Chinya made his way toward the Hyuga Clan's territory.
Inside his home within the clan grounds, Hizashi had not slept all night. He sat on the tatami mat, eyes downcast, just waiting.
He was waiting for Chinya, of course.
Though Neji had said yesterday that Chinya would come to pick him up from the Hyuga grounds, Hizashi wouldn't feel at ease until he saw Chinya with his own eyes and knew Neji was leaving safely.
Now, Chinya had arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan's territory.
At the sight of him, two Hyuga ninja visibly tensed with fear.
Although Chinya had kept a low profile in Konoha over the past two years, his terrifying reputation still spread through Konoha's ninja clans.
These two guards were members of the Hyuga Branch Family.
The argument between Hiashi and Hizashi from the previous day had become common knowledge across the entire Hyuga Clan—understandable, given that everyone lived together on the same grounds. Moreover, the clan head Hiashi had issued orders forbidding both Hizashi and Neji from leaving. It was something no one could ignore.
And Hizashi wanting Neji to become Chinya's disciple? That too was well known among the clan.
As Branch Family members, these two naturally supported Hizashi.
But their support didn't matter much—they were only Branch Family, without power or voice. They had no choice but to obey the Main Family's commands.
So even though they feared Chinya deeply, they still stepped forward to block him.
"Apologies, Lord Chinya. No outsiders are allowed into the Hyuga Clan's territory."
Chinya stopped and made no move to force his way in.
He knew full well that these two at the gate couldn't possibly be from the Main Family, so there was no need to pressure them.
Chinya gave a slight nod and said, "Go tell Hizashi and Neji I'm here for Neji. You can also let Hiashi know—I don't want to put you two in a difficult position."
One ninja replied quickly, "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Chinya. I'll report right away."
That Hyuga immediately turned and entered the compound.
The remaining guard hesitated before speaking to Chinya.
"Lord Chinya… you won't be able to take Neji with you. Yesterday, the clan head placed Neji under house arrest and refused to allow him to become your disciple."
Chinya smiled gently as he replied, "Whether he agrees or not makes no difference. As long as Hizashi and Neji are willing, Neji becomes my disciple—that is beyond his power to stop."
After hearing Chinya speak like this, the Hyuga ninja remained silent, watching him with growing curiosity.
Everything he'd heard about Chinya painted him as extreme, cruel, and merciless.
Yet… he didn't seem like that at all now.
Chinya spoke kindly, showing neither arrogance nor hostility. In fact, he seemed rather polite and approachable.
Could it be those rumors weren't true after all?
Maybe they weren't. Otherwise, why would Hizashi insist on making Neji his disciple?
A Hyuga Clan Ninja immediately went to report to Hizashi Hyuga.
"Lord Hizashi! Lord Chinya is at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Grounds. He says he's come to pick up Neji."
Hizashi Hyuga, who had been sitting with his eyes lightly closed, immediately opened them and allowed a slight smile to appear on his serious face. "So he's finally arrived."
After delivering the report, the Hyuga Clan Ninja dropped to one knee before Hizashi. "I'm sorry, Lord Hizashi, but I must report this matter to the clan head."
Hizashi fully understood. If the ninja failed to inform Hiashi Hyuga, he would face severe punishment under the clan's rules. Nodding, Hizashi said, "Go ahead."
After the Hyuga Clan Ninja left, Hizashi turned to Neji Hyuga, who sat beside him. "Let's go. Your teacher has come for you."
Neji expressed concern. "But... will I really be allowed to leave with my teacher? Yesterday, he forbade me from leaving and threatened disciplinary action according to our clan's rules if I did. I'm not afraid of being punished, but I don't want to bring trouble upon Father."
Standing up, Hizashi replied, "Today, your teacher will teach you your very first lesson—strength. Come on, your teacher is a supreme expert standing at the pinnacle of the entire Shinobi World."
Hizashi led Neji out of the house toward the main gate of the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
However, halfway there, they were intercepted by Hiashi Hyuga, who arrived accompanied by a group of Hyuga warriors, his face filled with rage.
"Hizashi Hyuga, you truly refuse to wake up from your foolish dreams!" Hiashi commanded the other Hyuga ninjas behind him. "All of you, keep watch over them! If they attempt to move, stop them immediately!"
The Hyuga warriors surrounded both Hizashi and Neji.
Approaching coldly, Hiashi declared, "Abandon your hopes once and for all! I'll decline Chinya's request on your behalf, and I won't spare any consideration for our brotherhood any longer. From now on, what awaits you is the harshest punishment within the clan!"
Then Hiashi started walking toward the entrance gate of the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
Holding Neji's hand, Hizashi gently soothed him. "Don't worry, Neji. Don't be scared either. Just wait here. Have faith in your master."
Neji put on a serious face and declared firmly, "I believe in my teacher!"
Hiashi reached the gates of the Hyuga Clan Grounds and met Chinya.
Seeing Chinya, Hiashi spoke directly. "I'm afraid Hizashi is unavailable at the moment. Regarding Neji, I'm sorry, but Neji cannot become your disciple. The Hyuga Clan will arrange his future training, so please return."
Looking up, Chinya stared at Hiashi as he asked, "Are you finished? Now either let me in to find Neji, or send him out to come with me. Time is late; every moment we waste here is a moment lost from cultivation."
Frowning, Hiashi spoke in a heavy tone. "Chinya, I believe I've made myself perfectly clear!"
"I also made myself clear," Chinya countered coldly. "Either let me in to find Neji, or send him out to come with me. Neji is my disciple, and you have no right to decide for him. Do you understand now?"
Chinya's tone was icy cold, showing absolutely no respect for Hiashi.
"Neji is the son of my late younger brother, and as the head of the Hyuga Clan, I naturally have the authority to decline on Neji's behalf!"
Hiashi Hyuga stood his ground. He couldn't let the Hyuga Clan be dragged into any dealings with Chinya.
Chinya looked at Hiashi with disdain and said, "When Neji's own father is Hizashi, who exactly do you think you are to make decisions for him? I've already said—don't waste my time. If you won't go tell Neji yourself, then I'll just have to find him."
After speaking, Chinya directly lifted his foot and began walking into the Hyuga Clan grounds.
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