Just like in the original story, Hinata was the female lead—born into one of Konoha's great noble clans, the Hyūga.
Perhaps because the Uchiha clan was still alive and well, Hiashi Hyūga did not dare proclaim his clan as Konoha's number one family, nor could he claim they were the strongest in taijutsu.
After all, the Uchiha produced madmen.
And Uchiha taijutsu was renowned across the entire shinobi world. If pushed too far, they might actually start a fight.
Hinata was the daughter of the head of the main house. By all logic, she should inherit the clan.
With such a noble identity, she shouldn't be running around as a Genin, taking on random missions.
Instead, she might be brought back home and trained exclusively as the heir.
But that was only a possibility.
The Hyūga operated under the main house and branch house system. Each generation, the clan head would have two children. The elder would remain in the main house as the heir, while the younger would be sent to the branch family to become its successor.
That way, both sides remained "their own people."
But her younger sister, Hanabi, had not been branded with the Caged Bird Seal and sent to the branch house.
Which meant—
Hiashi had likely already reached an agreement with the elders of the main house.
Hanabi would inherit the clan.
And Hinata…
Had probably already been abandoned.
Her struggle over what to choose was almost ironic.
She didn't actually have a choice.
She could only become a shinobi.
…
"Alright!"
"Class dismissed!"
"I hope you all achieve good results tomorrow!"
Iruka ended the lesson and stepped out of the classroom. The students collectively let out sighs of relief.
"Finally! I'm done being a student—I want to become a ninja!"
"Hey! Isn't it weird? We have to study at the Academy for six years! My dad said they only studied for one year before graduating."
"And we have to study this long?"
"Idiot… that's because this peace wasn't easily won. Your dad's generation graduated straight onto the battlefield!"
"Yeah, well who wants to go to the battlefield?!"
Is that so?
Uchiha children had been taken to battlefields when they were only a few years old.
It couldn't be denied—the Third Hokage had not treated the Uchiha particularly well in certain respects.
As his classmates began packing up, Uchiha Kai did the same, preparing to leave.
He had just placed his pen into his bag when a figure suddenly stepped in front of him.
A handsome boy with black hair and black eyes.
He wore a blue shirt with the fan crest of the Uchiha emblazoned on the back.
"Uchiha Kai!"
Uchiha Sasuke.
They were in the same class.
Sasuke stared at him intensely.
Then he glanced at Hinata.
To reach Uchiha Kai's seat, Hinata would need to move.
So Sasuke said bluntly,
"Move. You're in the way."
"…" Uchiha Kai.
He had forgotten to mention—
Uchiha men had trouble getting married.
Because they were far too straightforward.
"U-Um—"
Little Hinata seemed flustered by the demand.
"Don't mind him," Uchiha Kai said calmly. "You don't have to move. I'll step out instead."
"…" Sasuke.
"…"
Sasuke looked visibly irritated.
He turned and walked out of the classroom.
"I'll be waiting at the back mountain!"
"This time, I won't lose to you again!"
With that, he disappeared.
Uchiha Kai, however, continued packing at an unhurried pace before walking toward the school gate.
"Eh?"
He had only gone a dozen meters when Hinata hurried after him.
"Uchiha Kai-kun, didn't Sasuke-kun say he'd wait for you at the back mountain? But you're… going home?"
"Yes," Uchiha Kai replied honestly. "I'm heading home."
It was obvious from his route.
Out of the Academy.
Back to the Uchiha residential district.
End of story.
"B-But Sasuke-kun is still waiting—"
"Don't worry about him," Uchiha Kai said. "When he gets tired of waiting, he'll go home himself."
"Uh…"
Hinata was stunned by the sheer shamelessness of the maneuver.
In truth, this was Uchiha Kai's cold-shoulder strategy.
When he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and chose Edo Tensei Madara as his Stand, the Uchiha clan had survived purely by accident.
Things had turned out better than in the original story.
But Sasuke, blissfully unaware of his fortune, only saw one thing—
His beloved brother, Uchiha Itachi, branded a traitor and imprisoned by the clan.
His faith had collapsed.
And so he became even more driven.
Constantly challenging other young Uchiha to prove himself. To reclaim his pride.
Uchiha Kai didn't want to get entangled, so he had deliberately lost to him before.
Unfortunately, Sasuke later discovered he had been toyed with—
After witnessing Uchiha Kai use a Fire Release technique three times larger than Itachi's Great Fireball.
From then on, Sasuke relentlessly issued challenges.
The situation reminded Uchiha Kai of Kakashi and Might Guy's fated rivalry.
Was he supposed to have that kind of relationship with Sasuke?
He firmly refused.
So he frequently stood Sasuke up.
And besides—
"There's another reason I don't want to fight Sasuke," Uchiha Kai said casually.
"He could clearly make a living off his looks. Just rely on his Uchiha face and call it a day."
"But no—he insists on getting stronger. Are you leaving any hope for ordinary people?"
"U-Um—"
Hinata finally understood.
But she quickly shook her head in small denial.
"I-I think… Uchiha Kai-kun could also make a living off his face…"
"…?"
That made him stop.
He turned to look at Hyūga Hinata.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Hinata immediately lowered her head, shyly staring at her toes.
Perhaps due to her bloodline, her skin was paler than most girls', and her veins were faintly visible. When she blushed, it was extremely noticeable.
This time, the flush spread from her cheeks down to her neck.
As if she had accidentally said something terribly embarrassing.
Uchiha Kai nodded thoughtfully.
"Did you run into some trouble and want my help?"
"There's still some time before I head back. You can tell me. No need to be embarrassed."
"…"
Hinata remained silent.
Her fingers tightened nervously around the hem of her sleeve.
Want More? Get up to +60 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ https://www.patreon.com/MangekyoChronicles
➤ +300 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
Thanks for the support!