Hearing the conversation between Hinata and Hanabi, Hiashi Hyūga looked up at the sky.
After issuing an order to the branch family forbidding any publicity about Hinata awakening the Shikotsumyaku, he turned to his eldest daughter and said slowly, "Hinata, come with me."
Hinata looked at Hiashi's back, her expression unchanged, and quietly followed him to the main house of the clan.
Sitting on the floor, Hiashi stared at her and asked calmly, "Hinata, when did you awaken the Shikotsumyaku? Do you remember anything?"
Hinata shook her head. "Father, I don't know."
She had no intention of telling him about the pendant and simply tried to brush it off.
Hiashi watched her for a moment and quickly realized she was hiding something. He sighed softly and said, "Your awakening of that bloodline must be related to Naruto."
Hinata's eyes flickered slightly. "No… I haven't seen Naruto-kun for a long time."
Seeing her reaction, Hiashi understood everything.
The Shikotsumyaku in Hinata's body must be connected to Naruto. That boy—who had dared to leave Konoha at such a young age—always reminded him of the Fourth Hokage from years ago.
"Since you don't want to say it, I won't force you…"
After a brief sigh, Hiashi's expression turned serious.
"But Hinata… are you prepared to become the heir of the clan?"
Hinata clenched her fists and raised her head.
"Father, is it really impossible to give Hanabi the right of inheritance? I'm not interested in becoming the clan head."
Hiashi shook his head.
"From the moment you revealed the Shikotsumyaku, even if you want to give up the position of heir, you can't. The future of the Hyūga clan is now tied to you."
Hinata's expression darkened.
"Father… is there really no other way? You probably don't want to see Hanabi marked with the Caged Bird Seal either, right?"
Thinking back over the years, Hinata understood that her father didn't want either of his daughters to bear that curse—otherwise, he wouldn't have delayed choosing the heir for so long.
Hiashi smiled faintly.
"It's not entirely impossible. I've always wanted to abolish the Caged Bird system—but I lack the strength and authority to do so. If it's you, Hinata… there may be a chance in the future."
"Me?" Hinata's voice grew quieter, her confidence wavering.
Hiashi nodded.
"Hinata, I'm very satisfied with your performance today. With both the Byakugan and the Shikotsumyaku, you won't be inferior to the Sannin in the future. The resistance to changing the system will be much smaller."
After a pause, he continued:
"From today onward, in addition to your Ninja Academy lessons, I will personally teach you how to become the clan head—and how to control the power of your Shikotsumyaku. You've always wanted to protect Hanabi."
"…Naruto will be very happy to know you've become the clan head."
After thinking for a moment, Hinata nodded.
She didn't want to become the head of the Hyūga clan.
But if it meant protecting her sister—and gaining Naruto's approval—she was willing to try.
Continuing to hide behind others would be nothing but cowardice.
...
News that the Hyūga clan had confirmed its successor quickly spread throughout Konoha.
Aside from the surprise that the eldest daughter, Hinata, had been chosen instead of the younger Hanabi, the news didn't cause much of a stir.
The Hyūga clan had always been low-key and mysterious. Confirming an heir wasn't exactly headline material.
Even those who noticed that Hanabi had not been branded with the Caged Bird Seal didn't think much of it. At most, they saw it as an internal power struggle within the clan.
With the Fifth Hokage preparing to reform major departments, it seemed only natural for the Hyūga clan to make adjustments as well.
Those who spent time with Hinata on a daily basis noticed the change in her.
The girl who had once been quiet and reserved seemed slightly more cheerful now—and her overall presence was slowly shifting.
"Hinata, have you forgotten about that fox? Your complexion looks much better lately."
"No… I'm the same as before."
Hinata didn't notice the change herself. She simply rested her head on the desk, drifting off to sleep.
Ever since being trained as the clan heir, she barely had time to rest. The only chance she got was during class—something Naruto-kun seemed to have done as well back then.
It seemed he must have been very busy at the time, carrying countless secrets.
She had finally begun to catch up.
...
Inside the Sarutobi residence,
The retired Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was tending to the plants in his courtyard. Since handing over the Hokage position to Jiraiya and Tsunade, he no longer involved himself in village affairs. He only wished to train the younger generation and quietly enjoy his retirement.
At that moment, a jōnin from the Sarutobi clan appeared before him and reported:
"Lord Hiruzen, this is a summary of recent events in the village. Please review it."
Hiruzen turned around, looking somewhat helpless.
"How many times must I say it? I'm no longer Hokage. Don't send this information to me. If there's something to handle, go to Jiraiya—he's the Hokage now."
The Sarutobi jōnin lowered his head, his expression hard to read.
"Patriarch… after the Fifth Hokage took office, the ANBU underwent reforms. Many clan members have been pushed out. Now they have to rely on missions to survive. If this continues, the Sarutobi clan will fall into second-rate status."
Hiruzen continued tending to his plants, speaking casually:
"Those positions were always meant for the Hokage's trusted aides. You're being too greedy. The Sarutobi clan should return to its original role."
The jōnin's expression shifted slightly.
"But the Fifth Hokage is your disciple. You gave up the Hokage position, allowing Jiraiya to take it. That position was relinquished by us—by the Sarutobi clan!"
"Enough!"
Hiruzen's tone turned firm.
"The position of Hokage does not belong to the Sarutobi clan. It belongs to the entire Hidden Leaf Village. If you must talk about 'giving it up,' then it was the Second Hokage who passed it to someone outside the Senju clan."
"That may be true," the jōnin pressed on, "but what the Fifth Hokage is doing is going too far. He and Lady Tsunade plan to push reforms—suppressing the major clans, supporting civilian ninjas, even threatening the daimyo. If this continues recklessly, the village will eventually fall into chaos."
With that, the Sarutobi jōnin turned and left the courtyard, leaving only the rustling leaves behind.
Hiruzen frowned and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he picked up the report and began reading it carefully.
Jiraiya and Tsunade's reforms were, in principle, a good thing. Konoha did need change.
But reforms that were too radical could provoke backlash—especially from those who had long benefited from the existing system.
However, as he continued reading, the Third Hokage's expression gradually changed.
He fell into deep thought.
For the first time in a while… he could no longer remain calm.
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