The two exchanged greetings and shook hands. Ran's hand was a full size larger than Hyuga Hinata's. As their palms met, Hinata couldn't help but sigh at how warm it felt.
Ran felt the soft, smooth sensation against his palm and instinctively started thinking a little too far—ahem, best not to describe that any further. That would be a crime.
"Why are you here?" Ran asked, glancing curiously at the little girl beside him.
"I—I'm planning to run away from home!!!" Hinata declared, her small face set with unexpected determination as she looked straight at him.
"Run away from home?" Ran frowned. "What happened? Is someone bullying you?"
At that very moment, somewhere in the village, Uzumaki Naruto, who was fast asleep, suddenly jolted awake. He had the strange feeling that he'd lost something important. He rushed to the refrigerator, checked it carefully, and let out a sigh of relief—his milk and instant noodles were still there.
Satisfied, he crawled back into bed and fell asleep again.
---
Hyuga Clan
Hinata's eyes reddened, tears welling up as she nodded. "Yes…"
Ran gently patted her head. "Then would you like to tell your big brother about it? I'll listen carefully. I won't laugh at you."
Hinata nodded again. "I would…"
She began to pour out everything she'd been holding in, and Ran listened in silence, not interrupting even once.
When she finished, he spoke softly. "Is it because you feel that your cousin Neji doesn't like you—and that he always goes all out against you during training?"
Hinata nodded. "I don't dare tell Father. If I do, he'll just say I'm useless, and that if I can't win, I should train harder…"
Ran already knew the root of it.
About a year or two ago, ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village had attempted to steal the Byakugan from Konoha and even kidnapped Hinata. Hyuga Hiashi had arrived in time, killing the Cloud envoy with a single strike and rescuing her.
When the Hidden Cloud learned of this, the Fourth Raikage, A, flew into a rage. A formal demand was sent to Konoha: hand over the culprit—or face war.
The timing couldn't have been worse. Konoha had only just survived the Nine-Tails' Attack and was still recovering. Sarutobi Hiruzen had only recently resumed his position as Hokage and had no intention of provoking another war.
He personally went to the Hyuga Clan to negotiate.
No one knew what was said that night—but after Hiruzen left, the sound of objects shattering echoed through the Hyuga compound.
The next morning, Hyuga Hizashi's body was sent to the Hidden Cloud Village.
From that day on, Hyuga Hiashi stopped attending any meetings convened by the Hokage.
The Hyuga Clan had completely fallen out with the Hokage's faction. Other clans felt uneasy as well—they understood all too well that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.
But Ran couldn't bring himself to tell any of this to Hinata.
And Neji—despite being the son of the man who died—had never once vented his resentment on her.
Ran remained silent for a moment, then gently patted Hinata's back. "Later, I'll help you talk things out with Neji. He won't dare bully you again."
Hinata froze, staring at him with watery eyes as if silently asking, Really?
Ran simply smiled. "Come on. I'll introduce you to the two great geniuses of our clan."
He took her hand and led her over to Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.
Shisui frowned. Itachi stood up instantly.
You beast!
How could you lay hands on a child that young?!
She was only four or five at most! And Ran—you thick-browed brat—you're five years older than her!
"Brother Shisui, Big Brother… why are you both looking at me like that?" Ran frowned in confusion.
The moment Ran said "Big Brother," Itachi's irritation vanished on the spot.
From yesterday until now, Ran hadn't called him that once—not for a full twenty-four hours!
The Uchiha were notoriously obsessed with sibling bonds. How could Itachi endure such neglect?
Now that Ran had finally called him "Big Brother," all of Itachi's anger evaporated. He sat back down, instantly calm and composed.
This made Shisui laugh helplessly. He eyed Ran with a hint of wariness. "Ran… is this a new friend of yours?"
After hesitating, Shisui decided not to ask whether this was Ran's girlfriend—especially not in front of the child. It was probably just a friend.
Ran nodded. "Yeah. She was peeking at us earlier. I noticed and went to ask what was going on…"
He briefly explained what had happened.
Shisui's expression softened, and Itachi nodded along. That was simply how the Uchiha were—when they saw injustice, they stepped in.
Just then, a man in a white kimono stepped out from the building.
Hyuga Hiashi.
He stood nearly 180 centimeters tall—already quite imposing by shinobi standards. His expression was cold and unreadable as he descended the steps, every movement carrying the dignity and authority of a great clan's head.
The Uchiha trio all turned their gazes toward him.
Hiashi looked back—and the moment he did, his expression darkened.
He ignored the three Uchiha entirely and fixed his eyes on Hinata instead. "Hinata. Why are you here?"
Hearing her name, Hinata trembled and instinctively looked toward Ran.
Ran stepped forward. "Clan Head Hiashi, why are you so impatient with your own daughter? Could what happened back then really be blamed on a two-year-old child?"
He met Hiashi's gaze with a faint smile, completely fearless.
Hiashi froze.
This was likely the first time anyone had ever spoken to him in such a manner.
"What does this have to do with you?" Hiashi snapped. "You are an outsider. Don't tell me you intend to interfere in the internal affairs of the Hyuga Clan!"
His chakra surged outward.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged a glance and immediately moved to shield Ran.
This only deepened Hiashi's confusion—and Hinata's panic.
"Big brothers, please help Ran!" Hinata cried. "How can he withstand Father's pressure alone?!"
"Heh, don't worry," Itachi said with a laugh. "Forget your father—even the Hokage might not be able to beat Ran."
The next instant—
Ran released his chakra.
A vast, abyssal pressure poured out like a roaring sea. The ground beneath them cracked apart instantly.
His hair whipped wildly, eyes icy cold.
"I merely spoke a few words of fairness," Ran said calmly, "and Clan Head Hiashi resorts to chakra suppression? Do you truly believe the Uchiha Clan has no one left?"
Watching this scene, Hyuga Hiashi let out a quiet sigh.
The Uchiha Clan… was about to produce yet another genius.
Three prodigies in a single family.
What terrifying fortune.