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Morning broke, and the sun lit up the sky.
In the Hyuga residence of Konoha Village:
Hyuga Tokuma, who had just finished his night watch at the clan head’s home, bid farewell to Hyuga Hiashi and began walking toward his own house.
It was still early morning, and the members of the Hyuga clan were just waking up. Everyone was busy preparing breakfast, and the streets were empty.
"Good morning, Tokuma," greeted some of the clan members who were aligned with the main family and stood in their yards.
"Good morning," Tokuma replied politely to each of them.
He walked at a steady pace, neither hurried nor slow, until he reached the outdoor training grounds within the clan’s estate. Suddenly, he stopped.
Standing outside the training grounds, Tokuma carefully observed the wooden stakes erected within.
"Tokuma?" An elderly voice called out from behind him.
Tokuma turned calmly, bowing slightly in greeting. "Elder."
"Hmm." The elder, out for his morning walk, stroked his long beard and nodded. "Just returned from the main house?"
"Yes," Tokuma replied respectfully, lowering his head.
"Nothing unusual these past few days?" the elder inquired.
"Everything is normal."
"Good, that’s good." The elder looked at him with satisfaction. "You’ve worked hard. I didn’t speak up for you in front of the clan head for nothing."
"Thank you for your support and the clan head’s trust," Tokuma quickly responded, bowing again.
"You’re a good one," the elder said encouragingly, patting Tokuma on the shoulder. "Protect the clan head with diligence. Once this turmoil passes, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded."
"Yes!" Tokuma’s voice was filled with determination.
"All right, all right. You should rest now. I won’t hold you up," the elder said, waving him off.
"Yes."
Tokuma bowed once more before turning to leave.
"By the way, Tokuma," the elder’s voice rang out again from behind him. "What were you looking at just now?"
Tokuma paused for a moment, then turned back.
"Just reminiscing about my childhood," he said, his face showing a hint of nostalgia. "Back then, my father used to guide my training here."
"I see." The elder smiled warmly. "Go on, then."
"Yes."
Tokuma turned away, his expression growing cold.
As the elder stood in the training grounds watching Tokuma’s retreating figure, a sharp glint flashed in his aged, cloudy eyes once Tokuma turned into an alley.
The elder walked up to the wooden stakes and examined them closely for a long time. Finally, he chuckled, shook his head, and resumed his walk, stroking his beard.
Far away, Tokuma, now walking through the alley, retracted his activated Byakugan. A cold smile crept onto his lips.
He exited the alley and pushed open the gate to his house.
"Tokuma, welcome back," greeted a short-haired Hyuga woman with white eyes as she stepped out from the house. "Perfect timing—I just finished making breakfast."
"I’m back."
Tokuma crossed the courtyard, took off his shoes, and entered the house.
"You come over to help every day. It must be tiring, Hiiragi."
"Not at all," Hyuga Hiiragi replied with a gentle smile as she set the table. "I don’t have much to do anyway. You’re the one who works hard, staying up all night."
Tokuma sat at the table, taking the chopsticks Hiiragi handed him.
"Let’s eat."
They began their meal, speaking in hushed tones.
"Did you see the message left on the training ground stakes?" Hiiragi asked, pouring Tokuma a bowl of soup.
"Yes." Tokuma stirred his rice with his chopsticks, his fingers trembling slightly. "Is the information accurate?"
"It feels like someone deliberately leaked it," Hiiragi said, sipping her soup. "Perhaps it’s a directive from the Hokage himself."
"We can’t act rashly," Tokuma said, swallowing his food. "The elder tested me at the training grounds earlier."
"How could that be?" Hiiragi said, surprised. "On the surface, everyone who interacts with you—including me—appears loyal to the main family."
Tokuma shook his head silently.
"He didn’t notice the message on the stakes, did he?" Hiiragi asked worriedly.
"He examined it closely, but he probably didn’t find anything," Tokuma replied after finishing his bowl of rice. "The marks were left using Gentle Fist techniques. Without understanding the code, nothing would stand out."
"Have another bowl," Hiiragi said, taking his bowl to refill it. "Even though the message about targeting the branch family was leaked, we can’t afford to act recklessly."
She placed the filled bowl in front of him.
"Many are concerned it’s bait set by the main family and the Hokage," she added.
Tokuma resumed eating, only speaking after several bites. "We’ll decide once our people locate Neji. He might know something."
"Neji..." Hiiragi’s expression turned complex. "I never thought that child would take the first step."
"It was inevitable," Tokuma said without surprise. "Lord Hizashi’s sacrifice was too unjust."
"Yes," Hiiragi’s face darkened with hatred. "The village and the main family’s incompetence led to Lord Hizashi’s death, yet he bore all the blame alone."
"It’s because Lord Hizashi revealed his intentions," Tokuma said calmly. "He shouldn’t have shown killing intent toward Lady Hinata back then."
"Even as the clan head’s twin brother, the clan head might have tolerated him to some extent," he continued. "But the elders would never allow someone from the branch family to grow too close to the clan head."
"The border unit searching for Neji consists of people assigned by the elders," Hiiragi said, poking at her rice with her chopsticks. "Our people are few in number. I hope they can find Neji first."
"Don’t get your hopes up too much," Tokuma said emotionlessly. "Shoyo’s temperament..."
"Ha." Hiiragi gave a dry laugh. "Don’t worry. At least he listens to Natsu."
"As an older brother, he’s less reliable than his sister," Tokuma said, shaking his head in resignation.
"I hope Neji contacts us himself," Hiiragi sighed. "Perhaps he’s already found true freedom."
"That boy rarely mingles with the clan," Tokuma said, setting down his chopsticks. "The main family’s relationship with him is awkward, and the branch family can’t openly approach him. Following Might Guy has only further distanced him from the clan."
"That’s why I’m surprised he defected," Hiiragi said, clearing the table. "His teacher is that Guy, after all."
"There’s nothing surprising about it. For people like us, freedom is more precious than anything else," Tokuma said, touching his forehead.
"I hope the Hokage’s information is accurate."
Raising her voice, Hiiragi asked, "Finished eating, Tokuma? I’ll clean up."
Tokuma stood. "Thank you, Hiiragi. I’ll go wash up."
"Rest afterward. You still need to report to the clan head tonight, don’t you?" Hiiragi said, carrying the dishes to the kitchen.
"I’m off, then."
Tokuma headed to his room.
"Rest well. I’ll leave after cleaning up," Hiiragi’s voice called from afar.