"..."
Hiashi Hyuga remained silent for a long time. He glanced at his brother Hizashi, who still had a Rasengan hovering threateningly near his chest, then let out a long sigh.
"Fine. I agree to let Romon stay in the Hyuga clan."
Hinata's lips curved into a small smile. "Good. That was the first condition."
?!
The first condition? There's a second one?
The next moment, Hiashi saw his daughter raise a second finger. "The second condition is this: once Romon is part of the Hyuga clan, he must be treated exactly the same as I am."
The same treatment as Hinata? That would mean the privileges and status reserved for the main family heir.
Sure enough, Hinata hadn't given up on making Romon her future husband!
Absolutely not! If I agree to this, and word gets out to the rest of the village, people will say my daughter found herself a child groom at such a young age. Her reputation would be completely ruined!
As that thought crossed Hiashi's mind, his gaze returned to Hizashi, who was still being subdued by his not-yet-of-age daughter. His expression twisted with frustration.
"Hizashi, you're a jōnin! How did you end up overpowered by a girl who's barely grown up?!"
Damn it!
Hiashi was torn between pride and exasperation. He was filled with conflicted emotions and hesitation. Should he accept Hinata's second demand?
If he did, and people found out Romon was enjoying heir-level treatment, they'd see it as the Hyuga clan officially endorsing him as Hinata's future husband.
That would directly impact Hinata's future standing.
Just then, the clan elders spoke up.
"Clan head Hiashi, this old one believes Hinata's conditions can be accepted."
"Let Romon stay with the Hyuga. Treat him the same as Hinata."
"So long as Hinata continues to train diligently!"
?!!
Hiashi turned, stunned, to look at the elder who had just spoken. Wasn't this the same elder who had scolded him not long ago, warning him about Hinata's behavior?
Hiashi could still remember his harsh words:
"Hiashi, just look at how you've raised your daughter. She's so young and already thinking about finding a man. It's too soon! This isn't normal at all!
"You must stop her! If she inherits the clan leadership and keeps acting like this, she might bring in even more men. Our Hyuga fortune could be squandered by them!"
And now this very same elder was suddenly supporting Hinata?
Hiashi was utterly baffled.
But the elders offered no explanation. Instead, they quietly reminisced about decades past about Hyuga Tennin, a once-legendary figure of the clan.
Without a doubt, Hinata had already proven herself capable of defeating a jōnin. She was qualified to become the next Hyuga Tennin of her generation.
In that case, what's the harm in raising a mere ordinary boy?
Raise ten. Raise a hundred. The Hyuga clan can afford it!
Hinata's second condition? Granting Romon the same treatment as the clan heir?
It was nothing in their eyes.
After all, the Hyuga clan was one of Konoha's wealthiest. If there's one thing they weren't short on, it was money.
Meanwhile, the branch family members, witnessing the elders supporting Hinata and aware that their leader Hizashi's life was in her hands, also chimed in:
"Clan head Hiashi, please agree to Lady Hinata's conditions."
"Remember, our branch leader Hizashi is still in Lady Hinata's grasp. She's young and might not know how to restrain her strength. If something happens, he could be seriously hurt."
"Please, clan head, accept it."
"Clan head..."
Voices from the branch family flooded in. Hiashi's expression grew more and more complicated.
He had to face reality:
Hinata's victory over Hizashi and the elders' shifting attitudes meant that public opinion within the clan had already turned. Hinata now held the hearts of the people.
"Huu..."
Hiashi took a deep breath and steadied himself. Finally, he said, "I agree to your conditions. From today on, Romon will enjoy the same status and treatment as you within the Hyuga clan. Now, can you release my brother?"
"Not yet. I have a third condition," Hinata said calmly, her gaze sweeping across the room. "You and the elders must not ask me or Romon where we went yesterday. Even if you ask, we won't answer."
Hiashi frowned. "We only want to know because we care about you... how can you speak so dismissively—"
Before he could finish, another elder interrupted him. Stroking his white beard and smiling gently, he said, "She's a prodigy. Every genius has their secrets, and that should be respected. Don't pressure your daughter like this, Hiashi."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
In their eyes, gifted children deserved special treatment.
And if Hinata could truly become the next Hyuga Tennin, leading the clan to new heights, then allowing her a few secrets was entirely acceptable.
"..."
Hiashi was left speechless by the overwhelming support from the elders. After a long silence, he finally relented.
"If the elders feel that way, I won't press the matter about where you and Romon went. Now, will you let your uncle go?"
"Alright."
Hinata nodded slightly, and the Rasengan in her hand disappeared.
Then, she turned and bowed respectfully toward Hizashi.
"I apologize, Uncle Hizashi."
"Don't blame yourself. I was simply outmatched. It's hard to believe someone your age possesses such power."
Hizashi glanced at his arm, which still bore goosebumps from the close encounter with the Rasengan, and couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
Many others present shared his thoughts Hinata was truly a genius.
Especially among the branch family, where a young boy's gaze had completely changed.
It was Neji Hyuga, Hizashi's six-year-old son.
He looked at Hinata with wide eyes:
Lady Hinata... she did it!
She successfully protected her little man, Romon, even under the pressure of the clan elders and the clan head himself. Not only that, she secured him the best treatment possible!
It was an incredible miracle.
She had shattered the fate that once seemed inevitable the fate of being locked away, separated from Romon forever.
If only I could become strong like her...
A seed of transformation sprouted in young Neji's heart. A longing to break free from the cage that awaited him.
A future that might not be so tragic after all.