Chapter 299: Family Head
After a conversation that lasted less than half a day, Ryosuke had told them everything he had gained.
Even though both Hinata and Hiashi had trained their composure through years of training, their hands trembled slightly as they held the scroll. It seemed light in their grip, yet bore the weight of destiny itself—heavier than mountains or rivers.
Ryosuke had already created an entirely new training system—one that did not rely on chakra.
If this had been the era before chakra was discovered, he would've been hailed as a saint.
What made it even more extraordinary was that this path was unlike any other. Where other systems emphasized innate talent, this one placed its highest demands on character and will.
That changed everything.
Talent was determined by the heavens. But character? Willpower? That could be forged.
If one could refine the medicinal liquids, endure the excruciating pain they induced, and absorb the potent energy through the accompanying body-building method… they would attain a strength far beyond the ordinary.
Of course, Hinata and Hiashi both knew—this was easier said than done.
Among thousands, tens of thousands, even millions, perhaps only a few could persevere to the end.
But at least, this method didn't rely on vague notions like fate or luck. It opened a door—one that anyone could try to walk through.
And this body-tempering path… it might very well become the cornerstone of Hyuga's future.
Moreover, this road had just begun. If they continued exploring other worlds and collecting rare treasures, who knew how far it could go?
"…Come to think of it, it's time we changed the way we train in this clan."
Hinata paused as she finished skimming through the scroll again.
"My father and I have considered this before. While clan positions and status can be earned through service, the system itself can no longer remain bound by outdated ranks like genin, chunin, and jonin."
"As we encounter other civilizations, cultivation will inevitably evolve. It won't be easy to standardize a new system, but…"
She held up a paper from the scroll.
"If we go by what's recorded here, the seventh-level body-hardening liquid grants enough strength to pierce through flesh and shatter rock. I can't do that with raw strength, but by combining chakra with the Gentle Fist, I can manage similar results."
She glanced at Ryosuke.
"At level eight, it says you can dig copper ore with bare hands. I've fallen behind in physical development… so I doubt I could manage that."
"Judging by these metrics, my physical strength is probably between levels six and seven. We'll have to hold a clan meeting to refine the grading criteria."
Her intentions were clear: she intended to restructure Hyuga's internal system around this numerical grading system, tying physical performance and combat ability directly to levels.
But raw strength wouldn't be everything.
Position and status must be earned not only through cultivation, but also through contribution.
Of course, measuring that would be the tricky part.
Fortunately, Hinata had already begun outlining solutions—one by one.
Ryosuke didn't say a word the entire time. Watching his once-soft-spoken wife speak so clearly, so confidently, brought a quiet satisfaction to his heart.
Everything she proposed matched what he had envisioned.
In terms of managing the clan, their thinking aligned perfectly.
At eighteen years old, he stood as the clan's strongest member—the one who had led Hyuga to conquer an entire world.
And now Hinata, also eighteen, had grown into a worthy clan head. She worked in tandem with the advisors, strategists, and generals, building a solid, stable rear guard while Ryosuke handled matters on the front lines.
Funny, he had only meant to help her shed her shyness when this all began… just nudged her forward a few steps.
Yet now, she stood tall—commanding, composed, and unmistakably noble.
Outside, the light dimmed. The sky grew darker.
They talked until dinner, then gathered together for a meal.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki retired to the room prepared for her by Hyuga Hiashi, choosing not to join the later discussions.
She had understood what they said, but none of it mattered to her now.
After being sealed for a thousand years, she had become numb to many things. And now that they'd accepted her as their ancestor, Hinata wouldn't let her drift aimlessly. A permanent residence would be arranged within the clan, ensuring Ryosuke could easily find her.
Once the "outsider" had taken her leave, the remaining three continued talking in the courtyard—though now the discussion was more casual, centered on family matters.
Still, with Ryosuke, Hinata, and Hiashi—all obsessive and tireless planners—the conversation naturally stayed focused on work.
The clan was in a stage of rapid expansion. Even the children had little time to play. They were busy studying, training, or helping the clan grow.
Idle chatter held no value.
But then—out of nowhere—Hyuga Hiashi broke the rhythm.
"…Speaking of which, isn't it time you got married?"
Hinata, who had just been preparing to ask about Ryosuke's future plans, froze mid-thought.
She turned to look at Ryosuke, visibly stunned—and suddenly nervous.
"…It's true," she whispered. "It's probably time."
"I've been ready," Ryosuke said calmly, as if he'd already rehearsed this answer in his mind a hundred times.
Hiashi nodded with approval. "Then how do you want to handle the ceremony?"
"Hinata's mother passed early, and I don't have much experience arranging these things. Do you want the clan to handle it?"
For once, Hinata—who usually had a sharp tongue and firm opinions—fell completely silent.
She sat there like a firework that hadn't gone off.
Watching her with mild amusement, Ryosuke answered with a smile.
"Of course, the more grand the better."
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. It should be celebrated properly."
It had been a long few weeks—full of stress, responsibilities, and heavy thoughts.
A happy occasion like this? It was something worth embracing.
"…Actually, it doesn't have to be so complicated," Hinata muttered under her breath. "I think something simple would be better. I still have so much work to do…"
The moment the topic shifted to her personal life, the fearless clan leader became hesitant.
She could direct the fate of millions with a wave of her hand.
But when it came to her own marriage?
She was suddenly lost.
"After the Teigu World stabilizes, the original framework of the clan will be moved there gradually."
Seeing her nervous expression, Ryosuke explained in a softer tone. "By then, a large number of rebels will have been selected to join the Hyuga clan as non-clan members."
"You've never appeared in that world, Hinata. From beginning to end, it was Uncle Hizashi who took the lead. To them, he's the only Hyuga they recognize."
"That may not seem important now, but we can't have the clan head remain a stranger to the people there. So..."
"I plan to hold the wedding after the Teigu World settles down. I have great influence there. If you appear beside me as both my wife and the head of Hyuga, many will remember your name."
He paused slightly, his gaze steady. "If we plan it well, we can use the opportunity to smooth out other issues too—like the potential backlash surrounding your identity in the ninja world."
"This wedding... it can serve as the patch for some of the flaws in our earlier plans. It'll also help ensure stability in Hyuga's future expansion."
It was a calculated move—and Ryosuke knew Hinata would understand it as more than sentiment.
"…A good idea indeed."
Hinata, who just moments ago had been gripping her sleeves in nervous silence, suddenly calmed down. "After all, I'm from the ninja world. To them, we're invaders from another land."
"If this truth leaks, it'll shake the loyalty of some. And worse—clever minds might piece together that the so-called uprising was staged by Hyuga all along… a performance to win hearts and integrate the empire."
Her tone turned serious. "I'll personally handle the wedding planning. But it will take time."
"That's fine. It'll still be a while before the Teigu World fully stabilizes," Ryosuke replied gently. "There's no rush."
"We can…"
As Hinata launched into plans with professional focus, Hiashi—who'd been listening quietly—blinked, his expression slightly stiff as he glanced at Ryosuke beside her.
His daughter cared too much about clan business.
Then again, when did she not?
From dawn till dusk, Hinata did little else beyond organizing affairs, issuing orders, and overseeing programs. Compared to himself at her age, she was far more driven. He had never been this serious in his youth.
Ambition was good, but this didn't feel right.
Somewhere in the middle of all this responsibility… she was losing something.
He made a mental note: he would need to speak with Ryosuke privately. Something had to be done.
…
The two of them continued discussing plans in the courtyard late into the night, before finally parting ways.
Hiashi had long since returned to his room, opting not to interrupt them further. These days, he no longer stood at the clan's forefront. He was content advising Hinata from the shadows.
Under the dim lamplight, Hinata sat at her desk, pen in hand, ready to jot down the core ideas from earlier—especially those meant to win over hearts, secure loyalty, and emphasize legitimacy.
She wanted every detail refined. Every step airtight.
But before her brush could fill even half a page, there came a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," she said, not even looking up. She already knew who it was.
Clack—
The door opened and shut quickly.
"Is there something we forgot to discuss?" she asked, head still bent over the scroll. "I was just recording—"
But her sentence cut off.
In the next moment, her body was lifted gently, and she found herself seated on something warm and solid.
"You're really treating this wedding like a political maneuver, aren't you?"
Ryosuke's voice brushed against her ear, low and steady. His breath was hot, almost teasing.
The sudden proximity sent shivers across Hinata's skin. Her porcelain cheeks turned red.
"You're breaking my focus," she protested softly, half annoyed and half flustered.
They'd long stopped being strangers to intimacy—childhood sweethearts who had called each other husband and wife for years. Their closeness wasn't new. But that didn't mean the physical reactions faded.
Slipping his arms around her slender waist, Ryosuke held her tightly.
"This wedding… is something we've waited for all these years. It only happens once in a lifetime," he murmured. "Shouldn't we talk about what we want? What comes after?"
Hinata raised a brow slightly. "What are you getting at?"
"You've been thinking like a clan head for too long."
Ryosuke sighed.
"But you're also Hinata. My Hinata. My wife."
"You can't always approach everything from the perspective of duty. You have your own identity too."
"You've sacrificed your time, your youth, and your training for the family. But in doing so… you've lost pieces of yourself."
Her heart tightened.
What had she lost?
She didn't know.
Ryosuke's embrace tightened slightly.
"Madam Hyuga, how long has it been since you made a decision as just 'Hinata'? Not as clan head, not as a strategist, not as a political figure."
He breathed in her scent. "How long has it been since you thought like Ryosuke's wife?"
"…It doesn't bother me. I haven't exactly been a good husband either," he said gently.
"But beyond the clan… you're also Hiashi's daughter. Hanabi's sister."
"I heard from Uncle Hizashi—your sister, who's traveling with the rebel forces across the Teigu World, still thinks of you all the time."
Even without Hiashi's comment earlier, Ryosuke had already sensed the shift in Hinata's demeanor.
He hadn't been home in three years.
And yet… even then, her emotional distance hadn't surprised him.
Because Hinata had become cold toward everyone.
Not intentionally.
But unknowingly.
She had become a perfect clan head—calculating, composed, tireless. Her every thought centered on Hyuga's prosperity. And in that transformation, she had begun to forget what it meant to feel.
To laugh, to relax. To be a sister, a daughter, a lover.
From the top, such detachment was admirable.
But from within the family… it was painful.
Still, Ryosuke didn't blame her.
With the family growing at such an unprecedented rate, the pressure on her shoulders had surpassed anything their ancestors had faced. It was only natural she'd learned to ignore herself just to keep up.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," he said, brushing her hair back behind her ear. "I'm still here."
"Development takes time. Pushing too hard too fast will only lead to burnout."
"We can slow down."
"Step by step… together."