Rumor had it the village was researching ninjutsu or technology to solve this problem.
"The Raikage has raised Raizen's priority level again."
Yasukawa Yukiya handed Samoto a new report.
Samoto read it and rubbed his furrowed brows.
"The academy is on break. Once it reopens for the second enrollment period, tell Samui to hurry and get her brother adjusted to Konoha so he can enroll quickly."
"Understood."
"Also, Raizen hasn't come recently. Tell Samui to step up her efforts to win him over. She can visit him at his home."
…
Time passed in the blink of an eye. Konoha's weather grew colder.
Yūhi Shinku, returning from a mission, set down the ninja sword on his back.
As always, he glanced at the photo of his wife.
She had passed away when Kurenai was very young. He had raised Kurenai alone.
"Father, you're back."
Yūhi Kurenai wore tight thermal pants and a thick jacket over a sweater.
She had just washed her face and was drying it with a cloth.
"Aren't you cold?"
Yūhi Shinku scanned his daughter's outfit.
His face was gaunt, bones prominent, exuding a stern and upright aura.
He had just seen the Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, nearby.
As Kurenai's father, he knew she was on a team with Asuma—and an Uchiha.
Shinku had never met this Uchiha; he only knew he came from the distant Land of Lightning.
He wasn't sure if he was all black or all white.
"I… I'm wearing two layers underneath."
Kurenai said softly.
"Are you going out?"
After a long mission, Shinku noticed Kurenai seemed to have grown a little taller.
Children at this age developed quickly.
"Mm, I'm meeting a friend."
Kurenai nodded.
Shinku looked at his daughter, his gaze drifting.
He felt that the Kurenai before him resembled his late wife in her youth.
Back then, she had looked just like this.
But Kurenai's face lacked the maturity and resilience of her mother's—more innocent and tender.
"Meeting Sarutobi Asuma?"
"No, it's Raizen."
Kurenai shook her head, her eyes flickering.
She quietly observed her father's expression.
The Uchiha clan's position in the village was delicate. Her father was bound to have reservations.
And Raizen, coming from the Land of Lightning, had a background subtly different from Konoha's shinobi.
Kurenai wasn't sure how her father would react to her befriending an Uchiha.
Offending Raizen as much as possible was better. The more enemies he made in Konoha, the higher the chance he'd return to Kumogakure.
Raizen watched Hinata Natsu's conflicted expression in silence.
Trouble comes from loose lips.
Whether it was Samui or this Hinata Ginka, neither could control their tongues.
Understandable—who would expect Raizen to exploit such a thing?
The Hyūga main house was part of Konoha's elite. Ordinary shinobi wouldn't dare offend them.
Plus, during the Second Hokage's era, Uchiha Setsuna had led a rebellion. Over time, the Uchiha's reputation worsened.
With a little push from Danzō, the Uchiha became synonymous with arrogance and tyranny.
Saying such things wasn't entirely surprising.
"Why not explain what crimes the Uchiha committed that made Hinata Ginka order you to…"
Raizen didn't finish the sentence.
To any branch member, this wouldn't mean much—but Hinata Ginka was main house.
The main house was a tiny minority in the vast Hyūga clan, yet held immense weight.
Her words essentially represented the Hyūga's official stance.
"Natsu!"
Hinata Tetsu's chakra was nearly depleted. Unable to coat his fists anymore, he clashed bare-handed against Drake's dual blades—drawing blood in an instant.
Seeing Raizen pressuring her and Tetsu's plea for help, Hinata Natsu paled.
She glanced back—Hinata Kamon was also struggling.
If this continued, they'd be defeated—or killed!
"Raizen, I can explain. Please… for the sake of being classmates, I'll atone to you. Please help us."
Hinata Natsu lowered her stance.
If this spread, Lady Ginka would face trouble—and blame would fall on her.
Thinking of the Hyūga clan's punishments, Hinata Natsu shuddered. The "Caged Bird" seal was a sword hanging over her head!
She didn't know when it would fall—or what would trigger it.
She could only live in constant fear and submission.
"Explanation and atonement."
Seeing her near-pleading expression, Raizen's stalled ocular power stirred again.
"Fine. I'll trust you this once."
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