Training Taijutsu with Neji was not a waste of time for Shinichi. Even a powerhouse like Uchiha Madara could not succeed by fighting alone.
If Hyūga Shinichi wanted to survive well in the ninja world, he needed capable helpers. Neji, being of the same clan and possessing extraordinary talent, was naturally one of the best choices. Investing time in Neji was equivalent to investing with a guaranteed minimum return.
Even if Neji could not break through the limits of his talent under Shinichi's tutelage, he would still grow into a qualified Jōnin. With additional opportunity, Neji's aptitude suggested he might achieve even greater heights in the future. At the very least... he wouldn't die like cannon fodder in an indiscriminate AOE attack during a war.
The sky grew dim. As the sun set, the once bright dojo was now colored red by the twilight. Hyūga Shinichi's training concluded at this time. Neji, who had been observing all afternoon, was now sitting cross-legged, completely disregarding decorum, having lost his initial stiffness and caution.
Although his father, Hyūga Hizashi, often warned the young Neji to maintain proper etiquette in front of the Main Family, such rules held little constraint for a child his age.
Furthermore, Hyūga Shinichi had always treated Neji as one of his own, and his guards naturally saw Shinichi's affection for his cousin, so no one corrected Neji's behavior. Neji felt comfortable and uninhibited when spending time with Shinichi.
Shinichi, finished with his training, took the towel offered by his subordinate. Wiping the sweat from his face, he walked toward Neji:
"You spent all afternoon in the dojo. Watching me train must have been boring, right?"
Whenever Shinichi became engrossed in his own affairs, he became focused to the point of neglecting Neji somewhat.
"No, not at all!" Neji softly shook his head, the vibrancy in his eyes surprising Shinichi. The child's focus was much better than he had anticipated.
"That's good." Shinichi liked Neji's temperament. Although young, composure was ingrained in him. "Let's go!"
After a quick tidy of the dojo, the group left. As for Hinata, who had been peeking outside earlier, a child her age lacked Neji's patience. She had grown tired and bored after watching for barely half an hour and had long since left. The siblings, despite being only a year apart, had wildly divergent personalities, causing them to react to the same situation in completely different ways.
It wasn't until training ended that Shinichi took the time to properly spend time with his younger brother and sister. This "company" was primarily spent watching Neji and Hinata chase and play-fight in the room.
All Shinichi had to do was supervise the two little ones to ensure they didn't get hurt. As for Hanako, she had a rare moment of leisure.
In the room, she chatted casually with Shinichi while knitting sweaters and scarves for her son and daughter. Hanako was the kind of traditional mother Shinichi recognized. Since Shinichi and Hinata were at a rapid growth stage, they needed new clothes and shoes almost every year. Hanako was skilled, and most of the siblings' clothes were handmade by her.
The warm family time made Shinichi genuinely feel that he was in the real world. The fatigue from his training gradually dissipated during his casual conversation with Hanako.
The deep-seated fear of an unknown future became more and more buried beneath the surface during the time he spent with his family. Hanako never focused on how many techniques Shinichi mastered that day or how much his Taijutsu had improved.
Her primary concern was always whether Shinichi had a happy day, and she would ask him about any interesting things that happened. Or, she would subtly inquire about the family backgrounds of Shinichi's squad teammates.
She knew more about Shinichi's interpersonal network than if she had performed a background check herself. Perhaps this was just the traditional mother's way of expressing her concern.
The warm atmosphere dissolved when the room door was pushed open by Hyūga Hiashi. With few guests arriving or departing for the funeral in the evening, Hiashi had managed to get away and gain a brief moment of rest.
After consulting briefly with Hizashi, Hiashi still couldn't find a satisfactory answer regarding his conversation with Orochimaru. Ultimately, he decided to discuss the matter with the Hyūga Clan Elder.
The Clan Elder was Hyūga Shin, Hiashi's uncle, whom Shinichi referred to as "Great-Grandpa." He was an even more rigid old man than Hiashi. Having lived through a lifetime of war, Shin had never married or had children due to his early experiences.
His younger brother, Shinichi's grandfather, also died in the Great Ninja War in his prime. Hiashi and Hizashi were essentially like sons to Hyūga Shin. He had dedicated his life to the Hyūga Clan, held a high status within the family, and possessed experience and decisiveness that the younger generation could not match, having survived the wartime era.
The discussion naturally yielded a result, but... the solution they reached left Hyūga Hiashi feeling deeply heavy-hearted.
The grim-faced Hiashi pushed open the door and entered the room. Neji and Hinata, who were playing, instantly turned their heads toward the door. Seeing Hiashi, the two children immediately fell silent, stood up straight, and bowed respectfully to him. The previously lively room instantly became quiet.
Hiashi forced a slight smile. He glanced at Neji and Hinata, then turned to face Shinichi and Hanako, beckoning to Shinichi with a deep voice:
"Shinichi, come here."
Hiashi's heavy demeanor caused Hanako's heart to sink. Having been married for so many years, she and Hiashi shared a subtle understanding others didn't have. Just by looking at Hiashi's expression, Hanako knew something was wrong. However, she managed to maintain her composure. Gently patting Shinichi's arm, she said softly: "Your father is calling you. Go quickly."
Shinichi also sensed the unusual atmosphere. He stood up and walked to the door. Led by Hiashi, he walked out of the room. As he stepped out, he saw Hyūga Shin and Hyūga Hizashi standing outside the door. It wasn't just Hiashi; Hizashi and Shin were also present.
"Follow."
Hiashi said nothing more, only giving a brief instruction before leading the way toward the family study. The group walked in the dark, and a suffocating atmosphere permeated the air.
Upon reaching the study, Hiashi closed the door and addressed Shinichi directly:
"Shinichi, your father must go to the battlefield."
"During my absence, you must listen to your Great-Grandpa, study hard, and train diligently!"
"I entrust the family to your care!"
Hyūga Hiashi spoke solemnly to Shinichi. His demeanor suggested he was delivering his final testament, his face filled with heavy gravity.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
60+ advanced chapters available.