Hyūga Clan.
Reception Hall.
Listening to Hyūga Hiashi's words, Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.
So—
this guy knew that Jin had killed the Cloud Village ninja back then?
As expected of a clan with a thousand-year legacy—one that had stood firm in the ninja world and even grown stronger across seven generations of Hokage.
That wasn't without reason.
But here was the interesting part—
He knew, yet he didn't report it to the Third Hokage?
Otherwise, Jin wouldn't have lived so carefree these past few years.
Interesting.
As this thought crossed his mind, a faint smile slowly rose at the corner of Jin's mouth.
Then, quite naturally, he squeezed Hinata's small hand again and pulled her down to sit beside him.
He showed no intention of letting go.
As for Hinata…
Her cheeks were already red beyond redemption.
Her mind was completely blank.
She obediently let herself be pulled down, sitting stiffly at his side.
Hiashi glanced at the small gesture, and a vein immediately bulged on his forehead.
Bold enough to flirt with his daughter right in front of him?!
This talkative Uchiha brat didn't quite match the rumors, did he?
He fell silent for a moment, then poured a cup of tea and said calmly,
"This cup is to thank you for saving my daughter's life."
"Thanks now? That's a bit late, isn't it—two and a half years late."
Jin shook his head and drained the tea in one go.
By now, he had more or less guessed why the Hyūga clan head had summoned him.
There was really only one reason:
To leak information about Konoha's upper ranks—and to signal goodwill.
As the only two great clans left in Konoha, the annihilation of the Uchiha would not be good news for the Hyūga.
Originally, there had been someone else to share the pressure.
If the Uchiha were gone, wouldn't all that pressure fall squarely on the Hyūga?
Of course, Hiashi wouldn't go too far.
He merely hinted at the wariness of Konoha's leadership,
mentioned that assistance could be provided if necessary,
and finally poured another cup of tea, smiling as he asked:
"Jin, why not stay with the Hyūga clan for a few days as our guest?"
"These past two years, my daughter has been thinking about you quite a lot."
"F-Father…"
That single sentence left Hinata not knowing where to put her face.
She shrank back desperately, like a quail pulling its head in.
"No wonder… so she woke up after I saved her that day?"
Jin shook his head, silently criticizing his lack of experience back then.
If it were now, whether she was unconscious or not, he'd just add another chop and knock her out properly.
He fiddled with the teacup for a moment, then shook his head again.
The Hyūga clan was indeed impressive—but he still preferred the crazy, unhinged Uchiha.
That way, chatting and fighting came without pressure.
And besides…
The Hyūga's support would likely only come after the situation during the massacre changed.
Before that, given Hiashi's patience and forbearance, offering a warning was already his absolute limit.
They could be icing on the cake—but never life-saving snow in winter.
Jin understood that perfectly well.
A vital interest was at stake; hedging bets was only natural.
"Since that's the case, have my daughter show you around the clan."
After chatting a bit longer, Hiashi stood up and gestured for Hinata to take Jin around.
[Conversation with Hyūga Hiashi lasted ten minutes. Attempting to copy trait.]
[Copy failed.]
Jin rolled his eyes, deliberately took Hinata's hand again, and walked out.
No problem if Hiashi failed—
the Hyūga clan had plenty of young men.
And among them—
the most talented of the Twelve Genin in the early days: Neji.
If conversation didn't work, then…
Clatter.
As the wooden door slid shut, the reception hall gradually fell silent.
Moments later, from behind a folding screen, an elder slowly emerged.
His hair was snow-white, his body hunched.
He had to stop and rest after every step.
He slowly walked to the spot where Jin had been sitting, stood there in silence for a long time, then muttered:
"I can't see through him."
"What?" Hiashi was clearly startled; his Byakugan activated reflexively.
"Great Elder—even you can't see through him?"
The Great Elder—the oldest living member of the Hyūga clan.
A man who had mastered the Byakugan to a godlike level.
"That boy is shrouded in mist. My Byakugan can't see through it…"
He hesitated, then added uncertainly,
"But his strength shouldn't be that great…"
After a pause, he asked,
"Hiashi, are you truly planning to place your bet on him?"
"The fate of the Uchiha clan is already sealed. Inviting Uchiha Arata at this time may provoke dissatisfaction from the Third Hokage and the others."
Hearing this, Hiashi waved his hand dismissively.
"Dissatisfaction doesn't matter. The front lines need our Byakugan—
the Third Hokage won't do anything to us."
"And besides…"
He trailed off, his emotions clearly sinking.
"This is something they owe Hizashi."
At the mention of that name, the atmosphere turned heavy.
Back then, under pressure from the Third Hokage and others, he had no choice but to sacrifice his younger brother.
But that didn't mean the matter was settled.
This time was merely a test—nothing more.
As the name Hizashi lingered, both men fell silent.
Boom!
At that moment, a sudden clamor erupted outside.
Hiashi frowned and immediately pulled open the door.
Outside—
A group of Hyūga youths had completely surrounded Jin.
When these hot-blooded young men saw the clan's young lady having her hand held, they snapped.
Shouting erupted one after another.
"Hmph! Let go of the young lady at once!"
"You think you're worthy of touching her?!"
"Let go, or—I'll duel you!"
Amid the noise, a distinct voice quietly cut through:
"Are you sure you want to duel… someone from the Uchiha clan?"
The Uchiha clan.
The youths stiffened, finally noticing Jin's attire.
Their momentum immediately weakened.
Among Konoha's great clans, the Uchiha were the most feared.
Not just because of their strange power—
but because of the most terrifying legend of all:
Becoming friends with an Uchiha.
Who didn't know the saying—
sacrifice loved ones, awaken the Sharingan?
"Heh…"
Seeing the others quiet down, Neji stepped forward with a cold expression.
"Jin, what are you doing here?"
As members of the same generation, they hadn't met often, but he did recognize him.
There was even a time when Uchiha Arata would pester him to chat every day—
then suddenly vanish.
Weird guy.
"Huh? So even a genius like you skips class, Neji?"
Jin shot him an annoyed glance.
This guy had interrupted his harvest.
Turning his head, he raised Hinata's small hand and grinned cheerfully at the surrounding Hyūga "harvest targets."
"Ahem—anyone here unhappy with me?"
"You're welcome to come at me—all of you together."
As he spoke, he openly lifted Hinata's hand and lightly kissed it.
Whoosh!
Hinata's face turned completely crimson.
Then—
her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
The other youths could no longer suppress their jealousy, envy, and rage, and shouted as they charged forward:
"Everyone together!"
"That's right—together! Even if he's an Uchiha, he can't beat all of us!"
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