As the birds began to sing, a bright light appeared in the eastern sky.
Meanwhile, in Hiashi's private courtyard, Oriana had finished helping him and his brother dress.
"Thank you for your hard work," Hiashi said.
He never hesitated to express his love for his wife. He embraced her tightly, deepening the kiss until both were breathless before finally parting.
Even after eight years of marriage, Oriana still flushed crimson at her husband's passionate kiss.
"Go quickly. Hizashi has been waiting for a long time. I'll tidy up here."
"Right."
With a flash, Hiashi materialized outside the courtyard, surrounded by tall trees and a sizable artificial lake.
Hizashi had been waiting for him. Upon seeing his brother appear, he greeted him respectfully-
"Aniki!"
"Yes! Let's go!"
The two walked side by side toward the main clan building.
Along the way, they encountered numerous members of the Hyuga Clan. Upon seeing Hiashi, they paused their work and greeted him with nervous excitement, while children stared at him as if gazing at an idol.
Hiashi returned the greetings, even calling some of them by name, which further excited the crowd.
As Hizashi gazed at his elder brother with admiration, he didn't forget to discuss the matter at hand.
"We received the news at dawn. Apart from the child Sasuke Uchiha, the entire Uchiha Clan has been wiped out. It's said that Itachi acted alone."
Hesitating for a moment, Hizashi finally voiced his inner doubt.
"Aniki, I've heard that Itachi gained the power to annihilate an entire clan only after awakening a more advanced form of the Sharingan—the Mangekyo Sharingan. Is the Mangekyo Sharingan truly that terrifying?"
When Hizashi was born, Madara Uchiha had already become a legend. Combined with Konoha's strict secrecy surrounding Madara's information, few in the village knew the true extent of the Mangekyo Sharingan's power. Hizashi's astonishment was therefore understandable.
Moreover, Hiashi understood that beneath Hizashi's shock lay a deeper sense of resentment.
As a clan also renowned for their eye techniques, Hizashi was absolutely unwilling to admit that the Byakugan was inferior to the Sharingan.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan is indeed formidable."
However, Hiashi didn't resort to puffing up the Byakugan at the expense of the Sharingan. In fact, his words carried a hint of harshness.
"Though this may sound like bolstering our enemy's reputation at our own expense, I must tell you that even you are no match for Itachi. Within our Hyuga Clan itself, there's no one who can stand against him—aside from myself. And he's only thirteen years old."
Hizashi's face was etched with shock. He never expected his elder brother to utter such disheartening words. He stared at Hiashi in disbelief, his voice tinged with reluctance.
"Could the Sharingan truly be that powerful? What about our Hyuga Clan's Byakugan...?"
"The Byakugan is naturally no less capable than the Sharingan."
As Hiashi spoke, Hizashi's expression softened slightly.
"But the conditions required for the Byakugan to evolve are far too stringent, unlike the Sharingan..."
Hiashi didn't elaborate further, as there was no need. Instead, Hizashi seemed to grasp the implication from Hiashi's words, his face filling with shock. He asked, almost disbelievingly, "Aniki, do you mean the Byakugan can undergo a deeper evolution, just like the Sharingan?"
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, his shock turned to excitement. "Could it be... you've already..."
Hiashi didn't answer, but his faint smile said it all.
Hizashi's eyes widened with excitement. Then, as Hiashi continued, Hizashi's body trembled so violently he could barely stand.
"Do you know why I value Neji so highly? Aside from him being my nephew, it's because I believe he possesses this kind of talent. In fact, among all the children of the Hyuga Clan, only Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi have this potential. But since they're girls, the future of our clan rests entirely on Neji..."
Hizashi, overwhelmed with emotion, struggled to speak. He had complete faith in Hiashi's words and could only swear solemnly-
"Rest assured, Aniki. I will certainly teach Neji well and not disappoint you."
"Hmm," Hiashi nodded.
However, to prevent Neji from having a difficult future, he added a word of caution-
"Don't be too strict. Neji is still a child. I'll also make time to teach him in the future."
"Thank you, Aniki!"
"There's no need for such formality between us brothers."
As they spoke, they were almost at the main building of the Hyuga Clan's headquarters. But just then, Hiashi noticed an Anbu member hurrying toward them from a distance.
"It seems the Lord Hokage is looking for me. Have everyone wait. We'll discuss this after I return from the Hokage Tower."
"Understood, Aniki. I'll go back and inform them."
"Hmm."
"Kakashi, long time no see!"
The sudden appearance of the figure startled Hatake Kakashi, who was dressed in Anbu attire and wearing his mask. However, the familiar voice quickly brought him back to his senses. He dropped to one knee in a respectful bow.
"Lord Hiashi, the Lord Hokage is looking for you!"
"I know. Let's go."
…
Konoha, Hokage Tower
When Hiashi followed Kakashi to the Hokage Tower, he found the room already packed with attendees.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat in the seat of honor at the head of the table. On either side of him were the two advisors, Danzo, and the clan heads of Konoha's major families, along with high-ranking officials from various departments.
"You're here, Hiashi. Please, take a seat."
Hiruzen's voice was gentle, like that of an elder addressing a junior.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
As the head of Konoha's foremost clan, Hiashi held a position of great prestige in the village. He sat in the seat of honor immediately below Hiruzen, representing the village's major clans—a fact underscored by the seating arrangement behind him.
Behind him sat representatives from the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, and other clans.
On the other side of the table sat Danzo, the two advisors, and other high-ranking officials from the village.
It seemed that Hiashi had arrived last, and with his arrival, everyone was present.
Sarutobi Hiruzen then spoke in a reflective tone.
"Now that we're all here, it's time to discuss serious matters. I presume you've all received the news- last night, Itachi of the Uchiha Clan killed his entire family and defected from the village. According to Anbu reports from the scene, aside from his younger brother, Sasuke, no one survived."
As Hiruzen finished speaking, a prolonged silence fell over the room, so quiet that individual breaths were audible.
Though their expressions varied, none showed excessive emotion.
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