Chapter Text
The blonde jinchuriki, Naruto, just left the Hokage building, looking pretty sunken in thought and miserable. He had just gotten out of a lengthy conversation with his mother figure, and fifth Hokage of the Leaf village, Tsunade Senju...
...and Neji Hyuga. Who dropped by, as he and Naruto, just by mere coincidence, had shared the same brain cells that day, remembered a promise that was made: Change the Hyuga clan. And in-synch, both the Hyuga and the jinchuriki had expressed their genuine concerns over the Hyuga clan.
As Naruto made his way through the streets of Konoha, without any clear end goal in mind, slowly sliding his hands behind the back of his head, while looking at the early afternoon skies above, that convo between him, Neji and Tsunade still remained freshly stuck in his mind. This topic didn't only concern the underdog genius of the Hyuga, but especially his cousin, Hinata. Whom Naruto had grown to truly respect the most out of most shinobi in the village. He thought to himself, as he continued to walk on ahead.
"Sheesh... Why does everything have to be so complicated? It downright STINKS what Neji and Hinata had to go through, because of their own clan... I wish there was something I could do... but... what CAN I do?"
ONE HOUR EARLIER...
Naruto arrived at Tsunade's office door, with Neji crossing his path, just by mere, almost comical coincidence. As he pointed at the Hyuga, asking in an exasperated tone of voice, typical for the tailed beast wielder:
"H-Hey, Neji! What are you doing here?! Don't tell me, you were planning on talking to Grandma Tsunade first!"
With the older Hyuga having grown mildly accustomed to Naruto's ridiculous tendencies, he bashfully looked away with his arms folded, not wanting to admit that, just this once, apparently, the two really did share the same brain cells, in that very moment.
"O-Oh, uh... I could ask the same thing, you know. W-What were you planning on doing?"
The blonde shinobi comically began pouting, folding his arms and imitating Neji's pose, not even looking at him, before commenting:
"Hmph. Why so interested? Unless..."
In comical unison, they verbalize the exact same thoughts, at the same time:
Both: "...It's about Hinata."
Then, they stared at one another, being genuinely shocked at how perfect that timing was. Before getting earnest with one another, as Naruto firmly told Neji the reason, what made him stumble all the way to the Hokage's office.
"But in all seriousness, Neji... remember that promise I made to you, back at the Chunin exams? When you had your whole "fate-is-predetermined-for-everyone-and-you-can't-change-its-course" phase? Welp, that's exactly why I am here today."
This caused the Hyuga prodigy to fold his arms, as, by some almost freakish coincidence, he was thinking about that exact same promise, expressed by his former enemy, from months ago. He replied in kind, growing just as serious as the blonde kitsune.
"Ah, yes. Believe it or not, I bore the exact same thought as you, before getting here. So you remembered?"
But then, his eyes began reflecting a deep-rooted sense of failure and shame, as he had some bad news to break to Naruto.
"However... I hate being the deliverer of bad news, but unfortunately, changing the Hyuga clan from the inside out, has just recently gotten even more difficult. Bordering on the impossible, at this point in time."
Naruto's blood ran cold, with his eyes widening, as he was already getting a vague idea on why that could be.
"...Lemme guess. Is it because you lost to me at the Chunin exams? And due to that, your dear ol' uncle lost a lot of face?"
"That was a contributing factor, but... it's a bit more in-depth than this. Let's take this to the office of Lady Tsunade. I'll explain everything to you there."
"Fair enough."
And in unison, they opened the door to Tsunade Senju's office, with her greeting the Genin, with a cup of coffee in her hands, as she just got away from the desk for a moment to grab herself a cup.
"Good afternoon, Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga. What is it that the two of you wanted to talk to me about?"
Naruto and Neji opened their mouths, once again, in unintentionally comical unison, as they shared the exact same thought, in that moment. But Naruto gestured to the Hyuga, wanting to be more considerate this time, to start first. To which he nodded and met the Hokage's gaze with somewhat sorrow-filled eyes.
"Lady Hokage... I am sure you might have noticed by now that, currently, my clan is undergoing a phase of considerable unrest. Ever since my loss to Naruto, it would seem that the Hyuga elders have grown very undignified over my failure, so now, they have begun to threaten the Side branch even harder. With the Bird Cage seal."
Tsunade's look darkened, as she did indeed take notice of that. And she knew immediately where this interaction was headed. And she knew as well, this was a pretty delicate situation. Taking note of Naruto's shift in demeanor, sensing his increasing unrest over the hold that Neji's uncle had over his side of family and clan. Instinctively, the healing master puts the coffee mug on the side, next to a stash of paper, while leaning her face against her conjoined hands, looking pretty grim.
"Indeed. It's terrible. These elders were already a serious handful when Sarutobi sensei was trying to issue a compromise between the interests of the Main branch and the Side branch, regarding your father, but now... It would seem, they are growing more and more unreasonable by the day."
And it would be bad enough, but then Neji had to bring up something else, and there, he truly hesitated, as this was both his, but also Naruto's biggest sore spot... Hinata.
"The reason for my visit also concerns, well... Hinata."
Naruto was able to sense the genuine unease and hesitation in Neji's tone of voice, as though he knew how he might react, once he learned this news. But the blonde troublemaker will not allow himself to get bullshitted like that. He has to know.
In an almost shaky tone of voice, feeling his blood pressure rising to dangerous levels, with his knuckles clenched tightly, as though he was truly fighting with himself to not burst out in anger, sensing the imminent bombshell to be dropped on him, he asked Neji:
"What about Hinata, Neji...? Tell me. Now."
But needing to stand his ground, not allowing Naruto's bad attitude to spread, Neji firmly tells his former rival:
"...Only, if you are willing to calm down and listen. I know exactly how impulsive you can be, Naruto, so swear to me, that you will preserve this anger of yours, for when the time is right. But now, you need to listen."
Wanting to stay tactful, the jinchuriki did his best to remain calm, bracing himself for what awaits him. He folded his arms, communicating to him that, when it comes to Hinata, he is not up for compromises when it comes to her well-being. And though he remained calm, the vein on his forehead betrayed his true emotion in that moment.
"...Alright. Go on. I am listening."
"Lady Tsunade... I ask of you, to legally relieve Lady Hinata of her title as part of the Main branch."
That request caused Tsunade's eyes to widen, same as Naruto's, as that request bore a deep and dark implication. The medical veteran began wondering in a serious tone of voice, knowing that that measure sounded very drastic. Too drastic for comfort.
"...Are you fully aware of what just left your mouth, Neji? I am fully informed on the state of the Hyuga clan and all of its familial political dynamics, but what you're suggesting... What made you come to it? Did... something happen to your cousin?"
And sure enough, that suspicion proved prophetic, when Neji explained himself:
"The truth is, yes. Ever since my loss to Naruto, and the failure of the Sasuke Retrieval mission, my uncle and the Hyuga elders were pretty insisting on making Lady Hanabi's and especially, Lady Hinata's training regimen even more unforgiving than before. Unsurprising, if you ask me, I am still a member of the Side branch, after all. My existence bears less value, as opposed to the Main branch family. But the point is, I have witnessed firsthand how cold-blooded and inhumane their training methods can get, and I genuinely fear for Lady Hinata's well-being. This is why I want you to get her out of there. Any way you know that isn't breaking any laws. There has to be a way."
Tsunade began scowling, as she could genuinely sympathize with Neji's sentiment, but things aren't as simple as everyone wished them to be. And she had to let him know.
"My sincerest apologies, Neji, but... That would require extensive and lengthy meetings with the Hyuga elders, and with everything going on right now, I am afraid my hands are mildly tied here. After all, Hinata is of royal descent, and someone like her leaving the clan is not small potatoes. Don't get me wrong: It isn't impossible by any means, however, unless we catch Hiashi Hyuga, red-handed, proving your point about him being a danger to Hinata's life, it doesn't leave me with that many options to act. Remember, the Uchiha clan was torn apart over similar levels of internal unrest. One wrong move, and this could turn into a repeat of what type of fate they suffered."
"I understand, Lady Tsunade--"
This was exactly the moment when Naruto reached a breaking point. He has heard enough. He could already tell, this situation is becoming downright messy. But one thing crystalized very clearly to him: Hinata's future was at risk here. He has already seen, during the Chunin exams, how deep-rooted the problems of their clan are, but this level of pettiness, in regards to Neji's failures, and Hinata having to suffer the consequences for it, is what truly rubbed the blonde rebel the wrong way, on many levels. He threw his hands up, feeling genuinely pissed off now, as he really couldn't bear to hear anymore of this indecisiveness.
"Of course! Neji fails, and Hinata has to bear the consequences for it! I cannot believe this, and here you two are, indecisive? In case either of you didn't notice, this is Hinata we are talking about here! Hasn't she seen enough hell as is?! Can she ever catch a break, for pete's sake?! Why does everything have to be so complicated?!?! Grrrr! This STINKS, man!"
Tsunade had to cut in, as she wanted to remind her foster son to behave himself, as some matters aren't complicated in that sense, moreover, this is all in part due to how the system has been established. But she reassures him:
"Naruto, I would really recommend you to behave yourself and calm down. You're not alone with this thought, we all worry about Hinata. You think, I wouldn't have acted immediately, if it were as easy as you wished it to be? The elders are very stubborn. Even more than either of us combined. And naturally, at their age, they are pretty hard-wired into their own way of thinking and training philosophies, since, the method goes "Never stop a running system". It has always been this way."
She lays back in her seat, throwing a bit of a wry smirk at the Uzumaki, telling him:
"You told me, time and time again, you plan on becoming Hokage. Welp, that would be a good time to remind you: Some folks can't have their minds changed. Through words alone, no less. Their stubborness may match, or hell, even exceed your own. So, unless you are ready to bear the consequences of your own inactions, change won't be handed to you as a "parting gift"."
Tsunade didn't make it a secret that she also bore a huge disdain for the Konoha elders. She never liked them. Hence, once she made her point clear, she threw a subtle wink, as though, deep down, she had planned something big, with her foster son playing the anchor.
But Naruto was far too angry to pay attention to her, as he threw an almost icy glare at the Hyuga, wanting to know something from him:
"Neji. Care to indulge me more on Hinata's family situation? I only know through bits and pieces as to how bad it is, seeing as how bitter you used to be... But please. Tell me everything you know. I promised to you that I am going to help, and I will."
There was another glint of unease and hesitation in his pale lavender eyes, as his gaze softened, knowing he won't be able to keep any secrets from Naruto, as he promised to help, any which way he knows how. He took a deep breath, before throwing a knowing smirk in his direction:
"...Heh. Alright then. Seems like, with someone like you, Naruto, secrets will never be safe, won't they?"
He retorted with a smirk of his own, as he fixed his headband, pointing his fist at him, imitating the same pose he drew, when they fought during the Chunin exams, having sworn to become Hokage.
"'Course not, who do you take me for? I am a fool, not an idiot. And I am going to become Hokage, whether your demented uncle will agree or not."
Neji nodded, maintaining that smirk, as he had to admit: Punishing his uncle, just this once for growing overconfident, feels so cathartic. Almost, in silent agreement, the two leave the office, waving Tsunade goodbye, and once the door closes behind them, their conversation is pressed on...
...but as we return back to the present, as Naruto planned on sinking his teeth further into this topic with the Hyuga clan, a very unpleasant noise disrupted his thoughts...
...Someone was crying. It wasn't loud, but definitely loud enough for Naruto to pick up on.
And when he glanced ahead, he saw a very familiar figure, curled into a ball, in a fetal position, bailing her eyes out in silence. Naruto's blood ran cold, once he realized who it was...
...Hinata.
TO BE CONTINUED…