Uchiha Itama had not planned to intervene.
The Uchiha were already busy surviving. There was no need to tangle with the Hyuga.
Then another thought struck him.
"If the Uchiha and the Hyuga could form an alliance and gain their support, we would not be so passive before the village elders."
With that, he walked over.
He grabbed one delinquent by the collar and lifted him.
"Who are you?"
"Help!"
The brat panicked.
Itama tossed him aside. "A bunch of little punks. Of all the things to learn at your age, you choose bullying girls."
"Beat it."
They wanted to fight back, but when they saw Itama's height, they quailed.
"We will be back."
Itama extended a hand.
"Up you go."
"Th-thank you, big brother."
He withdrew his hand. "They will not return for a while. Get home quickly. At your age, and without friends, do not run around."
"It is dangerous outside."
He turned and headed the other way.
He could not make it look too deliberate.
If he escorted Hinata straight home, the Hyuga might suspect a setup to make them owe the Uchiha a favor.
If he did not take her back, the Hyuga would still learn what happened.
Then it would be up to them.
Itama continued toward the Uchiha compound.
Suddenly he stopped.
"Hey, little blond. How long are you going to tail me?"
He looked toward a corner.
A small figure stepped out.
About Sasuke and Hinata's age. Clothes were ragged and filthy, as if unwashed for days. A shock of spiky gold hair.
A name rose in Itama's mind.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Itama disliked all the village elders, but he did not dislike this future elder.
Naruto was pitiful.
His parents died for the Leaf, yet his childhood lacked proper care.
If Konohamaru could have a special jonin like Ebisu to teach and mind him, then surely the village could have assigned Naruto at least a chunin.
If not, a genin.
Failing that, even a civilian guardian.
He had none.
"Can you teach me? I want to be as strong as you."
Naruto stared hard at him.
"Not interested."
Itama refused. "If that is all, leave. I am almost home."
He did not want contact with Naruto yet.
Naruto was a jinchuriki. The village kept many eyes on him.
The Third Hokage even used the Telescope Technique to watch him in secret.
If Itama interacted with Naruto, the elders would take measures.
They would gain one more excuse to target the Uchiha.
Itachi had not returned home in a long time.
Three whole months, only once, and even then he stayed briefly, greeting everyone before rushing off again, as if busy with something vital.
Fugaku had grown busy as well.
The clan's relationship with the Leaf felt even more fractured.
Many sensed the shift.
The elders kept using every method to weaken the Uchiha.
Baseless charges piled on their backs.
The Uchiha were furious.
This village had been built by Senju and Uchiha.
Now the Senju had nearly vanished.
The Uchiha were excluded and pushed to the edge.
The village the two clans built was gradually controlled by others.
This was not the treatment the Uchiha deserved.
The greater the rift, the stronger both sides' resolve became.
Fugaku toiled over this, uncertain what choice could resolve the clan's plight.
Until today.
When Itama opened the door at home, he found two extra guests.
One was a stern faced middle aged man.
The other was a little girl.
Both bore white eyes.
"Big brother."
Itama recognized Hinata, which told him the man's identity as well: Hyuga Hiashi.
"Itama, come here. This is your Uncle Hiashi."
"And this is Hinata."
Fugaku beckoned.
Itama nodded.
"Hello, Uncle Hiashi. Hello, little sister Hinata."
Sasuke peered curiously from the side.
Hiashi looked at Itama. "You must be Itama. Thank you for helping Hinata the other day. I brought a small gift. I hope you will accept it."
"Uncle Hiashi, you are too polite. It was nothing."
Fugaku said, "Itama, take Sasuke and Hinata to the back garden to play for a bit."
"All right."