Hyūga estate.
Inside a dojo that blended traditional charm with solemn order.
"Speak—what brings you here?" Hyūga Ayato sat on the window frame, sipping sake as he gazed at the moon.
"Word is you took over Team 7. Well done, Ayato." The Hyūga clan head sat cross-legged, face stern, watching him with the formal bearing of the household elder.
Ayato rarely bothered with village affairs before, so his decision to lead Team 7 and to be more present in clan matters was a welcome surprise to the elder.
"That all? If there's nothing else, I'll be off. I don't have time for men's small talk." Ayato gave the old man a dismissive glance.
The elder didn't take offense—he laughed instead. "Hahaha. Of all the Hyūga, only you dare talk to me like that."
Many clan members feared the old head and treated him with strict deference, but old man Hyūga had no answer for Ayato's brazen ways.
Cre-eak.
The dojo door opened, and a small, graceful figure stepped inside, taking careful, quiet steps.
Hinata Hyūga bowed slightly. "Father."
She respected and feared the clan head, as tradition demanded.
"Sit." The elder inclined his head.
"Oh—Hinata." Ayato's voice carried a gentle laugh that filled the room.
Hinata flinched and turned toward him. "C-Ayato… o-older brother." Her face flushed, and her fingers twisted together in an embarrassed, delicate manner.
Every time she saw Ayato she felt nervous; even speaking a single sentence made her heart race. She couldn't understand why—he simply made her uneasy in a way that felt both strange and warming.
"You've grown a lot in these months—improved a lot," Ayato said, appraising her with a light touch of approval. "You're doing well."
Hinata stammered, bashful: "N-No… I'm not as good as… Ayato-brother."
Ayato put on a mock-proud expression. "No need to compare. Very few can match my strength. As one who speaks plainly, I'll say it—standards are high."
Though he put on airs, he spoke truth: to match him would require power at the Six-Path level.
The elder snorted. "You heard nothing of what she said, didn't you?" he teased; in truth, he hadn't caught a word of Hinata's soft reply.
Ayato waved a hand. "I understood. Age makes ears dull; I get it."
"Ahem—let's return to business." The elder cleared his throat. "Ayato, in terms of strength, few can rival you. Even as clan head, I would admit it—you've surpassed me."
Hyūga elder's expression turned serious. "Across the shinobi world, your reputation stands high—almost placed beside the legendary Sannin in renown."
"Hold on, let me correct you." Ayato sipped sake, eyes level with the elder. "I was stronger than you by the time I was eight."
Hinata peered at him with wide admiration. "C-Ayato-brother… so amazing…"
Ayato tousled her hair lightly and smiled. "You can praise me more, if you like."
Hinata, startled by the touch, stepped back like a shy rabbit, her blush deepening.
The elder shot Ayato a glare. "Enough jokes—this is serious."
He knew that Ayato truly had been an extraordinary child—the day the young Ayato had unleashed chakra so powerful it physically shook the compound was still a painful memory. Buildings had been damaged and required costly repairs.
The elder spoke plainly. "Ayato—be clan head. With your ability, you could lead the Hyūga to a new peak."
"You place too much value on lineage," Ayato replied, twisting the sake bottle. "I'm from a branch house—how could I carry such a burden?"
"Brat—don't mock me. We are family." The elder half-laughed, half-sighed. He could see Ayato's words as barbed, but the meaning was clear.
Ayato shrugged. "Rules are rules. The next in line should be Hinata."
"H-I—" Hinata began, voice trembling.
"Hinata is gentle, with average talent," the elder said bluntly. "Neji from the branch has stronger aptitude. If Hinata were chosen, many elders would object."
Hinata kept her head lowered, lips pressed together. She knew she wasn't widely seen as a candidate—few in the clan expected great change from her.
Ayato glanced at Hinata and, seeing her downcast expression, softened. He reached out and patted her head. "Don't mind what the useless old men in the clan say. Be confident—you've worked hard."
"Ayato-brother…" A warm light filled Hinata's chest. When the clan had scorned her, Ayato had been the one to encourage and believe in her. His steady confidence had become something she longed for.
The elder's face hardened. "Words alone aren't enough."
Ayato waved him off confidently. "No worries. With me around, there's nothing to fear. When Hinata grows under my guidance, and the day comes she takes the mantle—who will dare slander her then?"
"That has merit." The elder nodded slowly, then froze as Ayato's words took a teasing turn. "Hm?"
The old man thought Ayato had gone too far—his tone suggested something personal was coming.
Ayato grinned and gave a playful nod. "Right, father-in-law?"
Hinata's face turned beet-red, flustered and speechless.
"Don't be ridiculous, you brat!" the elder barked, though his expression betrayed a hint of amusement—part warning, part exasperation.
Ayato chuckled. "I don't intend to be clan head. You can hold the post a while longer. We'll pick someone proper later."
As he rose to leave, he paused and glanced back at Hinata. "By the way, I'm heading to the baths—Hinata, want to come? Many in the village dream of a chance to learn from someone like me. Consider it an informal training session."
Hinata's breath hitched; she faltered, then fainted from overwhelm and embarrassment—more from emotional shock than anything else.
Ayato laughed softly as he walked away. "Adorable."
The elder's face darkened. He slammed his palm on the floor with such force the wooden boards cracked. He scolded loudly, "Ayato! You insolent child!"
The old man's anger boiled—Ayato had pushed things too far in front of his daughter. It was outrageous behavior, and the elder vowed to put him in his place.