2… 4… 8… 16. Each set of Neji's movements towards the dummy becomes faster and faster, his Byakugan is strained to the limit.
32!
Neji gritted his teeth, feeling frustrated inside of him.
64! Pow! The last dot on the dummy abdomen is hit with accuracy, blasting the dummy meters away.
Neji. Remember, your only purpose is to protect the main branch.
Neji felt hatred towards the main clan. First is the bird cage that gives control over his life to anyone in the main branch. Then his own father is sacrificed. And finally…
Neji slammed his fist against a nearby tree. The reminder that he is responsible to protect Hinata. He already mastered 8 Triagram Palms, and no one taught him personally. He watched they use it, take it as his own and learn it all himself.
Hinata can't even hit 64 palms yet!
Why do I have to protect a weakling? Why is she even the heir to the clan? If she's that capable, why would she need protection?
The answer is, it had nothing to do with capabilities. With the escalation of war, the Hyuga members proceed in their own way. Hiashi watches over Hinata and Neji's training. His face is stern as always, but he does worry for both of them. While he worries for Neji because he is his brother's son, Neji's responsibility is still clear - he needs to protect Hinata.
For Hinata, Hiashi engrained the teachings of the secret techniques of the Hyuga clan, 8 trigram 64 palms and Revolving Heaven.
As for Neji, he really only shows him the gentle fist without its real technique. The 64 palms require a certain set of movements and motions, and patterns improved over the generations so there's no gap in their defense when they utilize the technique.
Everyone in the clan has Byakugan and can see tenketsu points. And everyone could strike the tenketsu point. But without the right guidance, the right pattern, the right movements, the openings you leave when you attack, the time it takes to finish all 64 palms, a lot of things can go wrong.
However Neji derived the main method from mere observation and training himself hard.
And yet… even if he's exceptional, his only destiny is to be a slave to the side branch…
If you are to die on the battlefield… that's your own weakness…!
Neji glared at Hinata secretly, already having thoughts that he definitely won't do anything if he sees Hinata in danger.
He even hopes all main branches are wiped out in the battle that's about to come. But as usual, he knows that's impossible. The main branch will send the side branch to the forefront, while they remain at the back, staying at safer positions, throwing the side branch as cannon fodder, as sacrificial pawns.
But what can Neji do? Nothing.
***
Hiashi received a notice of visit from his servant. Hearing its Uzumaki Tsuyu, he welcomed her into the dojo.
"Tsuyu, it's been some times".
"Hiashi-sama, it's been a while indeed. You look in good health as always".
"Hn. You are here to see Hinata, I presume…". Hiashi turned to look at Hinata.
Hiashi has trained Hinata even with more effort the past days ever since unrest start to simmer in the village.
It's not just the Hyuga clan, all Shinobi clans within Konoha had the same pressure on them. It's rare to see a free Shinobi around too; because all of them are busy taking missions. To keep up the appearance that Konoha is still strong, the Shinobi are busy. After all, if the Daimyo, lord of the lands, the nobles, all lost confidence in them, they would be abandoned and they would have declared surrender before war could even start.
But this is the last they wanted. Having their lands taken away means taking away their money, their power and status, frankly speaking. The effect towards people born to the land taken away is second - having their riches drained outside of their home, leaving them poor and suffering and not able to enjoy the resources they gather themselves just to enrich the main land.
It has always been this way when it comes to takeover.
If the Daimyo decide to surrender and bow down to other countries directly - it wouldn't stop them from taking more lands from the Land of Fire. It would only make them more greedy to take ALL of it if they see such a weakness.
In the view of higher ups, they have to show resistance. Despite Konoha's current predicament, resistance will still cause losses to other countries and would make negotiations more favourable towards them, so in the overall situation, they can minimize their losses.
Then what about the soldiers that they the higher ups, believes will lose anyways in the end had to say regarding this?
Shinobi cannot say anything regarding this matter. The Daimyo and the nobles already believed they would lose. But they still engage in war instead of surrendering, sending the soldiers to die just to reduce their losses.
In overall view, even if more lands are taken, the people might become poor. But they would live. Those are working forces, those who contribute to the economy, and it's not like civilians would die just because the owner of the land changed.
Living poorly is better than dying. And in most cases, the change is only a lowered living lifestyle. Or might not even change anything. It's just the change of the owner of the lands, and it's up to the new owner. If the citizens are treated just the same as previously - and the taxes, the subsidy, the security of the people is maintained by the new lord, there's nothing changed for the people. What changed is to whom they pay tax to, to whom the riches go to. If the new lord is a tyrant, a greedy one, then the people will suffer.
Any wise ruler wouldn't be cruel to its citizens, and maintaining the system and treatment only helps maintain the amount of resources generated by the land after the takeover. Changing the balance by raising the tax or slaving them just because it's a foreign land taken from others would lead to lowered production and if they are extreme, people would run away and even rebel.
So in overall view, war only benefits the rich and the higher ups. And if these higher ups have a brain and don't feel greedy for immediate, short-term riches, the citizens should be least affected.
Coming back to Hyuga compound…
"Yes. It's been a while. I planned to hang out with her, if she had time in her schedule". Tsuyu answered Hiashi.
Hiashi thought it over. Looking over at the Hinata.
"... Then I hope you can fulfill my request. Spar with my daughter. I want to see how much of a gap she had with you".
"A-ah?", Hinata felt a little uncertain, but she still went forward nervously.
Seeing Hinata getting more timid compared to the last time she saw her, she felt something was wrong.
Tsuyu made a seal of confrontation, before readying her posture.
"Hinata. Use all you have. Don't hold back. Think of me as an enemy on the battlefield".
Tsuyu said this and wanted this because she didn't want this girl to throw her life away once the time comes.
"I… I understand". The veins on the side of her eyes popped, her Byakugan pushed to its limit.
"Here I come…!".
***
Sigh. Both Hinata and Hiashi sighed inwardly at the same time, looking at Hinata weakly laying on the floor.
Hinata's problem of holding back seemed to become worse.
Was it… because she's afraid?
Afraid of the upcoming graduation, the start of life as a Shinobi, and the fear of truly stepping onto a bloody path soon.
Hinata was already the kind of person afraid to hurt someone. Killing someone is another level of matter. Hinata must have felt the pressure.
Tsuyu looked at Hiashi. Hiashi looked at her. There's some mutual understanding.
Seeing Hinata weakly standing up, she pulled her up and patted her shoulders.
"It's been a while since you last hang out with Naruto. You must have missed that". Tsuyu said low enough for Hiashi to not hear.
"W-what…! I… I…-", Hinata blushed red.
"I am not sure if you even hang out with him in class after I am gone", knowing Hinata's shy self, she is a passive person.
"I…". Hinata recalled. In fact… over time, Naruto starts to eat lunch or chat with the other boys more. And because she almost never initiated a conversation, and bad at it even if Naruto tried to talk to her - Naruto naturally would hang out with others more. With Tsuyu before they always sit with her. This development is natural, since Tsuyu had always been the mediator. Once she graduates and isn't even in academy anymore it's entirely up to Hinata and well, she can't do it.
Tsuyu smiled slightly.
"Come on, let's see Naruto". Tsuyu said jokingly.
As the two were going in a certain direction, Tsuyu had to ask her and try to help her seeing Hinata being quiet.
"Are you afraid…?". It's clear what Tsuyu is referring to.
"... A little", Hinata looked down, as if guilty. It's an admission that she does feel afraid, and not ready. Not just about the potential of killing or dying. It's also about the whole responsibility of a Shinobi. The responsibility and expectation as the heir of the Hyuga clan, and the weight of expectation from her father. What if she failed?
"... You are the heir to the Hyuga clan".
This too, is a destiny. Hinata is raised as a Shinobi her whole life, and her dream is to uphold the Hyuga clan and become worthy as an heir. But if there's no one forcing those responsibilities and ideas on her since she's a child, if Hiashi didn't give reward and punishments, showing his love only when Hinata fulfilled his expectations, would she independently choose to become a Shinobi? Tsuyu felt it's unlikely. But it's already too late to think over that.
Tsuyu thought over the right motivational factor for her.
"As the heir, you should be positioned at the safest position. I wouldn't worry too much". Tsuyu said this for certain.
"...", her brows furrowed. Even if she feels it's true, she felt uncomfortable hearing it. The truth about the main and side branch, the unfairness of it. So that still makes her feel guilty.
"... Hinata, what do you think about… Neji".
"He… I thought of him like a brother".
Tsuyu looked forward, muttering the next sentence served cold.
"As the side branch, he would have to protect your life first, his own life second. Unless you get yourself together… unless you become strong enough to protect yourself, you will kill him someday".
This ominous word is almost a premonition.
"I-!", Hinata felt her heart being pierced by a needle. It felt like cold water poured all over her body.
"... I know you cared about him. So… you know what to do".
Hinata felt the wake-up call hitting her nerves. The responsibility over someone's life, is much greater than her own.
"… thank you for reminding me, Tsuyu". She was finally able to look up at her.
"Good". Tsuyu smiled slightly.
***
"Hinata…!", Naruto is surprised she's here too visiting their home.
Suddenly a small dog jumped onto her face, licking her.
"Akamaru…-".
"Hey~ thought you are cooped in your clan". Kiba makes himself known.
"Kiba. Naruto… Sasuke… Sakura too".
"Come come! We are playing this awesome card game!". Naruto called out.
Sakura is entirely free as a civilian and Naruto likes her so she decides to pull her in with Sasuke as bait. Tsuyu gathered them up casually for a hang out just to cheer that brother of his a little, let him see there's people around him.
"Ah…? O-okay…".
The sound of laughter from Kiba, mockery from Sasuke, angry shouts from Sakura, and Hinata's low voices mixed together. Tsuyu played along just because.
With games won and lost, the members turned to conversations.
"Sasuke-kun~ where do you live now actually?", Sakura raised her courage to ask now that she had a chance to hang out with him.
The Uchiha compound is not rebuilt yet since it's at the farthest side of the village. Or perhaps, because there's literally 1 Uchiha member remaining, the higher ups put the Uchiha clan ground as the least priority to be rebuilt. Sasuke can live anywhere anyways.
Sasuke felt embarrassed to admit it. Before he could even give an excuse-
"He sleeps with me!", Naruto said almost too excitedly.
Kiba gasps in shock, having entirely different ideas. Hinata and Sakura look just as shocked, turning their heads to Sasuke for confirmation.
"Ergh. Yes…".
"H-How…!", Sakura felt her world spinning.
"You don't do anything weird to him, do you Naruto!?!". Sakura felt anxious, as if Sasuke-kun would be snatched away.
"Haaa? What weird thing!". Naruto felt angry that he's being accused of something… not sure what but it sounds bad.
"Weird… weird thing…", Hinata's face turned red and she fainted on the spot.
"GAHAHA. So is it like the same bed-". Kiba fanned the flame.
"Huh. What's wrong with that", Naruto had a questioning innocent look on his face
"NOOO!", Sakura felt like crying. She wished it's her-
Hinata that had just woken up from fainting, fainted again at the idea of being in Sasuke's position.
"So… same blanket?", Kiba grinned again.
"No! That idiot always hogs it all. I had my own. Stop imagining things".
"What! I don't! You are the one who hog it! Teme!".
"Idiot! How would you know? You sleep like a dead log and move around taking up my space. At times I almost fall out of bed".
"No way! You are just exaggerating! I never fall out of bed, I don't move at all!".
"What's this? Bedroom trouble? Hehe", Kiba snorted in laughter.
"It's just sleeping. What the hell are you guys thinking!". Sasuke for once in a blue moon said in indignation filled with emotion. He distanced himself from Naruto to avoid misunderstanding.
But who in class didn't know the two kissed once- there's some underground joke about the two of them. Rival to lover theme. Fujoshis exist in all of the universe…
Tsuyu shook her head. These brats are too young to think weirdly. Or maybe they are reaching puberty? Anyways… She believes Naruto is straight. Since he likes Sakura.
Or… hmm…? Is he?
She looks at Naruto suspiciously. Thinking about it he seems a little too close to Sasuke and Kiba. The way his shoulder brushes in contact with Kiba almost too comfortably, as if enjoying the contact and warmth… and then he always tries to mess with Sasuke for no reason for his attention… no, it's just her imagination and exaggeration.
Can't believe I am infected by these brats…
***