Deep within Konoha town lay a residential district steeped in traditional style. The buildings here were low, sprawling wooden structures. Everything indicated that the people living here held a status far exceeding that of ordinary civilians. However, the faint scent of decay occasionally wafting from the aged wooden structures hinted at something else entirely.
This was the residence of the Hyuga clan. Although they, like the Uchiha, were an ancient and vital ninja clan forming one of Konoha's pillars, the difference in their residential locations clearly illustrated the vast disparity in the current circumstances of these two great clans.
At the center of the Hyuga compound was the main residence area, home to the clan's core figures—namely, the family of the clan head and Main House leader, Hiashi Hyuga.
On the morning following the conclusion of a certain important event, within a plain reception room in the main house, Hiashi Hyuga sat opposite his younger brother, Hizashi Hyuga. Both wore the Hyuga clan's signature impassive expression, lending the atmosphere a heavy seriousness.
After a moment of silence, Hiashi finally spoke:
"From this recent event, it's clear that even after the war's end, the Jonin within the village have maintained an excellent level of combat readiness. Their average strength has essentially not declined. Not only has it not declined, but perhaps even…
"In any case, for the Hyuga clan, defeat itself isn't unacceptable. After all, a training exercise is just that—it's different from actual combat. In truth, most of the participants weren't using their full strength, and their attitude towards the fights was rather relaxed.
"But if we must discuss the impact of this 'first-round exit,' it's undeniably a net negative for the Hyuga clan's reputation."
Hiashi's meaning was quite clear: losing wasn't forbidden, but they shouldn't have lost so quickly. Even if everyone was just playing a game, you couldn't play that poorly. Often, people couldn't distinguish between someone genuinely unskilled and someone merely performing poorly; they simply grouped both situations under the umbrella term of 'unskilled.'
Hizashi knew his performance had been somewhat subpar. Personally, if his skills were inferior, he naturally accepted defeat. But if the clan head accused him of causing a negative impact on the Hyuga clan because of it, he couldn't deny it.
"Being born with the Byakugan gives us a head start, but that doesn't guarantee we'll ultimately go further than other ninja. The reality is, there are always some ninja who are simply different from the rest—the Sannin before, the Fourth Hokage later, and now… In comparison to such ninja, the Hyuga clan can only be categorized among the 'others'," Hizashi stated, not as a defense, but more as a lament.
"We should neither sell ourselves short nor view ourselves too highly… An arrogant ninja is destined to achieve nothing."
Hiashi stared intently at his younger brother, his head shaking almost involuntarily from side to side. Internally, he didn't actually disagree with Hizashi's words; he wasn't arrogant enough to believe the Hyuga's strength could surpass that of a ninja like the Fourth Hokage. However, despite this rational understanding, his actions still instinctively rejected his brother's statement.
"Kakashi Hatake, as the Fourth Hokage's student and the son of the White Fang—whatever strength he displays is within expectations. Habara, as a special Kekkei Genkai ninja, made significant contributions during the Nine-Tails Incident and the end of the war; his true strength still seems shrouded in mist. More importantly, both are extremely young, an age when ninja often experience explosive growth in power.
"But what about Shibi Aburame? In terms of age, he's already considered a very mature ninja. While his strength is undoubtedly formidable, it should have limitations, making rapid leaps and bounds difficult. Yet this contradicts his performance during the competition…"
As head of the clan, Hiashi Hyuga had to consider these issues.
"These three are all ninja belonging to Lady Kushina Uzumaki's organization. Brother, are you suggesting…"
Setting aside the fact that Hiashi, as the elder brother, often looked down upon Hizashi personally, relying on the Main-Branch house distinction to assert absolute dominance over his younger brother, and most times even emotionally constraining him—if asked whether Hiashi could trust his brother, theoretically, the answer was yes.
Otherwise, Hiashi wouldn't need to discuss such matters with his brother now; he should instead be consulting with the clan elders.
However, it was inherently unfair. Hiashi could act as both clan head and elder brother, but for Hizashi, Hiashi could only be the clan head. Forgetting this distinction was an unforgivable transgression.
"Lady Kushina Uzumaki established a new internal village department. The Third Hokage supported Lady Kushina to some extent. Perhaps this department has already begun to show its effects," Hiashi said.
In truth, the Third Hokage's stance towards Kushina Uzumaki wasn't really support, but rather tolerance and tacit approval. But given his position, not opposing was tantamount to supporting.
Whatever the purpose of the new organization Kushina founded, what was visibly apparent now was that the strength of its members seemed to have increased to varying degrees, and this growth was widespread. This prevalence made it difficult for even a clan head like Hiashi to ignore.
"Akakammuri" had already conducted several medium-to-large scale "trials" within Konoha; Hiashi couldn't possibly be completely deaf to the rumors. As a clan head, a long-term, forward-thinking perspective was essential. Although the changes caused by the organization weren't yet massive, who could confirm what kind of waves it might eventually create? It could be a tidal wave, or it could be nothing. Regardless, necessary preparations had to be made.
"But wasn't the clan's previous stance towards that organization to maintain distance as much as possible?" Hizashi asked.
For an ancient ninja clan like the Hyuga, preserving tradition was the perpetual way; seeking change was merely a whim. One could only say that the current Hiashi Hyuga wasn't old enough yet; otherwise, he too would likely be rigidly conservative.
"But looking at it now, maintaining appropriate contact is certainly not a bad thing," Hiashi stated.
On one hand, there were the benefits related to strength enhancement. On the other hand, there was a more practical consideration. For a traditional esteemed clan like the Hyuga, following the current Hokage's lead wasn't their only consideration; they also needed to follow the footsteps of the next Hokage.
So, where is the next Hokage? That's uncertain, of course, but currently, one individual seems particularly prominent… the one who just earned the title of 'Top Jonin.'
Building good relationships with certain key figures never hurts. After all, the world of shinobi isn't just about fighting and killing; it's also about navigating the intricate web of politics and personal interests.
"Appropriate contact… Appropriate?"
Hiashi pointed a finger at Hizashi, then nodded. "Mm, appropriate."
Hizashi instantly understood something and nodded in return.
Unlike his elder brother from the Main House, who always had numerous considerations, Hizashi belonged to the dominated Branch House. Those who are dominated, or rather, oppressed, never refuse change.
Change could be good or bad, but for Hizashi, any impending change would be a good one. Otherwise, everything was simply predetermined.
The Main House would always be the Main House; the Branch House would always be the Branch House. Hizashi himself was already trapped in darkness. And now, his son was three years old, soon to face a crucial turning point in his life.
He hoped "change" would arrive faster than the "turning point."