Hyūga Masayuki looked at Hyūga Ming, who stood there expressionless.
There wasn't a trace of remorse on the boy's face.
Masayuki frowned slightly, then turned to Hyūga Hiashi.
"Since you've pleaded on his behalf, the punishment will be reduced," he said calmly.
"But it cannot be removed entirely. Three days of confinement."
"Father—" Hiashi tried to speak again.
But Masayuki had already made his decision.
"Enough. Step back."
Two Hyūga clansmen escorted Ming away, heading toward the clan's detention area.
The prison was located in the rear compound.
Along the way, many people saw them.
This time, it wasn't a symbolic escort—
each guard seized one of Ming's arms, dragging him along like a true criminal.
It was meant as a warning.
A message to every branch family member.
The Hyūga prison was an underground dungeon.
From the outside, it looked like a small house. Inside, a staircase led downward.
In the dungeon, torches were mounted along the walls at fixed intervals. Between every pair of torches stood a sealed iron door, airtight and oppressive.
Who would've thought this place existed for one's own clan?
More precisely—
For the branch family.
But open defiance like Ming's was rare. The dungeon itself was mostly empty.
The guards unlocked one of the iron doors and shoved Ming inside.
Without a word, they shut it.
As the door slammed closed, the last sliver of light vanished.
Darkness.
In the pitch black, Ming opened his eyes.
"One plays the villain, the other the savior."
He scoffed.
Hiashi probably thought this little routine would tame him.
What a delusion.
"Byakugan."
His pale eyes activated as he scanned the area.
No surveillance mechanisms.
Only then did he retrieve something from his inventory.
A lamp.
"Good thing I prepared in advance."
This was his first time being imprisoned—but he'd long known the Hyūga's methods.
The dungeon's reputation among the branch family was infamous.
Many feared it deeply.
He switched on the lamp.
Bright light filled the cell.
The dungeon was square and cramped, with only a narrow ventilation shaft.
There was a chair in the center.
Beside it, chains.
Their purpose didn't need explaining.
Ming took out several strips of dried meat and started eating.
For others, this place was torture.
For him?
Not necessarily.
His inventory was well-stocked.
He could stay here for years if needed.
"Three days later, I'll still be a hero," Ming muttered.
"Just need to watch my weight."
He began exercising on the spot.
Though, in truth—
He might not even stay the full three days.
The next day.
The Princess of Konoha—Tsunade—paid a visit to the Hyūga clan.
Inside the council hall.
Only two people were present: Hyūga Masayuki and Tsunade.
Between them sat a low wooden table, with two cups of tea.
Behind Tsunade, the sliding door was open, revealing a tranquil lakeside view.
"Jōnin Tsunade," Masayuki asked directly,
"Are you satisfied with my son's performance?"
He clearly intended to establish a mentor-like relationship between Hiashi and Tsunade.
But Hiashi hadn't been assigned to her through the Academy system.
They couldn't formally be teacher and student—
Only superior and subordinate.
That was also why the Hokage had approved Tsunade leading the Hyūga trio.
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"Your son's ability is acceptable," she said bluntly.
"But he's far too impatient."
She paused.
"However, that's not why I'm here today."
Masayuki set his teacup down calmly.
"Then what brings Lady Tsunade here?"
"Hyūga Ming," Tsunade said without hesitation.
"For the sake of future missions, I intend to give Hyūga Ming special training."
Masayuki's brow twitched.
He hadn't expected Tsunade to come for a mere branch family member.
And her reason was airtight.
A team leader was permitted to train subordinates.
"Then," Masayuki asked smoothly,
"do my two sons also require such training, Jōnin Tsunade?"
He was deliberately changing the subject.
Though the Third Hokage's position was stable, that stability had come at great cost.
Clan authority had expanded in exchange for Hokage power.
Which meant—
If Masayuki refused to hand Ming over, Tsunade couldn't force the issue.
This wasn't the era of the First or Second Hokage.
Still, Tsunade's identity carried weight.
Masayuki didn't want to offend her.
But he also didn't want to give in easily.
Tsunade thought for a moment, then replied calmly,
"I intend to train Hyūga Ming in medical ninjutsu."
"If Hiashi and Hizashi are interested, they're welcome to join."
That put Masayuki in a difficult position.
His original intention had been for Tsunade to train his sons.
She had been personally taught by Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Second Hokage.
If she guided them, their growth would be rapid.
But—
He had no desire for his sons to become medics.
At this point, the concept of medical ninja hadn't fully taken root.
Most ninja looked down on medical ninjutsu.
Tsunade clearly meant to extract Ming—
Without paying much of a price.
Which also meant her relationship with Ming wasn't particularly deep.
Still—
Masayuki didn't want to reject her outright.
And he didn't want to release Ming yet.
One day of confinement wasn't enough.
Hiashi still hadn't broken him.
The room fell silent.
Tsunade sipped her tea slowly, her reflection rippling in the green liquid.
No pressure.
No bargaining.
The decision rested entirely with Masayuki.
Agreeing might not gain him Tsunade's favor.
Refusing would certainly make an enemy of her.
Tsunade, for her part, seemed indifferent.
"Why?" Masayuki finally asked.
"Why are you doing this?"
Why would Tsunade involve herself for a mere branch family member?
They had no real connection.
Even this squad had been formed through negotiations with the Hokage.
Tsunade placed her cup down gently.
"Hyūga Ming is my subordinate."
Masayuki could tell she didn't intend to elaborate.
After a long sigh, he nodded.
"Very well."
He chose, in the end, not to antagonize Tsunade.
"Eight hundred ninety-one."
"Eight hundred ninety-two."
"Eight hundred ninety-three."
Inside the cell, Hyūga Ming was upside down, balancing on one hand, repeatedly lowering and raising his body.
Sweat dripped from his face, pooling on the floor.
Soft footsteps approached.
Ming immediately stopped.
He stepped forward and swept the trash and desk lamp into his inventory.
The room plunged into darkness once more.
He had no intention of exposing these items.
The inventory was his greatest trump card.
Click.
The sound of a lock turning echoed.
Ming looked toward the door as light spilled in.
Good thing he hadn't stayed in darkness the whole time—
the sudden brightness didn't bother him.
"Hyūga Ming," a familiar voice said,
"your confinement is over."
Ming's lips curved upward.
He stepped out.
Hiashi stood at the entrance, his face conflicted.
The moment Ming emerged, Hiashi straightened his expression.
He extended a hand.
"We're on the same squad," he said stiffly.
"I hope we can cooperate well in the future."