Hyūga Clan Land
Chi Yu walked toward the Hyūga Clan residence.
Inside the compound, Hizashi Hyūga had not slept all night. He sat on the tatami, eyes cast low, waiting. He would not rest until Chi Yu arrived. Neji had told him the day before that Chi Yu would come to fetch the boy, but words alone were not enough to calm Hizashi's worry.
Chi Yu reached the estate gate. Two Hyūga guards—branch-house shinobi assigned to the gate—grew visibly tense. Although Chi Yu had kept a low profile in Konoha for the past two years, his reputation still carried weight among the villages' shinobi.
News of yesterday's quarrel between Hiashi and Hizashi had spread throughout the compound. The Head's edict placing Hizashi and Neji under restriction made the dispute impossible to conceal. It was no secret that Hizashi wanted Neji to become Chi Yu's disciple. As branch-family retainers, the gate guards sympathized with Hizashi—but they answered to the Main House and were bound to obey the Head's orders. Fearful though they were of Chi Yu, they blocked his path.
"Apologies, Lord Chi Yu," one said, bowing slightly. "Non-clan members may not enter the Hyūga estate."
Chi Yu stopped. He did not force his way. He had no interest in humiliating minor retainers. "Very well," he said calmly. "Please inform Hizashi and Neji that I have come for Neji. And tell Hiashi as well—so he will not make trouble for you."
The guard who had spoken hurried inside to report. The other lingered, fidgeting, then cleared his throat. "Lord Chi Yu—yesterday the Clan Head placed Neji under house arrest. The Head does not consent to Neji becoming your disciple. You cannot take him."
Chi Yu's lips curved into a small, controlled smile. "Whether the Head consents is not the matter. If Hizashi and Neji agree, Neji is my disciple. You do not have the authority to refuse on their behalf."
The young guard paused. Rumors had painted Chi Yu as ruthless and merciless—yet the man before him spoke with courtesy, not hauteur. The discrepancy unsettled him, but duty compelled him to wait.
The guard who had gone to report found Hizashi in the inner chamber. "Lord Hizashi—Lord Chi Yu is at the gate. He says he has come to collect Neji."
Hizashi opened his eyes at once; a faint, tired hope touched his face. "He's here at last," he murmured.
The guard bowed and, compelled by regulation, added, "I must report to the Clan Head."
Hizashi understood. If the guard did not inform Hiashi, the guard himself would face clan discipline. "Do as required," Hizashi said.
When the guard had gone, Hizashi turned to Neji. "Let's go. Your teacher has come to fetch you."
Neji hesitated. "But—will he really let me go? Father said I'm under house arrest. If I break it, won't Father be punished? I don't want to hurt him."
Hizashi stood and took the boy's hand. "Neji, today is your first lesson. It will be a lesson in strength. Your teacher is a powerful shinobi—one of the finest. Trust him."
Neji's face set with determined faith. "I trust him."
They moved toward the main gate. Halfway there, Hiashi appeared at the head of a group of Main House shinobi, his expression ice-cold. "Hizashi," Hiashi said, voice like flint, "you are incorrigible." He addressed the retainers behind him: "Observe them closely. If anything untoward occurs, subdue them."
The circle of Hyūga troopers tightened. Hiashi stepped forward to the gate. "Hizashi, you will desist. I will refuse Chi Yu on Neji's behalf. Our family will not be compromised. You will suffer the severest punishment for this defiance."
Hizashi squeezed Neji's hand and lowered his voice reassuringly. "Neji, do not fear. Wait here. Trust your teacher."
"I trust him," Neji whispered, steady.
At the gate, Hiashi saw Chi Yu and cut him off with measured civility that barely concealed contempt. "Lord Chi Yu, Hizashi is unwell and cannot receive visitors. Moreover, the Head does not consent to Neji becoming your disciple. Please leave."
Chi Yu looked at Hiashi without flinching. "Have you finished? If so, either let me in to fetch Neji, or allow Neji to come out and leave with me. A minute wasted here is a minute of training lost."
Hiashi's features tightened. "I have been very clear, Chi Yu."
Chi Yu's voice dropped to a steely calm that allowed no argument. "And I have been clear. Neji is my disciple if his father agrees. You have no right to decide for him. If you refuse to notify Neji, I will go find him myself."
Hiashi's mouth thinned. "Neji is my younger brother's son. As Clan Head I refuse on his behalf."
Chi Yu's gaze sharpened. "With Hizashi as his father, by what right do you do so? Do not waste my time." Without further ceremony, Chi Yu stepped past the gate guards and entered the estate.
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