Chapter 3: This is the Future of Our People
Late at night—
Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata's Room.
Tonight, Hinata's room was far from quiet. Though it belonged to her, the young heiress was not its only occupant.
By the door, several elite members of the Hyuga clan stood guard with sharp eyes and heightened awareness. Their Byakugan was fully activated, scanning the surrounding area and watching every movement beyond the walls.
Closer to the bed, seated calmly in the inner room, were Hyuga Ryosuke and Hyuga Hiashi—Hinata's future husband and her father.
The atmosphere was heavy and still. No one spoke. They were waiting.
"...Ryosuke-kun."
A soft voice broke the silence.
Lying in bed, little Hinata gazed up at the two figures beside her. One was her stern father, whose cold expression rarely softened. The other was Ryosuke—gentle, composed, and always smiling softly at her. How could she sleep in such a tense setting?
"Shhh..."
Seeing her nervous eyes, Ryosuke smiled faintly and reached out, gently stroking her palm.
"Just close your eyes. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll take you out for a walk. Sound good?"
"Can I...?"
She wanted to ask more, but under his gaze—deep and warm like still water—her anxiety gradually faded. Ryosuke's eyes seemed to carry a strange magic, one that calmed her heart.
"Sleep, Hinata. You'll need to wake up early tomorrow."
His voice was soft and reassuring. Despite the tension in the room, Hinata's small body slowly relaxed. Her eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, she slipped into deep sleep.
Ryosuke gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face.
"She's really afraid of you, you know," he muttered to Hiashi, tone light but laced with meaning. "Can't you be a bit gentler with her? All she wants is your approval."
It almost sounded like they were a married couple discussing their daughter.
Hiashi's expression didn't change. His voice was flat. "Was that... an illusion technique? From the Byakugan?"
He stared at Ryosuke, eyes narrowed.
"As the clan records state, the Byakugan possessed by our ancestor wasn't just for perception. It had powers far beyond what we know."
"...Yes. But I'm still training it."
Ryosuke gave a helpless smile, his voice casual. He didn't press further on Hiashi's coldness toward his daughter. Instead, he turned his attention to the room's surroundings again.
They were still waiting—for the Hidden Cloud ninjas.
Tonight marked the third night since the Cloud Village delegation had arrived in Konoha.
On the previous two nights, the Hyuga had kept watch in Hinata's room, anticipating an attack. So far, nothing had happened. But Ryosuke wasn't letting his guard down.
"You're certain... you saw the future?"
Hiashi's voice broke the silence again after a long pause. His words were low, careful.
They weren't worried about being overheard. The room was large, and they kept their voices hushed.
Ryosuke chuckled faintly. "The future I saw... is only one of many possibilities. Once I act on that future, it changes."
Of course, the Byakugan hadn't awakened that kind of ability in him—not yet. What he really relied on wasn't vision—it was knowledge. Knowledge of what was supposed to happen.
When he heard the key phrases—"young Hinata" and "Hidden Cloud envoy"—his first reaction was crystal clear:
They were going to kidnap his wife.
Unacceptable.
He was only four years old. No matter how strong or talented, he couldn't handle this alone. So instead of trying to stop it by himself, he did the smart thing:
Use the power of others.
Gain the trust of Hyuga Hiashi. Convince him with a mix of performance, insight, and mystery. Make him believe he had some ability to "see the future." If he succeeded, he could use Hiashi's authority and the strength of the Hyuga clan to intercept the threat.
Tonight was the final test.
The Cloud envoy had claimed to be escorted by a single jonin, but Ryosuke knew that wasn't true. There were likely others hidden outside the village, waiting for the right moment.
He couldn't risk it.
And just like that, as if fate were responding to his thoughts, the silence shifted.
Outside the door—rustling footsteps.
Everyone in the room instantly reacted. Their Byakugan was already active. They peered through walls and darkness with ease, locking onto the intruders approaching stealthily.
Chakra flared faintly around the targets. Skilled control. At least Chunin level.
Hiashi raised an eyebrow and glanced at the boy sitting beside his sleeping daughter. The child's calm demeanor, quiet strength, and sharp mind left a deep impression on him.
In his mind, Ryosuke's importance rose even higher—no longer just a promising youth, but a potential pillar of the clan.
Click.
The door creaked open.
Without hesitation, the Hyuga elites moved. They shot forward like arrows released from drawn bows.
Bang!
The night erupted.
One of the enemy Chunin was instantly subdued. The other two—Cloud Jonin—acted fast, retreating at once without a word.
But the Hyuga had prepared too well.
Before the intruders could escape the compound, the elite guards intercepted them. Acupuncture strikes sealed their chakra. They fell like marionettes with their strings cut.
Within three minutes, it was over. The noise was controlled. Konoha remained unaware.
Back in the room, Hiashi and Ryosuke had watched everything with their Byakugan, neither rising from their seats.
"...Father, I'll leave the rest to you," Ryosuke said calmly, cutting off his chakra flow and deactivating the Byakugan. "I'm not in a position to show my face."
His chakra reserves were still limited. Though he inherited a powerful physique, he was still a child. Prolonged activation took its toll.
"...You should rest."
Hiashi stood and nodded. For once, his eyes showed a trace of admiration.
This child was cautious, composed, and humble.
This is the future of the Hyuga Clan.
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