Chapter 4: The Clan Head's Training

Chapter 4: The Clan Head's Training

A week later, in the Hyuga clan's dojo, the same three people sat quietly once again. However, this time, it wasn't about morning training. Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga were summoned for a discussion about the future of the clan.

"Today, I want you both to analyze matters related to the Hyuga clan and the village of Konoha," Hiashi Hyuga said directly. Apart from a few unteachable secret taijutsu techniques, Neji, as Hinata's protector from the branch family, also had the right to be trained.

In large clans, such as the Uchiha, Inuzuka, Aburame, and Nara, they would train their younger members to prepare them for the future. Particularly gifted children would be taught ways to analyze situations and imbued with the values of the clan or the village.

And so, Hiashi began his lesson.

"After the Nine-Tails' attack, the village's strength greatly diminished, and the Hyuga clan's business became more difficult. Other clans faced financial crises as well. After the Uchiha clan's annihilation, the pressure on the Hyuga clan grew even more," Hiashi explained. Although he claimed he was training Hinata, it sounded more like he was venting his frustrations.

Hinata was taken aback by this, her mind racing. The Uchiha clan's downfall was due to the immense threat they posed to the village, combined with external manipulation, making their destruction inevitable.

After their eradication, along with the attack of the Nine-Tails and previous conflicts, Konoha's power had been severely depleted. Once hailed as the strongest ninja village, it was now beset with enemies on all sides, struggling to maintain its former glory.

The weight on Hiashi's shoulders was immense. Anyone more ambitious might have already raised the Hyuga clan's banner and sought dominance in the village. But Hiashi was cautious, worried that his ambitions might bring disaster to the clan, just as it had with the Uchiha.

As members of a prominent family, they were all too aware of the Uchiha's massacre and the village's situation. Living in Konoha and holding a certain status meant that, even if they didn't know all the details, they could make educated guesses.

Back when the Uchiha were absent during the Nine-Tails' attack, suspicions had already grown. The village feared they might use the Nine-Tails to launch an attack. Tensions escalated, leading to the Uchiha's forced relocation and oppression, leaving them with no options.

At that point, a coup seemed like their only choice. Konoha, at the height of its power, was not concerned about the consequences of removing this "tumor." Better to endure short-term pain than prolonged suffering, so they decisively wiped out the Uchiha for the sake of the greater good.

Everything went perfectly, except for the survival of Sasuke Uchiha, which remained a problem.

Now, with the Uchiha clan gone, the Hyuga clan's position, once balanced by the Uchiha, had become unique. The Sharingan of the Uchiha was once comparable to the Byakugan of the Hyuga, with each having its advantages.

But now, without the Uchiha to limit them, the direction of the Hyuga clan became even more crucial.

At this moment, the decisions of the clan leader would naturally shape the entire clan's future.

"This is an opportunity," Hinata tentatively suggested, throwing out the idea.

Hiashi's expression remained calm, but his hand inside his sleeve involuntarily trembled and clenched into a fist.

He couldn't refute this idea. It was one of the two conflicting thoughts that had troubled him for years.

"Explain," Hiashi said, looking at Hinata, waiting for her answer.

Hinata furrowed her brow, hesitating for a moment before saying, "No, perhaps a more cautious approach would be better. That way, it would benefit both the village and the clan. If everyone takes a step back, life will be more peaceful."

Her sudden change of tone left Hiashi bewildered. What was she thinking?

This idea closely aligned with his own, reflecting his most deeply held beliefs.

For years, Hiashi had struggled not just with the opportunity that arose after the Uchiha's demise but also with his own sense of powerlessness.

He only wanted the Hyuga clan to remain stable. The Uchiha's downfall was still fresh in his mind.

Perhaps it had become a habit for him since the incident when Hinata was nearly kidnapped by an emissary from the Land of Lightning. In his rage, Hiashi had pursued the emissary and rescued Hinata, only for the emissary to commit suicide and frame the Hyuga clan. 

That was the first time Hiashi had truly tasted despair.

The pressure from the Land of Fire and Konoha, combined with his responsibility to the clan, had almost suffocated him.

It wasn't until his brother Hizashi took his place and sacrificed himself that the matter was finally resolved.

Since then, Hiashi had been struggling and hesitating. Should he repeat the mistakes of the past? He didn't dare; he lacked the courage.

The atmosphere became awkwardly tense. Hiashi fell silent, and Hinata and Neji remained quiet as well.

As Hiashi carefully observed his daughter and reflected on the past years, he suddenly realized that this seemingly unremarkable girl had completely seen through him.

That couldn't have been her true thought, but... Hiashi couldn't quite decide whether to feel relieved or frustrated.

"Is that really what you think?" Hiashi asked, staring intently at Hinata, who remained seated.

"Yes," Hinata responded innocently, nodding without elaborating.

To be honest, if she had her way, the Hyuga clan would be turned upside down!

"The burden on the Hyuga clan is too heavy... They're just trying to survive," Hiashi muttered to himself.

Hinata noticed a few strands of white hair on his head.

Hiashi didn't continue speaking. Instead, he stood up. "That's enough for now. In about a month, you'll join me on a mission. I need to make some arrangements."

Over the past few years, through both taijutsu training and intellectual guidance, Hinata had progressed from confusion to the point where she could analyze and make decisions regarding the Hyuga clan's affairs. She had wholeheartedly engaged in this process.

It had only been a few years, but it was enough for Hiashi to clearly see his daughter's brilliance.

She was truly intelligent, able to think and analyze from an adult's perspective even at a young age.

The last time he had seen such a child was among the Uchiha. Yes, Uchiha Itachi had already become an S-rank rogue ninja and fled Konoha.

As the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi was now very certain in his judgment of his daughter.

Even the issues he had been concerned about with Neji had been resolved perfectly by Hinata.

With that, there seemed to be nothing left to worry about.

She had both strength and wisdom. All that remained was to assign her ninja missions. Once that was done, Hiashi would have taught her everything he could.

He could tell that this girl's thoughts weren't so simple. Her sudden change of tone revealed that she was even more cunning than him and knew how to protect his pride.

Sigh... Perhaps it was because he was getting old, but after training his daughter, Hiashi felt a sense of relief.

His departing figure was filled with the weariness of old age.