On December 27th, the delegation from the Hidden Cloud finally arrived in Konoha.
After many twists and delays, the calendar had already turned to Year 55 of the Konoha Era. The snow had begun to melt, the spring thaw setting in, and the air grew warmer with each passing day.
Amid this, the matter of Hyūga Neji's apprenticeship was placed on the agenda.
After discussions between Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Gen, the decision was made; a formal apprenticeship ceremony would be held.
It was not just about a boy taking a master. This would be a public declaration that the Hyūga and Uchiha stood united, advancing and retreating together as one.
The ceremony was scheduled to take place at the Uchiha compound. Invitations, issued jointly by the two great clans, were delivered to Konoha's high officials, the heads of the major clans, and other influential figures in the village.
On the morning of January 10th, Year 55, guests began to arrive one after another. Depending on their rank, each clan arranged appropriate reception.
When high-ranking Konoha officials appeared, Gen and Hiashi personally went to receive them. For mid-tier clans such as the Ino–Shika–Chō, respected elders handled the welcome.
The ceremony had yet to begin, and the wide, elegant courtyard hummed with voices. The adults mingled and exchanged polite chatter, while the younger generation were given their own space to meet.
Though the day belonged to Neji, Hiashi had also brought young Hinata.
Hyūga Neji, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, and the other heirs of the great clans—the second generation of Konoha—were almost all present. It was, in essence, a gathering of the future "Konoha Twelve."
Uchiha Itachi, already older, kept a quiet watch over the brats to prevent any real trouble.
The intent behind the invitations was clear; to let the younger generation of each clan interact and form ties. Thus, every clan head had dutifully brought their children.
At first, the children were shy and reserved. But soon, even the precocious Shikamaru loosened up and began to join in.
And yet, beneath the innocent play, the faint outlines of Konoha's current power dynamics could already be seen.
As Sasuke and Naruto were inseparable. Neji and Hinata, due to the Uchiha–Hyūga alliance, were drawn close to Sasuke and Naruto.
The heirs of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, who were raised almost as siblings, were naturally bound tightly together.
If heirs of the Sarutobi clan had been of age, the bonds would have extended to them as well.
In fact, among the rest, Ino Yamanaka showed a clear friendliness toward Sasuke, not only because of his looks, but also thanks to the now-cordial ties between the Yamanaka and Uchiha clans.
Inuzuka Kiba was his usual boisterous self, the kind of child who could fit in anywhere.
Aburame Shino quietly hovered on the edges, overlooked, but never rejected, embodying the Aburame's trademark low presence.
Before the ceremony began, the village's higher-ups arrived precisely on time.
Yet, both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were conspicuously absent. Instead, only Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu came on behalf of the Hokage's office.
That choice alone spoke volumes. The shrewd clan heads immediately understood the subtext.
If it were to be summed up in two words, it was simple: dread.
Dread of the Uchiha and Hyūga joining hands. and Dread of provoking open confrontation.
Hiruzen avoided appearing himself, unwilling to escalate matters but still sent representatives to show a veneer of respect.
The reactions of the gathered clans varied as one would expect; Some grew uneasy, worrying that turmoil would engulf the village, and that their clans might be dragged in and crushed in the crossfire. Others were secretly eager, already calculating how to profit by playing both sides. Still others resolved to remain utterly low-key, avoiding entanglement at all costs.
But outwardly, everyone wore the same smile. Adults in Konoha were masters of masks, each expression chosen to fit the occasion.
Once the guests had all taken their seats, the ceremony began.
A shinobi's apprenticeship was, at its core, a simple thing—recognition between teacher and student. But with so many honored guests, simplicity would not do.
Thus, the two great clans borrowed the elaborate customs of noble families. In truth, these rituals were complex for complexity's sake. One could call it ceremony—or one could call it theater.
At last, the final step arrived; the disciple's bow and offering of tea.
Neji, dressed in a formal black kimono, knelt respectfully. He kowtowed three times, then took up the tea prepared for him, both hands holding the cup steady as he presented it with a bowed head.
"Sensei, please have some tea."
Gen accepted the cup with a smile, sipped, and set it aside. He placed a hand gently on Neji's head, then produced two scrolls.
"The scroll on the left is the training plan I've made for you. From now on, you must follow it diligently."
"Yes, Teacher. I will complete it with all my effort," Neji said solemnly.
Though he did not fully grasp the larger politics at play, his father had told him clearly of its importance. He would not bring shame to his family.
Gen's eyes softened. "I believe in you. The scroll on the right is a gift."
He lifted the second scroll. "This is specially made. With a drop of blood, you can summon one of my contracted beasts in the future. In a critical moment, it may save your life."
Murmurs rippled through the audience. Envy was clear in many eyes.
For it was known; the creatures Gen forged through his Mangekyō Sharingan were no ordinary summons. Each was formidable, a guardian capable of turning the tide.
"Try it now," Gen instructed.
"Yes, Teacher."
Neji unrolled the scroll, bit his thumb without hesitation, and let a drop of blood fall upon the dark sigils inscribed there.
The black patterns pulsed, writhing as though alive, contracting toward the center and consuming the blood until none remained. Then, with a sharp poof, a puff of white smoke rose—and the scroll itself vanished from Neji's hands.
At that very moment, in a sealed box elsewhere within the compound, a new name appeared upon Gen's master summoning scroll.
"Hold out your hand," Gen said.
"Yes, Teacher."
Though unsure why, Neji obediently offered his hand. Gen brushed his palm over the boy's wound, and a vibrant green light bloomed. The cut closed instantly, leaving only smooth skin behind.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers. Many had not expected Uchiha Gen to possess medical techniques as well.
"Thank you, Teacher," Neji said brightly, warmed not just by healing, but by the care it carried.
Gen only nodded, saying nothing more.
With that, the ceremony concluded.
It was still early for dinner, and the two great clans had no intention of holding a large public banquet. One by one, the guests offered farewells and departed.
The Hyūga, however, remained. Hiashi with his daughter, and Hizashi with his son, stayed behind for a shared meal.
At Mikoto's warm invitation, Kushina and Naruto also remained.
With so many people, Mikoto alone could not manage, so cooks from the Uchiha compound were brought in to assist.
The meal itself was formal, plentiful, and lively. There was nothing more of note to record—only the quiet satisfaction of two great clans bound closer than ever.