The morning air felt different.
Renji couldn't explain why, but it carried something unfamiliar—something lighter, more open, almost overwhelming compared to the calm, strictly ordered atmosphere of the Hyūga estate.
Today… he would step outside.
Not alone.
Not freely.
But even as a servant, even as a shadow trailing behind the heiress…
It would be the first time in his life that he crossed the threshold of the compound walls.
He tightened the blindfold around his eyes, fingers steady despite the hammering rhythm in his chest. His clothes were simple but clean—freshly washed by his own hands the night before. He had wanted to look presentable, though he wasn't sure why. Not like anyone outside would notice him.
He stepped out into the main courtyard and waited at the designated place.
Servants were already busy preparing Lady Hinata—fixing her kimono, adjusting the small lavender hair ribbon she liked, speaking to her in soft but efficient tones.
"Lady Hinata, remember to bow politely."
"Do not cling to the instructor."
"You must introduce yourself with clarity."
"Do not cry."
Hinata fiddled with her sleeves, nodding nervously at every instruction.
Renji watched quietly from several meters behind—his proper distance.
The moment she saw him, her eyes softened, shoulders loosening just slightly. She stepped closer with small, hesitant steps.
"R-Renji… good morning…"
Renji bowed deeply. "Good morning, Lady Hinata."
She fidgeted with her fingers, then whispered, "I… I'm nervous."
The seal pulsed faintly. Indeed, her chakra felt wound tight, like a stream trembling beneath ice.
"You will be fine," Renji said gently. "It is only an observation day."
Hinata swallowed hard. "But… they said there will be other children. I-I've never met anyone my age except… you…"
Renji lowered his head further.
A servant, equal in age, yet not allowed to stand beside her.
"I will be behind you," he said quietly. "You won't be alone."
Hinata's face brightened for a brief moment—until her attendant approached.
"Lady Hinata," she said sharply, "we must depart."
Hinata jumped at the tone and hurried to join the attendants. Renji stepped back, resuming silent, proper distance.
The gates of the Hyūga compound loomed before them.
Tall.
Imposing.
Unchanging.
Renji had lived his entire life behind these walls.
He had never walked through them.
Until now.
When the gates slid open, Renji felt his breath catch—not from fear, not from excitement, but from sheer overwhelm.
The village beyond was bright, noisy, alive.
Children ran with wooden kunai toys.
Vendors pulled carts of fruit and dried fish.
Ninjas leaped across rooftops with easy fluidity.
A stray cat scampered under a food stall.
The colors were vibrant in a way the Hyūga estate never was—bright banners, painted signs, the warm reds and browns of wooden shops, the greens of distant trees.
Renji's senses reeled.
His Byakugan was powerful—
but this world… this freedom…
was too big, too unrestrained.
He almost took a step back.
Hinata noticed immediately.
"R-Renji… are you okay?"
"Yes," he answered quickly. "Just adjusting."
His hands tightened behind his back.
He must not appear overwhelmed.
He must not show emotion.
He must remain her calm shadow.
The attendants began walking.
Hinata followed, her steps small and careful.
Renji trailed silently behind her.
As they moved down the street, villagers glanced their way—recognizing the Hyūga heiress from the clothing and attendants.
Their eyes slid past Renji.
Not recognizing him.
Not acknowledging him.
He wasn't a Hyūga in their eyes.
Just a small servant boy wearing a strange blindfold.
"Why is that kid covering his eyes?"
"Is he blind?"
"Looks weird…"
"Maybe he's some kind of apprentice monk?"
Renji pretended not to hear.
He was used to worse.
But the moment Hinata heard a group of children whisper loudly, she turned, opening her mouth as if to speak up for him—
An attendant grabbed her shoulder.
"Lady Hinata. Eyes forward. Do not engage strangers."
Hinata's lips pressed into a thin line.
She obeyed.
Renji felt her frustration echo through the seal.
He wanted to kneel and reassure her—
I am used to this. Don't let it hurt you.
—but he remained silent.
His feelings didn't matter.
Her emotions did.
After a short walk, they arrived at the academy training grounds.
The field was wide and open, filled with wooden dummies, targets, obstacle setups, and a small area where academy instructors gathered parents and children.
"Lady Hinata, you will watch from here," the attendant said, guiding her toward the shade of a sakura tree.
Renji stood behind her, hands at his sides.
A few children nearby turned to look.
"Who's that girl?"
"She's wearing fancy clothes…"
"Is she a clan kid?"
"Whoa, what's with the blindfold boy behind her?"
Renji kept still, eyes lowered.
Hinata shrank behind her attendant, trembling slightly at the attention.
Then—
A loud voice boomed from across the field.
"HEY! YOU TWO! COME PLAY WITH US!"
Everyone turned.
A small boy with bright blond hair, messy as a bird's nest, stood grinning widely, waving both arms in the air.
Naruto.
Hinata gasped and flushed instantly.
Renji felt a surge of heat from her chakra—and the seal pulsed accordingly, a soft echo of her sudden embarrassment.
"Oh no…" Hinata whispered. "I-It's him again…"
Renji blinked behind the blindfold.
Again?
Naruto bounded toward them with boundless energy, ignoring the sharp looks from other parents and the annoyed muttering from the instructors.
He stopped right in front of Hinata, hands on his hips.
"Hi! Wanna play ninja with me? I'll be the Hokage!" he declared proudly.
Hinata squeaked, face turning red.
She hid behind her attendant.
Renji stepped forward slightly—protectively, instinctively—but the attendant glared at him, silently ordering him back.
Naruto tilted his head.
"Hey… why're you hiding? I'm not scary!"
Hinata shook her head rapidly.
Renji sensed her panic rising.
He murmured softly, "Lady Hinata… breathe slowly."
She tried—but Naruto saw her trembling.
He frowned.
"…Did I do something wrong?"
Hinata shook her head again, eyes filling with tears.
Naruto brightened instantly.
"Oh! Maybe you're shy! That's okay—I'm good with shy people! Look!"
He struck a ridiculous pose—which somehow made Hinata panic even more.
Renji had to look away to prevent the seal from pulsing too strongly.
And then—
Naruto noticed him.
"HEY! Why're YOU wearing that blindfold thing? Are you a ninja? Are you doing training? Can you see me? Oh, oh—are you like some super secret special squad—?"
The attendant stepped between them sharply.
"Do not speak to him."
Naruto blinked.
"Why not?"
"Because he is a servant."
Naruto looked confused.
"A servant? Like… someone who helps people?"
"Yes."
Naruto grinned. "Awesome! Then you're probably super helpful, huh? What's your name?"
Renji felt panic tighten in his chest.
He wasn't allowed to speak casually.
He wasn't allowed to raise his head.
He wasn't allowed to answer unless spoken to formally by adults.
But Naruto waiting with big curious eyes was… difficult.
Hinata stepped forward suddenly, face flushed.
"H-His name is… R-Renji…"
Naruto blinked.
Then broke into a big smile.
"RENJI! Cool name! Wanna play too?!"
Renji stiffened.
He didn't know how to answer.
He wasn't allowed to play.
He wasn't allowed to be seen as anything other than a shadow.
"Renji cannot—" the attendant started—
But at that moment, another chakra signature flared at the edge of Renji's Byakugan.
A familiar one.
Hiashi Hyūga.
Coming toward the grounds.
Renji's blood ran cold.
If Hiashi saw Naruto speaking to Hinata…
Or worse—speaking to Renji…
This could end badly.
Very badly.
Renji bowed quickly.
"Lady Hinata… we must stand properly. Now."
Before Naruto could protest—
before Hinata could stutter—
before the attendant could scold—
Renji stepped between them in the only way he could without disobedience:
By kneeling at Hinata's side, head bowed, posture perfect.
A silent signal that the clan head was approaching.
Naruto blinked in confusion.
Hinata gasped softly.
And the shadow of Hiashi Hyūga fell across the field.
Hiashi Hyūga stepped onto the academy grounds with the quiet authority of a man who did not need to speak to be obeyed. Conversations hushed. Parents straightened. Instructors bowed. Even the wind seemed to still for him.
Renji remained kneeling, head bowed so low that his forehead almost touched the dirt. The seal beneath his blindfold pulsed sharply—reacting instinctively to the patriarch's overpowering chakra presence.
Hinata stood frozen beside him, hands trembling, eyes wide.
Naruto, meanwhile, simply blinked at the approaching man.
"Who's that guy?" he whispered loudly. "Why's everyone going quiet?"
Hinata squeaked, pressing her hands to her face.
Hiashi ignored the villagers and went straight to his daughter.
"Hinata."
His voice was calm—too calm.
The kind of calm that carried weight.
Hinata snapped upright, bowing.
"Y-Yes, Father!"
Hiashi's pale eyes drifted toward Naruto.
Renji felt a flicker of concern.
Hiashi didn't despise Naruto—no, not quite. But the boy was loud, unpredictable, and worst of all…
A potential embarrassment for the heir.
Naruto, however, stepped forward completely unbothered.
"Hi, Mister! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! Future Hokage!"
Hiashi stared at him without expression.
Renji lowered his head further.
Hinata nearly fainted.
The attendant standing beside her appeared ready to collapse from panic.
Hiashi finally inclined his head slightly.
"…Uzumaki."
Naruto beamed at the acknowledgment, oblivious to the tension.
Hinata tugged nervously at her sleeves.
Renji felt her anxiety through the seal—a trembling ripple of fear.
"Hinata," Hiashi said again, "I was informed you approached the observation point earlier than scheduled. Why?"
"I-I…" Her voice cracked. "I… I wanted to… to s-see…"
"Speak clearly."
Hinata flinched.
Naruto frowned at Hiashi.
"Hey, don't talk to her like that! She's trying!"
Renji stiffened.
No—Naruto, please—
Hiashi's gaze settled on the blond boy once more, and Renji felt the weight of a silent judgment.
"Naruto," Hiashi said. "You should return to your group."
"No way." Naruto stomped a foot. "Hinata's my friend!"
Hinata made a noise halfway between a gasp and a squeak.
Renji almost felt the seal jolt from her embarrassment.
Hiashi lifted an eyebrow.
"Your… friend?"
"Yup!" Naruto grinned. "She's nice!"
The instructors looked horrified.
Hinata was practically steaming red.
The attendant was shaking.
Renji wished desperately he could melt into the ground.
Hiashi remained expressionless.
"Hinata," he said finally, "return to your lesson area."
Hinata bowed quickly and hurried away, glancing back at Naruto and then—briefly—at Renji. Her eyes were full of apology. And something else.
Something like longing.
Renji felt it echo through the seal.
She didn't want to leave him.
And she didn't want Naruto to get in trouble.
Naruto puffed out his chest defiantly as Hinata left. "I'll wait for her! She's my—"
Hiashi interrupted.
"You," he said quietly, addressing Naruto at last, "do not understand the responsibilities that bind my daughter."
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
Renji kept his head down.
He knew exactly what Hiashi meant.
Hinata's status.
Her expectations.
Her duty.
Her future.
A future Renji could only serve from the shadows.
A future Naruto, loud and bright and free, could never comprehend.
Hiashi's tone softened—not kindly, but knowingly.
"Continue your training. That will be enough."
Though Naruto didn't fully understand, he nodded anyway.
"O-Okay…"
Hiashi walked past him and stopped directly in front of Renji.
The ground felt colder beneath Renji's knees.
"Renji."
"Yes… Clan Head," Renji whispered.
"You were instructed to remain at the proper distance at all times."
"I obeyed," Renji said.
"You approached Lady Hinata earlier."
Renji froze.
He had merely stepped forward to stabilize her earlier—barely a motion—but Hiashi had seen.
"I meant no—"
"You do not need to mean anything," Hiashi said quietly. "Your actions alone are enough."
Renji bowed lower.
"I accept any correction."
Hiashi studied him for a long moment.
Then spoke a single sentence that chilled him deeper than punishment would have.
"Your place is behind her. Not beside her."
The words were not cruel.
But they sliced deeper than cruelty ever could.
Renji bowed again. "Yes."
Hiashi walked away without another glance.
Renji remained kneeling long after he left.
Later, after the demonstration concluded, children ran around the field, playing lightly under the instructors' supervision.
Hinata stayed by a tree, too shy to join the groups but stealing timid glances in Naruto's direction.
Renji stood behind her, silent.
Naruto eventually noticed her again.
"HEY! HINATA!"
Hinata jumped so hard she almost tripped.
"W-W-Wha—?!"
Naruto ran toward her, waving. "C'mon! Let's play ninja! I'll show you how to throw leaves like shuriken!"
Hinata turned bright red.
"N-No… I… I can't…"
"Why not?"
Hinata's lips trembled. "…I-I just can't…"
Naruto frowned, confused but not angry.
"Okay… then I'll just stay here! I can sit too!"
Hinata gasped. "N-No, you don't have to—!"
"It's fine!" Naruto grinned. "We can just sit here. You don't need to do anything."
Renji lowered his head to hide a tiny smile.
Naruto wasn't gentle.
But he was kind in his own way.
An unusual, stubborn kind.
One Hinata responded to—even if her face turned the shade of a tomato.
Then Naruto turned to Renji.
"Hey! Blindfold guy! Wanna sit too?"
Renji stiffened.
"Renji," Hinata whispered, "he m-means you…"
The attendant stepped forward sharply.
"Renji is not permitted to—"
But Naruto frowned. "He's a person! He can sit!"
The attendant bristled.
Renji bowed immediately. "I must decline."
Naruto tilted his head. "Why?"
"I serve Lady Hinata."
"So sit with us while serving!"
Renji shook his head gently. "It would be improper."
Naruto grumbled. "You're weird…"
Renji bowed silently.
Then Hinata whispered something so soft only Renji heard:
"…I wish… you could."
He froze.
The seal pulsed.
He bowed deeper—partly to acknowledge her…
and partly to hide the expression he wasn't allowed to show.
A small, aching warmth.
Soon after, the attendants gathered the clan heiress.
"It's time, Lady Hinata."
Hinata nodded reluctantly.
Renji carried her small satchel and followed close behind.
Naruto waved both arms wildly.
"BYE HINATA! BYE RENJI!"
Hinata nearly tripped again.
Renji bowed politely.
Hinata whispered, "Goodbye… Naruto…"
Then the Hyūga entourage left the academy grounds.
Once they were far enough away, when the noise of the village began to thin and the quiet of the clan walls approached, Hinata asked softly:
"Renji… did I do well today?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Yes, Lady Hinata."
She looked up at him—really looked—and smiled.
A small, shy, painfully gentle smile.
"…Thank you."
His heart tightened.
Not because of the seal.
Because of her.
When they returned to the compound, Renji helped Hinata remove her sandals before stepping inside. As she entered her room, she paused and whispered:
"…You were right. I wasn't alone today."
Renji bowed deeply.
Her words followed him like a soft warmth as he walked away.
And as he returned to his silent servant room and untied the blindfold…
For the first time—
the seal felt less like a chain
and more like a tether between two lonely children
trying their best in a world that refused to let them choose.
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