Hyuga Clan Estate.
Inside a retro-style dojo, moonlight streamed softly through the open window.
Renji sat casually on the wooden window frame, sipping sake while gazing indifferently at the bright moon.
"So," he said lazily, "what do you want with me?"
Hyuga Hiashi sat cross-legged in the center of the dojo, posture straight and dignified. His expression was solemn.
"I hear you've become Team 7's teacher. Renji, you've done very well."
Renji rarely involved himself in Village affairs before. Now that he had actively taken charge of Team 7 and stepped into Village matters, it pleased Hiashi greatly.
"That's it?" Renji glanced at him with faint disdain. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. I'm not interested in chatting with men."
Hiashi didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed.
"Hahaha. In the Hyuga Clan, only you would dare speak to me like that."
Most clan members feared him. As Clan Head, he had always enforced strict hierarchy and discipline.
Unfortunately—
Renji didn't care.
Creak—
The dojo door slid open.
A petite figure stepped inside, barefoot on the polished floor. Her long dark hair framed her shy face.
Hyuga Hinata bowed respectfully.
"Father."
She both feared and respected Hiashi deeply.
"Hmm. Sit."
"Yo, Hinata."
Renji's lazy voice echoed through the room.
Hinata froze.
Then slowly turned her head.
She saw Renji's handsome face in the moonlight.
"B-Brother… Renji..."
Her cheeks turned bright red. She fidgeted nervously, fingers twisting together as her heart pounded uncontrollably.
She never understood why she became so nervous around him.
"Didn't see you for a few months," Renji said, stroking his chin as he examined her openly. "You've gotten stronger. And you've developed very well too."
Though she was still petite, her figure was already… impressive.
Hinata stammered, flustered beyond belief.
"N-No… not at all… compared to Brother Renji, I… I'm still far behind…"
Renji puffed out his chest proudly.
"No need to compare yourself to me. Very few people can rival me in strength."
He grinned.
"As a great young man, I simply love telling the truth."
It sounded like bragging.
But it was fact.
To rival him, one needed Six Paths–level power.
"I'm amazed you could even hear what she said," Hiashi muttered dryly. "I didn't catch a word."
Renji waved him off.
"It's normal when you get old."
Hiashi's eyebrow twitched.
"Ahem. Back to the main topic."
His tone grew serious.
"Renji, in terms of strength, almost no one in the Hyuga Clan can surpass you. Even I must admit—you are stronger than me. Across the entire Ninja World, your reputation rivals even the legendary Sannin."
Renji took another sip of sake.
"I need to correct something."
He looked at Hiashi calmly.
"I'm stronger than you now? Wrong. I was already stronger than you at eight."
Hinata's eyes sparkled.
"Brother Renji is… amazing…"
If only I could be that amazing…
Renji reached out and patted her head gently.
"Pretty amazing, right? You can praise me more."
"Eh!"
Hinata jumped back like a startled rabbit, her face turning even redder.
Hiashi glared sharply.
"Stop fooling around. We're discussing serious matters."
He remembered clearly.
When Renji was eight, his Chakra burst had physically shaken the entire Hyuga Clan compound.
Houses had collapsed.
They had to spend a fortune rebuilding.
Hiashi's voice grew heavy.
"Renji. Become the Clan Head. With your ability, you can lead the Hyuga Clan to its peak."
Renji swirled the sake lazily.
"How strange. The Hyuga Clan values bloodline above all else. Now you're casually offering the Clan Head position?"
He smiled faintly.
"How could someone born into a branch family shoulder such a responsibility?"
Hiashi sighed bitterly.
"We're family. Don't mock me."
Renji replied calmly, "Clan rules are clan rules. A branch family is a branch family. Logically, Hinata should inherit the position."
"I… I…" Hinata stammered, unable to continue.
Hiashi spoke bluntly.
"Hinata is soft-hearted. Her strength and talent are ordinary. She has even been surpassed by Neji of the branch family. If she became Clan Head, many elders would oppose it."
Hinata lowered her head, biting her lip gently.
She knew.
No one expected much from her.
No one believed she could lead.
Renji glanced at her quietly and sighed inwardly.
He placed his hand gently on her head.
"Don't mind the gossip from useless people. You've already worked very hard."
Hinata's heart warmed instantly.
When no one in the clan acknowledged her—
Renji had.
His confident smile had become something she yearned for.
Hiashi cut in coldly.
"That little effort is meaningless."
Renji waved dismissively.
"It's fine. With me around, there's no problem." He grinned suddenly.
"When Hinata marries me later and becomes Clan Head, who would dare gossip behind her back?"
Hiashi nodded absentmindedly.
"Hmm. That makes sense."
Then he froze.
"…Hmm?"
Wait.
Renji smirked.
"Right, Father-in-law?"
"Be… become Brother Renji's bride…?"
Hinata's face turned completely crimson.
Steam practically rose from her head.
Her vision went dark—
And she fainted.
Renji burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! How cute."
He jumped lightly off the window frame and disappeared into the night.
Hiashi's face darkened.
He slammed his palm into the wooden floor—
Crack!
The boards split apart.
"Renji, you brat!"
Teasing his daughter until she fainted—right in front of her father.
That self-absorbed little bastard went too far.