In front of the Hyūga Clan Main Temple, the clansmen attending the funeral gradually gathered.
After Hyūga Shinichi arrived, many Branch Family members came forward to greet him. Having grown two years older, the seven-year-old Hyūga Shinichi was well-known among the clansmen.
Furthermore, over the past two years, Hiashi had deliberately cultivated Shinichi's prestige. Shinichi frequently invited Branch Family members to the dojo for sparring and training. Through repeated battles, Shinichi's strength and talent gained the recognition of the clansmen.
As a result, the respect the Hyūga Branch Family members showed Hyūga Shinichi was no longer simply for his "Main Family" status, but for Hyūga Shinichi's personal strength and ability.
The seven-year-old Shinichi had shed some of his childish innocence, and his small face now had faintly noticeable sharper edges, giving him a touch of youthful heroism.
Although he was still a child, having constantly to live under the influence of the Main Family, Shinichi naturally radiated a subtle aura of authority, making him quite conspicuous in the crowd.
Exchanging greetings with the representatives of the various Branch Family branches was a necessary procedure for Shinichi every time he attended a funeral.
Among the coffins laid out in front of the temple, were there any clansmen Shinichi actually knew? Perhaps none. Yet, as a member of the Main Family, he could not be absent from such an occasion. Not only him, but even Hiashi and his two-year-old sister could not be absent.
These clansmen had died on the battlefield. Broadly speaking, they died protecting Konoha, but their sacrifice was also, in a way, for the protection of the Main Family. As members of the Main Family, they were the beneficiaries of the clan system, so how could they be absent from such an event?
"Big Brother!"
Just as Shinichi was lost in thought, looking at the coffins in front of the temple, a crisp, soft voice calling "Big Brother" interrupted his thoughts.
Turning around, the person standing behind Shinichi was a small boy in mourning clothes, whose facial features were six parts similar to Hyūga Shinichi's. The boy timidly tugged at Shinichi's sleeve. Seeing Shinichi turn around, he quickly released his hand and bowed respectfully to Shinichi.
"Neji, when did you arrive? Where is Uncle?"
Shinichi's expression softened slightly upon seeing the little boy behind him. He bent down slightly, gently rubbed Hyūga Neji's head, and asked softly.
Hyūga Neji, the son of his uncle Hyūga Hizashi, was only three years old but had already begun ninja training. In fact, Neji's introductory Taijutsu teacher was not Hizashi, but Hyūga Shinichi himself. Neji's talent was very outstanding.
While he couldn't compare to his cousin, Hyūga Shinichi, the talent Neji had displayed so far was enough to earn the admiration and envy of some Branch Family members. Hizashi was proud of his son's excellence.
In this cruel world, higher talent meant a higher survival rate. Even as a Hyūga, one could not live peacefully in this chaotic world; the coffins currently placed in front of the Main Temple were the best evidence of this.
"I just arrived. Father went to find Uncle [Hiashi]."
"He told me to follow you."
Neji slightly lowered his head under Shinichi's gaze. Shinichi's scrutiny made Neji feel some pressure. However, he quickly looked up, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at Shinichi.
Hyūga Neji's feelings for Hyūga Shinichi were complicated. A child this young needs playmates, but due to his background, Neji hadn't even had the chance to make friends his own age in the clan before starting ninja training early.
In his limited social circle, Hyūga Shinichi, his older brother, was the person closest to his age. Perhaps because Shinichi was his introductory Taijutsu teacher, or perhaps because Neji had been hurt during their previous sparring sessions, Neji felt a natural reverence toward Shinichi.
However, this awe was covered by the bond of kinship. Seeing Shinichi, Neji couldn't help but want to get closer. Awe and affection were not mutually exclusive.
"Mhm, then stay by my side and don't wander off."
Shinichi scanned the scene. He saw Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi standing together with the family members of the deceased inside the main hall.
The funeral for the clansmen would be presided over by Hiashi, the Clan Head. As Hiashi's right-hand man, Hizashi was assisting with various miscellaneous tasks and would likely be very busy today.
Hizashi's wife had not fully recovered since giving birth to Neji and was not attending the event. The task of looking after Neji was naturally entrusted to Shinichi. Hizashi completely trusted his eldest nephew in this regard...
Hizashi, inside the main hall, seemed to sense Shinichi's gaze and gave him a look suggesting an apology. Shinichi understood, sighed softly, and nodded silently.
"Excuse me, please move aside!"
Just then, a cold, low voice sounded next to Hyūga Shinichi's ear. Shinichi instinctively grabbed Neji's hand, slightly moved aside to clear the path, and then looked in the direction of the voice.
A tall, slender figure, Orochimaru, wearing a standard Jōnin flak jacket, slowly walked past Shinichi. He slightly turned his head, glanced at Shinichi, and then continued walking toward the family members of the deceased inside the main hall.
Following behind Orochimaru was a young girl about thirteen or fourteen years old, whom Shinichi had seen a few times before. Her name was Anko Mitarashi, Orochimaru's disciple.
The moment their eyes met, Shinichi felt immense pressure emanating from Orochimaru. That feeling of being watched intensely made Shinichi frown. The pressure did not disappear until Orochimaru walked further away. Beside him, Hyūga Neji seemed intimidated by Orochimaru's aura. He had now retreated behind Shinichi, finding a "cover" to avoid the man's gaze.
"Big Brother... who is that person? He's not from the Hyūga Clan!" Neji poked his head out and asked softly once Orochimaru was far away.
The one who answered Neji was not Shinichi, but Shinichi's guard, Hyūga Keisuke:
"That is Lord Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha."
"He is the supreme commander of the Mist ninja frontline, and also the leader of Yuuta's squad."
The "Yuuta" Keisuke mentioned was one of the eight clansmen currently lying in the coffins in the main hall.
Hyūga Neji nodded, slightly confused. Keisuke then looked at Shinichi. His explanation was primarily aimed at Hyūga Shinichi.
"No wonder he came here."
Shinichi nodded slightly upon hearing this, but his furrowed brow did not relax.
Orochimaru....
This is not a good person...
Although he didn't know the extent of Orochimaru's descent into darkness at this stage, Shinichi wanted absolutely no association with Orochimaru. The reason was simple: he didn't want to deal with unpredictable people, as they represented unforeseen risk!
Now, it seemed this "risk" was unavoidable and felt like it was actively seeking him out.
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