"Who… did this?!"
When the old clan head saw his second son, the bad feeling in his heart finally became reality.
Hyuga Hizashi's injuries were terrifying—bruises, burns, frostbite. There wasn't a single normal spot on his body!
It immediately reminded them of what happened half a month ago.
Just with burns added—and no broken arms this time.
Mainly because the three boys were too exhausted that day…
"Father, I'll go find the culprit!"
Beside him, Hyuga Hiashi suppressed his fury, his body trembling as he spoke through clenched teeth.
He was usually calm and restrained.
But this was his twin brother!
Seeing him like this—how could he stay calm?
His cold gaze shifted to several branch-family members nearby.
"Before Hizashi was injured, I saw you go looking for him."
"What did you say to him?"
He was barely holding onto his reason.
The branch members turned pale.
Three minutes later, they finally stammered everything out.
Hiashi took several deep breaths to suppress the rage in his chest.
"So… Hizashi ignored clan rules and went after those Uchiha kids for you…"
He looked at his unconscious brother and reached the conclusion.
It wasn't hard to guess.
He knew his brother better than anyone.
They once clashed fiercely over the main-family and branch-family issue.
But the Hyuga could only have one main family.
After accepting this, his brother had chosen to accept fate.
This time, seeking revenge was probably just to stand up for these branch members…
Because—
Some things, Hiashi himself could not do.
"I understand."
After a deep breath, Hiashi's eyes returned to calm.
But behind that calm was terrifying heaviness.
He turned and looked straight at his father.
"Father, if this matter isn't handled properly, our clan members on the battlefield will lose their will to fight."
They were about to go to war—
And one of the clan's leaders had just been beaten senseless.
The culprit was obvious. If they kept tolerating it, the consequences would be unbearable.
And it wasn't the Hyuga way.
"I understand," Hyuga Hiashi nodded.
"Hiashi—go and do it."
"As the next Hyuga clan head… and as a brother."
Elsewhere, back at home, Uchiha Jingyan unusually did not start a second round of theory training.
Instead, he filled a tub with hot water and enjoyed a long bath.
Today, he had seen a real ninja.
Even though it was only Gentle Fist and taijutsu, that was true combat power.
It excited him—but that wasn't the only reason he chose to rest.
In the afternoon, the three of them had submitted their graduation applications.
Their homeroom teacher, Kuromori Nian, tried to persuade them for a full half hour.
He almost talked Obito into backing out…
But in the end, the applications were sent through the process to the Hokage's office for the Third Hokage to decide.
Jingyan never crammed before exams.
This time was the same.
He never fought battles he wasn't confident in.
Last-minute studying—that was for bad students.
Not him.
"Relaxing, are we… Jingyan-kun."
A familiar voice sounded.
That hoarse, eerie voice confirmed the identity.
Orochimaru.
But this time, he didn't come in person—only as a small white snake.
"So you're here to accept my second rejection, Orochimaru-san?"
Jingyan replied lazily from the bathtub.
"No, I'm here to congratulate you on becoming a ninja…"
Orochimaru wasn't angry—his tone was still playful.
"But don't worry. I've already chosen your jonin instructor—someone very strong."
"Relax. Unlike the trash you met today, this jonin will satisfy you…"
Jingyan frowned.
Other than research, he rarely cared about things.
That habit came from his past life.
But he didn't like being controlled.
Even if what was being controlled didn't matter much.
"I didn't expect you to give up this chance,"
Jingyan said coldly.
He thought Orochimaru would use the jonin-instructor position to get close to him.
That surprised him.
"No… I just don't have time. The war in the Land of Wind needs me."
Orochimaru's voice sounded regretful—and slowly faded.
Just as the little snake's chakra was about to run out, and even Jingyan thought Orochimaru was leaving—
"By the way, the Hyuga heir has already gone to see the Third Hokage."
"Jingyan-kun… are you looking forward to what they're going to do?"
T/N:
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