As the two spoke, Hinata Aya fell silent.
Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.
He had noticed her before.
But honestly, he already had enough on his plate—how could he possibly have the time or energy to deal with something like that?
Although she was beautiful, Uchiha Jin had no intention of entertaining thoughts about men and women at this stage of his life.
Still, since both Shisui and Kazama spoke up on her behalf—both acknowledging that the girl seemed decent—he softened his expression slightly and gave a small smile.
> "Aya, go ahead and tell us," he said. "It's fate that we met out here. If we can help, we'll do our best."
Hinata Aya could only return a bitter smile to their kindness.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, after a soft sigh, she took a deep breath and began to speak.
> "Since everyone is interested, I'll tell you. Consider it something to pass the time."
"You all know I'm from the Hyūga branch family."
"Last year, a member of the main house ordered my parents executed. Their only crime was accidentally offending him."
She laughed bitterly.
> "We, the branch family, have already accepted our cursed fate."
"But this year, that same main family member set his eyes on me. He wants me to return after the war—to become his concubine."
"Isn't it ridiculous?" she said, her voice trembling with suppressed rage.
"He killed my parents, and now he wants to make me his wife."
"How pathetic."
She paused, her expression dimming.
> "If I were alone, I'd have ended my life already. But I have a younger sister… and to keep that beast from targeting her, I have no choice but to accept."
The air grew heavy.
Hiss—
All three men—Uchiha Jin, Shisui, and Nara Kazama—sucked in sharp breaths.
Even Jin, who had read the "original story," hadn't expected the Hyūga clan to be this cruel in reality.
This wasn't discipline.
It was humiliation.
The first to react was Shisui. His eyes flared, and he slammed a fist against the ground.
> "How can the Hyūga clan be so shameless?!"
"What kind of bastard does that?"
He turned to Kazama, agitation burning in his voice.
> "Kazama, you're the brains here. There has to be a way, right? We can't just let this happen!"
"She's our comrade!"
Shisui's face was flushed with anger, his usual composure stripped away. Though his heart burned with fury, he held himself back.
Because this… was the Hyūga clan's internal matter.
Even as an Uchiha, he had no authority to interfere.
Konoha's laws were clear—each clan governed its own. The Hokage commanded the ninja under his direct service, but clan affairs were private. Even during wartime, the Hokage's authority didn't extend to internal family discipline.
The Hyūga main family, as a rule, seldom took to the battlefield anyway.
If Shisui took action, it wouldn't just be defiance—it would be tantamount to declaring war on another clan.
So, in desperation, he turned to Nara Kazama, hoping that the famed intellect of the Nara might offer a way out.
But Kazama merely sighed and shrugged helplessly.
> "Captain, you think too highly of me," he said. "This is the Hyūga clan's business. We have no right to interfere."
"Because of the Caged Bird Seal, Aya can't refuse. Even if we wanted to help, the curse mark alone binds her fate."
"The only possible workaround I can think of is to request a long-term garrison mission outside the Land of Fire—before the war ends."
"If we're stationed far enough, the Hyūga won't be able to recall her. The mission orders would come directly from the Hokage's office, and even the main family would have to comply."
He paused, his tone turning grim.
> "But… that's extremely difficult to pull off. And even if we managed it, it would only delay the inevitable."
"Once the mission ends, the main family will summon her back. Nothing we do can change that."
Silence fell again.
No one blamed Kazama. They all understood—this was no simple matter.
Hinata Aya smiled faintly.
> "It's fine. You don't need to trouble yourselves over me. This is the fate of every Hyūga branch member."
"I came to terms with it long ago. Just being able to meet all of you and fight side by side… that's enough."
Her expression softened, gentle but resigned.
She had already accepted her destiny.
Uchiha Jin said nothing. His eyes flickered thoughtfully, but his lips remained sealed.
This problem was far more complicated than it appeared—and even if solved, it brought little benefit to him.
Besides, for all her misfortune, Aya at least had the chance to live.
What about him?
The shadow of the Uchiha Clan's future massacre still hung over his mind.
Even Shisui and Kazama… weren't they the same?
They were all trapped in the same tragic wheel of fate—just in different ways.
And then, breaking the silence, Shisui suddenly looked up.
His eyes burned with conviction.
> "Jin," he said quietly, but firmly.
"I want to help Aya."