After that, the living room fell into a strange silence.

Kisame continued watching TV while Uchiha Hikaru and Mei Terumi sat quietly next to each other.

Hikaru slowly lit a cigarette.

Meanwhile, Mei Terumi's expression flickered—at times like a young woman smitten with love, at other times like a widow mourning her lost husband.

No one could guess what was going on in her heart.

As the cigarette burned down to its end, Hikaru rose to his feet.

"There are two guest rooms. You can rest in either of them when you're ready."

With that, he turned and headed toward his own room.

As she watched Hikaru's back retreat into the hallway, Mei Terumi finally relaxed her clenched right hand. She had started to raise it—only to slowly let it fall back to her side.

───

The next morning, Uchiha Hikaru rose early.

With the Byakugan he had recovered from Ao, he leapt across the rooftops and made his way directly to the Hyuga Clan estate.

"Brother Hikaru, what brings you here so early in the morning? Is something the matter?"

Hiashi Hyuga looked up at the approaching Hikaru, and his usually stern face softened with genuine warmth. The corners of his mouth curled upward unconsciously.

Seeing this, Hikaru handed over a tightly sealed scroll.

"You already knew yesterday, didn't you, Brother Hiashi?"

"Look at you—can't even hide that smile."

"This is the Byakugan the village lost during the Second Shinobi World War."

"It rightfully belongs to the Hyuga Clan. I'm just returning what should never have been lost."

Hiashi's smile deepened.

Hikaru's words were carefully chosen. On one hand, he shifted the blame for the Byakugan's loss onto the village itself, implying it was a result of poor wartime handling.

On the other, he emphasized that the Byakugan was—and always would be—the Hyuga Clan's legacy.

Hiashi already knew Hikaru had retrieved it. A branch family ninja who had returned from the front line had reported it the night before.

But it had left a bitter taste.

The one who lost the eye had been the grandson of an elder—a young shinobi who had rushed to the battlefield with two guards, unsanctioned. It was shameful enough that this happened. To top it off, he had no way of demanding the Byakugan's return.

After all, it had been recovered by Uchiha Hikaru. A trophy of war. It wouldn't be right to ask for it back.

Hiashi had barely slept last night, torn between shame and indecision. Dark circles clung to his eyes.

And yet, Hikaru appeared this morning of his own accord, offering the Byakugan with no strings attached.

How could Hiashi not be pleased?

He took the scroll and opened it carefully.

Inside, suspended in a vial of nutrient solution, the Byakugan floated in pristine condition.

Only then did Hiashi finally breathe a full sigh of relief.

Without another word, he turned and ushered Hikaru inside.

"Brother Hikaru, it's been some time since you last visited. We're just about to have breakfast."

"Why not join us? It'll be a good chance to show you Hinata's training progress."

"And that little girl Hanabi has been asking about you non-stop."

Hikaru blinked.

"Hanabi? Why would she want to see me?"

His thoughts immediately jumped to the future—the confident, graceful sister-in-law from the Boruto era.

Hiashi chuckled, clearly pleased.

"Ever since you pointed Hinata in the right direction during her training, Hanabi has been pestering her constantly, asking her to retell every story."

"She's heard them so many times, she's become curious herself."

As they stepped into the living room, Hikaru barely had time to register Hinata's greeting when a small voice rang out:

"Teacher Hikaru!"

"Wow! It's really Brother Hikaru!"

Something warm suddenly latched onto his leg.

Looking down, he saw a tiny girl with chin-length dark hair hugging his thigh tightly with both arms.

Hinata rushed forward, hands flailing as she reached for the back of Hanabi's collar.

"Hanabi! This is my teacher!"

"Don't be so rude!"

Her voice was noticeably louder than usual, and her pale cheeks turned pink.

For some reason, the moment Hanabi threw her arms around Hikaru's leg, Hinata felt a strange pang of unease.

She didn't know whether it was because she feared Hikaru being taken away by her sister… or her sister being taken away by Hikaru.

Gently, Hikaru placed a hand on both of their heads, ruffling their hair with a calm smile.

"It's alright, Hinata."

Hinata slowly let go of Hanabi's collar, her face reddening further.

Teacher Hikaru… spoke to me first… (〃ω〃)

Hikaru looked down at Hanabi again.

"Little Spark, you're so cute. How could I possibly hate you?"

"But if you keep holding me like this, I can't get to the table for breakfast."

Hanabi immediately released his leg, spun around, grabbed his hand, and dragged him excitedly toward the table.

Hinata watched them go, that odd feeling surfacing again for just a moment…

Only for it to vanish the next second—because Hikaru's left hand reached back and gently clasped hers.

"Come on, Hinata. It's time to eat."

"Okay!"

And so, led by Hanabi, the three sat in a row on one side of the dining table.

Hikaru waved over to Hiashi.

"Brother Hiashi, come eat. Your breakfast spread is pretty impressive."

Hiashi quietly put away the scroll containing the Byakugan and forced a laugh.

"Hahaha… coming, Brother Hikaru."

He took a seat across from Hikaru, glancing at his two daughters with a helpless expression.

I was glad you got the recognition you deserve, Brother Hikaru, truly...

But why do both of my daughters like you so much?!

I'm their father! I've never even held both their hands at the same time like this!

Hiashi sighed internally.

It wasn't just Hinata and Hanabi, either.

Even the maid who'd first greeted Hikaru earlier had looked at him with curious admiration.

As for the women in the village who liked Hikaru?

Too many to count.

Even Lady Tsunade—the Hokage herself—now had an ambiguous relationship with him.

Haaah~

Fortunately, Hinata and Hanabi were still young…

Surely, Hikaru's dangerous magnetism wouldn't affect them this early…

...Right? (￣Д￣)

-------

Send Power Stones

Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone

Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones

---------------------

Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥

https://www.patreon.com/UK21

Your Support is Truly Appreciated 🫂