189.Tension

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At the Hyuga Residence.

Hinata watched her father walk into the room with a dark expression and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. 

Great, Brother Neji had managed to escape smoothly.

She glanced once more at her father Hiashi's tightly closed door and carefully walked toward her own room.

Upon opening the door, her younger sister, shorter than her by a head, rushed over like a bullet and hugged her around the waist.

"Hanabi?"

Hinata wrapped her arms around the young girl's shoulders, gently patting her back to comfort her.

"Sister," Hanabi said, looking up at her with clear eyes.

"What's wrong?" Hinata asked, gently stroking the young girl's hair. Hanabi squinted happily, nuzzling into Hinata's palm.

"Are you worried about that guy, Neji?" Hanabi asked, looking up at Hinata's worried face.

"Call him Brother Neji, Hanabi." Hinata gently tapped her head, disapprovingly.

"Yes, my lady sister." Hanabi stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Oh, you." Hinata sighed, then smiled softly. "I'm not worried anymore because Brother Neji has already left the Land of Fire."

Hmph! Why is Sister worried about that guy!

Hanabi buried her face against Hinata's chest, pouting.

"If you have time to worry about him, Sister, you should be more concerned about the family."

"What about the family?" Hinata asked in surprise.

"Hmph, you're so oblivious, Sister!" Hanabi puffed her cheeks, putting her hands on her hips.

"Since Neji did what he did, it's going to cause big trouble for the family!"

"I… I hadn't thought about that…" Hinata's face turned pale, as if something had just dawned on her. "I… I hadn't considered…"

"It's obvious, which is why you're so slow, silly sister." Hanabi looked at her with a hint of exasperation. "And for the last couple of days, the atmosphere in the clan hasn't felt right!"

"E-everyone…" Hinata's hands trembled as she covered her face. "We're all family, so why can't we just get along…"

"Oh, you're so naive, my dear sister!"

Hanabi sighed like a little grown-up and shook her head.

"But still, let's leave this to Father and the other adults. There's nothing we can do at this point."

Hanabi suddenly smiled.

"Maybe this could even be a good thing…"

She hugged Hinata tightly once again.

"Because, I don't want you to end up part of the Branch Family, Sister."

"Hanabi…" Hinata's expression turned a bit complicated, but she couldn't help smiling.

"Thank you, Hanabi."

"But…" She looked down at Hanabi's eyes with a serious expression. "Like you said, if something happens, Father and the others will handle it. You shouldn't worry about it too much."

"Got it." Hanabi mumbled, burying her face.

Meanwhile, in Hiashi's Room.

The atmosphere in Hiashi's room was tense.

"My deepest apologies, Lord Hiashi!"

Hyuga Tokuma knelt in front of Hiashi.

Hiashi looked sternly at the young man, forehead nearly touching the floor, without saying a word.

"Lord Hiashi, Tokuma has done his best," said an elderly man with a long beard sitting beside him. "The Hyuga clan still needs him to redeem himself, so please, forgive him."

After a long pause, Hiashi finally spoke in a deep voice, "Stand up."

"Yes!"

Hyuga Tokuma rose and took a seat at the end of the row, kneeling upright.

"Elder," Hiashi addressed the old man who had just spoken, "Have you identified the members of the Branch Family with rebellious intentions?"

"The few we were already aware of have indeed been having private meetings more frequently." The elder stroked his long beard. "But my people haven't found out if there are any others hiding deeper."

"Continue to stay alert." Hiashi narrowed his eyes. "They'll eventually reveal themselves."

"Yes, I'll give the orders," the elder said, bowing slightly.

"There's no need for undue concern, Lord Hiashi," another elder sitting opposite the first added in a calm voice. "With things unclear for now, Neji's actions have only given them a glimmer of hope, so they probably won't act rashly."

"You're right," the first elder agreed with a nod. "While we remain vigilant about internal issues, for now, we should just stay on guard."

"The real issue is how we can restore the honor of the Hyuga clan." His gaze swept across everyone in the room except Hiashi. "The Hyuga clan is the strongest in Konoha, and we must protect our reputation."

"Then, should we send someone to capture Neji?"

"If we can capture him, we might restore some of the clan's reputation."

"But these are special circumstances, and leaving the village without permission may not be possible. The Hokage might not agree to us sending people after him."

"Could we arrange for certain people among the Border Guard to be given some freedom of movement?"

"Don't forget, that Uchiha boy still has powerful protectors in the shadows. Average members of our clan aren't a match for them!"

"Damn Uchiha, always lingering like a shadow!"

"Enough!"

Hiashi's voice silenced everyone.

"Elder, select reliable people from the Border Guard to continue searching for Neji's whereabouts."

He gave the order directly.

"Once his location is discovered, report back immediately. Do not engage recklessly."

"I understand," Elder replied firmly.

"As for the rest of you," Hiashi's gaze swept across the others in the room, "pull your people back and avoid taking missions outside the village unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, Lord Hiashi."

Everyone bowed respectfully in response.

Hiashi stood up and walked toward the door.

As he passed Tokuma, he paused.

"Tokuma." He looked down at the kneeling young man.

"What are your instructions, Lord Hiashi?"

Tokuma lowered his head even further.

"Starting tonight, you'll be responsible for guarding the Main House."

With that, Hiashi opened the door and left.

"Yes!" Tokuma looked up, pleasantly surprised, watching Hiashi's back.

As footsteps sounded, everyone began to leave the room, leaving Tokuma, who still knelt, somewhat dazed.

Once everyone's backs disappeared, Tokuma finally came to his senses, silently standing up and leaving the room.

After exiting the Main House, Tokuma was blocked on a secluded path.

"Well, if it isn't Tokuma, the most loyal servant of Lord Hiashi."

"Just got back from listening to Lord Hiashi's teachings, eh, Tokuma?"

Two young Hyuga members blocked Tokuma's path.

"Move."

Tokuma's face was expressionless as he looked at them coldly.

"Hmph!"

One of them bumped Tokuma's shoulder hard as he passed.

A sneer echoed in his ear.

"Main Family's lapdog."

He whispered before he and his companion walked off.

No one noticed, though, that as they passed, the young man's fingers subtly and rhythmically tapped Tokuma's arm.