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Hyūga Hizashi took his seat. He'd been about to greet Qianyu, but Qianyu beat him to it.
As a member of the Hyūga clan's branch family, Hizashi had seen his share of the battlefield. During the war, he'd led a squad of Hyūga branch ninja to reinforce Orochimaru's forces. He and Qianyu had crossed paths then.
But back then, Qianyu had been singularly focused on… dealing with the Uchiha. They'd never spoken.
Hizashi gave a slight, formal nod. "Qianyu. It has been a while."
His surprise was justified. Qianyu's reputation was ironclad: aloof, unapproachable, giving face to no one. That warm greeting had caught Hizashi completely off guard.
In terms of status? Hizashi was the patriarch of the branch family of Konoha's second-greatest clan, with frontline achievements to his name. On paper, his standing was similar to Qianyu's, perhaps even slightly lower.
But he was branch family. Even as patriarch.
If this were his brother, Hyūga Hiashi, the head of the main family? Even with zero battle accolades, that title alone would place him above Qianyu.
A branch family's glory belonged to the whole clan. Which meant it belonged to the main family.
So, Hizashi and Qianyu were peers. Hiashi, who had only fought within the Land of Fire's borders? His status was higher.
Not that Qianyu gave a damn about any of these unwritten rules. Aside from maintaining his act in front of people like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō, he didn't bother with pretense. He wouldn't even spare Minato Namikaze, the Hokage himself, any extra courtesy if he didn't feel like it.
Qianyu's eyes fell on the sleeping infant in Hizashi's arms. A faint smile touched his lips. "Patriarch Hizashi, what's this little one's name?"
Hizashi looked down at his son. The stern lines of his face softened. "Neji."
"Neji, huh?" Qianyu's smile widened. "A cute kid."
He reached out, a single finger gently poking Neji's chubby cheek.
The sleeping infant stirred. His eyes fluttered open, locking onto Qianyu's face with startling clarity.
Just as Qianyu began to pull his hand back, a tiny fist shot out and wrapped around his finger. Neji let out a soft, happy giggle.
Uzumaki Kushina returned from the backstage area. The sight of the baby clutching Qianyu's finger, laughing that innocent laugh—it pierced straight through to the softest part of her heart. She hurried over, joining Qianyu in admiring the child.
"Chubby cheeks… so adorable!"
Hizashi smiled up at her. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Really? May I?"
"Of course. Neji seems to like both you and Qianyu very much."
"Wonderful! I won't be shy, then." Kushina carefully took Neji from Hizashi's arms, cradling him gently. "Little Neji… you are just too precious."
Qianyu took a sip of his tea. An idea, sudden and clear, crystallized in his mind.
He set the cup down. No hesitation. He turned to Hizashi.
"Patriarch Hizashi. I've taken a liking to Neji. When he's a little older… I'd like to take him as my disciple. Would you permit it?"
Hizashi's teacup froze halfway to his lips. He stared at Qianyu, disbelief and a wild, burgeoning hope warring in his eyes.
Qianyu. One of Konoha's absolute pinnacle powers.
He had only ever taken one disciple: Kakashi.
Kakashi's strength was now the talk of the village. Not quite elite jōnin level yet, but solidly in the upper echelons of the regular jōnin ranks.
Sure, Kakashi had monstrous talent. But his rapid ascent? Qianyu's hand was undeniably behind it. Everyone knew how much effort Qianyu poured into that boy. During the war, he'd dragged Kakashi everywhere, teaching mid-fight, mid-mission.
Then there was Qianyu's clout.
Before Minato became Hokage, the most formidable reputations in Konoha belonged to Orochimaru… and Qianyu.
Kakashi had already reaped the benefits of that clout. He'd received the Sharingan eye of the "late" Obito Uchiha. By the Uchiha clan's old standards, they would have descended on Kakashi like vultures, demanding the eye's return.
But because of Qianyu? The Uchiha hadn't uttered a single word of protest.
Of course, the main reason was Qianyu's well-known… focus on the Uchiha clan. That was an open secret in Konoha. But the fact that Qianyu could target them so blatantly and walk away unscathed? That was the clout.
Hizashi knew his own position all too well. As a branch family member, his path was set. No chance for glory. Only readiness for sacrifice on behalf of the main family.
It was his duty. He couldn't escape it. Wouldn't even try. As the branch family patriarch, any evasion would bring the main family's wrath down upon all his kin.
But for Neji… He didn't want his son shackled to the same fate. A life not his own. A slave to the main family's will.
If Neji became Qianyu's disciple… It wouldn't stop the Caged Bird seal at age three. That fate was sealed. But it would guarantee Neji's safety. His life.
If the main family ever thought to sacrifice Neji in the future, they'd have to think long and hard about whether they could withstand Qianyu's fury.
The man who had cowed the once-arrogant Uchiha into giving him a wide berth… He could do the same to the Hyūga.
For Neji, becoming Qianyu's disciple wasn't just good fortune. It was a lifeline.
Hizashi found his voice. "For Neji to earn your favor is his great fortune. For me to refuse would be a disservice to him. I… thank you, Qianyu."
Qianyu's smile was genuine. "I believe Neji will become an exceptional shinobi. And I will teach him everything I can to ensure it."
That promise sent a surge of fierce joy through Hizashi's heart.
He'd come to Minato's wedding out of mere obligation. A formality. He'd never imagined such incredible luck—his son, catching the eye of Qianyu.
Good boy, Neji, he thought, elated. Waking up at that exact moment… Grabbing his finger like that… You just grasped a whole new future for yourself!
He needed to solidify this. Now. "Qianyu. In a couple of days, I will bring Neji to visit your home. I hope it won't be an imposition."
Qianyu nodded. "A visit from the Patriarch is never an imposition. Kushina and I will look forward to it."
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