Inside the quiet room, the faint aroma of tea filled the air. Hiashi poured two cups, his movements precise and deliberate. He watched as his daughter sipped hers calmly, eyes closed, savoring the warmth and the serenity of the moment. A hint of pride flickered across his face.
Much had changed. Hiashi had long since realized the depth of his daughter's strength, intelligence, and potential—even if he was still too proud to say it aloud.
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, he thought. Hinata's achievements had far surpassed expectations, and with her at the forefront, the Hyuga clan's future gleamed brighter than ever.
If she continued on this path, the Hyuga might finally reach a height no ancestor had ever dreamed of attaining.
…
"Hinata, with your current strength… could you defeat a Kage?"
The word Kage didn't refer only to the leaders of the Five Great Villages, but to anyone with true Kage-level power. Each village could have only one official Kage, but several shinobi existed whose strength rivaled that title.
"Yes," Hinata replied with a calm nod.
Hiashi raised two fingers. "And what about two Kage-level opponents?"
Hinata nodded again, serene as ever. "That's fine."
His expression stiffened. "Three, then?"
Hinata tilted her head slightly. "That should be manageable."
"..!!"
Hiashi almost dropped his teacup. His heart could barely take it—his daughter truly defied all logic!
"H-Hinata!" he said sternly. "What I'm about to tell you is of the utmost importance. You must promise not to reveal it to anyone—not your friends, not your comrades… not even Hanabi."
Hinata didn't understand but nodded obediently.
Then Hiashi leaned in and whispered two words. For a long moment, Hinata sat frozen, utterly speechless.
…
"Lady Hinata, is this to your liking? Is the flavor too mild?" Isaribi asked, kneeling beside her as she carefully ladled soup and vegetables into Hinata's bowl.
Hinata was deep in thought as she ate. When she finally realized Isaribi was waiting for an answer, she blinked and shook her head softly. "No, it's perfect. From now on, I should avoid too many fried foods. I'm not eating just to fill my stomach—nutrition matters more. Steaming and boiling are healthier."
Isaribi, quietly observing from the side, took note of what Hinata ate and immediately began refilling her plate whenever it was empty. Once Hinata had eaten her fill, Isaribi swiftly cleared away the dishes.
Hinata rested her small hands on her stomach, her pure white eyes half-closing in thought.
Her father's idea was bold—almost reckless. The enormity of it had left her stunned. If anything went wrong, the Hyuga Clan could suffer unimaginable consequences. But… if it succeeded, the rewards could elevate the clan to heights unseen in history.
…
The day drifted by in a haze of reflection.
The next morning, a message arrived from the Hokage's office, summoning both Hinata and Hiashi.
The matter of Orochimaru's fate had been decided—similar to the treatment of Tayuya and Jirobo, though not as severe.
Orochimaru's movements would be tightly restricted, and his activities monitored by countless hidden operatives. Naturally, every result of his past research would belong entirely to Konoha.
"Hinata Hyuga," Tsunade said formally. "In recognition of your contributions to the village, and for the completion of an S-rank mission, you will receive additional rewards."
At that moment, Hiashi stepped forward. This reward wasn't merely personal—it would affect the entire Hyuga Clan. To prevent future conflicts or resentment, Tsunade had chosen to negotiate directly with him.
If the reward was too generous, the village council would object. Too little, and the Hyuga Clan would protest.
After long discussions, a compromise was reached: Konoha would grant the Hyuga Clan ownership of two major streets—among the ten most prosperous areas in the village.
Whether they collected rent, opened shops, or redeveloped the land, the profits would be enormous.
Additionally, for one year, twenty percent of all medicinal herbs purchased by Konoha Hospital would be allocated directly to the Hyuga Clan.
As Hiashi stepped out of the Hokage Building, he stared at the land deeds and contracts in his hands, his expression dazed. "Hinata… am I dreaming? This isn't genjutsu, is it?"
To make sure, he refined his chakra and used anti-illusion techniques. When the results confirmed reality, he threw his head back and laughed loudly.
Hinata blinked, startled by the sudden burst of laughter. Her father rarely expressed joy so freely.
That evening, the Hyuga estate was lively with celebration. Clan elders, Jōnin, and elite Chūnin gathered for the occasion. The event was officially a belated birthday party for Hinata—but everyone knew what they were truly celebrating.
Hiashi stood proudly at the center, a cup of sake in hand, announcing three things to the gathered clan members: first, that his daughter had captured Orochimaru alive; second, that the Hyuga Clan had acquired two new streets in Konoha; and third, that they would now receive twenty percent of Konoha Hospital's medicinal herbs.
"Hinata! Come here, let everyone see you!" Hiashi called out, wrapping a heavy arm around her shoulders. "Don't get arrogant! Don't let it get to your head! Stay humble—step by step, you hear me? Hiccup!"
Hinata covered her face, her cheeks flushed crimson. This time, her father wasn't pretending—he was genuinely drunk.
"Here he goes again," Yamanaka Inoichi sighed. "He can't stop showing off his daughter."
Nara Shikaku chuckled. "If my son were that extraordinary, I'd brag too—but not that much."
Akimichi Chōza said nothing, content to eat while quietly watching Hinata. He'd only realized after the Chūnin Exams that the one who had been eating with such quiet confidence wasn't his son Chōji—but the Hyuga heiress herself.
In the corner, Sasuke sat silently, his dark eyes fixed on Hinata and her father. She stood radiant among her people, surrounded by warmth and pride.
If the Uchiha Clan hadn't been wiped out… would this have been my life too? he wondered.
The banquet gradually wound down. Hinata carried a sleeping Hanabi to her room, tucked her in, and then returned to her own courtyard. She sat quietly on the wooden steps beneath the moonlight, lost in thought.
A voice interrupted her silence.
"Hello, Byakugan Princess."
"!!!"
Hinata's body went still. Her pupils contracted slightly, her breathing quieting.
"Don't be alarmed, and don't attack. I'm not your enemy," said Zetsu, rising silently from the ground before her.
Hinata didn't believe him. In an instant, her chakra flared—the Ten-Tails Chakra Mode enveloped her, and two Truth-Seeking Balls transformed into slender black staffs that floated to her hands. The remaining seven orbs spread outward, forming a protective circle around her.
She held her breath, suppressing her scent to avoid inhaling any potential toxins, her Byakugan fully activated. Every blade of grass, every tremor in the earth, every movement within her field of vision was clear as day.
Zetsu's yellow eyes studied her intently. "It's so similar… Mother!"
"What?" Hinata's voice was sharp, her guard still raised.
"When chakra becomes strong enough, it can reincarnate. There's no mistake—Byakugan Princess, you are the reincarnation of mother's chakra!"
Hinata frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? You expect me to believe something that absurd?"
She wasn't the type to be easily swayed—seeing was believing, and even then, she questioned what she saw.
Zetsu's tone didn't waver. "Facts speak louder than words. I have no reason to deceive you. Tell me—what would it take for you to believe?"
Hinata exhaled slowly. "What do you think?" she replied evenly.
"I understand. I'll find a way to prove it myself. If mother's chakra truly lives on within you… then I'll discover the truth. Just wait and see."
Zetsu gave no answer. He simply melted back into the earth and vanished without a trace.
Hinata turned her gaze toward the village's barrier zone, her Byakugan sweeping across the perimeter. The guards of the Barrier Team were moving about normally—none had noticed the intruder.
He slipped in and out without being detected… even by the barrier's sensory field.
Hinata's eyes narrowed.
Hinata gained a deeper understanding of just how terrifying Zetsu's infiltration ability truly was.
What exactly is Mother's he's talking about? she wondered.
Forgive her lack of imagination — Hinata genuinely couldn't figure out why Zetsu had appeared before her, let alone why he had called her "Mother." The very thought made her uneasy. Being addressed that way by such a strange being was deeply unsettling, and her suspicious mind had already begun to imagine a dozen hidden motives behind his words.
…[|]
The next morning, Hiashi sat at the dining table, rubbing his temples. He had drunk too much the previous night and looked pale, clearly regretting it. His appetite was nowhere to be found.
After the meal, he turned to Hinata. "Get ready," he said, his voice steady but serious. "There's a clan meeting today. It's time you start familiarizing yourself with clan affairs. From now on, the entire Hyuga Clan will depend on you — so be careful."
Hinata nodded gently.
There's nothing to prepare, she thought to herself. I'm still too young to truly get involved in clan politics. I'll just listen quietly and share a few opinions when appropriate.