Konoha Notes

Chapter 380 Inheritance
Riji rose, nodded, and took his leave.

Without receiving further instructions, he turned gracefully and left quietly, without closing the open door behind him. The light in the corridor stretched behind him, then dimmed as his footsteps faded into the distance.

Xiu Si leaned back on the sofa, his fingers resting on the edge of the special training class roster.

His gaze swept over the ink stains, but didn't truly focus. Outside the window, dusk was slowly engulfing the outline of Fire Shadow Rock.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps echoed down the corridor again—heavier and more casual than those of Hiashi.

Tsunade strode through the door, carrying a double-layered lacquered wooden food box. She spotted the person on the sofa at a glance, then glanced at the open door and raised an eyebrow.

"I ran into Hiashi downstairs when I came back." She placed the food box on the coffee table, lifted the lid, and steam mixed with fragrance spread out. "That expression... Lord Shuji must have said something unpleasant again."

Shuji put down the list in his hand.

"It's because Lady Tsunade doesn't want to do this kind of thing," he said calmly, "that's why I always end up being the bad guy."

"Ha." Tsunade chuckled briefly, not responding to the comment. She took two sets of bowls and chopsticks from the top of the food box and set them out.

The lower layer of the food box contains neatly divided bento boxes, and the color matching and arrangement of the dishes are clearly carefully considered.

Xiuji took the chopsticks, looked down at them, and rarely showed a slight expression.

"Oh dear," he said softly, "it looks good."

"After all, someone personally admitted to creating a 'frivolous and pleasure-loving' persona." Tsunade poured herself a cup of tea and pushed another cup to his side. "The standard of food has naturally risen accordingly. Thanks to someone—even ordinary ninjas have this kind of treatment. As the Hokage, I can't eat too meagerly, can I?"

The two said no more and began to eat. Occasionally, their chopsticks would clink against the rim of their bowls, making a soft, tinkling sound.

After taking a few bites, Tsunade suddenly spoke up: "At the Martial Arts Affairs Bureau, Kakashi has officially submitted an application to expand the facilities and personnel. I've read the report, and the current scale is indeed operating beyond its capacity."

She picked up a piece of tempura, but didn't put it in her mouth immediately. She continued, "Moreover, the things they are responsible for are becoming more and more varied, while the daily affairs that are directly related to the 'martial arts' competition are taking up a smaller and smaller proportion. They are not living up to their name."

Shuji swallowed the food in his mouth, took a sip of tea, and then slowly replied, "Yes. After the joint meeting, we will officially remove the word 'martial arts competition' from the list. Matters directly related to the competition will be split up and handled by dedicated branch departments."

“We still need to expand.” Tsunade put a piece of tempura into her mouth and chewed as she said, “Even if we have to move some out, the core functions and permanent staff will only increase, not decrease. The current office area and supporting training grounds are already stretched thin.”

Upon hearing this, Shuji replied in a relaxed tone, "If we need to expedite the work, we can have Yamato go."

Tsunade paused in her chewing, looked up at him, and her eyes revealed undisguised contempt: "What did Yamato do to offend you?"

"No, and I only ask him to help when we're rushing to meet deadlines," Xiuji said matter-of-factly. "The hardware has to be up to par."

Tsunade snorted and didn't continue the topic, which was considered tacit approval.
-
After leaving the Hokage Building, Hiashi, who rarely returns to the village to report on his duties, did not return to the stadium area, but instead went back to the Hyuga clan's territory.

The clansmen guarding the gate bowed to him. Rizu nodded slightly and stepped into the mansion.

He knelt down on the veranda of the main house.

The Hyuga clan reached new heights under his leadership. Hiashi would not boast about it, but it was indeed an achievement, a result of the Hyuga clan seizing opportunities as the village developed.

This will also lead to a new crisis.

The enemy's methods are now beyond what Byakugan can comprehend, but as the head of the branch, he must have the means to solve the problem.

Hiashi had no objection to Shuji's warning; in his view, it was already a very gentle approach.

At least they didn't issue a direct order to resolve the issue within a specified time; instead, they offered an opportunity to cultivate immortal arts.

He could understand.

Just like back then, as the elder brother, he had to punish his younger brother, Hizashi, who had murdered his daughter.

As the clan head, he had to punish his nephew Neji, who harbored murderous intent towards the main branch of the family.

He could understand the resentment that arose from the division of the family, and he also had to use the caged bird analogy to warn them against doing anything they shouldn't.

This is the fate of the Hyuga clan. Even though he has begun to use the rules to prevent his children from experiencing that fate.

Hinata is no longer the heir to the main family in theory, because she has already lost to her younger sister Hanabi in front of the clan members.

But she hasn't been caged yet.

The reason he gave was that "the fireworks are still too small."

When he gave this reason, the elders fell silent.

They are indeed too young. A three-year-old child's talent is just beginning to show, but their future is still unknown. The clan bears a heavy responsibility and needs time to observe and undergo further trials. Postponing the decision is in accordance with clan precedent.

No one objected.

Only Hiashi himself knew how much of this stemmed from his unspoken, selfish motives as a father.

The weak eldest daughter.

The younger daughter was too young.

These two reasons combined saved Hinata.

Daily life is not so fortunate.

Because his elder brother had already demonstrated the magnanimity to inherit the main family line. And he himself possessed the talent to serve as the head of the branch family and assist his elder brother.

So he couldn't escape.

To this day, Japan still can't say whether their initial choice was right or wrong.

There was no difference between him and Nichishi in terms of talent, temperament, or magnanimity.

Yet the disparity between their children is so stark.

If it was Hizashi who inherited the main family back then.

This thought had crossed his mind more than once. If the main family was Hizashi and the branch family was himself, then Neji would become the undisputed successor, and with his talent, the Hyuga clan might be able to climb to an even higher position.

The thought flashed through my mind, but I suppressed it with reason.

There are no "what ifs." Only the present.

Now, he sits here. The clan chief, the branch manager, one of those shortlisted for the initial selection of immortal arts practitioners.

Immortal arts, natural energy, unknown realms.

Whether the Byakugan can play a role in this process, and whether his already fixed body can adapt to that kind of power.

If he fails, he will not be able to master this power...

The Hyuga clan needs another option. Either a new suitable candidate emerges within the main family, or someone with such abilities is brought in from outside to be bound to the Hyuga clan and serve in a branch.

Given Hyuga's consistent loyalty and prudence, the village might be patient with him.

But how long can this patience last?
When the village opens up new training paths, its overall strength will inevitably leap forward. At that time, as a ninja clan, the Byakugan will have irreplaceable value; but as a powerful clan, the Hyuga must have a matching, iconic figure standing at the top.

If he can't do it, then perhaps the spark of talent is simply too small...

Neji.

The name came to mind for Hiashi Hyuga.

(End of this chapter)