After hearing his cousin's thanks, Hyuga Neji paused briefly before turning around and speaking calmly.
"From today onward, your training time will double. Only by sweating more in ordinary times can you stay calm when real danger arrives."
Hinata's ahoge instantly stood up. She looked helplessly at her father, then at Uchiha Ran, her expression full of grievance.
Hiashi coughed lightly. "Ahem… Hinata, as the heir of the main family, I think Neji is right."
Hinata let out a small sound of protest and looked at Ran instead.
Ran raised an eyebrow and said evenly, "If you train hard, Hinata, you'll be able to protect the people you care about."
Hinata froze for a moment.
"Protect… the people I care about?"
Her gaze lingered on Ran, and resolve quickly took shape in her eyes.
"Okay!" Her cheeks flushed red, but her eyes were unusually firm.
Hiashi felt a sense of relief. In his mind, his daughter was surely thinking about protecting the clan and her father.
In reality, he was overthinking it.
When Hinata whispered those words, her eyes had never left that handsome figure.
Neji saw everything clearly and, at the same time, began to observe Ran more closely. He realized something important.
It wasn't just his overwhelming strength—Ran was also strikingly good-looking.
To Neji, Ran was without question the most handsome man he had ever seen.
Coupled with his calm confidence and his ability to turn the situation upside down with a single move, he was practically irresistible.
Ran gently patted Hinata's head, then followed Hiashi to the reception room to discuss future plans for the clan.
---
Outside the Hidden Mist Village, inside a cave.
Uchiha Obito stepped out of the space–time distortion. The edges of his clothes were scorched, clearly burned by the Dragon Flame earlier.
He hadn't expected Uchiha Ran to react so decisively—throwing ninjutsu straight into the Kamui Dimension.
Was that even something a human should be able to do?
Black Zetsu slowly rose from the ground, forming into a dark silhouette.
"Madara-sama, may I ask how the battle with Uchiha Ran went?"
Did Black Zetsu really not know the outcome?
All White Zetsu were its eyes. With Konoha lacking powerful sensors and seal masters, the village was practically an open courtyard to it.
"Hmph. That man's strength is passable," Obito snorted. "We fought for three hundred rounds and ended in a draw."
Black Zetsu fell silent.
If it hadn't seen everything itself, it might actually have believed that.
Since when had Obito become such a braggart?
"Oh? Is that so?" Black Zetsu said smoothly. "That's excellent, Madara-sama. With you here, the Eye of the Moon Plan will surely succeed. At that time, you will become the savior of the world—the second Sage of Six Paths."
It deliberately stoked Obito's ambition.
As expected, Obito burst into laughter. "Hahaha!"
Black Zetsu smiled along on the surface, while inwardly thinking coldly:
Just wait a little longer, Mother. These self-righteous fools are nothing more than tools.
Suddenly, its body trembled slightly.
"Madara-sama, I've heard that a remarkable genius has recently emerged in the Hidden Mist Village—Mei Terumī. Many clans are secretly preparing to support her as the Fifth Mizukage."
"Should we make contact in advance? Otherwise, we might lose control of the Hidden Mist Village."
The Hidden Mist Village could not be lost. Isolated from the other great villages and backed by maritime trade, it provided Akatsuki with a steady flow of wealth.
Obito, however, showed no concern.
"The trash of the Hidden Mist Village can't possibly defeat the Three-Tails Jinchūriki," he said lazily. "You're being overly cautious."
Black Zetsu nearly felt like it was dealing with a pig of a partner.
Still, it said nothing more. It firmly believed Obito would pay for today's carelessness sooner or later.
---
Hidden Mist Village.
Inside a concealed house, the door creaked open as a figure stepped inside.
A girl of about sixteen, seated at the head, stood up abruptly.
"Lord Genji!"
Everyone present rose to their feet, faces filled with respect.
"Lord Genji!"
An elderly man with a hunched back walked in. He surveyed the room and nodded with satisfaction.
"Please, sit."
He took a seat beside the girl.
"I've gathered everyone here today for one reason," Genji said in a low, steady voice. "To discuss the situation in Konoha."
The room grew solemn.
The era of the Bloody Mist had left their lives scarred and miserable. This was why Genji and others had gathered those who wished to resist the rule of Mizukage Yagura Karatachi.
Genji served as their strategist, while the talented Mei Terumī stood as their leader.
"Please speak, Lord Genji," Mei said eagerly. "Does what's happening in Konoha affect us?"
Genji shook his head. "Not directly. However, Ao has confirmed that the Fourth Mizukage is being controlled. And as far as I know, only those eyes can do such a thing."
"You mean… the Sharingan?" Ao asked.
Having obtained a Hyuga Byakugan in the past, he was especially knowledgeable about dōjutsu.
Genji nodded. "Yes. I believe the Mizukage is under the control of the Uchiha Clan's dōjutsu. That explains all of his twisted actions."
"In that case, how do you suggest we resolve this?" Mei asked, locking eyes with him.
"To untie a knot, you must find the one who tied it," Genji replied with a faint smile. "If it's the Uchiha's dōjutsu, then we must seek help from an Uchiha."
Mei's eyes lit up. "You mean…"
"That's right," Genji said softly. "The only person capable of breaking this kind of genjutsu today is Konoha's Hokage—Uchiha Ran."
Mei frowned slightly. "Uchiha Ran… the newly appointed Fifth Hokage of Konoha?"------
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