The bronze bells hanging from the eaves outside the hall occasionally chimed softly with the wind, the tinkling sound falling into the silent manor.
The current Hinata had shed the timidity of her youth, gaining a gentle grace born of experience.
Gently holding Hanabi's left hand, she slowly walked into the manor.
Hanabi wore a cherry-pink furisode dress, its skirt embroidered with blooming wisteria.
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and the joy in her eyes was almost overflowing. Her steps were half a beat faster than Hinata's. If her sister hadn't held her firmly, she probably would have shouted the good news already.
The two sisters stopped three steps in front of Hiashi, simultaneously bent their knees and bowed, their skirts sweeping the ground and creating a faint rustle.
"Father, we have returned."
Hinata looked up at Hiashi, who was seated on the Clan Head's throne. Her gaze was clear as water, without the slightest evasion.
Only when her eyes caught the white hair at her father's temples did a trace of almost imperceptible guilt flash in her eyes.
"I have returned this time to inform you of an important matter concerning Hanabi's and my future."
The moment Hinata finished speaking, Hanabi could no longer hold back. She fiercely gripped her sister's hand, her eyes sparkling with infinite anticipation for the future.
"Father, Shun-sama agreed. He said he would marry both me and my sister at the same time, so we sisters can stay by his side forever."
After speaking, she nodded vigorously, as if emphasizing the truth of the matter, her face radiating lightheartedness.
Hiashi sat upright on the Clan Head's throne, his fingers rubbing the teacup on the table, feeling the warmth radiating from the tea.
Hearing this, his pupils contracted, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he instinctively wanted to ask for details, but found his throat tightening.
He could only stare intently at his two daughters, trying to find any trace of a joke on their faces.
He saw that his eldest daughter, Hinata, looked calm, with a gentle expression on her face.
His youngest daughter, Hanabi, was full of excitement, her hands clasped in front of her, radiating happiness.
"I understand this matter. But I will convene a clan meeting to discuss it."
A short while later, many high-ranking members of the Hyuga clan rushed to the clan Council Hall.
The solemnity that appeared between Hiashi's brows was like dark clouds pressing down, making the elders standing below afraid to even breathe.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. But his mind was filled with the images of his two daughters—one gentle and sensible, the other lively and charming—who were now going to marry together and move into that deep, sea-like Royal Palace.
The clan elders looked at each other, secretly glancing at Hiashi in the main seat. Seeing his gloomy expression and his brows furrowed, no one dared to speak easily.
Everyone knew that Shun's current power and strength had long made him the master of the Ninja World and even the planet. He could create planets with a raise of his hand and suppress all dissent with a wave of his hand. The fact that the Hyuga clan could form this connection with him was a massive opportunity, enough to elevate the clan's status to the next level.
On the surface, Hiashi had to display the Hyuga Clan's respect for Shun, and even prepare a generous congratulatory gift to demonstrate the friendship between the two clans—this was a necessary choice for the clan's survival.
Yet, deep down, an indescribable resistance and conflict quietly spread, tightly wrapping around his heart like a vine.
He wasn't dissatisfied with Shun's philandering character. In fact, it was quite the opposite. For Shun to favor Hinata and Hanabi was the greatest blessing of his daughters' lives.
What truly troubled him was the future of the Hyuga clan.
Both daughters marrying Shun meant that the Main Family heirs he had painstakingly nurtured for years were completely removed from the clan's succession sequence. The direct line of the Main Family was essentially cut off from the hope of legacy.
This worry, concerning both the clan's current interests and its future, tore at him repeatedly, causing him great agony.
The vast Hyuga clan, with its century-old Main Family direct line legacy, was now left with only him as the person in power.
The position of clan head, ultimately, could only be passed to Neji. That boy who he once viewed as a discarded child of the Branch Family, yet possessed extraordinary talent.
When this thought surfaced, Hiashi's heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, filled with complexity and reluctance.
He couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, his eyes full of struggle and confusion.
He had never looked down on Neji. On the contrary, he admired his talent and tenacity, and he clearly knew that with Hizashi assisting him, Neji's abilities were already sufficient to stand on his own.
After guidance from Shun, Neji had proven highly capable.
But in his deeply ingrained perception, the Main Family direct line was the only choice for Clan Head. This was a century-old rule, the foundation of the Hyuga Clan.
Now, having to break this century-old rule and let Neji, a Branch Family member, take charge of the entire clan, he naturally felt uncomfortable, and he feared that the old conservatives within the clan would oppose it, leading to internal unrest.
He looked up at the bowed clan elders below, and seeing their varied expressions only made him feel more agitated.
After much deliberation, he finally gritted his teeth and suppressed the conflict in his heart.
"Someone, summon Neji to the Council Hall."
The attendant dared not delay, quickly bowed in assent, and swiftly exited the Council Hall, his footsteps gradually fading away and disappearing at the end of the corridor.
Silence fell over the hall once more.
The clan elders all lowered their heads, their eyes fixed on the light and shadows on the floor. No one dared to guess the Clan Head's thoughts.
A moment later, the door to the Council Hall was gently pushed open, and a tall, straight figure slowly walked in.
Neji was dressed in light blue combat attire, cinched at the waist with a black belt, his posture vigorous.
His aura was calm and reserved, naturally carrying authority and sharpness, yet when he looked at Hiashi, he deliberately suppressed his presence, adopting an appropriate measure of respect.
"Clan Head, I heard you were looking for me?" Neji walked into the hall and bowed slightly, his voice betraying no emotional fluctuation.
His gaze swept over the clan elders in the hall, then briefly rested on Hinata and Hanabi. Seeing their composed expressions, he vaguely guessed what was happening.
Hiashi watched him, his gaze scrutinizing him repeatedly, as if trying to see through him completely.
"Neji, you should already know about Hinata and Hanabi's situation. Since both sisters will marry Shun-sama, there is no one left in the Main Family direct line to inherit the position of Clan Head."
"After preliminary discussion between myself and the clan elders, we have decided to pass the position of Clan Head to you, placing you in charge of the entire Hyuga Clan. What are your thoughts?"
As his voice fell, the Council Hall was plunged into silence.
The Hyuga elders all looked up, their gazes uniformly directed at Neji, mixed with scrutiny, expectation, and envy.
In their view, this was an immense honor, the peak of power that countless people dreamed of. Neji, originating from the Branch Family, had no reason to refuse such an opportunity.
Some were already calculating how to curry favor with this future Clan Head to secure their own positions.
However, Hiashi never expected that Neji would merely raise his eyes slightly, showing no surprise or excitement, but rather a flash of apology.
His eyes were exceptionally firm as he bowed slightly and said, "Clan Head, thank you for your trust, and thank you to the elders for your high regard, but I truly cannot accept the position of Clan Head."
His voice was clear and steady, falling into the silent Council Hall like a sudden clap of thunder.
"What did you say? This is the position of Clan Head! It is the highest authority in the entire Hyuga Clan, a position countless people dream of. Why do you refuse?"
Hiashi stood up, his eyes filled with shock and incomprehension.
The Hyuga elders also burst into an uproar, their faces filled with disbelief.
Some couldn't help but exclaim softly, "Neji, you must think this through. This is a massive opportunity, how can you give it up so easily?"
The murmurs rose and fell, breaking the previous silence.
Neji raised his hand, signaling the elders to quiet down, and slowly explained, "Clan Head, it is not that I am ungrateful for the clan's kindness or unwilling to serve the clan, but I already have a more important mission. Shun-sama used his supreme power to help me awaken the Tenseigan. I can never repay this kindness."
"More importantly, Shun-sama has entrusted me with a grand task: terraforming a Life Planet and pioneering a new home for the Ninja World."
Not long ago, he had been summoned by Shun. That night, the Galaxy was brilliant. Shun took him and Nawaki to outer space, with barren stars below.
"Neji, your Tenseigan possesses the talent to control gravity and manipulate a planet's core, making you the perfect person for terraforming a Life Planet."
"Of course, I also found you a partner, Nawaki. He can use Wood Release to help you create forests and stimulate vitality on the land. Working together, the two of you can restore life to barren planets."
In that moment, Neji felt his blood boil—it was the yearning for a grand mission, a pursuit that transcended personal honor or disgrace.
Listening to Neji's account, Hiashi widened his eyes in astonishment, momentarily speechless. The authoritative aura around him instantly deflated.
He slowly sat down, leaning his back against the cold Clan Head's throne, his fingers instinctively tightening around the armrest, sinking into a long silence.
The Hyuga elders also fell silent. Their previous uproar was replaced by shock. No one had imagined that Neji refused the Clan Head position for such a grand mission.
That was a mindset that transcended the clan and the individual, a level of thought they had never considered.
At this moment, he suddenly understood that in front of the grand blueprint drawn by Shun, one that was beyond a single planet, the position of Clan Head of the Hyuga clan was insignificant and narrow.
Their previous conflict and reluctance seemed so selfish and ridiculous in the face of this grand mission.
Hiashi sighed, saying somewhat blankly, "Neji, execute Shun-sama's mission well. As for the clan matters, we and the elders will discuss them further."