Hyūga Masayuki looked at Hyūga Akira standing there with an expressionless face.
There was not a trace of remorse to be found.
He frowned slightly, then turned his gaze toward Hyūga Hiashi.
"Since you've pleaded on his behalf," Masayuki said slowly, "the punishment may be reduced—but it cannot be waived.
Three days of confinement."
"Father—" Hiashi tried to speak again.
Masayuki raised a hand, cutting him off. "Enough. Step back."
Two Hyūga clan members moved forward and escorted Akira away toward the clan's detention area.
The prison was located in the rear courtyard.
Along the way, many people saw them.
This time, Akira wasn't being escorted politely—each man gripped one of his arms, unmistakably treating him like a criminal.
It was a warning.
A reminder to every branch family member.
The Hyūga prison was an underground dungeon.
A small building on the surface—open the door, and a staircase descended below ground.
Torches were mounted at regular intervals along the walls. Between every pair of torches stood an iron door, sealed tight.
Who would have thought these cells were meant for one's own people?
More accurately—
They were meant for the branch family.
Still, cases like Akira's—open defiance—were rare. The dungeon was mostly empty.
The guards unlocked one cell and shoved him inside.
Without a word, they slammed the door shut.
The last sliver of light vanished.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Akira opened his eyes.
"So it's the classic routine," he muttered. "One plays the villain, the other plays the savior."
He scoffed.
Hiashi really thought this would make him submit?
Delusional.
"Byakugan."
Activating it, Akira scanned the cell carefully.
No monitoring seals. No observers.
Only then did he reach into his inventory.
A desk lamp appeared in his hand.
"Good thing I prepared in advance."
This was his first time being imprisoned—but the Hyūga dungeon's reputation was infamous among the branch family.
Many hated it to the bone.
The lamp flicked on.
Bright light flooded the cell.
It wasn't large—just stone walls, a small ventilation shaft, and a chair.
Beside the chair hung chains.
No explanation needed.
Akira calmly pulled out several strips of dried meat and started eating.
For others, this place was torture.
For him?
Hardly.
His inventory alone could keep him alive here for years.
"Three days," he murmured. "I'll still be a fine man afterward."
Just needed to make sure he didn't gain weight.
He began exercising right there in the cell.
Honestly—
He doubted he'd even stay the full three days.
The Next Day
Tsunade paid a visit to the Hyūga compound.
Inside the council hall, only Tsunade and Hyūga Masayuki were present.
A low wooden table stood between them, with two cups of tea.
Behind Tsunade, the sliding doors were open, revealing a tranquil lakeside scene.
"Tsunade-jōnin," Masayuki asked directly, "are you satisfied with my son?"
He had intended to foster a mentor–student relationship between Hiashi and Tsunade.
But since Hiashi hadn't been assigned to her through the Academy, such a bond couldn't be formally established.
They were merely superior and subordinate.
That was also why the Hokage had agreed to let Tsunade lead the Hyūga trio.
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"Your son is capable," she said flatly. "But impatient."
She paused.
"That's not why I'm here."
Masayuki set his teacup down calmly.
"Then what brings you here, Lady Tsunade?"
"Hyūga Akira," Tsunade said without hesitation. "To prepare for future missions, I intend to personally train him."
Masayuki's brow creased.
He hadn't expected Tsunade to come for a branch family member.
And her reason was airtight—
A squad leader had every right to train their subordinate.
"Then," Masayuki said, changing tack, "will my two sons also receive this training?"
The Third Hokage's position was stable now—but only after heavy compromise.
Clan authority had grown as a result.
In the current era, Masayuki could refuse outright—and Tsunade would have little leverage.
This wasn't the age of the First or Second Hokage.
Still—
Tsunade's status couldn't be ignored.
She frowned briefly, then spoke calmly.
"What I plan to teach is medical ninjutsu.
If Hiashi or Hizashi are interested, they may join."
Masayuki hesitated.
His intention had been for Tsunade to train his sons.
She had been taught by both the Second Hokage and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Her guidance could dramatically accelerate their growth.
But—
He had no desire for his sons to become medics.
At this point, medical ninjutsu wasn't even a respected discipline.
Tsunade's stance was clear.
She wasn't offering concessions.
Nor was she threatening.
Simply making a request.
Agreeing wouldn't deepen ties.
Refusing would mean offending her.
And Akira?
Masayuki didn't want to release him yet.
One day wasn't enough.
Hiashi hadn't come close to subduing him.
The room fell silent.
Tsunade sipped her tea quietly.
No pressure.
No bargaining.
Finally, Masayuki spoke.
"Why?" he asked bluntly.
"Why involve yourself for a mere branch member?"
They had no real relationship.
This squad itself had only existed because of a deal with the Hokage.
Tsunade set her cup down gently.
"Because Hyūga Akira is my subordinate."
Masayuki saw it clearly.
She wouldn't elaborate.
With a sigh, he nodded.
"Very well."
In the end—
He didn't want to make an enemy of Tsunade.
"Eight hundred ninety-one."
"Eight hundred ninety-two."
"Eight hundred ninety-three."
Akira was doing one-handed handstand push-ups.
His entire body balanced on a single arm, rising and falling steadily.
Sweat streamed from his face, pooling on the stone floor.
Soft footsteps sounded.
Akira immediately stopped.
He stepped forward and swiftly stored the trash, lamp, and food away.
The cell plunged back into darkness.
He wasn't about to expose his inventory.
It was his greatest trump card.
Click.
The lock turned.
Light spilled in through the doorway.
Akira looked up calmly.
"Hyūga Akira," a familiar voice said, "your confinement is over."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He walked out.
Hyūga Hiashi stood outside, hesitation on his face—until he straightened immediately upon seeing Akira.
He extended a hand.
"We're in the same squad," Hiashi said solemnly.
"I hope we can cooperate well in the future."