"Father, is there no way to change this—for you to go to the battlefield?"
"Is there really no other solution?"
"How about we consult with the Fourth Hokage first? Perhaps there will be a turnaround."
Hyūga Shinichi, after a long period of contemplation, finally spoke up to persuade his father. He was not Hyūga Hiashi, and even as the Main Family heir, he did not understand the specific details of the Hyūga Clan as deeply as Hiashi and Hizashi. In this matter, Shinichi could not immediately think of a good solution.
All he could do was try to dissuade Hiashi. There was no helping it; the current Hiashi, in Shinichi's eyes, looked like an old general covered in bad omens, as if he would die the moment he left home...
"Consult?"
"It won't help."
"The Fourth Hokage is the Hokage, but his foundation in Konoha is the Third."
"The Jinchūriki issue is already putting a lot of pressure on him. He cannot help us with this matter."
"Take this opportunity, Shinichi. There is a lesson I must complete for you!"
"Do you know why Orochimaru dares to threaten us Hyūga?"
Hyūga Hiashi slowly crouched down in front of Shinichi. The dim light from behind him cast his shadow over Shinichi, enveloping him. Shinichi did not answer immediately, his brow slightly furrowed.
"In terms of status, he is merely an orphan. He lost his parents in his youth. In terms of background, he is incomparable to the Hyūga."
"The reason he can do this is because of his strength."
"Konoha cannot function without him at this stage!"
"That is the confidence behind his words!"
"Now, Orochimaru and the Council Elders have allied. Let alone us Hyūga, even the Third and Fourth Hokage are under threat."
"Of course, it will be difficult for Orochimaru and Danzō to overthrow the two Hokage, but correspondingly, it is equally difficult for the Hokage to eliminate the opposition."
"Ultimately, it all comes down to the problem of strength!"
"If our Hyūga Clan had combat power comparable to Orochimaru's, resting on the foundation of the clan, we would naturally be free from threats."
"Therefore... Shinichi, you are the future of the Hyūga!"
"Do not fail my expectations!"
Hyūga Hiashi was completely open and honest with his son. He placed all his hopes on Hyūga Shinichi. For this, he was willing to show weakness to outsiders. Among the clan heads of Konoha's many ninja clans, those with Hiashi's capacity were a rare few.
To bridge the gap between the Main Family and Branch Family, Hiashi was willing to kneel to the younger Neji. Whether one called it acting or weakness, the fact that the Hyūga Clan was not wiped out like the Uchiha was a testament to Hiashi's efforts.
Even in the Boruto era, the few remaining Uchiha could hardly be called a clan, yet the Hyūga still stood firm in Konoha.
Even Naruto, one of the strongest in the world at the time, was subject to the Hyūga's "command"—if Hiashi told him to go home for dinner, he had to go home for dinner. The capacity to kneel to a junior... if the Uchiha had learned just a fraction of that, they might not have been annihilated.
Hyūga Shinichi could hear the determination in his father's words. Accepting the challenge was one thing, but Hiashi also wanted to use this opportunity to establish the Hyūga's reputation. If demonstrating the clan's strength could make Orochimaru and the Council Elders wary, that would be even better.
Since the decision was made, even Shinichi felt it was inappropriate to say more. After all, Hiashi was his elder and the Clan Head of the Hyūga.
"I understand. While you are away, Father, I will train hard and watch over the Hyūga Clan for you!"
Shinichi's small face was solemn.
Seeing his sensible son, Hiashi smiled and nodded.
...
Events unfolded exactly as the Hyūga Clan predicted. Faced with Hiashi's desire to go to the front line as a supervisor, Namikaze Minato did not refuse. Minato viewed the Hyūga's action as a signal that they were actively siding with him.
Although the intensity of the fighting on the front line was not high, every front needed a strong leader, a leader from the younger generation. Orochimaru's prestige in Konoha was very high, comparable even to Minato's.
Even if Minato was uninterested in power struggles, he still felt the threat from Orochimaru and Danzō.
The Hyūga's alignment was definitely good news for him. He also needed a leverage point to check Orochimaru's power. Hyūga Hiashi, the leader of the esteemed Hyūga Clan, possessed sufficient weight, even setting aside his combat ability.
Although their underlying needs were different, their immediate objectives were aligned. The relevant appointments were quickly issued.
Orochimaru's faction naturally received the news, but surprisingly, Danzō, who was allied with Orochimaru, did not immediately raise any objections. Danzō and his cohorts' focus was primarily on the politics surrounding the Jinchūriki.
The Hyūga Clan's actions were swift. Once the decision was finalized, Hiashi summoned a grand meeting of all Branch Family heads in his capacity as Clan Head.
During his absence, the Clan Elder, Hyūga Shin, would lead the entire clan. Although Hyūga Shin was old, making battlefield deployment too risky, managing clan affairs was well within his capabilities.
At the same time, Hiashi quickly selected his guard unit. Fifty Branch Family elites would form the escort squad and go to the front line with him.
Hyūga Hizashi was not among the escort unit; he was left by Hiashi to stay within the clan compound. While arranging his escort, Hiashi also assigned some trusted and close individuals to Shinichi.
It was as if he were preparing his last will. If anything were to happen to him on the battlefield, the Hyūga Clan could still transition smoothly under the guidance of Shinichi and Hyūga Shin.
Hyūga Shinichi was not a slow-witted person; he naturally understood the implications of Hiashi's extensive arrangements.
In the ninja world, every parting could be the last. On the day before Hyūga Hiashi's departure, Shinichi did not leave the compound but spent the entire day with Hiashi in the dojo.
The father and son sparred and chatted. Hiashi did not ask Shinichi about his training that day, only talking about home life and asking questions like, "Are you getting along well with your teammates?" He didn't teach Shinichi any secret arts or Ninjutsu, but rather the principles of proper conduct and life lessons. Shinichi, though he didn't strictly need these lessons, listened quietly. The father and son tacitly cherished this brief time together.
...
Morning, Konoha Village Gate.
"Shinichi, you will always be my pride."
Before departing, Hiashi seemed to sense the risk of going to the battlefield. In full view of everyone, the usually stern and formal Hiashi uncharacteristically gave his son a light embrace and spoke those words. Then, under Hinata's envious gaze, Hiashi led his elite unit out of Konoha, vanishing down the road.
"The wind is rising..."
A strong wind swirled up, and the clouds in the sky grew thicker. Listening to the rustling of leaves in the forest, Hyūga Shinichi looked in the direction Hiashi had departed, whispering.
...
The news of the Hyūga Main Family heir going to the front line quickly spread. The Mist, Cloud, Iwa, and even Suna Villages all began to stir. The Byakugan bloodline limit, one of the oldest in the ninja world... was a coveted prize pursued by many.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
60+ advanced chapters available.