The next day.
The entire Hyuga Clan was in festive uproar.
Whether they were out on missions or holding posts in Konoha, every Branch Family member had taken leave to gather at the Main House.
Though the snow lay thick, the grounds had been swept perfectly clean.
In twos and threes the crowd clustered before the ancestral hall, offering congratulations to Hinata, who stood beside Hiashi.
"Lord Hinata, congratulations on your third birthday."
"Congratulations, Lord Hinata..."
"Congratulations, Lord Hinata..."
Little Hinata, seeing so many people for the first time, shyly and uncertainly clutched Hiashi's robe.
Neji, seeing Hinata for the first time, had plain adoration in his eyes and couldn't help praising her to his father:
"Lord Hinata really is a lovely girl..."
Hizashi's gaze was far more complicated; he gave a soft grunt, then said with feeling:
"Neji, you are to protect that young lady, to guard the bloodline of the Hyuga—this is your mission."
Neji looked at Hizashi in puzzlement.
"The Hyuga bloodline?"
Hizashi reached out to ruffle Neji's hair, his own expression conflicted.
Just then Aoran, Tsukihana, Hitomi and Hiro came near Hizashi.
"Lord Hizashi."
"Uncle..."
Seeing them, Hizashi smiled and nodded. "You're here."
"Aoran-onii!" Neji brightened at the sight of Aoran.
"Mm, Neji."
After greeting him, Aoran's gaze slid past Neji to Hinata standing beside Hiashi.
"She's adorable as a kid."
He looked back and grinned at Neji. "See? Isn't she cute?"
Neji blinked, then nodded. "Yes, Lord Hinata is very cute."
Hizashi shot Aoran an odd look; he knew this boy was a precocious prodigy.
So the words didn't sound like simple praise.
Aoran's gaze lingered on Neji's smooth forehead.
"From today, the entanglement between you two officially begins."
As time passed, more and more people gathered before the Main House gate.
When Great Elder Hyuga Sōshu appeared, everyone fell silent.
Hiashi led Hinata up the steps.
The Great Elder stood to one side and made two hand signals.
The already quiet scene became so silent a needle could be heard. Main House first, Branch House after, they filed into the ancestral hall.
The hall could not hold them all; the rest of the Branch Family lined up outside.
Aoran didn't follow them in—such rituals meant little to him.
He stayed outside with Tsukihana and the others, watching through the wide-open doors.
He could faintly hear the Great Elder praying to the ancestors for Hinata's healthy growth and the Hyuga's prosperity.
Candles were lit, offerings presented—much like any blessing ceremony Aoran had seen before.
Next came the "First Chopsticks" rite.
They prepared exquisite tiny chopsticks and a bowl holding auspicious food—this time, red-bean rice.
Under everyone's gaze, Hinata nervously picked up a grain of the rice.
From inside to outside, waves of congratulation rose and fell.
"Congratulations, Lord Hinata!"
"Congratulations, Lord Hinata!"
Watching the solemn faces on both sides, Aoran didn't find them amusing—only a little sad.
These Branch House members were already used to it.
Inside, Hiashi presented Hinata with an exquisite kimono.
Then he began his speech: hopes that Hinata would live up to the Main House name and guard the Hyuga's glory in future.
Aoran figured a three-year-old couldn't understand a word; the speech was for the Branch crowd, reaffirming the Main House's legitimacy.
Hiashi's speech ran long; Aoran's mind began to wander.
When he came back to earth, Hiashi had finally finished. Branch members no longer stood at the gate; some went left, some went right.
Behind them the banquet tables were already set—celebrations couldn't happen on empty stomachs.
Aoran was about to join the feast when Tsukihana caught his arm.
"Aoran, come inside with me—we've been granted special seats to observe."
Aoran was baffled. Observe what? Wasn't eating more important?
But with Tsukihana tugging him along, he followed obediently.
Only once inside did he realize "observing" meant standing with other Branch members to watch a Gentle Fist demonstration.
Pairs in the room sparred, showcasing precise finger-strikes and the flamboyant Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
Aoran watched the sweeping strikes—impressive, but clearly choreographed for show.
Beautiful to look at, near useless in real combat.
After all, if you've already hit the enemy's tenketsu, there's no need for dozens more palms.
But four-year-old Neji didn't know that; starlight sparkled in his eyes as he watched.
Hizashi smiled; he too had once thought the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms magnificent—until real fights taught him flash over substance.
Still, on an occasion like this he wouldn't correct his son.
Aoran took in both their expressions from the side.
"Probably after Hizashi dies no one guides Neji, so he teaches himself this set."
Many Branch members were present, but those allowed inside were mostly elites.
They hadn't come for the show; simply being invited was an honor.
Who knew how many truly valued that honor—yet apart from Aoran,
every Branch member, Tsukihana included, had a gift box at their side, large or small.
When the display ended, Branch members stepped forward, offered flattery and presented their gifts.
"Congratulations on Lord Hinata's birthday; under the Main House's guidance our Hyuga will surely flourish..."
"This is Calming Heart Grass—it soothes the mind and aids sleep."
"Congratulations on Lord Hinata's birthday; Lord Hiashi has worked tirelessly for the clan..."
Aoran's mouth twitched; he hadn't expected this segment.
Seems every world is the same.
Both Main and Branch House members wore ingratiating smiles.
Hiashi's line was strong and well-supported; odds were the next clan head would also come from his descendants.
Thus, though they too were Main House, their status was a cut below.
The Branch offerings sounded like polite routine, yet harmony overall prevailed.
With few participants, Hiashi offered brief encouragement and they withdrew.
Just as Aoran was leaving with Tsukihana, he was held back:
"Lord Hiashi asks you to stay a moment."
Aoran remained calm; he felt no nervousness, only curiosity about what Hiashi intended...