Hizashi Hyuga walked slowly toward the Hyuga compound, a beige Anbu squad leader coat draped over his shoulders.
By rights, Anbu were not supposed to wear their uniforms off duty.
First, for secrecy. Even though that rule existed, it rarely worked in practice.
Once someone joined the Anbu, their ordinary missions became scarce. Most assignments came during rotation periods or rest days, and they were usually light work.
Former teammates could always piece things together.
When Anbu took on small missions during their downtime, money was secondary. The real purpose was to ease the crushing pressure that came with Black Ops work.
Escort missions, for example, meant chatting along the road, enjoying the scenery, and keeping the body in shape.
Second, the Anbu answered directly to the Hokage. They were the village's blade and its watchdog.
Wearing that coat made people uneasy. Most would rather keep their distance.
But Hizashi Hyuga was different.
The Hokage had invited him into the Anbu in full public view. Everyone in the village knew.
And more than that, he liked this coat.
He had never had many friends. The few he could call close were people he had met in the Anbu.
Hizashi looked up at the gates of his clan and allowed himself a faint smile.
Every time he saw the Hyuga crest embedded above the entrance, the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead turned cold.
Yet the Anbu coat on his shoulders seemed to radiate warmth, chasing that chill away.
"Hizashi-nii, long time no see…"
"You look sharp in that coat! This beige one's different from before…" The Hyuga Branch House guard at the gate lit up when he saw him.
His name was Iroha Hyuga.
The main house had forbidden the branch from discussing Hizashi.
As if that could stop anyone.
The story of Sakumo Hatake escorting Hizashi back to the compound and openly confronting Tenzo Hyuga had spread like a banned novel passed from hand to hand. Every branch household whispered it to the next.
Back in the era of warring clans, the branch house would not even have dared imagine something like that.
At most, they would pray that the next clan head might show a little mercy.
To confront the clan head? To stand as equals? To throw back one's head and laugh on the way out?
That was pure branch house fantasy.
"Thanks to the Hokage's favor…" Hizashi's lips curved before he could stop himself. He paused to chat with the branch members, speaking with quiet feeling.
"How has the clan been lately? You know I don't come back often now. I have duties to the village."
"I've made a few friends in the Anbu. I guess I've neglected my old brothers in the branch."
There was intent beneath his casual tone.
He let slip, here and there, that the Hokage valued him, that he was doing well in the Anbu.
Part of it was pride. He would not pretend otherwise.
But the real goal was to ease the branch house's fears about joining the Anbu.
If he thrived, then the path was proven.
And it was not a lie.
"Hizashi-nii, don't worry about us. Focus on what matters out there!"
Iroha glanced around instinctively, lowering his voice. "The main house has been talking about you a lot lately. They say this kind of situation hasn't happened in a hundred years. They've even been grumbling about the Hokage…"
Hizashi's eyes narrowed. "Grumbling how?"
Iroha felt it at once.
The same gentle Hizashi from a moment ago now carried something sharp beneath the surface.
His tone remained even.
But with that Anbu coat, it felt as if he might draw a blade at any second.
Iroha steadied himself and spoke softly.
"Nothing too outrageous. Mostly they're saying the Hokage suddenly stepped into Hyuga affairs and broke unwritten rules. That he didn't consult them."
"It sounds more like complaints…"
Hizashi let out a cold snort.
If they had been openly cursing the Hokage, he would have reported it at once. He might even have paid a visit to Minister Danzo.
The Hokage was broad-minded and merciful. He might ignore the main house's muttering.
But Danzo would not.
Even so, complaints would be recorded.
"Hizashi-nii, do we have a chance too?" Another branch guard spoke up. His name was Kamon Hyuga.
He was still young, without the habit of speaking in circles.
His eyes shone as he looked at Hizashi. "The Anbu still need people, right? I heard the village formed a new Patrol Unit. If we can't get into the Anbu, that would be good too…"
Iroha blinked. Youth really was fearless.
Then he seized the moment. "Hizashi-nii, I want to go too!"
A quiet smile formed in Hizashi's heart.
Half the plan was already done.
Iroha and Kamon were among the most talented in the branch house.
And the more talent someone had, the stronger their yearning for freedom.
"I'll remember what you said."
Hizashi smiled. "Tell the others in the branch. If anything comes up, come find me."
"If I'm not around, go to Sakumo Hatake. If it's urgent enough, you can even go straight to the Hokage."
"We may be the Hyuga Branch House, but first and foremost, we are shinobi of Konoha."
"The Hokage's Will of Fire treats every ninja who wishes to serve the village equally," Hizashi said quietly.
"You probably don't know this…"
"That Dai everyone used to laugh at? The Hokage discovered his potential."
"He mastered a powerful secret technique. His Chakra is stronger than mine. He's already become a Special Jonin. Now he's my colleague, serving as the Anbu's physical training instructor."
Iroha and Kamon's eyes widened.
Might Duy?
Stronger than Hizashi-nii?
The longing in their gazes deepened. In their hearts, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to stand taller and taller.
A Hokage who could turn stone into gold.
Hizashi took in their reactions and smiled inwardly.
Enough said.
Done.
Iroha and Kamon hurried to open the gate for him, their movements eager but sincere.
This was hope for the branch house.
Hizashi stepped inside and immediately saw Ko Hyuga with a branch member at his side, gesturing and pointing about the compound.
Their eyes met.
Ko's smile froze.
Tenzo Hyuga had ordered him to fetch Hizashi for a discussion today.
Ko had been thinking that even if Hizashi had entered the Anbu, he was still from the branch house.
They would not become open enemies, but some dignity had to be maintained.
Then he saw the beige squad leader coat.
Ko's body seemed to betray him. The stiffness in his face melted into an automatic smile as he greeted Hizashi warmly.
"Hizashi, long time no see!"
As if he had not been the first to jump out when Hizashi confronted Tenzo.
"Ko. It's you." Hizashi's smile did not reach his eyes. "You haven't changed."
Ko's expression tightened, but he did not argue.
As a main house member without talent, the only way he maintained a sense of presence was by throwing his weight around in front of the branch.
Over time, even that felt hollow.
Had he never wanted the respect of shinobi outside the compound?
A thought flickered through his mind.
If he could, would he trade places with Hizashi?
Give up his main house status for this?
He rejected the idea instinctively.
Yet another voice seemed to whisper inside him.
"…Sigh. I didn't ask for this either."
"Hizashi, the clan head wants to speak with you. I was just coming to find you." Ko forced a thin smile and turned away, lacking enthusiasm.
Hizashi filed that reaction away.
The main house was not as united as it appeared.
Inside the clan head's reception room, Hizashi sat across from his father, Tenzo Hyuga.
A Go board lay between them.
Neither spoke. Each waited for the other.
After a long silence, Tenzo spoke first.
"The Kaguya Clan has sent a letter."
Hizashi's eyes did not waver.
"Father, so you've been secretly colluding with hostile forces outside the village all along?"
"Did you call me here to turn yourself in?"
The words landed like a hammer.
Tenzo, who prided himself on strategy and balance, nearly lost his composure.
Starting with an accusation that heavy…
Are you trying to get your own father executed?