Chapter 203: Seducing Hinata in Front of Her Father—Hiashi's Face Turned Green!
"You're kidding, right?!"
Hyūga Hiashi's throat tightened as he looked at Renji in disbelief.
This guy actually dared to say that!
But then again, Hiashi remembered that Renji wasn't the kind of man who spoke recklessly. Since he said he wanted to lead them to the moon, perhaps he truly intended to go there?
But what in the world was there to fight on the moon?
"At first, we didn't take that statement seriously," Uchiha Shisui said with a shake of his head, indicating that Renji didn't need to explain.
"No, Hiashi. This time I want to take you up there with me."
In the Land of Fire, there was a passage that led directly to the moon. Renji had recently found it, and he planned to bring Hiashi along—to let him see for himself the truth behind the Hyūga's Main and Branch Families.
He had hinted before that Hiashi should abolish the Caged Bird Seal, but Hiashi always used the clan rules and ancestral traditions as excuses to avoid change.
Renji couldn't force his hand. What could he do—intervene directly in the Hyūga Clan's internal affairs?
After all, during his coup, the Hyūga had sided with him.
Back then, the Uchiha possessed three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, and with Renji's Eternal Mangekyō, he could hardly imagine how they could have lost.
But before that, when he had only one pair of Mangekyō, facing the entire Konoha with just three users had still felt risky. The Mangekyō could go blind, after all—just look at Sasuke. If Renji had fought recklessly, his eyes might not have lasted a month.
So naturally, he chose not to interfere too deeply in Hyūga affairs.
As Hiashi had said, the system of the Main and Branch Families had existed for generations, deeply rooted and difficult to change.
And that entire system had been created by those who came down from the moon. Once Hiashi saw the Ōtsutsuki's Main and Branch Families for himself, he would understand.
Hearing Renji's plan to take him to the moon, Hiashi pointed at himself in surprise before nodding slowly.
He didn't understand Renji's true intentions, but he doubted Renji would ever harm him.
"So you called us together just for those two matters?"
A, who was always impatient, asked bluntly. He had no interest in going to the moon, but he did want the Akatsuki issue dealt with quickly.
At first, he hadn't believed in the idea of the Shinobi Nation at all. But seeing how much better life had become for his former Cloud shinobi and the villagers, he had relaxed his doubts.
"More or less," Renji replied. "There are also some economic matters to handle. With so many people arriving lately, we need to restructure the system a bit."
The current model was too similar to the old one. If things continued, wealth would again concentrate in the shinobi's hands.
Renji needed to reform the economy—not to break the shinobi, but to ensure that part of the profits went to the civilians. Otherwise, the Shinobi Nation would face trouble sooner or later.
There was also the matter of the Akatsuki's next move.
The Akatsuki's members weren't the real issue—the one hundred thousand White Zetsu were. Those things couldn't be controlled, even with the Rinnegan.
Wait—
Renji suddenly realized that he, too, could summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
But that wasn't important. The statue was merely the husk of the Ten-Tails. Since he had no intention of reviving the Ten-Tails, summoning it served no purpose.
He gave several instructions, assigning the tasks to his secretarial team and to A and the others.
Economic reforms were left to Shikaku's leadership and the secretary corps' decisions, while A and his team were to begin gathering intelligence on Akatsuki.
Renji wasn't in a rush to make a move. He was waiting for Konan to return. When she left for the Land of Rain, he still held a faint hope that Nagato might come willingly.
But realistically, that was impossible. With Obito controlling things behind the scenes, Nagato wouldn't be allowed to defect. If he even tried, his life would be in danger.
After all, those Rinnegan eyes didn't belong to him.
"Renji, you really plan to go to the moon?"
After the meeting, Hiashi caught up with Renji, asking directly.
He still couldn't understand why Renji wanted to bring him along.
"Yeah. You think I'm joking with you?"
"No, it's just… a bit shocking."
Hiashi shook his head, then asked, "When are we leaving?"
"Today. Don't ask how we'll get there—I'll take you myself."
Seeing that Hiashi wanted to question further, Renji immediately cut him off.
Hearing that, Hiashi swallowed his next words. He had indeed wanted to ask how they would go.
"Father."
While the two were talking, a soft, timid voice came from beside them. Seeing the newcomer, Hiashi's face twitched ever so slightly.
Hinata, huh?
Renji looked at her expression—it was just as he remembered from the anime.
Wait a second—
The Twelve Little Ninjas!
Renji suddenly realized something: all twelve of them could serve as new "lottery draws" for him!
He already had Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji as disciples, but none of the others yet.
Hinata's personality could be changed—just like the bold, confident version of her in the Infinite Tsukuyomi world. Renji had always liked that version better.
When he returned, he'd have to test that idea.
Not just from his own village, but the younger generations from every village—those were the easiest to influence.
"Haven't seen you for a while, Hinata."
"Renji-sama…"
Hinata looked up timidly. She still remembered their first meeting long ago. Since then, she hadn't seen him again—she hadn't expected Renji to even remember her.
"Useless child!"
Hiashi's tone was full of frustration.
As his eldest daughter, Hinata's weak temperament annoyed him deeply. She had even lost to her younger sister Hanabi in their last sparring match, making Hiashi completely lose interest in training her.
He had disliked her personality before, but now that she couldn't even defeat her sister, his disappointment had turned to disgust.
"F-Father, I…"
Hinata's voice trembled. Being scolded so harshly left her helpless. Her hands fidgeted, her face filled with panic as she struggled to speak.
Hiashi only grew more impatient and motioned for the Branch Family guards to take her away.
"Hiashi, no matter what, she's still your daughter," Renji said calmly. "It's your family matter, but don't be too harsh."
Hinata's timid nature was largely a result of Hiashi's influence.
She had been burdened with great expectations since childhood, despite her naturally gentle and unambitious personality.
Renji crouched down and pulled a piece of candy from his pocket, holding it out to her. "Here, have a sweet."
Hinata stared blankly at the candy in his hand, recalling their first meeting—he had given her one back then too.
That had been the first candy she'd ever received. As the clan heir, she had been raised under constant pressure, never allowed to play or enjoy childish things. No one had ever given her anything simply out of kindness.
Everything she received had always been tied to training and duty—things she never truly liked.
"To think the clan's eldest daughter lost to her younger sister… Renji, you—"
Hyūga Hiashi opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed his words.
He felt that some family disgrace was better left unsaid in front of others. After all, he didn't think he was wrong—Hinata was meant to inherit his position, and his disappointment came from her lack of progress.
"Judging a person shouldn't be done solely by their strength, Hiashi. You've lost sight of what matters. You are a father first, and a clan head second. If Hinata has turned out this way, shouldn't you be reflecting on yourself?"
Watching Hinata nervously accept the candy from his hand while glancing at her father's expression, Renji lightly tapped her forehead before standing and turning to Hiashi with a calm reminder.
After all, as her father, if he didn't even understand what his daughter wanted, wasn't that the greatest failure?
Hiashi opened his mouth again, but for a moment, he didn't know what to say. Was he supposed to claim that his daughter was unfilial?
"You wouldn't understand—you don't have a daughter!"
Had it been anyone else, Hiashi would never have spoken so bluntly. But after spending time around Renji, he knew the man was approachable and easy to get along with. Outside of formal duties, everyone interacted with him as an equal—Renji never used his status to pressure others.
Renji smirked. "Now that's not fair. What do you mean, I don't understand? Haven't you ever been someone's son? Imagine if your parents treated you the same way—what would you think then?"
"Ah… this…"
Hiashi froze. He had a point. Maybe Renji didn't know what it was like to raise a daughter, but he certainly knew what it was like to be a son. If his own parents had treated him that way, could he honestly say he wouldn't have resented it?
"That's exactly my point," Renji continued. "You're too utilitarian in your parenting. From now on, leave Hinata to me. I'll train her properly—and return to you a completely different Hinata."
Seeing the moment was right, Renji made his move, openly proposing to take Hinata under his guidance.
If Hiashi didn't know how to teach her, then he'd do it himself—and one day, return a stronger, more confident Hinata.
"Fine. Wai—wait! You've been planning to take Hinata all along, haven't you?!"
Hiashi had almost agreed out of habit before realizing what he'd just said. His eyes widened in suspicion.
What did that mean?
Knowing Renji, this wasn't some sudden idea. With how smoothly everything had led to this point—it had clearly been part of his plan!
"What do you mean I've been planning it? I'm only offering because you've clearly given up. If you can't guide her, then let me. Maybe I'll be able to unlock her potential."
Renji's words actually made sense. Hiashi had initially thought Renji's idea of taking Hinata was ridiculous, but the more he listened, the more logical it seemed.
"You mean… you want to take Hinata as your disciple?"
Hiashi's eyes suddenly brightened. If Renji accepted Hinata as his student, then he could entrust her to him without worry.
Who was the strongest man alive now?
Renji, of course!
Moreover, Hiashi had another motive—the issue of the Main and Branch Families.
He had two daughters. Under the clan's rules, one of them would inevitably end up branded as Branch Family. That was something he had always wanted to change.
Back when Renji had first suggested reforming the Hyūga system, Hiashi had been tempted but knew he couldn't accomplish it alone. The conservative elders were too powerful and deeply entrenched.
However, if Hinata became Renji's disciple, and her sister Hanabi inherited the clan in the future, then neither daughter would ever need to bear the Caged Bird Seal.
When Renji had previously freed Neji from the seal, not a single elder had dared to object.
Hiashi understood perfectly—Renji's strength already surpassed both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama. His ideals were closer to Hashirama's, but his presence carried Madara's authority. Refusing him would only bring disaster upon the Hyūga.
Under Renji's protection, no one would ever again demand that Hinata be branded.
"A disciple, then—that's fine."
Renji thought for a moment, then nodded. The ninja academy could no longer teach these children anything useful.
Besides, the world was changing rapidly. The era of reform was coming, and he needed to train his own successors in advance—especially with the future threats that would appear in Boruto's era.
He needed a few true disciples of his own.
While Hiashi's motives were tied to the Main and Branch Family issue, Renji had already planned to abolish that system entirely. Hiashi's concerns were unnecessary—but understandable.
In truth, if not for Hinata marrying Naruto—who had become a hero with immense influence—the Hyūga would likely have continued the Caged Bird tradition, branding either Hinata or Hanabi.
That system was grotesque, and Renji couldn't believe it still existed even in Boruto's time.
"Alright then. Hinata, you won't be attending the ninja academy anymore. From now on, you'll train under Renji."
Hiashi's expression softened slightly, pleased yet composed, before he turned to Hinata, urging her to bow and accept.
Hinata, however, looked completely stunned.
A moment ago, her father had scolded her for being a disgrace—and now he wanted her to apprentice under Renji?
She wasn't stupid. Even with her gentle nature, she knew what that meant.
Once, Tobirama Senju's six disciples had included Uchiha Kagami, the future Third Hokage, two Hokage advisors, and the Hokage's own assistant.
To become Renji's disciple—the strongest shinobi alive—was an honor anyone in the Shinobi Nation would dream of.
"Hinata?"
Hiashi's voice snapped her from her thoughts.
Returning to herself, Hinata's first reaction wasn't excitement, but doubt. "C-can I really… become his disciple?"
Her voice trembled with uncertainty. She couldn't help but recall her father's words—how she had even lost to her younger sister. How could someone like her possibly deserve to be Renji's student?
Hiashi's expression immediately darkened.
What kind of attitude was that?! Was she really going to give up now?
He had doubted himself before, wondering if his strictness had shaped her weakness, just as Renji had implied. That was part of why he wanted Renji to guide her—to see if she could change under his teaching.
But hearing her hesitation now only made him feel justified.
"I think you can," Renji said lightly. "I don't need you to think you can—I already decided you can."
He paused, then grimaced inwardly. That sounded far too domineering. Maybe he should retire that phrase for good.
Well, now that he had Hinata, he might as well bring in the rest of the Twelve Little Ninjas too.
Renji rubbed his chin thoughtfully, already plotting to "recruit" all twelve.
"I want to train under you, Renji-sama!"
Hinata spoke without hesitation, her eyes shining with resolve.
She truly wanted to follow him.
Deep down, Hinata wanted her father to see her differently—to be proud of her one day. She knew why he was disappointed.
After losing to Hanabi, her worth as clan heir had been questioned, and Hiashi's faith in her had crumbled.
But in the Hyūga household, she felt only pressure and suffocation. Around Renji, however, she felt something she had never known—peace.
(End of Chapter)
Hey everyone! If you want to read ahead, consider joining my Patreon. Patrons get 40 chapters in advance, with 20 chapters unlocked instantly when you join. I also post 4 new chapters every day across all my series, available to every tier.
Patreon: https://patreon.com/anish_44
I'll be honest—my financial situation is rough right now, and it's getting harder to keep things going. Your support, at any tier, genuinely helps me stay afloat and continue posting daily chapters. If you can help, it would mean a lot. Thank you.