No way, I can't figure out what she's thinking at all.
A monster? Jonin Toma felt a sense of caution growing within him.
Working with such a monster woman, there's no room for relaxation even for a moment.
◎
After the arranged marriage ceremony ended, Hiashi returned to his residence and let out a long breath.
A feeling of fatigue instantly surged up in his heart.
Practice of Gentle Fist and Byakugan, learning how to manage the clan, and now having to cultivate a relationship with a woman he had never seen before.
All his time, except for sleeping, was already arranged.
For the first time, he felt the position of Clan Leader was not easy.
"If only Hizashi were here..."
He muttered to himself.
Speaking of which, he hadn't met Hizashi for a long time.
But thinking of the look in Hizashi's eyes now, indifferent, reverent, and full of hatred... Hiashi's mood became complicated.
He wished he could return to those carefree childhood days when Hizashi looked at him with respect and loving care for an older brother, rather than this look as if he were a stranger.
From the moment the caged bird seal was placed, their fates as brothers diverged completely.
One became the exalted Main Family, while the other was governed by the Main Family, as the Branch Family.
Once marked as Branch Family, no matter how many children one had, they would be marked as Branch Family.
Only descendants of the Main Family could become Main Family, while some risked being relegated to the Branch Family.
This also leads to the Main Family being extremely few in number, while the Branch Family grows ever larger.
Thinking of this, Hiashi's heart grew even more weary.
"If only there were no Branch Family system, Hizashi..."
But that was just his personal lament.
The will of the clan wouldn't shift according to his personal will.
The fate of the Branch Family, the fate of the Main Family, was decided from the start, and no one could shake it.
"Please don't say that, Lord Hiashi. Protecting the Main Family is our Branch Family's duty. Lord Hizashi will understand Lord Hiashi's goodwill one day."
Hyuga Toma comforted Hiashi this way.
In his eyes, Hiashi was not the cold Young Master outsiders saw; he also had a gentle and kind side.
But in the face of the clan's righteousness, he could only choose to be ruthless.
Following such a person, Toma felt his life wouldn't have regrets.
The Branch Family's treatment would also be somewhat better in this way.
"Senior Toma, saying that is too cruel. Lord Hiashi is just acting out of a brother's caring heart for his younger brother."
Ayane said with a smile beside him.
Toma glanced at Ayane and said calmly, "Lord Hiashi is the future of the Hyuga, our fate is already determined, and Lord Hizashi's fate is also determined. As the Branch Family, we only need to protect Lord Hiashi, without other thoughts."
"Toma, don't blame Ayane, I'm just occasionally venting."
Hiashi defended Ayane.
"Yes."
Toma respectfully stepped back to the side, his gaze constantly focusing on Ayane.
This woman is too dangerous, and Lord Hiashi seems to trust her very much. Toma squinted his eyes.
Honestly, he didn't want to work with Ayane.
A woman whose thoughts he couldn't even guess, fortunately, there was the caged bird seal to control her.
Otherwise, for the Hyuga Clan, for Konoha, it wouldn't be a good thing.
"Lord Hiashi, what do you think of the future wife for the Patriarch?"
"She's a good woman."
But too rigid and dull, like a delicate puppet. Hiashi added in his mind.
Every move was full of rules, not deliberately feigned, but she was always predestined, transformed into such a gentle and compliant woman.
Her smile was full of heartfelt tenderness, but Hiashi couldn't muster interest in such a good woman.
His mother, the servants at home, including his future wife, were all of this template.
Like exquisite products manufactured from a factory.
But among them, only one was an exception.
That was Ayane.
Underneath that tender exterior was a powerful force, a complete personality never extirpated by stringent clan rules.
Hiashi could sense Ayane's difference from those women.
On one level, she wasn't a rigid, austere Hyuga clan member.
What had she experienced in the past to transform in this way?
What kind of person would she marry in the future?
For some reason, Hiashi had been concerned about these matters lately.
◎
"After completing the strenuous tasks, I ended up returning to this familiar place after all..."
Standing at the gate of the Ninja School, Hakushi felt uncertain about what to say.
When he was in Sakumo's team, he occasionally passed by the Ninja School, but since graduating, it was the first time he officially stepped into this homeland.
But it's good this way, compared to the hospital, work at the Ninja School might be relatively easy.
The only headache is paying attention to the mischievous kids at school.
"What's wrong, kid, you've come all the way here and got cold feet?"
From behind came a teasing laugh.
Hakushi turned around, scratching his head and said, "Nothing like that, Tsunade-sensei, I am just thinking about how to get along with the cute juniors."
"It's good to have such thoughts."
Tsunade walked up, patting Hakushi on the shoulder, which had become sturdier and taller.
And as for Tsunade's changes, Hakushi only thought that perhaps her chest seemed to have developed again.
So overwhelming.
Truly worthy of being a Jonin.