Evening arrived, and a light rain began to fall.
Shinji was summoned to Hiashi's residence.
The living room glowed with warm yellow light, yet it was empty.
"Shinji, you've arrived?"
Hiashi's voice drifted from the study.
"Yes, Lord Hiashi."
"Come in."
Shinji removed his shoes at the entrance and quietly stepped inside.
The study door was open, revealing Hiashi bent over his desk, writing something on rice paper with a brush.
"Have you eaten dinner?" Hiashi asked without looking up.
"No, Lord Hiashi."
"Let's have dinner together."
"Eh?" Shinji's eyes flickered before he adopted a surprised expression.
"What's wrong?" Hiashi asked, glancing up.
"No... It's just... wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Shinji hesitated, "How could I dine with Lord Hiashi?"
"Nonsense. We're clan members. What's wrong with sharing a meal?"
"Thank you, Lord Hiashi. Then I'll impose on your kindness."
After saying this, Shinji stood quietly to the side, watching Hiashi wield his brush.
After a while, Hiashi let out a long sigh, put down his brush, and picked up his work to examine it carefully.
He looked at Shinji and, pointing at his calligraphy, asked, "What do you think?"
Shinji had been watching the entire time.
Hiashi's skill was probably just beginner level; his writing was barely average.
He remembered that the Third Hokage seemed to be very fond of calligraphy.
"It's amazing."
"You know calligraphy?" Hiashi seemed slightly surprised.
"I don't, but Lord Hiashi's work is definitely amazing."
Hearing his honest and straightforward words, Hiashi chuckled softly. "You're quite the smooth talker."
He walked out from behind his desk and towards the study door.
The two walked and talked, Shinji trailing half a step behind Hiashi.
They exited the living room and walked along the covered walkway towards another courtyard.
On the way, Hiashi inquired about Shinji's daily life, seemingly expressing his concern.
The rain was intensifying.
Although they were protected from the rain under the covered walkway, the wind occasionally whipped raindrops onto them, sending a chill through the air.
As they reached another courtyard, a young woman dressed as a servant stood waiting with two umbrellas.
Shinji recognized her.
It was Hyuga Harucha, Hyuga Ayano's attendant.
"Lord Hiashi." Hyuga Harucha bowed in greeting and handed one of the umbrellas to Shinji, then opened the other for Hiashi.
Shinji now understood. The dinner Hiashi mentioned was to be at Ayano's place.
Ayano's residence was considerably larger than Ayari's. After all, she was the future clan head's wife.
Only she, besides the main family, could enjoy the service of a personal attendant like Harucha.
Shinji frequented Ayari's home, but this was his first time at Ayano's. The furnishings were noticeably more luxurious, and a faint fragrance filled the air.
"Hiashi." A gentle voice greeted them.
"Yes."
"Shinji's here as well."
"Lady Ayano."
"Don't be so formal. I told you, you can call me Sister Ayano." Ayano, dressed in casual clothes, smiled gently at Shinji, "I'm not sure about your preferences, but I made a few dishes I'm good at. Try them and tell me what you think. Don't be shy."
"I wouldn't dare! It's my honor to eat food cooked by Sister... Ayano." Shinji quickly replied.
Three or four dishes were arranged on the table, each visually appealing.
It wasn't an extravagant spread, but rather resembled an ordinary family dinner.
This, however, made it feel more natural.
Shinji thought this to himself, but his face wore a slightly nervous expression.
Hiashi took the seat at the head of the table.
Harucha had left at some point unnoticed. Ayano began serving Shinji rice, her voice gentle as she told him to make himself at home.
"How does it taste?"
"Delicious! I haven't had such a delicious meal in a long time." Shinji said with a satisfied expression. "Sister Ayano, your cooking is amazing!"
"Shinji's living alone now. If you have any needs, feel free to ask. The clan will try its best to fulfill the requests of its members." Hiashi said, "If your living expenses are tight, we can provide you with more."
"No, no, I'm living comfortably. Really." Shinji quickly put down his chopsticks and said.
This wasn't a lie.
As a prominent clan in Konoha, even the branch members of the Hyuga enjoyed a very comfortable standard of living.
"You went to the hospital today, right?" Hiashi asked again.
"Yes, sir."
"How were the results of your physical examination?"
"The doctor said I'll be fully recovered in a week."
Hiashi nodded. "Your surgery is scheduled around that time as well."
At the mention of the surgery, Shinji suddenly lowered his head.
Seeing this, Hiashi's eyes flickered slightly. "What's wrong?"
Shinji forced a smile. "Nothing... It's nothing."
"Are you worried about the surgery? Don't worry. The surgeon is a highly experienced Jonin. There won't be any problems." Hiashi reassured him.
"I trust the village's medical technology. I'm not worried about the surgery," Shinji replied.
"Then what are you worried about?" Hiashi continued to ask calmly.
Shinji seemed to hesitate for a moment before stammering, "I heard... the eyes I'll be receiving... they belonged to some very exceptional seniors in the clan... I'm just an ordinary Chunin. I might... disgrace their eyes."
Hiashi had been observing Shinji's expression as he spoke. If the boy was acting, then he was remarkably cunning.
But how much scheming could a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy truly be capable of?
Hiashi felt much more at ease.
He smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry. Just the fact that you risked your life on the battlefield to bring back intel is enough to be worthy of these Byakugan. The Hokage himself praised you to me, saying you accomplished what many adults couldn't."
"I only did what I was supposed to," Shinji replied.
Hiashi said with satisfaction, "The Byakugan passed down in our clan are not meant to be mere decorations. Even if a non-ninja clan member were to lose their eyes today, the clan would not hesitate to replace them. If the clan cannot be relied upon and trusted by its members, then it's destined for destruction.
"Moreover, you've made contributions to the village and brought honor to the clan. The clan will absolutely not let you suffer any injustice!"
Shinji's face showed a touched expression. "Lord Hiashi!"
"Shinji, you are a future pillar of our Hyuga clan. We are the clan with the oldest history in the ninja world.
"Our ancestors had unparalleled glory. We must always remember the important task of revitalizing the clan, and this burden will need to be shouldered by young people like you in the future."
Shinji responded, suppressing his excitement, "Yes, Lord Hiashi! I will always remember!"
Hiashi nodded in satisfaction.
Ayano chuckled softly from the side. "Really, why so serious during dinner? Shinji, you should eat more."
As she spoke, she picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it in Shinji's bowl.
"Thank you, Sister Ayano."
Shinji was almost full from the promises Hiashi had made. Nevertheless, he lowered his head and continued eating earnestly.
The rain outside grew heavier, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Inside, the room was warm and the atmosphere harmonious. If Shinji were a little younger, they would truly resemble a family.
"Have another bowl."
"No, thank you, Sister Ayano. I'm full."
"You're still growing. Why are you eating so little?"
"Actually... I ate a lot of snacks at home before coming," Shinji said a little embarrassedly.
Seeing his naivete, Ayano couldn't help but smile.
"Alright. Eat less of those things in the future. They're not healthy."
"Understood, Sister Ayano."
Shinji excused himself to leave.
Ayano gently escorted him to the door and handed him an umbrella.
"It's raining heavily. Be careful on your way back."
Shinji bowed to both of them, then opened the umbrella and turned to walk into the heavy rain.
After Shinji's figure disappeared into the downpour, Ayano turned and went back inside.
Hiashi was still sitting there.
"Well? Are you relieved now?" Ayano asked.
"I never worried that he had any ulterior motives," Hiashi said indifferently, "He's just a child. Even if he has some resentment towards the main family, what kind of trouble could he possibly cause?"
"I'm worried about those old geezers in the clan. Will they use this opportunity to stir up trouble with him? It would be best if they hadn't interacted with Shinji at all. Once his eye transplant and the seal are complete, everything will return to normal."
Hearing this, Ayano said, "It seems we were worrying over nothing."
"Hopefully. The Hokage is hinting again that I should go to the front lines. It's wartime, and my continuous stay in the rear will inevitably attract criticism. I hope this storm passes quickly." Hiashi said as he slowly stood up.
"I should be going too."
"Take care."
"You should rest early."
Hiashi also left with an umbrella, leaving the room silent.
Outside, the night was bleak and the rain poured down.
Ayano sat alone at the dining table, looking at the barely touched food. She hadn't eaten a single bite.
She glanced at the seat where Shinji had sat. His bowl was empty; he had eaten everything.
She picked up his used bowl and chopsticks and casually tossed them into the trash can beside the table.
"Harucha."
"Yes, Miss Ayano."
"Clean up, please. And be quiet. I'm going to bed."
...
The thunder that had rumbled all night finally quieted down in the early morning.
Water droplets continued to fall intermittently from the eaves.
Puddles had accumulated in the courtyard, and there was a chill in the air.
A streak of dawn appeared on the distant horizon.
A terrified scream shattered the tranquility of the Hyuga compound.
Shinji slowly walked out of his room, looking towards the direction of the scream.
Subi also ran out, rubbing against his legs.
Shinji picked it up and gently stroked its fur.
"Dawn is here."