Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

"Ahem! Now that everyone is here, let's begin the meeting. Please review the documents on the table," the Third Hokage announced, glancing around the room.

The meeting commenced as usual. Ever since the war began, these meetings had become routine, held every few days, though the topics rarely changed. They primarily focused on the ongoing war at the frontlines.

To Shinki, these meetings were tedious and repetitive.

Look at Akimichi Tofu—he was practically dozing off.

Shinki leaned back in his chair, half-listening, his mind wandering. Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku, seated behind him, paid close attention.

The simple meeting dragged on for over three hours before it finally concluded.

If it weren't for the need for an ANBU representative, Shinki would have preferred to stay in his lab, experimenting with puppet materials, rather than waste time here.

"Shinki, do you have time for a meal and a chat?"

As soon as the meeting ended, Shinki stood to leave, but Hyuga Hiashi quickly caught up to him with an invitation.

"Sure," Shinki agreed, noting that it was around dinner time. It was hard to turn down a free meal.

The reason for Hiashi's invitation was obvious—he hadn't given up yet.

Outside a familiar barbecue restaurant, Shinki hesitated and asked, "Can we pick another place?"

Hiashi blinked in surprise. "The Akimichi family's barbecue is famous throughout the village..."

"That's not what I meant," Shinki clarified. "I've just been eating barbecue for several days in a row, and I'd like a change. The Akimichi barbecue is great, but even the best food gets tiring if you eat it every day." Recently, Shinki had been invited to dinners by Orochimaru, Uchiha Fugaku, Hatake Sakumo, and now Hyuga Hiashi—and each one chose a barbecue restaurant.

Shinki was over it.

Realizing this, Hiashi quickly picked another restaurant.

Once seated, Hiashi opened the conversation. "Mihui has been bothering you lately, hasn't she?"

"..."

How could he say that out loud?

Shinki rolled his eyes. Thankfully, his new eyes allowed for expressions like this. He sipped his tea, settling into his seat with his legs crossed. He never liked the formal kneeling position.

"Let's skip the pleasantries, Hiashi. Mihui is a delightful person, and I enjoy her company. But I've always been curious—why did you and the clan elders agree to send someone from the main family?"

The Uchiha clan had the guts to push Uchiha Mikoto forward to build ties, which was impressive. But the Hyuga clan? Traditionally, they would never push a main family member out. At most, they'd send someone from the branch family, as the main family members were considered treasures.

This move had surprised everyone.

"It was my idea," Hiashi admitted. "My father supported me and convinced the other elders."

Hiashi had spearheaded the effort to bring Hyuga Mihui into the picture to strengthen their bond with Shinki. His father's support had been crucial in persuading the more conservative elders.

Shinki raised an eyebrow. "I heard Mihui was being groomed as the future clan leader's wife."

Hiashi nodded calmly. "Choosing a suitable alliance for the clan is important, but I believe gaining your support would be far more valuable for our future."

"..."

Wow.

Shinki had to admit, Hiashi was shrewd. But would choosing a different partner affect the birth of little Hinata? And what about Uchiha Fugaku—if he had married someone other than Mikoto, would Itachi and Sasuke still have been born? Would they look the same?

Given Fugaku's average looks, Itachi and Sasuke's fame as handsome icons was largely thanks to Mikoto's exceptional genes. Without her...

"You're relentless," Shinki said, smirking at Hiashi's persistence.

Hiashi sought Shinki's guidance whenever possible and invited him out often. Even when met with rejection, he remained undeterred.

"Young Patriarch, I won't sugarcoat things. If you truly want to transform the Hyuga clan but can't change the rules or heritage, start with how the branch family is treated and address the arrogance of the main family."

"Why is there such deep resentment between the main family and the branch family?"

"Beyond the caged bird curse, the main reason is the poor treatment of the branch family and the arrogance of the main family. If this continues, it's only natural for resentment to build. If you want to change the clan, start there."

Hiashi couldn't remove the caged bird curse or alter the family's inheritance traditions. But if he couldn't make big changes, he could focus on smaller, impactful ones—reducing the main family's arrogance and improving the branch family's status and treatment.

"If you achieve those goals, the conflicts between the main and branch families will ease," Shinki said.

"Will that really work?" Hiashi's eyes lit up with hope.

Shinki rolled his eyes again. Even the young leader who wanted to mend the family's internal relations had a trace of the main family's pride.

"Of course."

Shinki continued, "From the start, the main family's pride has been the problem—even yours, Hiashi. If you show a bit of humility, people won't think any less of you. Look at the Uchiha clan."

"The head of the Uchiha doesn't consider himself above others, but does anyone think less of them for it?"

"Why is Uchiha Fugaku so respected and admired within his clan?"

"He never acts superior. He treats his clan members as equals, which earns him their loyalty and respect over time."

The Hyuga clan prided themselves too much, even Hiashi. But when compared to the Uchiha—whom the Hyuga regarded as their main rival—it was clear who had earned more loyalty.

"But..."

Hiashi hesitated. It wasn't that he couldn't be humble; he could treat his clan members as equals like Fugaku. The problem was that the rest of the main family wouldn't accept it.

"No buts."

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