Hinata: I'm in charge of Konoha.

夜

When it was time for dinner, at the call of his mother, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Sasuke picked up the shuriken he had thrown and returned home.

Warm lighting, a gentle mother, a stern father, and the beloved older brother—the family gathers around the dining table for a meal.

"Sasuke is working exceptionally hard today."

His mother placed a piece of fish into Sasuke's bowl, chuckled, and then reached out a finger to pinch off a grain of rice from the corner of Sasuke's lips.

Hehe~~

Sasuke smiled shyly at his mother's concern.

"It's good to work hard, but you have to know when to stop. If you work too hard, it will backfire."

Looking at his youngest son, who had just returned from training, Fugaku Uchiha, the father, softened his stern expression.

"Yes, yes! I understand, Father!"

Sasuke nodded heavily, a hint of joy in his expression.

"How was your first day of school?"

"Have you encountered anything interesting?"

Itachi, the elder brother, seemed to have sensed something, and looked at Sasuke with a somewhat probing gaze.

"I think so?"

Sasuke recalled the girl with the Byakugan who had practically provoked the entire class during the day, and how she had almost instantly defeated the Inuzuka family boys after school.

Sasuke told his family everything he had seen.

"From the Hyuga family...?"

Fugaku Uchiha pondered for a moment.

Compared to Sasuke, he, as the head of the Uchiha clan, was more concerned about the hidden meaning behind this matter.

After all, the Hyuga clan was a major clan on par with the Uchiha clan, and Fugaku Uchiha paid considerable attention to it.

Unfortunately, the Hyuga clan has always been like a silent gourd, doing whatever the Hokage says without ever expressing their own opinions.

It seems that everything in Konoha, even the position of Hokage, is irrelevant to them.

However, the Hyuga clan, which has always prioritized stability, has produced a remarkable successor this time, which makes it hard not to think twice before Fugaku Uchiha.

Especially given that the Uchiha clan is currently in a very difficult situation.

Is Japan trying to say something to me?

Fugaku Uchiha subconsciously pondered.

As members of the same clan specializing in ocular jutsu and both being clan leaders, Fugaku Uchiha believed he and Hiashi Hyuga shared many common interests.

In his view, the idea of ​​a rebellious heir was completely unfounded.

The Hyuga clan has always prioritized stability, not only in Konoha but also during the Warring States period.

Therefore, Fugaku Uchiha concluded that Hinata Hyuga, as the daughter of Hiashi Hyuga, must have been influenced by Hiashi Hyuga behind the scenes to act in this way at the Ninja Academy.

"Sasuke, you'd better train hard, don't let the girls outdo you~"

Uchiha Mikoto, listening to her son's words, jokingly retorted.

"Yes, I'll definitely do my best!"

Sasuke nodded seriously in response.

Compared to his mother's teasing, he was extremely serious.

Unlike the other students in the class, he genuinely considered Hinata a rival.

Hinata Hyuga is the one who will inherit the Hyuga clan in the future, which is almost equivalent to the status of her older brother Itachi Uchiha in the Uchiha clan.

But since his older brother was clearly a few years older than Hinata, it was natural that he would become Hinata's rival.

Both are ancient clans with a history spanning thousands of years, and both are forces renowned for their eye techniques. Sasuke doesn't want the Uchiha to lose to the Hyuga.

"..."

Seeing the interaction between the mother and son, Fugaku Uchiha paused slightly in his chewing motion.

!

He guessed it!

As expected of the head of the Hyuga clan!

As the saying goes, "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," and the current predicament of the Uchiha clan is something that the head of the Hyuga clan is also aware of.

Hiashi, do you want Hinata to show off her rebelliousness and attract Sasuke's attention? Tell me, is everything alright? Is your Hyuga clan still here?

Fugaku Uchiha's heart stirred slightly.

The Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Uzumaki, and Kaguya clans are five ancient clans in the ninja world. Although the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have kept to themselves, only two of the five clans remain, so it's inevitable that they feel a sense of loss and unease.

These are just my guesses, and we still need to verify whether Hyuga Hiashi had this intention.

Given the Uchiha clan's predicament, it's no wonder that Fugaku Uchiha would resort to desperate measures.

"Sasuke, since Hinata has already challenged everyone..."

"Then as my son, Uchiha Fugaku, you naturally cannot be intimidated."

"Let's have a match with her tomorrow. No matter the outcome, you'll still be classmates."

Fugaku Uchiha spoke slowly, causing the entire family to instinctively look at him.

"Me? Me?"

Sasuke stared blankly at himself, pointing his finger out.

He witnessed Hinata Hinata's swift victory over Kiba Inuzuka today.

"Father, could this be...?"

Itachi Uchiha was somewhat worried.

Sasuke is now a bit stronger than his peers. So how could he possibly fight against Hinata Hyuga, the heir of the Inuzuka clan, whom he claimed could be easily killed?

Sasuke blinked and looked at Uchiha Mikoto with a pleading expression.

Mom, please speak up for me!

Does Daddy not love me anymore?

You want me to go and get beaten up for nothing?!

Although Sasuke considers Hinata his rival, that doesn't mean he's a fool.

Hinata Hyuga was so ferocious that even if he wanted to take her as an opponent, he would have to train for a while and learn a couple of powerful ninjutsu techniques before he could deal with her.

Going straight up and fighting Hinata Hyuga one-on-one like that would be asking for a beating, wouldn't it?

However, when faced with Sasuke's pleading look, Mikoto Uchiha could only show an expression of helplessness.

Waaaaah, Mom doesn't love me anymore...

-

夜

Hyuga clan

"Sweetie, can you eat a little more?"

During dinner, Hiashi Hyuga was eating, while Hinata was holding a bottle and soothing a baby who looked to be just over a year old.

Meanwhile, Hiashi Hyuga, holding his bowl and chopsticks, watched this scene with a complex mix of emotions.

This is Hinata's younger sister, Hyuga Hanabi.

When Hinata was five years old, Hinata saw that she was exceptionally talented, but she secretly hoped to have a son to inherit the Hyuga clan.

As a result, his wife died in childbirth, and the child she gave birth to was also a girl.

"What are you looking at?"

Noticing Hiashi Hyuga's gaze, Hinata looked at her elderly father.

"It's nothing..."

Hiashi Hyuga shook his head, putting away his distracting thoughts.

One reason why Hiashi Hyuga was so indulgent towards Hinata was because of his wife.

"Little Hanabi~~"

Seeing her younger sister finish her milk, Hinata smiled and pinched Hanabi's cheek before handing her over to Hyuga Natsu, who was waiting nearby, to prepare for dinner.

"I heard Hinata, you hit another Inuzuka kid?"

Just as he picked up his chopsticks, Hiashi Hyuga, who was sitting opposite him, asked a question.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"He challenged me to a one-on-one fight."

Hinata chewed her food and spoke indifferently.

Don't talk when you have something in your mouth.

Seeing his daughter in such a state, Hiashi Hyuga subconsciously reminded her.

"oh."