Chapter 175: Chapter 174: The Hyuga Clan's Night Banquet
"Commander," a female subordinate entered, placing a document on the table. "This is the joint peace declaration from the Five Great Nations—Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water. Would you like to review it once more?"
"No need," Yuto replied, signing his name. Alongside his own, the document bore signatures from Hiruzen, Danzo, and others. Once Minato imprinted his chakra seal on it, the document would officially take effect within the Land of Fire.
A week after the succession ceremony, the Five Great Nations gradually formed alliances, and the same peace declaration was successively implemented in each village, bringing the Third Shinobi World War to a formal end.
The female subordinate retrieved the document but didn't leave. Yuto glanced at her and suddenly realized, "From the Branch Family?"
"Yes... Yuto-nii-san," the female subordinate removed her fox mask, revealing a young, pretty face with the Caged Bird Seal on her forehead. "I'm Saki Hyuga, I'm—"
"I remember you," Yuto smiled gently. "When you were very young, around three years old, we built a snowman together."
Saki blushed slightly, gathering the courage to ask, "Yuto-nii-san, tonight is the Hyuga Clan's gathering, and it's almost dark. Can we go together...?"
"I'm afraid not," Yuto shook his head with a sigh.
"I still have a lot of official duties to handle, and besides... in this office, it's best to use titles."
The young Branch Family girl pouted in disappointment, but no matter how bold she was, she wouldn't dare act out in front of the renowned Yuto. Obediently, she put on her ANBU mask. "As you command, Commander."
"You're dismissed."
Saki left, somewhat dejected, though the outcome was within her expectations.
During the war, Yuto's fame grew, and his record of achievements was daunting. Just flipping through it would reveal that he had numerous victories, he had gathered critical intelligence, and countless lives were saved by him. But beyond that? Nothing.
Such an outstanding young man, in his prime, and yet, not a single scandal had ever surfaced. Even when Minato became less discreet in his later years, Yuto remained alone, without a companion, and there were no close female friends either.
Many believed Yuto was simply a late bloomer when it came to matters of the heart, which was understandable given his parents' early deaths and the war that followed.
Occasionally, the kunoichi of the village would gather for tea, and a few times, they subtly asked Tsunade about him. But the blonde woman always changed the subject, and over time, the kunoichi came to understand the situation.
—Yes, Yuto was indeed clueless when it came to romance, a certified pure-hearted young man. Even his sensei was too embarrassed to talk about it behind his back!
When the sun had completely set, the genuine pure-hearted boy Yuto stretched, tidied up his desk, and left the Hokage Building.
By the way, to emphasize the authority and status of the ANBU Captain, Minato had ordered Yuto's office to be in the Hokage Building, just one floor below his own.
Under the starry sky, Yuto donned a white kimono and made his way to the Hyuga Clan's grounds.
The Hyuga Clan had stood strong for a thousand years, with many rules and traditions. There were over twenty large clan gatherings each year—on the first day of each month, on the anniversary of the ancestors, on the current Clan Head's birthday... When they were young, most Hyuga children found the myriad clan rules to be the most daunting.
The clan members guarding the gate bowed as Yuto entered the central courtyard.
The courtyard was filled with members of the Hyuga Clan.
The vitality of life permeated the night air as Yuto took a deep breath, as if savoring fine wine.
Numerous pairs of Byakugan eyes focused on Yuto, most filled with undisguised admiration.
A shinobi of his caliber had not emerged from the Hyuga Clan in a long time.
Yuto nodded in acknowledgment to his clan members and walked to the front, joining them in staring at the large central building in the courtyard.
Everyone in the courtyard, including Yuto, was from the Branch Family.
The Main Family members were all inside the large building.
Only a thin curtain embroidered with the clan's symbol separated the building from the courtyard.
Yet this thin curtain barred the Branch Family members from entering.
Yuto's peripheral vision caught sight of a man standing beside him—long black hair, green kimono, not particularly strong in stature, but exceptionally agile.
It was Hizashi Hyuga.
In clan gatherings, it was normal for the Branch Family leader and high-ranking Branch Family members to stand together.
'If a battle broke out now, combining forces with Hizashi and all the Branch Family members, the probability of successfully eliminating the entire Main Family inside... is about ninety percent!' Yuto calculated silently, his gaze fixed on the thin curtain.
'Hizashi's combat abilities are quite good, there are about eight Branch Family members in the courtyard at the level of a standard Jonin, and the guards are all from the Branch Family. With my Lion's Fang Bite and the Explosive Tag Chain Reaction, it wouldn't be difficult to kill all the Main Family members inside, but it must be done swiftly to prevent them from activating the Caged Bird Seal. No, if you think about it, would the Main Family members even have time to react to such a betrayal from the Branch Family? Perhaps it would be easier than I imagined...'
He entertained various thoughts in his mind but ultimately took no action.
Yuto understood that Hizashi would never side with him, and most of the Branch Family members in the courtyard, despite their resentment toward the Caged Bird Seal on their foreheads, would not follow him.
If you ask why... that thin curtain separating the building from the courtyard explains everything.
The curtain was pure white, embroidered with a pitch-black clan symbol. It was made of cotton, and upon closer inspection, one could see intricate patterns and fine craftsmanship.
But no matter how well-made, it was still just a piece of cotton cloth.
For shinobi with chakra, not to mention even a five-year-old with scissors could easily tear it apart.
Yet now, this cotton cloth kept all the Branch Family members at bay.
Yuto almost wanted to laugh but managed to hold it in. The curtain reminded him of a story he had read in his previous life—about a branch and a donkey.
Tie a young donkey to a branch, and it won't be able to break free, so it will obediently stay nearby to graze. As that donkey grows up, even when it's strong enough to easily snap the branch, it won't resist, remaining bound by the thin branch.
The shackles placed on the mind are a thousand times more terrifying than those on the body.
When the night deepened, Hiashi Hyuga emerged from inside, tearing down the curtain and casually tossing it aside.
The Main Family members stepped out, including elders and young adults.
Hiashi's gaze swept over the Branch Family members in the courtyard, focusing particularly on Yuto and Hizashi.
"We are all family, no need to be formal. Come inside."
The building was large, like a small square with walls built around the edges. The tables and chairs were arranged in an orderly fashion, with snacks, fruits, and drinks placed on them.
Tonight's gathering was to commemorate an ancestor who made significant contributions a thousand years ago, so unlike the monthly clan meetings, there was no need for serious discussions. After the Main Family had finished their deliberations, it was time for the much-anticipated eating and drinking, with fewer formalities.
Yuto picked up a plate of dried fruit, leaning against a corner, planning to leave early after a while.
However, to his surprise, just as he was lost in thought, a woman's voice suddenly sounded beside him:
"Yuto-kun, excuse me... is that dried plum in your hand?"
He looked up at the woman.
She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, gentle and elegant, with her hair braided and hanging down to her chest. Her abdomen was visibly swollen, and her bright eyes were focused on the dried plum in his hand.
"Lady Kujinari," Yuto greeted her respectfully.
Kujinari Hyuga, Hizashi's wife, was the matron of the branch family, so Yuto had to maintain respect in such a setting.
He offered the dried plum, and Kujinari Hyuga took it with a smile, softly thanking him before she began to nibble on it.
It seemed that pregnant women often craved sour foods.
"Lady Kujinari, when we last met at Konoha Hospital, I recall that you only had two months left until your due date?"
"As expected of Tsunade-sama's disciple, your memory is excellent, Yuto-kun."
"Well, since it's the family head's child, it's only natural for me to be attentive," Yuto replied with a smile as he watched the dried plum quickly disappear from the plate. He added, "Please eat slowly, Lady Kujinari. Expectant mothers should be mindful of their eating pace."
"Mm," Kujinari Hyuga gently pressed the dried plum between her fingers without bringing it to her mouth. Instead, she absentmindedly kneaded it while murmuring, "Yuto... you know... Ah, never mind, it's better not to trouble others with my personal concerns." She smiled at Yuto before walking away.
Yuto leaned against the wall, watching her leave.
Hizashi wasn't the type to mistreat his wife. Their family atmosphere should be good, and as the matron of the branch family, Kujinari was usually well-respected. The child in her womb, Neji Hyuga, was also growing strong, but she still seemed worried... Could it be the hormonal imbalance before childbirth?
A sudden thought struck Yuto as he recalled something Tsunade had once complained about after returning from a kunnoichi tea gathering: "Hiashi really is something. Kujinari is only two months away from giving birth, and yet he's sending Hizashi on a long-term mission."
As the head of the branch family, what kind of mission was so important? And even if Hizashi was on a mission, Kujinari herself was a shinobi and should be able to understand, right?
The answer was clear... Hiashi had given Hizashi a mission with an extremely high mortality rate or an uncertain return date!
Only in this situation would Kujinari Hyuga, eight months pregnant, feel so distressed, venting her feelings through overeating.
In that case...
Yuto let out a deep breath and stopped leaning against the wall. He left the corner and began to mingle with others, though each conversation was brief. To outsiders, it seemed like he was merely exchanging greetings.
As he walked around, he discreetly passed by Hizashi's table, took out a small bottle, and with a flick of his finger, poured the black powder inside into a wine glass.
This was a must-have item for any journey.
(End of Chapter)
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