Chapter 24: I Won't Allow You to Die!

Hyuga Hizashi knew much more about Hinata's kidnapping than an ordinary branch family member. Upon seeing Natsu step forward, he quickly realized this fact.

However, for various reasons, Hizashi said nothing more and treated Haru as merely Hinata's classmate.

"I'm very sorry."

Upon realizing that Haru was not an intruder, Hyuga Neji also expressed his apologies directly to Haru.

The only reason he had acted suddenly was to protect his beloved sister.

"It's nothing." Haru nodded, indicating it was fine, but his attention shifted to the baby girl in Natsu's arms.

Hyuga Hanabi.

Although Haru had read the Naruto manga and watched the anime before his reincarnation, he couldn't recall many of the details.

Seeing Hanabi now brought back some memories about the Hyuga clan.

Hizashi and Hizashi were twins, but because Hizashi was born a few minutes later, he was marked with the caged bird seal.

This indicated that the clan was inherited by the firstborn son, while the second son became part of the branch family.

But by this logic, there should only be one head of the Hyuga clan.

In reality, however, the main family was a clan itself, especially when Neji recounted memories of being a member of the Hyuga main family, yet not being the son of Hiashi, and having no caged bird seal on his forehead.

Was the classification of main and branch families entirely determined by the Hyuga elders?

If that were the case, were the branch families merely slaves chosen by the main family?

Thinking of this made Haru feel some sympathy for Neji's life.

His father had died in such a pathetic manner, and before dying, he had instructed Hiashi to tell Neji his final words.

But what happened?

Years passed without a word!

None of the people present had informed Neji about the true reason for his father's death!

The reason Hiashi was determined to reveal the truth to Neji was also due to witnessing Neji's confrontation with Naruto.

He saw the talent Neji displayed.

In other words, if Neji hadn't become the best among his peers and made it to the finals of the Chunin Exams, would Hiashi ever have spoken up?

And the most tragic part was…

In the end, Neji would only repeat Hizashi's fate.

He sacrificed himself for Naruto and Hinata.

"Thank you."

Suddenly, Hyuga Natsu turned around and expressed her gratitude to Haru, then explained Hinata's situation.

Though Hinata was a member of the main family, she was very shy. Even knowing that Haru had saved her, she still hesitated to approach him directly due to her reserved nature.

Hinata Natsu hoped Haru could understand.

"It's fine; now that I see she's okay, I feel relieved." Haru nodded. "You don't need to worry about me. After the Third Hokage finishes his meeting, I'll go back with him."

Since Hinata was too shy to come over, Haru had no intention of going over to comfort her.

He decided to just wait here and enjoy the flowers until Sarutobi Hiruzen finished, then head back.

However, Haru did not expect that just as he prepared to pass the time casually, his System chimed in again.

Having two tasks released on the same day surprised Haru, but he was naturally very happy.

Because as long as he completed the sign-in, he could receive a reward and become stronger.

But this time, the task content caught him off guard.

Special Sign-in Task Released!

Please proceed to the Hyuga clan's conference room to change Hyuga Hizashi's doomed fate. Upon completing the task, a reward will be given!

Haru: "???"

Change Hyuga Hizashi's doomed fate?

Let me change Hizashi's inevitable death?

For a moment, Haru even doubted if he had heard correctly.

Wasn't the System task supposed to be reaching the sign-in location and waiting for ten seconds?

He never expected there would be such a task.

"Special sign-in task, huh…"

"If I complete it, will the rewards be better…"

Although Haru sympathized with Hizashi and Neji's fates, he was not of a saintly nature.

Moreover, saving Hizashi's fate would inevitably put him at odds with the Hyuga clan and Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Therefore, Haru initially planned to just turn a blind eye and not get involved.

But now…

The situation was different.

Think about the rewards from the previous tasks.

Chakra at the level of Hashirama, the Wood Release bloodline limit, mastery of five chakra nature transformations, and the Lonely Gourmet title.

Any one of these could stand on its own in this world.

And this was just a regular task reward.

What about the special ones?

Byakugan?

Tenseigan?

"Whoa…"

Haru gasped, his mindset quickly shifting.

Even from the System's notification, he saw that even if he didn't complete the task, he wouldn't be punished.

But…

Not taking the rewards when they were offered would be a loss!

"Hyuga Hizashi."

Haru raised his head, fixing his gaze directly on Hizashi.

At that moment, Hizashi undoubtedly appeared as a gentle father. He half-squatted, gently rubbing Neji's head, displaying an unprecedented bright smile.

A man must be strong, but as a father, he should be gentle!

Haru believed anyone who witnessed this scene would feel something.

Humans aren't plants; they can be rolled if they're round, and stop if they're square!

When faced with injustice, one should speak out!

"Hmm?"

Hizashi looked at Neji, wanting to engrave his final appearance firmly in his heart, but noticed Haru stepping forward, walking toward him.

"Hello."

"Is there something you need?" Hizashi straightened up and asked softly.

After all, Haru was the one who saved Hinata, and the entire Hyuga clan owed him a favor.

Moreover, Haru was brought here personally by the Third Hokage.

Who would dare to treat him carelessly?

Neji also looked at Haru, but his thoughts were entirely on his father.

Usually, his father was a stern man, rarely smiling, but for some reason, today his father seemed like a different person.

So very gentle.

This made Neji feel strange, yet he liked this version of his father.

"I have something to discuss with the Third Hokage."

Haru got straight to the point.

It would be simple to head to the conference room; even if Hizashi didn't lead him there, he could find it himself.

The challenge lay in how to change Hizashi's doomed fate.

After all, Hizashi bore the caged bird seal on his forehead, and with just a thought from the main family, his brain would cease to function.

If the situation turned tense, who knew if the elders from the main family would resort to such measures?

Right now, Hizashi wasn't being forced; he was willingly choosing to die.

All he could do was…

Convince or… physically persuade those people to abandon this foolish notion.