AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-liteChapter 83: Changes Always Come So Suddenly
After school at the Ninja Academy, the trainee Ninjas walked in groups of two or three, some skipping home, others agreeing to head to the training grounds, or perhaps preparing to go on a shopping spree at the commercial district...
"Naruto-kun, you can leave me here..." At the entrance of the Hyuga Clan residence, Hyuga Hinata's eyes revealed a sense of reluctance. "See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Naruto smiled and bid farewell to Hyuga Hinata, but just as he was about to turn and leave, Hyuga Hinata suddenly called him back.
"Naruto-kun, do you think my forehead protector would look better if I wore it on my forehead..."
"Although you look good no matter where you wear the forehead protector, Hinata, but... I still think it's better not to wear it so formally." Narutogave his opinion. "After all, you are a bit too quiet, Hinata; wearing it elsewhere might have a better effect."
"But..."
Hyuga Hinata started to speak but stopped, her mouth opened, yet she couldn't utter another word.
"Did something happen?!"
Although a Soul over fifty years old was hidden within Naruto's twelve-year-old body, he still appeared somewhat dull regarding romantic feelings between men and women, especially when it came to guessing a girl's thoughts; Narutowas truly not good at it at all.
Even though Naruto was usually very smooth at coaxing Hyuga Hinata, if something were truly weighing on her mind, Naruto sometimes really couldn't detect it.
"No... it's just..." Hyuga Hinata gritted her teeth, but in the end, she still didn't say it. "Naruto-kun, you should go back first..."
"Don't worry too much about it; I like it no matter where you wear your forehead protector!" After saying another sweet word to comfort her, Narutosmiled, waved at Hyuga Hinata, and turned to leave to discuss matters with Uchiha Sasuke.
...
"Kakashi, Naruto and the others have graduated."
"Hmm."
Ever since Kakashi Hatake stopped serving in the Anbu, he had become increasingly idle and lazy. As long as it wasn't a particularly urgent mission or a very serious occasion, he would always be holding a small book, unable to put it down.
"You should put away 'Icha Icha Paradise'!" Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table with his pipe. "Not only is this bad for your health, but it might very well affect your future married life!"
Kakashi Hatake somewhat awkwardly put the book into his Ninja tool pouch, but his posture remained casual, looking like a completely different person compared to when he served in the Anbu.
"Which volume has that good-for-nothing student of mine written up to?"
"The third volume."
"Then give the second volume to my Old Butlerlater; he's been nagging me about it these past two days."
The air suddenly became heavy, and the entire Hokage Office was strangely quiet...
Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi promptly broke the silence. After glossing over this minor matter with a few words, he immediately steered the topic back to Naruto.
"Is there any problem with Kakashi being the team leader for Naruto and the others?"
"Naturally, there's no problem after they pass my assessment!" Although Kakashi Hatake added a prerequisite, he was still very willing to become Naruto's teacher. "However..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned imperceptibly. "However, what?"
"The composition of Team Seven is a bit too luxurious, and the balance of weight is somewhat off."
"You're talking about Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata, aren't you..." Hiruzen Sarutobi had changed to a fresh batch of tobacco without knowing when. "Although Team Seven lacks a medical Ninja, they are the two with the deepest bonds with Naruto."
"Indeed."
Kakashi Hatake nodded, but then he identified the unreasonableness of Team Seven. "Uchiha Sasuke's situation has been very unstable over the last two years, and I'm worried..."
"I believe you are aware of many of the secrets behind this; you should still do your best to teach Uchiha Sasuke..." Hiruzen Sarutobi kept smacking his pipe. "After all, apart from you, no one in Konoha has a deeper understanding of the Sharingan."
"I understand, I will do my best!"
Kakashi Hatake naturally knew the ins and outs of this. Although he found it troublesome, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still the Hokage, so many things had to be compromised for now.
...
"I do not agree!"
Deep within the Hyuga Clan residence, Hyuga Hiashi had been arguing with the Elders of the main family for days.
"Hiashi, you should have made a choice long ago..." The Hyuga Clan Elder, leaning on a cane, took a sip of the clear tea in his cup, then placed it heavily on the table, emitting a crisp sound that was neither too loud nor too soft.
"We didn't call you here today to listen to your opinion, but to help you make a decision!"
"Their talents are obvious to all..."
"Back then, there wasn't much difference between you and Hizashi either!"
"They are still too young now..."
"Young?!" A Hyuga main family Elder sneered. "The clan rule is seven years old, and what about now!"
"I..."
Hyuga Hiashi hated the Hyuga Clan's main and branch family system immensely at this moment, but no matter how much he hated it, he could not resist the few Elders of the main family who truly held the power of speech in the Hyuga Clan!
"I volunteer to accept the Caged Bird Seal and become part of the branch family!"
Just as Hyuga Hiashi was once again plunged into pain, Hyuga Hinata's voice came from outside the door. This caught Hyuga Hiashi off guard, causing the spirit he had just mustered to dissipate abruptly.
"Hinata, you..."
Hyuga Hiashi raised his hand, pointing powerlessly in Hyuga Hinata's direction. He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. Although he had long anticipated this decision from Hyuga Hinata, when it actually happened, his body couldn't muster the slightest strength to stop it.
The main and branch family system that had continued for hundreds of years was the foundation upon which the Hyuga Clan relied for survival, and it was also the source of countless tragedies. Wanting to change it was undoubtedly a pipe dream!
"You are the eldest daughter of the main family; we will not let you be branded with the Caged Bird Seal!" An Elder of the main family stood up to stop her. "Let Hyuga Hanabi do it instead!"
"I want to marry outside the clan!" Hyuga Hinata's weak personality suddenly became tough.
"Nonsense!"
"Outrageous!"
"How can the Bloodline of the main family flow outside!"
"A misfortune for the family! A misfortune for the family!"
...
"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!"
Just as Naruto was about to arrive at the meeting point agreed upon with Uchiha Sasuke, a young girl who looked somewhat similar to Hyuga Hinata, but appeared more cheerful and charming, came running over and called out to Naruto.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
After seeing Naruto stop, Hyuga Hanabi bent over, supporting herself with her hands on her knees, panting heavily. After catching her breath for a few seconds, she stepped forward, grabbed Naruto, and dragged him toward the Hyuga Clan's residence.
"Hanabi, why are you in such a rush?" Naruto often visited the Hyuga Clan; he couldn't say he was very familiar with his sister-in-law, but he definitely recognized her. "Did something happen?!"
"My sister is about to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal!"
"What did you say?!" Naruto suddenly felt a chill shoot up his spine. His body instantly tensed up, and he grabbed Hyuga Hanabi's shoulders without holding back his strength. "How dare they!"
"Because I am seven years old this year, reaching the age stipulated by the clan for branding with the Caged Bird Seal!"
Hyuga Hanabi's strong personality was far more suitable for being a Ninja than Hyuga Hinata's. After learning the news, she immediately found Naruto, hoping that Naruto could, like the previous two times, firmly protect her sister behind him.
Because in their late-night sisterly talks, Hyuga Hinata had told Hyuga Hanabi many times about Naruto's heroic posture when he rescued her, which led Hyuga Hanabi to think of Naruto at the first opportunity.