Escape from Konoha.

Although the Hyuga clan's overall strength is inferior to that of the Uchiha clan, its strict family rules are unmatched by the Uchiha.

"You two just need to wait here from now on."

"Yes."

Ayane and the man bowed slightly, then distanced themselves from Hiashi.

On the road ahead, only Hiashi took a step forward.

At the end, a young girl in a kimono was waiting for Hiashi.

She wore no headband or anything to cover her forehead, but she also did not have the 'caged bird' mark.

Although not part of the main branch of the family, it is still a branch of the main family, and its status and position are far beyond what those from the branch families can compare to.

"It seems that the time for Lord Hiashi to succeed as head of the family is not far off."

The male Jonin from Hyuga murmured this sentiment softly.

"How to say?"

"This is a matchmaking ceremony. After getting married, Lord Hiashi will soon become the head of the family... This is also a tradition of the main family."

"Fuyu-senpai is very familiar with this process."

Ayane laughed.

Hyuga Fuyuma was the name of this Hyuga ninja.

He was a ninja from Ayane's previous generation, and in terms of talent, he was absolutely no weaker than her. His use of the Byakugan and Gentle Fist surpassed that of most people in the Hyuga clan.

In addition, as a member of a branch family, he had a strong spirit of sacrificing himself for the main family at any time, which is why he was chosen as one of Hiashi's guards.

There are different kinds of family divisions.

Most branch family ninjas are not taught the core Gentle Fist techniques of the Hyuga clan, such as many derivative techniques of Gentle Fist, or the "Rotation" which is considered an absolute defense.

These are all advanced techniques that only members of the main ninja family can learn.

Ayane and Fuyuma were granted the right to study so that they could better protect Hiashi, the head of the main family.

"It's nothing. By the way, I heard that you performed exceptionally well under Jonin Sakumo, becoming a Jonin at such a young age. That's truly remarkable."

"Itsuki said with a smile."

Becoming a Jonin at such a young age is rare, even within the Hyuga clan, which is known for its many talented individuals.

Moreover, she is a woman.

"I'm exhausted. I often have to complete some very difficult tasks, and I've almost died several times. I don't want to go through those days again. Life in the family is much more peaceful."

Jonin Fuyuma agreed with Ayane's complaints.

Although three years have passed since the Second Shinobi World War, ninjas still have to work during peacetime.

Especially elite squads like the Shuo Mao Squad, the missions they take on are at least A-level.

"However, you should also be careful not to get too involved with outsiders, especially in matters of the heart. The Hyuga and Uchiha are different; they will not allow women to marry outside their clans, not even if someone else marries into the family. Besides, you are Lord Hiashi's bodyguard, a very important position."

Dong Jian said meaningfully.

"What do you mean?"

Ayane turned her head and glanced at the Jonin Fuyuma.

"It doesn't mean anything. It's just that as a member of the branch family, I don't want an excellent Jonin like you to be neglected by the elders."

The winter ninja sighed.

"I don't know."

“You’re a smart person, you must understand what I mean. Don’t do anything unnecessary. Your every move is being watched by the elders. This is the Hyuga clan. For this clan, the branch family doesn’t need any secrets. As Lord Hiashi’s guards, our lives are different from those of the branch family ninjas.”

Seeing that Ayane was confused, the Jonin Fuyuma gave a wry smile.

"..."

Ayane fell silent.

"My life has already been arranged by the elders. My wife is a branch family woman I didn't know at all before, and we got married hastily under those circumstances. It was the safest way. Your future life will be the same. Don't try to resist. You can't fight against the power of the Hyuga clan. Besides that, you can enjoy many benefits that branch family ninjas can't get."

"Should I thank those understanding elders? They've even thoughtfully arranged my future."

Ayane said with a smile, her face showing no anger or resentment whatsoever.

In his pure white pupils, there was only the most genuine smile.

“Only in this way can the Hyuga clan’s bloodline remain pure. Our Byakugan is a very noble bloodline limit. Genetically, we are a different class from those commoner ninjas. I don’t want to hear about you dying a violent death someday.”

The winter ninja looked up at the blue sky, where a flock of birds flew freely, and smiled faintly.

To want to be a bird that flies freely... what a luxurious wish.

"Don't worry, Fuyuma-senpai, I will fulfill the mission of a Hyuga ninja."

Ayane gives off a convincing and gentle smile.

"You really are a terrifying woman."

He glanced at Ayane's beautiful smile, and seeing nothing but a smile, Fuyuma couldn't help but utter those words.

No, I have absolutely no idea what she's thinking.

A monster? A sense of unease arose in the heart of the Winter Ninja.

Working with such a monster woman requires constant vigilance.

◎

After the matchmaking ceremony ended, Rizu returned to his residence and let out a long sigh of relief.

A feeling of exhaustion instantly washed over me.

He has to practice Gentle Fist and Byakugan, learn how to manage his family, and now he has to develop a relationship with a woman he has never met before.

His schedule has been arranged for him, except for his sleeping time.

For the first time, he felt that the position of clan chief was not easy to be.

"It would be perfect if the daily schedule were here..."

He muttered to himself like this.

To be honest, he hadn't seen Hizashi for a long time.

But when he thought of the look in Hizashi's eyes now—indifference, awe, and hatred—Hiashi's feelings became complicated.

He longed to return to the carefree days of his childhood, when Hizashi looked at him with the respect and care of an older brother, not with the way he looked at a stranger.

From the moment they planted the caged bird, the fates of the two brothers were drastically different.

One is the main family, which is high and mighty, and the other is the branch family, which is controlled by the main family.

Once a family is marked as having separated from its original family, then no matter how many children they have in the future, they will all be marked as having separated from their original family.

Only the offspring of the main family can become part of the main family; some risk becoming members of a branch family.

This has resulted in a very small number of people in the main family, while the number of people in the branch families is increasing.

Thinking of this, Hiashi felt even more exhausted.

"If there weren't a system of dividing the family property, he would be..."

But this was just his personal reflection.

The family's will cannot be changed according to his personal will.

The fate of the branch family and the fate of the main family were decided from the very beginning, and no one could change it.

"Please don't say that, Lord Hiashi. Protecting the main family is our branch family's duty. Lord Hizashi will understand Lord Hiashi's good intentions one day."

Hinata Fuyuma comforted Hiashi in this way.

In his eyes, Hiashi was not the cold-hearted young master that outsiders perceived; he also had a soft and kind side.

But faced with the greater good of his family, he had no choice but to be ruthless.

If I were to follow someone like that, I feel that I would have no regrets in my life.

The treatment after separating from the family should be a little better.

"Fuyu-senpai, that's too cruel. Hiashi-sama was just acting out of an older brother's love for his younger brother."

Ayane said with a smile from the side.

Fuyu glanced at Ayane and said calmly, "Lord Hiashi is the future of the Hyuga clan. Our fate is already sealed, as is Lord Hizashi's. As members of the branch family, all we need to do is protect Lord Hiashi. We shouldn't have any other thoughts."

"Don't blame Ayane during winter; I was just venting occasionally."

Hiashi defended Ayane.

"Yes."

Fuyuki respectfully stepped aside, but his gaze remained fixed on Ayane.

This woman is too dangerous, and Lord Hiashi seems to trust her completely. Fuyuma narrowed his eyes.

To be honest, he didn't want to work with Ayane.

Fortunately, there's a caged bird to keep this woman in check, as she's so unpredictable.

Otherwise, it would not be a good thing for the Hyuga clan or for Konoha.

"What are your thoughts, Lord Hiashi, on the future mistress of the family?"

"She is a good woman."

But it's too rigid and boring, like a delicate doll. Hiashi added this to himself.

Every move she made was full of discipline, not because she deliberately acted out, but because she was destined to be transformed into that kind of gentle and docile woman.

Her smile was full of genuine tenderness, but Hiashi couldn't muster any interest in such a wonderful woman.

His mother, the maid in the house, and even his future wife were all models of this.

Like a finely crafted product manufactured in a factory.

But there is only one exception among them.