Konoha, Just Like Kizaru

In Konoha, within the Hyuga clan's territory

Four Hyuga ninjas stood guard around Hyuga Lindy's courtyard. Among them was a veteran Jōnin, seated and alert.

Inside the courtyard, an elderly woman, likely in her sixties or seventies, sat beside Lindy. Her hands gently held Lindy's, her tone soft and persuasive.

"Lindy, you've grown into a fine young woman," the old woman said warmly. 

"I've watched you since you were small. Now, the elders have chosen you to be the wife of the future clan patriarch. This is an honor!"

Her eyes glimmered as she continued, clearly trying to convince Lindy.

"When you become the patriarch's wife, we old ladies can finally relax," the elderly woman said with a warm smile. 

"And don't forget about us. I always doted on you when you were little! Remember to put in a good word for me with the patriarch, alright?"

Lindy kept her head down, silent as usual. That's her nature, she doesn't like to talk

Her mind wandered briefly to her past. Her parents had both perished on the battlefield when she was very young, leaving her all alone.

Without family to support her, she grew up without the protection or backing most children her age took for granted.

And, she especially likes to bully her.

From childhood to adulthood, she endured without anyone to stand up for her.

When she finally became a ninja, tragedy struck again—her entire team was wiped out. She barely escaped, only to nearly be trafficked to the daimyo as a slave because of her Byakugan.

Then, he appeared in her life.

Like a ray of sunshine piercing her dark world, he gave her a reason to believe her life had meaning once more.

Even after returning to the clan and being labeled a "bad omen," she didn't care. He had given her hope.

Her family members and teammates were lost to tragedy.

But she no longer cares.

Now, she has her own friends—true friends.

They don't judge her origins or her quiet nature. They care only about her feelings and thoughts.

Simu, though lazy most of the time, is unwaveringly reliable when it matters.

Minato, calm and thoughtful, always brings a steady presence.

Kushina, carefree yet reserved, clearly has feelings for Simu but doesn't have the courage to express them.

These bonds gave Lindy the strength to protect Simu from an attack despite having her chakra sealed during the Kumo Shinobi invasion and push him to rescue Kushina instead.

They're truly a group of warm and selfless people.

Her black hair fell over her face as Lindy gently held the small snail-shaped phone bug in her palm—the one Simu had entrusted to her. Yet, she had sealed it herself.

It's precisely because of these cherished bonds that she refused to drag them into her troubles out of selfishness.

Even if Simu is Konoha's genius, he's not yet a match for the power of the Hyuga clan...

The kindly old woman sitting before Lindy was merely an acquaintance of her parents from decades ago.

Before being named the fiancée of the new patriarch, Lindy could never have imagined the constant flow of visitors now filling her once-quiet courtyard.

Meanwhile, in the Hyuga clan's ancestral hall, Hyuga Teruchi, the current patriarch, sat on the ceremonial throne.

Around him were several elders of the main family—the elite guardians of the Hyuga's purest bloodline.

Within the Hyuga clan, only one descendant from each main branch is permitted to inherit this most authentic lineage.

Take the current patriarch, Hyuga Teruchi, as an example.

He had twin sons, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi.

Although they were born just minutes apart, Hyuga Hiashi, being the elder, became the designated heir to lead the Hyuga clan.

Hyuga Hizashi, born a few moments later, was relegated to the branch house.

Every member of a branch house is marked with the Caged Bird Seal before the age of ten, a curse mark controlled by the main family to enforce their authority.

This system forms the foundation of the Hyuga clan's hierarchical rule.

As the patriarch's eldest son, Hyuga Hiashi's marriage is not a matter of personal choice but carries significant political weight.

"Kazan, has the matter of Hyuga Lindy been resolved?" asked the Great Elder seated nearby.

Hyuga Kazan, representing the branch family, nodded slightly, her tone subdued. "It's been handled."

The elders lifted their weary eyes, their expressions heavy. "Is that so?"

Under their piercing gazes, Hyuga Kazan hesitated but finally spoke the truth. "After my investigation, it appears Hyuga Lindy has feelings for someone, and he's not from the Hyuga clan."

"Who is it?" one of the elders demanded.

"A young man named Hanyu Simu," Kazan replied. 

"He's an orphan who grew up in an orphanage."

Hearing this, many of the Hyuga elders showed disdain.

"He's just an orphan. How can he compare to the dignity and luxury of the patriarch's wife?"

"Surely Hyuga Lindy isn't so short-sighted, is she?"

To these elders, power and status were far more important than love. Love, they believed, could fade at any moment. 

But as long as one held power and status, they would never be betrayed.

Hyuga Kazan shook her head, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "It would be great if that were the case." 

"The problem is, Hyuga Lindy has been without parents since she was young. She places great value on emotions."

"The other clan members didn't give her enough care, which led to a strained relationship with the family," Hyuga Kazan explained.

At this, one elder scoffed. "Care? What does a child from a branch house need care for? Isn't it the role of the branch house to serve the main family?"

The other elders nodded in agreement, stroking their beards.

Years of power had made these elders forget the meaning of respect. To them, the branch houses were merely tools to uphold their power and status. 

There was no need for respect toward such tools.

Naturally, Hyuga Lindy, a mere orphan from the branch house, wouldn't receive special attention from the main family.

The key point, however, was that no one had expected this branch house orphan to have the purest Byakugan in the entire Hyuga clan.

The Great Elder explained the situation.

"Under the leadership of the main family, the Hyuga clan has ensured the purity of the main family bloodline. But after all these years, it has still weakened compared to our ancestors' bloodline."

"Although the bloodlines of the branch houses are mixed, there are enough of them, so the occurrence of atavism isn't unexpected."

The Great Elder struck the ground with his crutch.

"In the end, it's the Hyuga clan's ancestral rule to marry the woman with the purest Byakugan to the patriarch's heir. Even if Hokage himself were to intervene, he could not change it!"

As one of the most powerful families in Konoha, the Hyuga clan had the confidence to make such a declaration.

With Hyuga Lindy's pure Byakugan and the most prestigious bloodline of the Hyuga clan, a remarkable heir—perhaps the most powerful in the clan's history—will surely be born!

The Great Elder was full with thoughts of how to restore the Hyuga clan's glory. 

Naturally, Hyuga Teruchi, despite being the clan head, had no choice but to fully respect the opinions of the elders.

In the middle of the night, Hyuga Teruchi was suddenly awakened by a violent cough. 

His wife quickly rushed to his side, patting him on the back to help.

"Husband, are you alright?"

Hyuga Teruchi coughed violently, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. 

A pool of bright red stained the white fabric. He looked at it, clenching his fists tightly.

His gaze grew firm in the darkness. He knew—he had to make Hiashi the patriarch before he died.

The next morning, without warning, the Hyuga clan gathered to greet and send off their visitors, filling the air with excitement.

Today was the day of the patriarch's enthronement and wedding ceremony. 

All activities were held in the square in front of the ancestral hall.

To prepare for the event, Hyuga meticulously arranged the square, making it beautiful for the occasion.

Patriarch Hyuga Teruchi, despite enduring physical pain, stood as one of the key figures today. 

With a sincere smile, he greeted many guests, engaging in conversation.

The visitors were all prominent figures. 

Major families from Konoha, including Akamichi, Shimura, Nara, Yamanaka, and Sarutobi, sent their top representatives. 

Some were even personally congratulated by the patriarch himself.

Even Uchiha Suzuki, the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, who had a tense relationship with the Hyuga family, attended the ceremony in person. 

As for Konoha's most powerful figure, the third Hokage, he was expected to make his appearance later in the event.

The ceremony began with Hyuga Hiashi taking the oath as the new patriarch. 

He then bowed to the Hyuga ancestors in the ancestral hall, offering incense.

Next came the bride. The moment Lindy appeared, all eyes turned to her. 

Her snow-white kimono-style wedding dress almost blended seamlessly with her pale skin. 

Her short black hair was elegantly styled, coiled at the back of her head.

Lindy's slender neck was exposed, and her pale eyes carried a trace of sadness, resembling a lone white swan. 

The various pieces of jewelry she wore added a touch of elegance to her appearance.

Hyuga Hiashi looked at her. Although he didn't feel much affection for Lindy, he couldn't help but think that having such a beautiful wife might not be so bad. 

But for some reason, ever since waking up that morning, he had felt a strange unease in his heart.

Barriers had been set up around the Hyuga clan's compound, with four Hyuga ninjas stationed at the entrances, collecting invitations. 

Not just anyone could attend such an important clan ceremony.

"It's Lord Sarutobi Shinnosuke, welcome!" The four Hyuga ninjas greeted him with polite smiles.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was the eldest son of the Hokage and, if nothing else happened, he would become the future head of the Sarutobi clan.

Shinnosuke nodded slightly and said, "My father has something to attend to, so he'll come later to congratulate Hyuga Clan in person."

The Hyuga ninja quickly replied, "No problem at all. Lord Hokage is always busy. Please, come in!"

Once Sarutobi Shinnosuke entered, the Hyuga ninjas began talking among themselves.

"As expected of the Hyuga clan, even Hokage-sama shows us respect."

"Hmph, we are Konoha's strongest ninja."

"Quiet, someone's coming."

They looked up and saw a man in yellow sunglasses and a white coat walking casually towards the clan grounds, hands in his pockets.

"Stop! Do you have an invitation?"

Simu slowly took off his sunglasses and replied, "Sorry, I'm here to steal a bride."

.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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