I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 80 Hyuga Hizashi's Heart is in Turmoil

Light snowflakes drifted down from the sky, adding a beautiful white scene to Konoha.

Hyuga clan.

The rustic houses are located on the outskirts of the main family's residences. This is evident from the layout of the houses, which show that the branch families' residences are all surrounding the main family's houses in the central area.

Inside the wooden house, a pot of steaming tea was slowly poured out. Hyuga Hizashi, who was holding the teapot and making the tea, looked solemn and his demeanor was completely focused, showing the profound heritage of his thousand-year-old noble family.

"Please!" After brewing the tea, Hyuga Hizashi respectfully gestured for him to taste it.

Seeing Hyuga Hizashi's actions, which were as rigid as his expression, Uchiha Yoru smiled. Although he had something to do, he couldn't be impolite; it was a matter of mutual respect.

"Please!" Uchiha Yoru gestured politely, picking up his teacup. The two of them gazed at the snow falling outside while sipping hot tea inside, seemingly savoring the experience.

With his eyes half-closed and a look of enjoyment on his face, Uchiha Yoru sipped his tea and couldn't help but exclaim in delight, "Hizashi-senpai's tea ceremony skills are truly first-rate."

"Ye Jun, you're too kind."

The two men's behavior was full of adherence to established etiquette, representing a communication between two prominent families without the slightest transgression.

Although they didn't drink three rounds of wine, after sipping a few cups of tea, both of them appeared calm and composed, as if today was simply a day for enjoying tea and appreciating the snow.

Hyuga Hizashi's self-control was impeccable, but Uchiha Yoru, while also patient, didn't want to waste any more time there, as his time was already running out.

A year has passed since the Nine-Tails' rampage, and Itachi is now six years old, soon to be seven.

However, a major event occurred when the protagonist was three years old: the Hyuga clan incident. Clearly, Konoha must have experienced significant turmoil under those circumstances, which is why the Land of Lightning took advantage of the situation.

This upheaval could only be caused by Orochimaru's defection, which could shake the entire Hidden Leaf Village and even the entire ninja world.

"How old is Hizashi-senpai's child this year?"

Uchiha Yoru put down his teacup, a smile on his face that betrayed no hidden intentions. Hyuga Hizashi, however, remained impassive, his face expressionless, and said softly, "Neji will be four years old soon after the New Year."

"Time flies, Neji will be four years old soon." Uchiha Yoru's calm smile revealed nothing, and Hyuga Hizashi was also unusually calm. However, his next words completely shattered Hyuga Hizashi's composure.

"Four years old is not young. I heard that the main family's children will be three years old after the New Year. Orochimaru-sensei wants to see the Caged Bird Seal of the Hyuga branch family."

Uchiha Yoru's casual remark caused Hyuga Hizashi's expression to tremble. Hizashi, who was still making tea, only realized what was happening when the tea spilled. He hurriedly restrained his chaotic mind and took out a towel to wipe up the spilled tea on the table.

"I'm so sorry, I apologize for my rudeness."

Despite his respectful apology, Hyuga Hizashi, though still maintaining his stern demeanor, was clearly flustered. Uchiha Yoru, seeing this, chuckled and nodded, saying, "You're too kind, senpai. It was I who disturbed you today."

Under the proper etiquette, the two seemed to have returned to the atmosphere of enjoying tea and appreciating the snow. However, at this moment, Hyuga Hizashi's mind was in turmoil, and the tea in his mouth was extremely bitter.

In contrast, Uchiha Yoru was squinting his eyes, looking quite content. His elegant movements as he sipped tea and admired the snow revealed his noble birth.

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru seemed to be sitting calmly on the sidelines, while Hyuga Hizashi was filled with torment. The words he had just heard made him lower his head, but the words "caged bird" kept echoing in his mind.

Three years old! When Neji is three years old, the heir of the main family will also be engraved with the Caged Bird Seal. He has been suppressing his anger and resentment in his heart. He has been able to suppress it in front of outsiders and even in the family. But today, this demon is surging out wildly. All of this is because of one person's name.

Orochimaru!

Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, is a genius of ninjutsu, especially in the field of ninjutsu research and development. He is the most outstanding person in Konoha in this era, and is a genius who is proficient in almost all of ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and sealing techniques.

At this moment, Hizashi Hyuga was trying hard to suppress the excitement in his heart, but his hand holding the teacup was trembling uncontrollably, and the tea tasted bland in his mouth.

Orochimaru might actually be able to break them out of this cage!

Once the thought appeared in his mind, it began to spread wildly. Hyuga Hizashi tried desperately to suppress the thought in his heart, but he couldn't control it at all. Images kept flashing through his mind: images of people crying out in pain and begging for mercy in front of the main family, images of people completely losing their dignity.

Finally! When Hyuga Neji's innocent smile appeared in his mind, Hyuga Hizashi instantly woke up.

The teacup slipped and fell to the ground, its exquisite shape sloshing across the wooden floor. Hyuga Hizashi quickly stood up, bowed, and apologized, saying, "It was my fault."

However, Hyuga Hizashi didn't realize that his forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and his entire back was soaked with sweat.

Seeing Hyuga Hizashi's excited expression, Uchiha Yoru smiled and bowed in return, saying, "It was I who disturbed Hizashi-senpai."

After saying that, he was about to get up and make a gesture that today's tea and snow appreciation would end. When Hyuga Hizashi saw this, he wanted to reach out to stop him, but he didn't know how to say it, and his hesitant appearance was even more noticeable.

However, Uchiha Yoru responded with a humble smile, "Hizashi-senpai, if you have time, you can come find me. After all, only by personally inspecting the birdcage can one have a chance to find the existence of that 'cage door,' right?"

Beneath a knowing smile, Uchiha Yoru bowed slightly, feigning politeness, and made as if to leave. When Hyuga Hizashi heard this, which was already quite direct, he managed a forced, stiff smile, unsure of what to do.

"By the way, Hizashi-senpai, Orochimaru-sensei's research funding has been running low lately, since many eyes were watching him when he came here today."

As he stepped outside and changed into his own shoes, Uchiha Yoru suddenly turned around with a humble smile, as if he had just remembered something.

After saying that, Uchiha Yoru bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Hizashi-senpai. I'll be leaving now."

Watching Uchiha Yoru's figure disappear amidst the swirling snowflakes, Hyuga Hizashi's face revealed a complex expression.

"Father? Father?"

He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name. Hyuga Hizashi turned around in a rare panic and saw a timid and young face looking at him with worry, as if concerned about his father's panic.

Upon seeing that youthful face, a blood relative, Hizashi Hyuga's terrifying thought began to spread wildly.

He understood the other party's meaning from the last sentence: the Uchiha clan had come to visit him that night, and many people were watching. He needed a reasonable excuse, and Orochimaru's research funds were that excuse.

Thanks to: Brother "Troublesome Most" for the 100 coins and Brother "Heart Plus Blade for Endurance" for the 100 coins.

Thank you to all the brothers who supported me through this experience.

(End of this chapter)