When it came to the kidnapping incident involving Hinata, Hyūga Hizashi knew far more than most in the branch family. So when he saw Hyūga Natsu step forward and explain things, it didn't take him long to realize the full picture.
Still, due to the complicated nature of clan affairs, Hizashi didn't say much. He simply treated Senju Haruto as Hinata's classmate.
"My sincerest apologies,"
Hyūga Neji bowed his head to Haruto once he realized he wasn't an intruder.
He had only acted so aggressively earlier because he thought Haruto might be a threat to his little cousin. His actions had come from a desire to protect someone dear to him.
"Don't worry about it,"Haruto nodded calmly. He wasn't offended in the slightest.
Instead, his attention shifted to the infant girl in Natsu's arms.
Hyūga Hanabi.
Before traveling to this world, Haruto had read both the Naruto manga and watched the anime, but many of the details were a blur now.
Yet the sight of Hanabi sparked memories—memories of the Hyūga clan's rigid traditions.
Hyūga Hiashi and Hizashi were identical twins, but simply because Hizashi was born a few minutes later, he had been branded with the Caged Bird Seal—fated to serve the main family for life.
That alone said everything: in the Hyūga clan, the eldest son inherited the main house, and the younger was pushed into the branch.
By that logic, the Hyūga main family should have only one heir at any given time.
But in reality, it was referred to as an entire "main family." Especially in Neji's recollections, there had been elders who clearly belonged to the main family but weren't Hiashi himself—and didn't bear the Caged Bird Seal.
So what was the real deal?
Did the elders of the Hyūga clan just arbitrarily decide who was main family and who was branch?
If that was true, then weren't the so-called branch members just slaves chosen at the whim of the main house?
The more Haruto thought about it, the more sympathy he felt for Neji's fate.
His father had died unjustly, under heavy pressure—and even in his final moments, he had left a message for Hiashi to pass on to Neji.
And what happened?
Nothing.
Years passed, and no one told Neji the truth about his father's death.
Hiashi only chose to come clean after seeing Neji's duel with Naruto—only after Neji had proven himself as the top talent of his generation and reached the finals of the Chūnin Exams.
So if Neji hadn't been that strong, hadn't made it that far… would Hiashi have stayed silent forever?
And the cruelest part?
Even after all that, Neji still ended up repeating his father's tragic fate.
He gave his life… for Naruto and Hinata.
"Thank you,"
Hyūga Natsu suddenly turned to Haruto, offering a heartfelt bow of gratitude. She then gently explained Hinata's current state of mind.
Though Hinata was the heiress of the main family, her personality was painfully shy. Even though she knew Haruto had saved her, she was too timid to approach him.
Natsu hoped Haruto would understand.
"It's fine. I'm just glad to see she's safe," Haruto said with a small smile."Don't worry about me. Once the Third Hokage finishes his meeting, I'll head back with him."
Since Hinata didn't feel comfortable coming over, Haruto had no plans to force an interaction. He was content to simply wait nearby, maybe enjoy the garden a bit.
But just as he was settling in to pass the time, something unexpected happened.
His system activated again.
Two sign-in tasks on the same day? That was a first—and naturally, it made Haruto very happy.
After all, every sign-in came with rewards—rewards that made him stronger.
However, the content of this mission left Haruto stunned.
Special Sign-In Mission Activated!
Proceed to the Hyūga Main House meeting room.
Change the fate of Hyūga Hizashi, preventing his death.
Complete this mission to receive a sign-in reward!
"Huh??"
Haruto froze.
Change Hizashi's fate?
He stared at the system screen, confused.
Was this even still a sign-in task? Wasn't it supposed to be as simple as reaching the destination and waiting ten seconds?
Now it required changing someone's fate?
"A special sign-in mission, huh…"
"If I complete it… will the reward be that much better?"
Truth be told, Haruto had always felt sorry for Hizashi and Neji. Their fates were unjust. But he wasn't exactly the self-sacrificing, heroic type either.
Besides, changing Hizashi's fate would mean standing against both the Hyūga elders and the Third Hokage himself.
Haruto's initial instinct was to stay out of it.
He was planning to just let it slide. Eyes closed, mouth shut. Stay neutral.
But now?
Now it was different.
Because he remembered the rewards he'd received from past sign-ins:
Chakra reserves on par with Hashirama Senju,
Wood Release bloodline limit,
Mastery over all five chakra nature transformations,
Even the "Solitary Gourmet" skill.
Any one of those could let someone dominate this world.
And those were just regular sign-in rewards.
What would a special one be like?
The Byakugan?
The Tenseigan?
"Whoa…"
Haruto sucked in a breath through his teeth.
His mindset shifted almost instantly.
Sure, failing this mission wouldn't bring punishment—but skipping a reward like that? That was its own kind of loss.
"Hyūga Hizashi…"
Haruto raised his head, eyes landing directly on the man.
At that moment, Hizashi was squatting next to Neji, gently ruffling his son's hair, wearing the brightest smile Haruto had ever seen on him.
A man may be born with a steel backbone—but when he becomes a father, he softens.
Watching them, Haruto felt something stir inside him.
Any person who witnessed that moment would've been moved.
"We are not trees or stones. We are people.When the world is unjust… it must be challenged."
"Hmm?"
Hizashi had been focused on Neji, trying to memorize his son's face—this final memory he would carry to the grave.
But then he noticed Haruto walking toward him.
"Hello," Haruto said calmly.
"Is something the matter?" Hizashi asked, rising to his feet.
No matter what, Haruto had saved the Hyūga heiress. Everyone in the clan owed him a debt.
And besides, Haruto was personally brought here by the Third Hokage. No one in the Hyūga clan would dare treat him disrespectfully.
Neji looked at Haruto too, though his heart was still focused on his father.
Hizashi was usually so stern—cold and distant.
But today… something was different.
He was warm. Kind. Gentle.
It confused Neji, but at the same time, he liked this version of his father very much.
"I need to speak with the Third Hokage," Haruto said plainly.
Finding the meeting room wasn't a problem—even if Hizashi didn't guide him, Haruto had his own ways.
The real challenge would be changing Hizashi's fate.
The Caged Bird Seal on his forehead meant the main family could kill him with a mere thought. Complete neurological shutdown.
If things got tense, there was no telling whether the Hyūga elders would resort to that.
And Hizashi… he wasn't being forced.
He had volunteered to die.
Which meant Haruto's only hope…
…was to convince them—or beat the idea out of them.