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The little detour with Temari was over, but it did waste quite a bit of ti. Neji returned once more to the Hyuga clan estate.
After asking a few clan mbers, he found Hiashi sitting in the courtyard. The two of them drank tea together as Neji explained the potential political changes that might soon occur.
Hiashi took a sip of his tea and nodded calmly.
"Now that the Hokage has officially taken you as her disciple, things are much more secure. You handled this matter well," he said.
"As for what the Hokage eventually decides, she’ll have her own considerations. We don’t need to act overly eager wait quietly, and prepare in advance."
"This situation won’t drastically affect our clan... But for you, Neji this changes everything."
He gently put down his cup and looked at his nephew. Neji’s brilliance filled him with pride.
If what Neji suggested about shifting the power structure took effect, it would weaken the advisors and distribute influence to more families.
Back when the Third Hokage was in charge, most power was concentrated between him and his three advisors. Other clans were reduced to subordinate roles, only able to follow orders.
Hiashi was quite pleased that Neji had presented his proposal in the na of the Nara Clan.
It showed thoughtful strategy, a keen understanding of political dynamics far beyond his age. And now he had beco a key figure within the Hokage’s faction.
This had been unexpected, but deeply encouraging. It aligned with Hiashi’s own unspoken hopes.
Neji now held the potential to truly beco a Hokage candidate.
"?"
"That’s right," Hiashi confird with a nod.
"You’re the Hokage’s student now. That places you at the center of it all. As a Hyuga, that gives our clan a rare opportunity."
"So cultivate a strong relationship with the Hokage. If you ever reach the point where you stand at the summit... the Hyuga Clan will back you fully!"
Neji fell silent for a mont.
Sothing about this... felt familiar.
Where had he seen this kind of scenario before?
Wait a minute—
Uchiha... Itachi?!
Yikes.
He was the nephew of the clan head, part of a great family, yet tied closely to the Hokage. A bridge between two powers. Now entrusted with a great responsibility.
Thank heavens the Hyuga clan wasn’t feared like the Uchiha were... nor were they ever pushed out of Konoha’s political core.
Still—this resemblance was a little scary.
Wait a sec! "Full support"? Support for what?
No way... are they thinking of pushing to beco Hokage?!
No, no. That’s probably overthinking it. The Hyuga Clan would never go that far. Hiashi must know that being a major bloodline clan, they’d never be allowed to hold that kind of power.
Right?
Hiashi stood up and gently clapped Neji on the shoulder.
"Go on now, Neji. If your eyes have recovered... I’m sure the ones you’re most eager to see are those two girls."
"And the situation you described I’ll start making preparations right away."
Hiashi gave him a warm, proud smile.
He was truly thankful now that Neji had taken out his own eyes years ago to avoid being branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
Without that turning point, their clan would’ve never had soone with a real chance at becoming Hokage.
Now, with Neji as a living example, convincing the old conservative elders would beco much easier.
Hopefully, Neji’s research on abolishing the Caged Bird Seal was progressing well.
The sooner it could be replaced, the sooner the next generation of Hyuga wouldn’t be shackled by outdated traditions. The era of war was long past those rules no longer made sense.
anwhile, Neji left the courtyard, feeling a little creeped out by the strange way Hiashi was looking at him.
Even after thinking about it on the way, he couldn’t quite figure it out.
Slightly bewildered, he headed off to find Hinata and Hanabi, hoping their company would ease his mind.
---
At the sisters’ training hall, only Hinata was present.
Hanabi was likely still at the ninja academy. It would be evening before she got ho.
Neji stepped quietly to the door and saw Hinata in her white training attire, diligently practicing. He smiled.
So hardworking, as always.
"Who’s there!?"
A gust of wind flew at him as Hinata reacted instantly, palm halted inches from his chest.
Neji chuckled. "Looks like you really took my last words to heart, Hinata."
"Neji-niisan!"
Hinata’s face lit up with joy. But the mont she noticed Neji’s open eyes watching her, her cheeks turned crimson.
"You—! You said you’d let us know ahead of ti when your eyes were healed!"
"You were supposed to—ah!"
A puff of steam practically ca off her head. Hinata fainted straight into Neji’s arms.
He caught her gently and sighed with amusent.
Still so shy around , even after all these years?
He sat down, letting her rest on his lap. Carefully brushing her damp bangs aside, he gazed at her face.
Nine years...
Since he’d chosen to blind himself at age four. Since then, he’d never truly seen the world.
To finally open his eyes again felt like a mont frozen in ti.
From his inventory, Neji took out a clean towel and gently wiped the sweat from her face.
In her sleep, Hinata murmured:
"Don’t, Neji-niisan... You’re such a bully..."
Neji blinked then laughed quietly.
He pinched her cheek.
"If I don’t tease you, who else can I tease?"
Looking at her soft, pouting lips in sleep, Neji’s smile turned tender.
"You never realized, did you? Aside from , no one’s dared to bully you in years."
Back when so brats had tried picking on her, Neji had thoroughly... corrected them.
After that, he occasionally dropped by to ’train’ them for XP until they cried at the re ntion of his na.
He chuckled again.
"Back then, you were too shy to eat much at als. I’d always sneak food over for you."
"And you’d yell at not to look while you ate. Such a silly little cutie."
Hinata’s lips puckered in her sleep, like she was still sulking.
She must’ve worn herself out training.
Neji closed his eyes too, settling into ditation beside her.
Even if his gain was slow, every little bit counted.
Besides, there were no smartphones in this world no distractions. Just training.
One day, once everything was stable, he’d help develop those tools too.
This world had decent tech already, vending machines, movies, radios, but ninja power often stifled technological progress.
A few tweaks could fix that.
But first, he had to prepare for the bigger threats ahead.
Even if the Boruto sequel was a ss,
The Ōtsutsuki clan was real, and they would co eventually.
The future is long.
And the burden is heavy.
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