"Yay!"
The group then headed towards Ichiraku Ramen.
On the way, Naruto still couldn't help but ask curiously, "Hinata, what exactly is this 'main family' and 'branch family' nonsense that you and that Hyuga Neji bastard were talking about?!"
Everyone's gaze instantly fell on Hinata.
Hinata clutched the corner of her clothes, her eyes involuntarily dimming with sadness... Chapter 73: Hinata is my best friend! Sasuke's transformation! Please give me your monthly votes!!!
At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto was treating, and Hinata, Ino, and Rock Lee all ordered the ramen they most wanted to eat.
While filling her stomach, Hinata also answered Naruto's question.
The system of main and branch families within the Hyuga Clan was not a secret.
However, they were still children, and could not fully comprehend its true meaning.
Hinata lowered her head and said, "Neji-nii has hated the main family ever since Uncle Hizashi's death. I'm actually not very clear about the truth of that matter..."
"No matter what, the Hyuga Clan's main family and branch family system is indeed..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but the group understood her meaning.
Ino's expression was also very grim.
"That's too much. Even to protect a Bloodline Limit, it shouldn't go to such an extent, right?"
"They're clearly from the same clan, even biological siblings, yet they're forced into a master-servant relationship, where one's destiny is completely controlled, only to be freed in death..."
"Looking at it this way, I can really understand that Hyuga Neji..."
Rock Lee also stared blankly, forgetting the ramen on his chopsticks.
"So Neji has been carrying such pain all this time?"
"No wonder he became like this..."
Although Naruto still didn't like Neji, he did understand his pain.
Losing a loved one at a young age, and moreover, being forced to die by a biological brother from the same clan... This was indeed an unbearable experience.
Hinata nodded: "So, I also know how much pain Neji-nii has in his heart, but..."
"It's not that I want to make excuses for Father, but this matter behind it shouldn't be that simple..."
"Ultimately, Father is just an enforcer of this system, and sometimes he is also powerless..."
Bang—
Naruto suddenly slammed the table and stood up!
"Then abolish that damned system!"
"Na-Naruto-kun..."
Naruto loudly declared, "It's clearly such a harmful thing, why is it still kept until now?!"
Ino frowned and said, "Naruto, calm down."
"That's the Hyuga Clan's affair after all. Let alone you, even Hokage-sama wouldn't find it convenient to interfere..."
Naruto snorted, "Then I'll wait until I become Hokage, and then I'll change all of this myself!"
Hinata couldn't help but be startled, then a sweet smile appeared on her face.
"Naruto-kun..."
"I believe you can do it, and, and..."
"I will also work hard to change all of this..."
Naruto said, "Of course it has to change! Otherwise, won't you also become a branch family member, Hinata?!"
"I will never allow such a thing to happen!"
"Naruto-kun..."
Hinata was deeply moved, tears already welling up in her eyes.
Ino chuckled, "Naruto, you really know how to act cool..."
"But, it seems Hinata is very important in your heart!"
She, of course, said this deliberately to sound out Naruto's feelings for Hinata.
Hinata's face immediately turned crimson, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Naruto again.
Naruto, however, was frank and unreserved.
"Of course!"
"Hinata is my best friend!"
"Ah?"
Ino couldn't help but be stunned.
Hinata, however, wasn't disappointed; instead, she felt very happy.
"Re-really, Naruto-kun?"
"Really!"
Rock Lee: "What about me, Naruto?"
"Of course, you're also a good friend!"
Ino looked at Naruto's straightforward actions and could only shake her head and sigh helplessly.
"It's just like you, Naruto..."
She looked at Hinata: "So, what are you going to do about Neji?"
Hinata shook her head.
"I, I don't have any good ideas either."
"Although I really hope to reconcile with Neji-nii and work together to change the fate of the Hyuga Clan, but, but he..."
Naruto, however, confidently patted himself on the chest.
"Don't worry, Hinata! A guy like Hyuga Neji responds to force, not persuasion!"
"If you talk to him so kindly, he won't listen. It'll be fine once I give him a good beating!"
Ino actually thought there might be some truth to this.
"Hyuga Neji... with his personality, that might actually be the case."
"But, can you beat him?"
Naruto was full of confidence: "Of course!"
Rock Lee shook his head.
"Naruto, don't underestimate Neji. His strength is not comparable to Uchiha Sasuke's, at least for now."
"That guy, in our generation, completely stands out from the crowd. Let alone defeating him, there's no one even qualified to fight him..."
"Some even say that he already has strength surpassing a Chunin!"
Naruto said indifferently, "So what? It's not like I haven't fought a Chunin before!"
Rock Lee's fighting spirit was also ignited.
"You're right! Even if we're not his match now, we'll eventually surpass him as long as we work hard!"
"That's right! Ichiraku's Uncle, another bowl!"
"Alright!"
...While Naruto and his three or five friends were slurping ramen at Ichiraku.
Sasuke was alone, quietly facing the flowing river.
The anger had been vented.
The unwillingness had been suppressed.
All that remained was a deep sense of loneliness.
In reality, was losing to Naruto really that important?
Perhaps Sasuke himself knew it wasn't.
The person he wanted to kill was Uchiha Itachi.
It had nothing to do with Uzumaki Naruto.
He himself had been desperately trying to get stronger, and as for Naruto being stronger, that was entirely Naruto's business.
The person Sasuke truly hated... was himself.
Why was he so weak... Why was he still not strong enough!
When would he finally see a glimmer of hope for revenge?
To see that faint light in the endless darkness?
He had been struggling in the abyss for too long.
But he was still just falling.
He saw no sign of escaping.
This kind of pain and suppression, he couldn't tell anyone, and no one could understand.
Sometimes, he even wanted to give up everything, to end all the suffering.
If he jumped into the river, would it all be over?
However, he didn't even have the right to die.
The hatred for his parents, the hatred for his clan, was irreconcilable.
Uchiha Itachi had said to him after the massacre... Do you want to kill me to avenge your parents and clan?
Then live on, ugly as you are!
Live on, clinging to life, without dignity, bowing down, giving your all!
Living, it was worse than death.
But he couldn't die.
This was Sasuke's greatest sorrow.
Just then.
"I knew I'd find you here."
A familiar voice sounded from behind him.
Sasuke knew it was Iruka-sensei's voice.
But he didn't turn around, nor did he offer any reply.
Iruka-sensei walked along the wooden bridge extending into the river until he was behind Sasuke.
"How is it, are you very frustrated, Sasuke?"
Sasuke remained silent.
Iruka-sensei sighed as he looked at the solitary and aloof young man.