"So it's true... These really are events that will happen."
Not just the Cloud ninja's attempted kidnapping or Hizashi's death. Those were real and indisputable events from the past.
Even the second half of that footage, where he, Hiashi Hyuga, knelt before Neji, bowing his head in apology...
That, too, could very well be something he might actually do in the future.
To outsiders, the very idea would seem absurd.
The head of the Hyuga Clan kneeling before a mere branch family child?
No one would ever think to forge a video like that. It would only invite suspicion.
But Hiashi knew the truth.
Only he understood the weight of his guilt over his brother's death.
If Neji truly carried that grudge toward the main house in his heart... then yes. If kneeling, if bowing his head could make up for it even a little, he would do it. Without hesitation.
Just like the video showed.
So, that footage — was it real?
Most likely, yes. A projection of the actual future.
Then again... why wasn't the footage continuous?
Why was there a gap between the scenes? And how did it switch into flashback mode so seamlessly?
Perhaps the realm of time and space itself was governed by some mysterious force.
After all, ninjutsu in this world already defied logic.
Why should a few rapid hand signs and a little chakra manipulation be enough to summon fire, wind, water, lightning, or earth? What were hand signs really? Why did they work? Why did the Byakugan allow them to see so far, or perceive chakra networks in such detail?
No one could truly explain these things.
They simply didn't conform to the laws of physics.
This world was built on inexplicable forces. Perhaps what some might even call the will of the gods.
In that sense, the idea of future projections being broadcast into the present might not be entirely accurate either.
Now even the past was being shown. And not just shown, but with well-edited flashback sequences.
Clearly, there was some kind of will at work behind it all.
Still, that wasn't his concern.
Just as he never questioned why Fire-style jutsu worked better with hand signs than with a simple shout and clap, he didn't need to know who was behind this system, or what kind of will had established these laws.
All he needed to focus on were two things.
First, this incident clearly had nothing to do with Aoki Sora.
There was no way that boy had the power to make this happen. No way he could have known about events from before he was even born. No way he could have known about Hiashi's guilt over Hizashi, or the fact that he might one day kneel before Neji in apology.
And he certainly couldn't have projected that emotion for the whole world to see.
If Sora really could do all that, he would be on the level of a god.
But he wasn't.
So no, this had nothing to do with him. It was completely beyond his capabilities.
Second, these floating projections really did seem to be based on fact.
Even if some mysterious will had edited them together like scenes in a book, even if it dared to include something as sensitive as a flashback sequence where the Hyuga Clan Head bowed to a mere branch family youth... clearly, whoever or whatever was doing this wasn't concerned about doubt.
It didn't care if people believed or not.
Take it or leave it. Believe me, and you might gain insight — like learning that Neji resents the main house. Don't believe me, and that's fine too. Either way, you can't hurt me, and I lose nothing.
It was precisely this indifference that made the projections feel more real.
Hiashi let out a long sigh.
If all these clips came from actual events... then it was true.
His daughter, Hinata, really would end up falling for that boy, Aoki Sora.
He had originally been planning to put a stop to it.
But now... forget it.
Let it be.
If they were fated to be together, he didn't want to challenge whatever divine force was orchestrating this.
He didn't have the luxury to go picking fights with something that could apparently manipulate time and space.
Only a fool would challenge a force that could rival the will of the world itself.
So fine. Let Hinata go with that boy.
It wasn't like she had much talent to begin with. He had already more or less given up on her.
Thankfully, he still had Hanabi.
Thinking of his younger daughter brought a sense of comfort.
Hanabi's potential was far greater.
With that, Hiashi no longer had the energy or interest to exchange more words with the Third Hokage, who had just been publicly embarrassed in front of the entire world and was now likely to go down in history as the softest Hokage of all time.
Hiashi simply gave a brief farewell, gathered the elders, and returned to the Hyuga estate.
—
"Damn it..."
Hiashi might have accepted reality.
But over at the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was burning with shame.
If that projection had really been broadcast across the entire ninja world... then the fact that Cloud attempted to kidnap Hinata, and the Hyuga Clan was nearly forced to have its head commit suicide to appease the enemy... that was now public knowledge.
Here in Konoha, maybe he could control the media, manipulate public opinion.
But in the other villages?
In other countries?
How could he silence them?
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 450,800,1200 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!