"Is this Konoha Village?" When the merchant caravan arrived at Konoha's gates, Gato curiously peeked out from his palanquin, carefully examining the entrance to this Ninja Village.
This was his first time visiting Konoha.
Remembering the mission assigned by 'that person', Gato didn't dare slack off in the slightest, urging his subordinates to quickly enter the village.
The Ninjas at Konoha's gates weren't particularly strict when inspecting ordinary merchant caravans, requiring only routine registration and a brief inquiry.
After all, the mysterious man who had infiltrated the village earlier couldn't possibly have entered through the front gate.
After entering the village, Gato first followed procedure by heading to the administrative area where the Hokage Building was located, registering at the mission center to formally declare his intentions.
The Gato Company would be opening a branch in Konoha, specializing in unique goods from various nations.
The location for the company was set in Konoha's busiest commercial district.
"Additionally, I've noticed that Konoha Village is also a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. I'd like to purchase a property here." Gato said to the Konoha's Chunin handling his request.
"Oh~ That's most welcome!" The Chunin immediately became enthusiastic, launching into an introduction of the village's real estate.
Though Konoha was primarily a Ninja Village, it also heavily relied on merchants and nobles.
Ninja weren't skilled in business or economics, and even the merchant-oriented Ninja Clans mainly dealt in ninja tools, summoning creatures, or other Ninja-related industries.
Gato examined the map of Konoha's districts and pointed to a neighborhood adjacent to the Hyuga Clan's compound, then asked, "What are the property prices like in this area?"
"As expected of a great merchant, you have excellent taste! This area is right next to the Hyuga clan's territory… the public safety here is famously good, making it very suitable for living. And the prices aren't too high either..." The Konoha's Chunin began his sales pitch.
And he also personally took Gato to see these houses.
After all, this was a major financial backer!
"Hmm, the environment here really is quite nice." Standing on the engawa of one of the houses, Gato looked around the courtyard with satisfaction.
The small pond in the yard was adorned with decorative stones, and a bamboo water fountain tapped rhythmically against a rock. Adding some ornamental fish would surely make it quite charming.
"This residence is peaceful and secluded, with a spacious yard. You and your wife would surely live very comfortably here!" The Konoha's Chunin flattered with a smile.
"Well, actually..." Seeing that the mood was just right, Gato suddenly adopted a somber expression and sighed softly, "Due to certain circumstances, I've never been able to have children of my own."
"Ah this…" The Konoha's Chunin panicked slightly, realizing he'd touched on a sore subject.
"Eh? If I were to adopt an orphan from Konoha, could they attend your Ninja Academy?" Gato seemed to have a sudden idea, clapping his hands together with excitement.
"Someone like me, just an ordinary merchant, long lost any Ninja talent. But I've always admired Ninja! If I could adopt a child, even if they only became an average Ninja…"
Gato grew more and more animated as he spoke.
"Adopting an orphan from Konoha?" The Konoha's Ninja was momentarily stunned by this unexpected request.
Such a whimsical idea would have raised eyebrows in any other world.
But this is the Ninja World!
This is Konoha!
The application from the prominent merchant, Gato, seeking to adopt a Konoha's orphan as his foster son, soon made its way to Hiruzen's desk.
"Gato, the great merchant..." Hiruzen exhaled a plume of smoke from his pipe as he reviewed the application, along with the background check conducted by the Intelligence Division.
Though Gato was merely a merchant, his connections extended to the Land of Fire's nobles, and possibly even the Daimyo himself, whether it was his request to settle in the village or to adopt a child, Hiruzen had no reason to refuse.
Moreover, the child would be chosen from Konoha's war orphans and attend the Konoha's Ninja Academy.
This meant Gato's foster son would grow up in Konoha, educated in the village's Will of Fire ideology, surrounded by peers, classmates, and friends who were all Konoha's Ninja.
After careful consideration, Hiruzen stamped the application with the Hokage's seal.
…
Hyuga Clan's compound.
Four-year-old Neji stood outside a study, holding a meal box prepared by his mother, his brow furrowed with worry beneath the green Caged Bird's mark on his forehead.
Since returning from the hospital the previous day, Hizashi had locked himself in his study for an entire day and night, refusing to see anyone.
"Father..." He called softly.
"Neji, don't worry about me. I just need some time alone," Hiashi's voice came from inside the study, hoarse and weak.
"At least... please eat something!" Neji put the food plate at the door, knelt in front of it, and said, "Mother is very worried about you too."
The room fell into silence.
Neji remained kneeling outside the door.
Though he was only four years old, the precocious Neji was highly sensitive to major events within his clan and the village.
A few days ago, a mysterious intruder had attacked the Hyuga Clan's compound, leaving his father severely injured and hospitalized for days. Neji had visited him daily with his mother.
Since then, Neji had sensed something unusual about his father.
But at his young age, Neji couldn't comprehend the profound meaning hidden in Hizashi's white eyes. He simply assumed his father hadn't yet recovered from the shock of being defeated by the intruder.
"Ah… Go rest first, Neji." A sigh from Hizashi was heard in the room.
"I'll eat later."
Seeing that his father insisted, Neji, as a filial son, could only rise silently and withdraw.
Inside the study, Hizashi, dressed in home attire, was frantically rummaging through the branch family's records and historical texts, his white eyes wide with desperation. Half-unrolled scrolls lay scattered across the floor.
"Nothing… How can there be… nothing at all…" After exhausting every book in his study, Hiashi shook his head, his white eyes filled with despair.
The 'truth about the birth of the Caged Bird' that the mysterious intruder had shown him that day… there was no trace of it in the branch family's records.
As the head of the branch family, Hizashi had inherited numerous texts from his predecessor, including the Hyuga Clan's secret Byakugan techniques, the advanced principles of the Gentle Fist, and some historical records.
Hizashi had hoped to find some evidence to refute the intruder's claims.
But the more he failed to uncover anything, the more horrifying that so-called 'truth' became.
The absence of proof only made that terrifying revelation more plausible.
A wave of desolation washed over him, and Hizashi's trembling right hand unconsciously reached up to touch the back of his head.
The 24-hour 'release' from the Caged Bird had been brief, but it left Hiashi constantly yearning for that fleeting sense of freedom.
When the seal had first been lifted, the sudden loss of his Byakugan's vision had made his entire body feel as though countless ants were crawling under his skin. That maddening itch had nearly shattered his sanity.
He had struggled desperately to suppress the urge to seek out the mysterious man.
'Pledge your loyalty to me!' The mysterious man's words still echoed in his ears.
'Do you want to be a coward for the rest of your life… or a hero of the branch family, even if only for a few minutes.'
Hiashi shook his head in agony, trying to dispel the devil's whispers.
He fought to push away thoughts of that clearly malevolent figure!
But the fate of the Hyuga Clan's branch family…
Neji's future...
Creak…
The study door finally opened. After confining himself for a full day and night, Hizashi emerged, his spirit visibly drained.
Seeing the meal tray left on the floor and the food atop it, he slowly knelt down.
"Neji-" Hizashi murmured softly, his brow heavy with unshakable sorrow.