After packing two sets of clothes and a few daily necessities, Kirito slung a modest backpack over his shoulders and walked out of the Hyuga clan compound.
Facing the cold mockery, disdainful gazes, and sarcastic remarks from many members of the clan, Kirito remained as calm and carefree as ever. It wasn't that he was pretending to be composed—this was simply his nature.
And just like that, he quietly walked out of the Hyuga residence.
No lingering attachment. No resentment.
To Kirito, living within those cold, towering walls while constantly enduring pointless hostility and strange looks from others had long since become unbearably dull.
"Kirito…"
However, just as he had left the Hyuga compound and passed through several streets, a cautious voice called out from behind him.
Kirito instinctively turned around.
The person standing there was a young girl dressed in a white maid outfit. Her large silver-white eyes sparkled with life and purity. Her features were delicate and refined.
She was none other than one of the very few friends Kirito had within the Hyuga clan—his distant relative, Hyuga Ayako.
Ayako shared a similar background with him. Both of them were members of the Hyuga branch family, and both belonged to the lineage responsible for guarding the children of the main house for generations.
However, in this generation, Kirito had once been assigned to protect the eldest daughter of the main family, Hyuga Hinata, while Ayako was responsible for guarding Hinata's younger sister, Hyuga Hanabi.
Because of their similar status—and because Hinata and Hanabi had always been very close sisters—Kirito and Ayako, who had each served as their attendants since childhood, gradually became acquainted and eventually close friends.
Ayako was seventeen years old. Although she was five years older than Kirito, the young lady she served—Hanabi—was still very young.
Moreover, Hanabi had been subjected to strict, traditional training from an early age. Most of the time she stayed within the Hyuga estate receiving instruction from senior clan members and rarely left the compound.
As her attendant, Ayako likewise had very few opportunities to leave the Hyuga grounds.
Living such a sheltered life and having little contact with the outside world had shaped Ayako into someone with an extremely pure and simple personality.
In fact, Kirito—who had lost his position as Hinata's guardian years ago and had his monthly allowance withheld, forcing him to work outside the clan to support himself—had gained far more life experience.
Despite being only twelve years old now, Kirito was mentally far more mature than seventeen-year-old Ayako.
"Ayako, did you come to see me off?"
Ayako's personality was gentle and pure. Within the Hyuga clan, she was one of the very few people willing to associate with Kirito. Because of that, Kirito treated her with far more warmth and sincerity than he ever showed the Hyuga elders.
Her slender brows were tightly furrowed. Clearly, she was saddened by Kirito's departure.
Her voice trembled slightly as if choked by emotion. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but when the words reached her throat, she didn't know how to say them.
All that remained were tears swirling in her eyes.
Kirito sighed softly in his heart.
He stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her.
Because of the small difference in their height, Kirito had to stand on tiptoe just to match her height. One hand gently stroked her soft, fragrant hair.
Ayako instinctively rested her chin on his shoulder. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled out, soaking his shoulder.
"Don't cry, Ayako," Kirito said softly. "It's not like I'm going somewhere far away. I'm still in the village. Just a few streets away from the Hyuga compound. You can come visit me anytime."
"Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi actually wanted to come see you off too," Ayako said after crying for a while. She suddenly realized she had lost her composure and quickly pulled back, her small face turning red with embarrassment. "But today the clan head is personally instructing the main family heirs in training, so they couldn't come."
In her heart, she couldn't help but grumble a little.
I'm supposed to be the older sister here… why does it feel like I'm the one acting like a spoiled younger sister?
"It's fine. The thought alone is enough."
To Kirito, Hinata had been his closest childhood friend—his true childhood companion. Their relationship had always been good.
Although in recent years they rarely had the chance to interact, whenever they happened to meet, a simple glance or the slightest gesture was enough for them to understand each other.
As for Hanabi, when they were children she had loved clinging to him.
But after Kirito lost his position as a guardian of the main family—and as Hanabi began undergoing the strict training of the Hyuga clan—their interactions gradually became fewer and fewer.
Still, at least they shared some happy memories.
"Alright, Ayako. This is far enough," Kirito said gently. "You're Hanabi's personal attendant. You can't stay away from her for too long."
Every gathering must eventually come to an end. Dragging things out had never been Kirito's style.
When it came to matters concerning Hanabi, Ayako was extremely responsible as her personal attendant. No matter how small the task, she handled everything with meticulous care.
So despite her reluctance, Ayako nodded and finally turned to leave.
"Haa…"
After parting with Ayako, Kirito continued walking along his own path.
His mood was actually quite good. Being able to chat with a close friend before leaving felt nice.
As for being expelled from the Hyuga clan—Kirito had already expected this outcome long ago.
Especially after failing to graduate from the Ninja Academy.
As the so-called greatest disgrace of the Hyuga clan, there was no way they would allow him to remain there any longer.
So Kirito had already made preparations in advance.
Soon, he arrived in front of a shop called Tenten Weapon Shop.
The storefront wasn't large, but this place was only one of its branch locations. The main store was a long-established brand in Konoha and the largest weapon shop in the village.
They sold shuriken, kunai, steel wire, explosive tags, and all kinds of ninja tools.
More than eighty percent of the ninja tools used within the village were supplied by Tenten Weapon Shop.
Because of its excellent product quality and fair prices, the shop frequently received large export orders from outside the village as well.
It was clear just how influential the shop really was.
Most of Kirito's daily living expenses came from working here as an apprentice.
After entering the shop, he greeted the owner and the craftsmen inside. From their familiar interactions, it was obvious that Kirito had been working here for quite some time.
He had already discussed things with the shop owner beforehand.
Before long, Kirito would be moving in to live here.
Since the owner was an acquaintance of Kirito's—and because the shop had quite a few spare rooms available—the owner had no reason to refuse.
And just like that, Kirito settled down at the weapon shop.