"No! Hinata is the sole heir of the main family, she cannot go with you!"
Hyuga Hiashi's eye veins were bulging slightly. He really regretted the gamble he made back then. Lin Yu, who couldn't use Gentle Fist and didn't possess the Byakugan, what could he possibly teach Hinata?
He disagreed!
Lin Yu gently picked up Hinata and said to Hiashi, "You can have another child!"
"Uzumaki Lin Yu! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Hyuga Hiashi's words were practically a roar, the veins on his forehead bulging like when the Byakugan was activated.
Even Hyuga Hizashi, standing beside him, looked furious. Wasn't he indirectly referring to him?
Lin Yu looked at the angry pair and was slightly taken aback. He then remembered the Hyuga clan's tradition: there could only be one heir from the main family. Having another child would mean abandoning Hinata or being unfair to the other.
According to tradition, the first child of the head of the main family was the heir, and the second became a branch family member.
Just like Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi, one inherited the main family, and the other had to be marked with the Caged Bird seal, their lives not under their own control.
From Hyuga Hiashi's perspective, Lin Yu's words meant that his daughter Hinata would be branded with the Caged Bird. How could he not be enraged?
"Sorry, that's not what I meant."
Lin Yu continued, "I think your clan's Caged Bird is a waste of effort. Look at that family with the red eyes next door, they don't have so many troubles!"
"We Hyuga and the Uchiha are different!"
Hyuga Hiashi glanced at his brother and said, "The Caged Bird is actually a form of protection for our clan members. In battle, bloodline limit clans are often the primary targets of enemies, and we Hyuga are no exception."
"But since the Caged Bird curse seal was implemented, enemies know that even if they kill a Hyuga member, they can't obtain the Byakugan, making it not worth the effort. Therefore, our Hyuga clan's casualties are fewer than other major clans."
Lin Yu stroked Hinata's head dismissively, "Isn't that just an excuse for your own weakness?"
"You simply don't understand what I mean!" Hyuga Hiashi didn't want to argue with Lin Yu about this. Although he had some doubts about the Caged Bird system internally, he had no choice. Once branded with the Caged Bird, it could not be removed except by death.
Lin Yu said, "I don't need to understand what you mean. If I were you, and someone dared to steal the Byakugan, no matter how vast the ninja world is, there would be no place that would dare to protect them!"
Hyuga Hiashi fell silent for a long time. On the other hand, Hyuga Hizashi's impression of Lin Yu improved considerably. His words resonated with him. Who wouldn't resent the Caged Bird system, where their lives are not their own?
He also hated the Caged Bird system, but for his dear elder brother Hiashi, he, Hyuga Hizashi, was willing!
Hyuga Hiashi stated resolutely, "There is no need to discuss this further. This is the tradition of the Hyuga clan, and it cannot be changed!"
Lin Yu said no more. Nothing is truly unchangeable; it's all about having insufficient strength and status.
If Lin Yu were the Hokage now, the strongest in the ninja world, Hyuga Hiashi wouldn't dare to utter a single word of protest.
The scene fell silent. Hinata, held by Lin Yu, rested her small head on his shoulder, her face flushed. She hadn't heard anything of the conversation between Lin Yu and her father. Her mind had gone blank.
Already timid by nature, she never expected that this handsome brother she met for the first time would hold her. For a moment, she forgot to struggle.
No, perhaps even if she hadn't forgotten, she wouldn't have struggled. Because besides blushing, Hinata's body was tense, making any extra movement impossible.
After a long while, a few words finally escaped Hyuga Hiashi's lips.
"Have you held her enough!"
Lin Yu gave a provocative look, "What's wrong with me holding my disciple?"
"Hinata belongs to our family, not yours!"
"She will be part of my family soon!"
"You're talking nonsense!"
Hyuga Hiashi rolled up his sleeves. Hyuga Hizashi quickly grabbed him, "Elder brother, don't be impulsive!"
He left out the unspoken words: Even if we're impulsive, we can't beat him!
Lin Yu wanted to put Hinata down but found her body stiffly held, her small hands tightly gripping his collar, her face growing hotter.
Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and said sternly, "Lin Yu, you can be Hinata's teacher, but you can't teach her Gentle Fist. How about being an extracurricular interest teacher?"
Hyuga Hiashi chose to take a step back because he knew Lin Yu had a good relationship with the Fourth Hokage, and they were considered classmates, their relationship not being too bad.
"No problem."
Lin Yu readily agreed. He indeed couldn't teach Gentle Fist, but he didn't intend to teach such things to Hinata anyway. He wasn't a proper teacher.
Hyuga Hiashi breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to break his promise and fall out with Lin Yu, which would be bad for both sides.
Fortunately, Lin Yu still gave him, the Hyuga clan head, some face! The heir of the main family was safe!
Lin Yu thought: Hanabi is five years younger than Hinata, meaning when Hinata enters the Ninja Academy, Hiashi will likely be disappointed in Hinata!
Hyuga Hiashi regained his composed demeanor, "Hizashi, escort Lin Yu out."
Hyuga Hizashi also had the intention of talking to Lin Yu. Although he knew it was unlikely, he still wanted to find someone who could understand his inner thoughts and vent his frustrations.
His elder brother was initially the best candidate, but as the clan head, some things were difficult to express directly.
"Esteemed Lin Yu, please..."
Lin Yu waved his hand, "The Cloud Village is coming to Konoha, you all should know that, right?"
"We know, that's why the Hokage mobilized the elite of our Hyuga clan. Otherwise, the gate wouldn't have been smashed by you!"
Hyuga Hiashi, at this point, remembered the pain in his leg. Damn Uzumaki Lin Yu!
"That was an accident!"
Lin Yu continued, "I suspect the Cloud Village has ulterior motives, possibly targeting Konoha Village's bloodline limits."
Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes and said, "You think their target is our Hyuga clan?"
However, immediately, Hyuga Hiashi shook his head, "That's impossible. We Hyuga have the Caged Bird. Even if they took it, it would be useless."
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hinata in Lin Yu's arms and suddenly exclaimed, "Could their target be..."
Lin Yu nodded, "I think it's very likely!"
Hyuga Hiashi's expression also became solemn. If this were true, he had to treat it with caution.
"I understand this matter. I will protect Hinata well."
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Lin Yu, who was smiling, and frowned, "What are you smiling about?"
"I have an excellent plan!"
"What?"
Lin Yu, holding the soft and fragrant Hinata, smiled, "Let Hinata stay at my place for a few days!"
Hyuga Hiashi roared, "You wish!"
"Come on! Let's have a fight!"
Hyuga Hizashi covered his face. This time, he truly couldn't stop them. He hoped Lin Yu would go easy on him!