. Thanks for your hard work," Ran said. "Shisui and I are heading to the Hyuga Clan today. We're short one person to carry the luggage, so…"
He glanced at Itachi, looking oddly hesitant.
Itachi nodded calmly. "Leave it to me."
With that, he picked up the luggage and walked toward the door, turning his head to look back at the two of them.
Shisui felt a bit guilty and was about to help, but Ran stopped him.
"Shisui-ge, Itachi can handle it alone. Don't worry."
As he spoke, Ran slung an arm over Shisui's shoulder and walked ahead with a smile, while Itachi followed behind expressionlessly, carrying the luggage.
---
The Hyuga Clan was very different from the Uchiha.
The Uchiha had been relocated to the outskirts of the village—a monitored zone—whereas the Hyuga, by playing it safe and keeping a low profile, had managed to remain in Konoha's core district.
The three Uchiha walked straight down the street toward the Hyuga Clan Compound.
Villagers along the way couldn't help but look their way. Members of the Uchiha Clan were always eye-catching.
Part of it was their strength.
The other part was their looks.
Among shinobi, Uchiha were famously good-looking, ranking near the top of the entire ninja world. People naturally appreciated beauty, and handsome men or beautiful women always drew glances.
Whenever Shisui encountered someone he knew, he would nod politely. Those familiar with his temperament didn't say much, merely patting his shoulder in greeting.
Ran deliberately kept a low profile behind Shisui. As a hero known as Shisui of the Body Flicker, Shisui naturally attracted attention everywhere he went.
This way, Ran looked like nothing more than an ordinary child and was easily ignored.
When the three arrived at the Hyuga Clan's gate, Shisui and Itachi both looked at Ran. Ran signaled for Shisui to knock.
Shisui stepped forward without hesitation.
Knock, knock, knock.
Less than five seconds later, the door opened.
A young boy wearing a headscarf stood there, his expression impatient and tinged with irritation.
"Who is it?" he demanded.
The tone puzzled the three of them. Had they somehow offended him?
"Hello," Shisui said with a warm smile. "I'm Uchiha Shisui. I've come to visit Clan Head Hiashi. Could you please introduce us, little brother?"
The moment he heard the name Shisui of the Body Flicker, the boy's eyes lit up. His Byakugan stirred faintly, and his attitude instantly changed.
"S-Shisui-sama! Please, come in!"
Shisui entered, followed by Ran. Only then did Ran get a clear look at the boy's face and clothing.
"Hyuga Neji," Ran said calmly.
Neji froze and looked toward him. "You know me?"
"The Hyuga Clan's little genius," Ran said with a smile. "Only seven years old, yet already able to perform the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. With your vitality and aura, there's no one else it could be but you."
The praise greatly boosted Neji's impression of Ran.
"You flatter me," Neji replied seriously. "May I ask your name?"
"Uchiha Ran. You can call me Ran—or Brother Ran," he said with a faint smile.
Neji frowned immediately.
I take it back. This guy's shameless—trying to be everyone's big brother.
Ran merely smiled, unbothered.
Neji said nothing more and headed straight for the main hall to fetch his uncle, Hyuga Hiashi, the current head of the clan.
---
The Uchiha trio was arranged to wait at a stone table in the courtyard. Hyuga maids soon arrived, pouring tea for them.
Some of the Hyuga girls couldn't help stealing shy glances at Shisui and Itachi.
They really were handsome.
Shisui handled it like a central air conditioner—polite to everyone, careful not to offend.
Itachi drank his tea in silence, clearly lost in thought.
Ran, however, noticed someone watching them.
He turned his head and saw a small blue-haired girl peeking at them timidly.
The moment she noticed Ran looking back, she immediately ducked away like a startled quail.
Ran's lips curved upward.
So this is her…
He walked over with a gentle smile.
Hyuga Hinata waited a moment, thinking Ran had probably looked away by now. Surely it was safe to sneak another glance.
After all, that big brother was really good-looking—much better-looking than her brother Neji.
Earlier, she had just been beaten by Neji and was planning to run away from home. But then the Uchiha trio arrived, making the once-quiet front yard lively again. She had no choice but to wait.
In the original course of events, it would be right around now that she ran away, got lost, was bullied by children her age, and then met Naruto—who left an unforgettable impression on her young heart.
Just as Hinata poked her head out again to look at Ran, she realized he was gone.
She froze.
Then a voice sounded right beside her ear.
"What are you looking at?"
"I was looking at a big brother," Hinata replied blankly. "But he seems to have disappeared…"
Suddenly, she realized something.
She turned around in a panic, stumbled, and nearly fell.
"Careful!"
Ran caught her and pulled her into his arms.
Hinata had already shut her eyes, bracing for the pain—but it never came. Instead, she felt warmth.
She opened her eyes to find herself being held by that same big brother.
Her face instantly turned bright red, and it felt as if steam were rising from her head.
Ran was momentarily stunned.
So the rumors were true… she really does turn into a steam kettle when she gets nervous.
"Are you okay?" Ran asked gently. His voice was in the middle of changing—slightly hoarse, a bit childish—but not unpleasant.
Hinata shook her head quickly.
"I—I'm fine. Big brother, could you… let me go?" she asked softly, her face burning.
Her mother had always said that girls shouldn't casually have physical contact with others—except their future husbands.
And she was only five years old.
Though young, girls in the ninja world matured early.
On top of that, Ran's appearance—so strikingly reminiscent of Madara—was undeniably dangerous.
Ran paused, then nodded and gently set her down.
"Nice to meet you," he said. "I'm Uchiha Ran."
Hinata bowed shyly.
"N-Nice to meet you. I'm Hyuga Hinata."