Hinata's Resistance
Three years ago, a catastrophic event shook Konoha to its core.
The once-powerful Uchiha clan, numbering in the hundreds, was annihilated overnight. Their compound was left desolate, and only a single survivor remained—Uchiha Sasuke. The culprit was none other than Uchiha Itachi, an S-rank rogue ninja who had betrayed his kin in a single night of bloodshed.
From that day forward, Naruto Uzumaki, once a familiar presence in the village, vanished without a trace.
Although the massacre stirred heated discussions among Konoha's citizens, their interest faded after a few weeks. The villagers, indifferent to Naruto's fate, were far more engrossed in the Uchiha clan's tragedy, calling it the "Uchiha Extermination Incident."
Rumors spread that Naruto had been attacked by an Uchiha before his disappearance. For his safety, it was claimed that he could no longer attend the Ninja Academy. Instead, he was taken under the wing of the Anbu, where he received a far more rigorous and specialized training, eventually becoming an elite operative.
This explanation was enough to fool most Chūnin and Genin, but it did not deceive an experienced Jōnin like Hyūga Hiashi.
Through underground sources, Hiashi had learned a different story—one that conflicted with Konoha's official narrative. The Uchiha clan had not been wiped out. On the night of their supposed annihilation, they had fled the village, making their way overseas to the Land of Whirlpools, where they re-established Uzushiogakure. Their leader, curiously enough, was a member of the Uzumaki clan.
It was no coincidence that Naruto had disappeared. His vanishing act had to be linked to this new leader of Uzushiogakure. Perhaps the boy had been taken in by an elder of the Uzumaki clan—an enigmatic figure with their own plans.
The Hyūga clan had once known such an "old monster" as well, but that person had died over a decade ago. If they had still been alive, Hiashi's younger brother, Hizashi, would never have perished the way he did. With them around, the Hyūga clan would have been in a far stronger position within Konoha.
Ultimately, the so-called "Will of Fire" was nothing more than an illusion. True power lay in a clan's strongest warriors.
As Hiashi pondered these thoughts, an intense battle raged before him. His eldest daughter, Hinata, was locked in a fierce duel with her cousin, Neji. Their Gentle Fist techniques had evolved from basic stances into a high-level exchange of Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. Their movements were so precise and relentless that the fight seemed impossible to determine.
Watching the match, Hiashi felt a mixture of pride and unease.
Hinata had matched Neji's level, a feat considered remarkable within the clan. It was a testament to her growing strength, yet it also meant that he could no longer use her supposed weakness as an excuse to delay naming a successor.
Soon, the very thing Hiashi had dreaded came to pass.
An elder of the main family stepped forward, raising a hand to halt the fight. Without hesitation, he turned to Hiashi and declared in an authoritative voice:
"Patriarch, Hinata has surpassed the genius Neji. It is time to formally establish her as the next head of the clan."
Hiashi frowned. "It is still too soon to make such a decision. The succession should not be settled until both Hinata and Hanabi reach adulthood. I intend to remain clan head for another twenty years."
The elder met his gaze with a calm but unyielding expression. "Hiashi, the main family must choose its heir eventually. Delaying this will not change the inevitable—one daughter will inherit the clan, while the other will bear the Caged Bird Seal. It is time to decide."
Murmurs spread among the other Hyūga elders, their eyes fixed on Hiashi.
Though he was the clan's patriarch, even his authority could not override the ironclad traditions of the Hyūga. The Caged Bird Seal was an unbreakable law, one that even he could not hope to defy.
A quiet sigh escaped Hiashi's lips as his gaze shifted toward his younger daughter, Hanabi.
No matter his position, he could not protect his own children from this fate. He had hoped to buy more time, but it had always been a futile wish. The system of the Hyūga clan could not be overturned.
His father must have felt the same when he was forced to abandon his twin brother, Hizashi, to the fate of the branch family. In the end, Hiashi had inherited the clan, while Hizashi had been sacrificed to maintain the status quo.
Nearby, Hinata, Neji, and Hanabi had overheard the conversation.
Hanabi, though aware of the Caged Bird Seal, was still too young to grasp the full weight of its consequences. Confusion flickered in her wide eyes.
Neji, however, remained composed. He had long since accepted his fate as a branch family member, resigned to his role as a shield for the main house.
The Caged Bird Seal existed to protect the branch family. The branch family, in turn, existed to safeguard the main family—even at the cost of their lives. This was the fate determined at birth.
Still, there was a bitter irony to it all. Eventually, the descendants of the main house would also become part of the branch family.
Hinata's expression darkened. She clenched her fists, realizing the consequences of her own actions. By displaying her true strength, she had sealed Hanabi's fate. Now, her sister would inevitably be branded with that accursed seal.
What could she do to prevent this?
For the first time, Hinata felt utterly powerless. She lacked the courage to stand against her father and the elders. She was no match for them, nor did she have the strength to change centuries of Hyūga tradition.
The clan elder turned to Hanabi, his tone devoid of emotion. "Prepare for the Caged Bird Seal ceremony. It is time to confirm the next heir."
Hanabi, sensing something was wrong, took an uneasy step backward.
Hiashi's brow furrowed. The mark of the Caged Bird Seal would soon be placed on Hanabi, and the clan elders were ready to enforce their decision.
Before he could object, Hinata inhaled sharply and took a bold step forward. With an unwavering voice, she declared:
"Father, Grandfather, I voluntarily renounce my claim as heir. Let Hanabi inherit the main house instead."
Her words stunned both Hanabi and Neji. Neither had expected Hinata to make such a decision.
The elder arched an eyebrow. "Succession is not a matter of personal will, nor can it be relinquished so easily."
Hiashi nodded solemnly. "Hinata, I am glad you are willing to sacrifice for your sister, but your decision is meaningless. The rules of our clan cannot be altered."
He signaled to the branch family guards, instructing them to proceed with the ceremony.
As they approached Hanabi, Hinata's heart pounded. She had done all she could without outright rebellion, yet neither her father nor the elders would listen.
It was all because of her weakness.
Since childhood, she had been timid—bullied by other children, too afraid to tell her father, too afraid to meet his disappointed gaze. Avoidance had always been her way of coping.
The only one who had ever given her courage was Naruto.
He had protected her in the snow. He had defended her from bullies. Even after she trained relentlessly, her inner cowardice never truly faded.
Perhaps that was why Naruto had left her behind.
A flood of memories flashed through her mind. Then, she turned sharply, stepping in front of Hanabi.
A newfound determination lit up her face as she declared:
"I will not allow you to brand Hanabi with that accursed seal."
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