After returning from the Fire Country border, Hyūga Shinichi's life returned to calm once again.
The operation to hunt down Ao alongside his clansmen gave Shinichi a clearer understanding of his own current power.
Ao had not been weak—in fact, years later, he would even become one of the Mizukage's personal bodyguards. In terms of strength, he was among the top-tier jōnin of the entire shinobi world.
Yet even such a ninja could hardly put up effective resistance against Shinichi's Flying Thunder God.
From this, Shinichi concluded that most elite jōnin-level shinobi were incapable of reacting properly to a sudden teleportation strike.
And now that he'd reached this level, the number of people in the shinobi world who could truly threaten his life had become extremely limited.
Based on Shinichi's understanding of this world, the next ten years or so should allow him to focus on strengthening himself without worrying about outside threats.
Within the tense undercurrents of Konoha, Shinichi's daily life remained as disciplined and full as ever.
And as time passed, the once-famous "young genius of the Hyūga" gradually faded from people's conversations.
The Great Ninja War was nearing its end. Kumogakure had hesitated to attack Konoha, especially after troubles arose with their Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchūriki. Realizing Konoha's strength, they chose to stay defensive—stationing troops along the border without launching further offensives.
Sunagakure, who had started the war, suffered immense losses and was effectively subdued, becoming a subordinate ally of Konoha.
Unluckily, their previous One-Tail jinchūriki, Bunpuku, had passed away, and the new host was none other than the Kazekage Rasa's son—Gaara.
Rumors spread that the new One-Tail often went berserk, leaving Sunagakure too busy handling its own crises. Though still an ally on paper, they sent no aid against the Mist front.
With most borders stabilizing, only the front led by Orochimaru against the Mist remained fierce.
During this war, many of Konoha's new generation rose to prominence.
Uchiha Shisui, with his exceptional ability and maturity, had officially become a jōnin under the recommendations of Kakashi and Uchiha Fugaku.
Minato placed great hope in him—temporarily releasing him from police duties and sending him to the border for real combat experience.
Shisui didn't disappoint. Within only a few years, his name spread throughout the shinobi world. He was soon known as "Shunshin no Shisui"—Shisui the Teleporter.
Since becoming jōnin, his mission success rate reached a perfect 100%, making him a recognized genius of the village.
Even within the proud Uchiha clan, Shisui was hailed as their number one prodigy, his fame rivaling that of Fugaku himself.
The Uchiha were a clan with immense pride and strong collective honor.
Seeing Shisui bring glory to their name filled them with pride; recognition—whether from allies or enemies—was all they ever sought.
Fugaku understood this sentiment well and used it to his advantage, amplifying Shisui's reputation throughout the village.
He hoped this would calm discontent within the clan and perhaps make Shisui a bridge between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership—paving the way for future generations to step beyond the confines of the Police Force.
In truth, ever since the founding of Konoha, the Uchiha's prestige had greatly declined.
The restrictions of the Police Force's role made it difficult for them to shine in battle.
While other shinobi fought and died on the frontlines, most Uchiha remained behind, inevitably becoming the subject of resentment and gossip among civilians and other clans.
The clan's dissatisfaction stemmed from a series of accumulated issues.
Shisui's achievements were a temporary balm, but they could not heal the root of the problem.
Still, Fugaku saw in Shisui the possibility of change—and began shaping another "symbol of genius": his own son, Uchiha Itachi.
Konoha Year 53, Autumn.
After just one year in the Ninja Academy, seven-year-old Uchiha Itachi graduated early and officially became a genin.
Both Fugaku and Minato personally helped to promote the "genius" label attached to his name.
Before this, only close relatives knew of Itachi's exceptional talent. But now, the entire village knew of the boy who had graduated at seven—the new prodigy of the Uchiha clan.
Unlike most of his clan, Itachi did not join the Police Force. Under Minato's arrangement, he entered a standard four-man team led by a jōnin instructor and was permitted to go on missions outside the village.
It was clear that both Shisui and Itachi's paths would differ greatly from the traditional Uchiha mold.
To celebrate Itachi's early graduation, Fugaku organized a small gathering at the Uchiha compound, inviting close friends of the family.
Kakashi, Shisui—and even Shinichi's family—were all on the guest list.
It was both a congratulatory feast and an opportunity to strengthen bonds between clans.
Though Shinichi rarely attended social events and Hiashi had only recently recovered from his battlefield injuries, the Hyūga family still made a point to attend.
Even though it was a small private event, the sight of the Hyūga head and Uchiha head meeting cordially drew quiet attention from every faction within the village.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, didn't mind at all.
Gentle and polite as he was, Minato was also quietly confident—very different from the cautious, self-doubting personality of the Third Hokage.
He believed Konoha would continue to prosper under his leadership, and that its great clans could coexist peacefully.
Seasons changed—autumn to spring, spring to autumn—and time flowed quietly onward.
The Hyūga household, too, saw new changes.
Perhaps after stepping off the battlefield, Hiashi had begun to treasure family life more deeply.
After giving birth to Shinichi and Hinata, their mother Hanako became pregnant again.
By late March that year, Shinichi's second little sister, Hyūga Hanabi, was born.
Not long after Hanabi's birth, an old issue resurfaced—one that the branch house elders had been waiting years to bring up:
The matter of when to brand Hinata with the Caged Bird Seal.
Traditionally, when a Hyūga child reached three years of age, the ceremony would be conducted.
But at the time, Hiashi and elder Hyūga Shinn had both been away at the warfront, and the matter was postponed.
After the war, with Hiashi recovering from injury and Shinichi returning home triumphantly from his mission against Ao, the issue was again delayed.
Now, years later, Shinichi was ten, Hinata was five, and Hiashi's third child had just been born—naturally, the elders raised the topic again.
Hiashi was a traditional man with remnants of old patriarchal thinking, but that didn't mean he didn't love his daughter.
He knew full well the burden the seal represented and had done all he could to delay it.
But with the elders pressing the matter again, Hiashi realized he could no longer avoid it.
At the clan meeting, just as he was about to agree, his son Shinichi suddenly spoke up:
"Isn't it too early to mark Hinata with the Caged Bird Seal now?
It's better to wait until the clan's inheritance order is fully settled before discussing it again."
Ever since leading the mission to recover the Byakugan, Shinichi had earned the right to attend the main clan meetings. His words carried weight even among the branch elders.
Normally quiet during meetings, this was the first time Shinichi openly expressed disagreement—and he stood alone against every elder present.
"Shinichi…"
"The succession order has already been decided."
"No one knows this better than you."
"You are the heir of the Hyūga clan—no one else could be more suitable."
"Hinata's branding is non-negotiable. This is Hyūga law."
The first to respond wasn't a branch elder, but Hyūga Shin, the old grand elder who had always treated Shinichi like his own grandson.
Shinn truly loved the boy, but when it came to clan tradition, he was rigid to the point of stubbornness.
He firmly supported branding Hinata now, believing it would further solidify Shinichi's position as heir.
Even so, Shinichi calmly replied:
"Grandfather, I'm not opposing the Caged Bird mark itself—I just think now isn't the right time.
You're right, I understand the clan's expectations. But I'm still young, aren't I?
If something unexpected were to happen to me…"
"Enough!" Shinn snapped, cutting him off.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Nothing will happen to you!"
"The entire Hyūga will protect you with everything we have."
"I understand your feelings. Considering Hinata's young age, we can postpone the ceremony—but remember, Shinichi, you represent more than yourself now. You represent the entire clan."
Though his words were stern, his decision was clear: the branding would be delayed.
The branch elders exchanged subtle glances.
Though they felt Shinn was overly indulgent of the heir, they couldn't argue—after all, the rule wasn't broken, only postponed. There were precedents for this.
Hiashi then spoke:
"Elder Shinn is right—but Shinichi's concern also makes sense. Let's agree on this:
By the time you reach adulthood, the seal must be placed on Hinata. Does that satisfy everyone?"
Six years—by the standards of the shinobi world, adulthood came at sixteen.
Hinata, five years younger, would receive the seal before graduating the Academy.
After some thought, the elders agreed. With Hiashi setting the rule, the meeting soon ended peacefully.
The main and branch families depended on each other, but the main house always had the final say.
As long as nothing violated tradition outright, the elders would yield—especially for Shinichi, whose talent and character they admired.
His objection also proved one thing: he was a compassionate brother.
And to them, only someone who loved family could be trusted to love and protect the clan.
The matter was never mentioned to Hinata.
At five years old, she was anything but the quiet, shy girl people would one day know.
Since beginning her ninja training, she had shown diligence and focus—almost resembling Shinichi's childhood self.
Most adults believed this was simply because Hinata wanted to catch up to her prodigious brother.
But in truth, her motivation came from somewhere else entirely—her childhood friend, Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto, raised by both parents, had inherited Kushina's energy and Minato's discipline.
Even without the Nine-Tails, his Uzumaki lineage and Asura chakra gave him immense reserves, and his mother's training had honed his chakra control from a young age.
Hinata, watching him grow stronger by the day, felt a sharp sense of urgency.
Afraid of being left behind by her best friend, she trained relentlessly in secret—determined to keep up with him.
Whether it was childhood affection or something deeper, Hinata's heart was already set.
Hanako had sensed it, but saw no harm—little girls' "crushes" were harmless things.
As for Hiashi, he barely noticed. The idea of his daughter having feelings hadn't even crossed his mind.
And Shinichi?
Well, despite Naruto being a "bright yellow-haired troublemaker," he didn't mind.
If his sister's future husband were Naruto, he could live with that.
What did concern him, though, was Hinata's personality—she wasn't nearly as soft-spoken as he remembered from another life.
Her attachment to Naruto bordered on possessive, and he wasn't sure how that would end.
If things ever turned into a love triangle—"she loves me, I love her, but she loves someone else"—he could only hope no blood would be spilled.
Because judging by her current temperament, if anyone ever tried to take Naruto away…
Hinata might actually kill them.
And if it came to that—well, as her brother, Shinichi would have to take her side.
But that was still far in the future.
For now, something else occupied the family's attention—Hinata's upcoming entrance into the Ninja Academy.
Hiashi wanted his daughter to live a normal life, to enjoy school, and have a proper childhood.
By autumn, her enrollment was arranged; by next spring, at age six, she would enter the Academy.
When late February arrived and the cherry blossoms began to bloom, Konoha's Ninja Academy opened its gates to welcome new students.
That morning, Hanako woke Hinata early, bathed and dressed her neatly, and brought her to breakfast.
Even Shinichi had skipped his usual morning training to join Hiashi at the table, waiting for the girls to arrive.
For Hinata, this was an important day—and her whole family would be there to accompany her.
She was wide awake, brimming with excitement.
Seeing that glow in her eyes, Shinichi couldn't help but tease:
"Hey, Hinata, are you really that happy about school?"
"Of course!" she said proudly. "I'll get to play with my friends every day—it's way better than staying stuck in the compound. Someone boring like you wouldn't understand!"
"Boring…"
Even Shinichi was momentarily stunned.
He quietly went back to eating while Hiashi and Hanako exchanged amused smiles.
"All right, finish up," Hanako said softly, patting Hinata's head. "We can't be late for your first day."
After breakfast, the family set out together.
Hanako carried baby Hanabi in her arms; Hiashi, unusually relaxed, held Hinata's hand. Shinichi walked beside them.
The sight of the full Hyūga family strolling through the village drew attention—several ninjas greeted Hiashi along the way.
By the time they reached the Academy, the gates were still closed, and the front courtyard was crowded with parents and new students.
At the entrance, Minato and Kushina stood with Naruto, chatting warmly with Uchiha Fugaku and his wife, who had come to send off their younger son, Sasuke.
The two boys stood beside their parents, eyes meeting for the first time.
One was the Hokage's son; the other, the heir of the Uchiha.
From that very first glance, Naruto and Sasuke instinctively saw each other as rivals.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones