Training taijutsu with Neji wasn't a waste of time for Hyuga Satoru—in fact, it was an investment. Even someone as powerful as Uchiha Madara had proven that strength alone was never enough to change the world.
If Satoru wanted to survive and thrive in the ninja world, he needed capable allies. Among them, none was more suitable than Hyuga Neji—a clansman with remarkable potential and a mind steady beyond his years.
Time spent on Neji was like placing a bet with guaranteed returns.
Even if Neji never broke through the limits of his talent, Satoru was confident he could raise him into a dependable jonin. And if fate offered Neji the right opportunities, perhaps his growth could exceed all expectations.
At the very least… he wouldn't end up like so many others, dying like cannon fodder to some nameless large-scale jutsu.
The setting sun painted the Hyuga dojo in shades of red. As Satoru's training came to an end, the air was thick with the smell of sweat and wood dust.
Neji, who had been watching his cousin's movements all afternoon, had long since lost his composure. He sat cross-legged on the floor, hair and robes a mess, no trace left of the well-mannered little gentleman his father always demanded him to be.
Though Hyuga Hizashi often reminded his young son to maintain strict decorum before the Main Family, such expectations meant little to a boy of his age.
Besides, Satoru had never treated Neji as a subordinate—he saw him as family. His attendants could tell as much, and none ever reprimanded the boy for forgetting formalities.
When Neji was with Satoru, he could finally relax.
Satoru accepted the towel handed to him, wiping away the sweat as he approached his younger cousin with a faint smile.
"You've been sitting here all afternoon, watching me train. You must be bored, right?"
When Satoru trained, he became utterly absorbed—often forgetting anyone else was present.
But Neji shook his head quickly. "No, I'm not bored!"
The light in the boy's eyes made Satoru pause for a moment. His composure and focus… exceeded what Satoru had expected from someone so young.
"Good," Satoru said warmly. He liked that calmness—it was carved into Neji's very nature.
"Come on, let's go."
After tidying the dojo, they left together.
Earlier, Hinata had peeked through the door to watch them, but she didn't last long. For a child her age, patience wasn't exactly her strong suit. After half an hour, she had grown bored and wandered off.
Though they were only a year apart, the difference in temperament between Hinata and Neji was already striking.
After training, Satoru finally had time to properly accompany his younger siblings.
To call it "spending time together" was generous—he mostly just watched Neji and Hinata chase each other around the room, making sure they didn't bump into anything and hurt themselves.
Meanwhile, his mother Hanako enjoyed a rare moment of leisure, chatting with Satoru while knitting soft sweaters and scarves for her children.
She was, in every sense, the picture of a traditional mother.
At this age, both Satoru and Hinata were growing quickly—their clothes rarely lasted a year before being outgrown. Hanako's skill with a needle was excellent; nearly everything they wore was hand-made by her.
The warmth of that evening—the laughter of children, the gentle murmur of his mother's voice—filled Satoru with a deep sense of peace.
Moments like these reminded him that this world was real.
The fatigue of training melted away in the comfort of home, and even the lingering fear of the uncertain future seemed to fade into the background.
Hanako never asked how many new techniques he'd mastered, nor how much stronger he'd become. What she cared about most was simple—whether he was happy, what interesting things had happened during his day, and how his teammates were doing.
Her love was expressed in the smallest, warmest ways—through questions, smiles, and quiet attention.
But that peace shattered the moment Hiashi opened the door.
Evening had fallen, and with most of the guests from the funeral gone, he finally had a brief respite.
Yet his face was drawn tight, his expression heavy.
After discussing Orochimaru's visit with Hizashi, the brothers had reached no clear conclusion. In the end, they had turned to the family elder, Hyuga Shin, Hiashi's uncle and the clan's most senior advisor.
Hyuga Shin—Satoru's great-granduncle—was a man of the old world: strict, unbending, and forged in war.
He had never married or had children, and his younger brother—Satoru's grandfather—had died young in one of the great ninja wars.
Hiashi and Hizashi were, for all intents and purposes, his sons.
A veteran who had survived countless battles, Shin's influence within the clan was immense, his judgment born from experience that the younger generation could never match.
Orochimaru's words had raised grave concerns—concerns that touched the very survival of the Hyuga clan. Hiashi had sought counsel, but the plan they'd arrived at left him more troubled than ever.
Now, his face bore that same gravity as he stepped into the room.
The moment Neji and Hinata saw him, their playful energy vanished. Both children froze, straightening instinctively before bowing respectfully.
The room's cheerful warmth dissipated in an instant.
Hiashi forced a thin smile and glanced briefly at the children before turning to Satoru and Hanako.
"Satoru," he said quietly, gesturing for his son to come. "Come with me."
The weight in his voice made Hanako's heart tighten.
After so many years of marriage, she no longer needed words to understand her husband. One look at his expression, and she knew something serious had happened.
Still, she managed to stay composed. Placing a gentle hand on Satoru's arm, she said softly, "Your father's calling you. Go on."
Satoru nodded and rose to follow.
Outside, two figures were waiting—Hyuga Hizashi and the clan elder Hyuga Shin.
So it wasn't just his father—both were present as well.
"Come," Hiashi said simply, leading the way toward the study.
They walked in silence through the dimly lit corridors, a suffocating heaviness hanging over them.
Once inside the study, Hiashi closed the door and faced his son directly.
"Satoru," he said solemnly, "your father… is going to the front lines."
"In my absence, you will listen to your great-granduncle. Train hard. Learn all you can."
"The family… will be in your care."
His tone was calm—but his eyes were heavy, his face grave, as if he were leaving behind his final will.
And in that still moment, Satoru realized—his father wasn't simply going to war.
He was being sent to it.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/Nova5tudios