Hyuga District
On the way to the mansion of Patriarch’s house, Kuroto couldn’t help but curiously ask Hizashi, “Why did Hiashi-sama hold a clan meeting at such a time, it makes no sense... am I missing something?”
Unless something major happened, or there was a rare event, there would be no clan meeting where all the clan members would gather, therefore, Kuroto is not sure.
Hizashi looked down, and said lightly, “I am not too sure either, just be careful, I have a bad feeling about it.”
“Bad feeling?” Kuroto was startled by Hizashi’s reply. He noted the solemnity on Hizashi’s expression and asked again, “Did something happen?”
Hizashi was silent for a while, then he sighed tiredly, and said, “I don’t know the specifics, I have only heard that the main family seems to be a little dissatisfied with Neji’s performance in the assessment.”
“Huh?” Kuroto was more shocked, and asked with a frown, “Dissatisfied with Neji’s performance? What do you mean Hizashi-sama? Neji’s performance was very good in the assessment... although he wasn’t the MVP of the assessment, he still performed very well, he tied with Uchiha Sasuke’s team for the second position in the assessment.”
“Haha... yes he did.” Hizashi chuckled while looking at Kuroto and said, “Kuroto-kun, the more I converse with you, the more proud I feel of the decision I made back then.”
Kuroto was confused, “What do you mean Hizashi-sama...?”
“Nothing.” Hizashi shook his head, and then without explaining anything he became quiet since the Patriarch’s mansion was already in front of them.
...
Glancing at the crowded hall, Kuroto had a thoughtful expression on his face.
Everyone frowned at the mention of Neji, one of the Jonin perhaps realized something, and asked doubtfully, “Elder Fukiage... what do you mean? Hyuga Neji’s performance in the assessment was very good, he did nothing to embarrass the reputation of the clan. Although he didn’t attract as much attention as Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, he still performed very well... especially when he and the other children acted together against the fake Akatsuki... that was very good.”
Several others agreed with Jonin’s opinion, “Yes... Neji’s team almost ranked second in the assessment, there was a difference of only one scroll with the Team Ino-Shika-Cho...!”
“Humph!” Another elder sitting beside Elder Fukiage snorted coldly.
The cold snort of this elder caused everyone to shut their mouths.
Elder Fukiage coldly glanced at all the members of the branch family, and said in a stern tone, “From the perspective of a Konoha Shinobi... Neji’s performance was indeed very good and worthy of praise... However... don’t forget that before being a trainee of the Konoha Shinobi system, he was a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, and the mission of his very existence was to protect the main family... which is something he not only failed to do, he didn’t even try to do.
Rather than protecting Hinata, Neji focused on protecting the reckless Uchiha Sasuke... which caused Hinata to fend for herself and risked her life... fortunately, this time the enemy was fake, however, what if the enemy was real? Hinata would have surely died...!”
At this time, the third elder named Hyuga Sada stood up and asked coldly Hizashi, “Hizashi... I am very curious... is your son mentally retarded that he can’t even understand the basic purpose of his existence or is it because you didn’t teach him well?”
Elder Sada’s words caused the branch family members to swallow nervously.
In the eyes of Elder Sada, the entire purpose of the existence of the branch family is to protect the main family. The members of the main family should be put above everything; be that love, parents, friends, or village!
Faced with Elder Sada’s question, Hizashi lowered his body in a dogeza, and while touching his forehead on the ground, he apologized, “Elder Sada... Elder Fukiage... Elder Aoyama... and Patriarch Hiashi-sama... Please forgive me... I am the entire reason behind Neji’s failure... It’s not that he is retarded or anything... the only reason he didn’t protect Hinata-sama is that I didn’t teach him well... so rather than it being my son’s fault, it’s my fault.”
Looking at his younger brother apologizing while bowing his head, Hiashi had a complicated expression.
Considering his love for his younger brother, Hiashi didn’t want to see the scene before him, but as the Patriarch of the Hyuga Clan, and the head of the main family, he has to safeguard the interest of the main family and keep the traditions in check, therefore, even if this entire meeting goes against his intention, he has to see this through.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m