Chapter 170 Enlightenment

The status quo and entrenched societal attitudes meant that no one had ever dared to challenge any of the Hyuga elders, let alone the head of the main family.

And Hinata not only had the courage to issue the challenge, she also mustered the necessary strength, skill, and resilience to defeat a man whose battlefield experience lasted longer than she had been alive.

The more Neji thought about it, the more he understood; her strategy was so perfect, this was not a reckless act at all.

The Hyuga Creed itself, the scripture that every elder swore to uphold, dictated that the Eighth Elder must either grant Hinata freedom or openly betray their beliefs.

"You're waiting for him to attack you." Neji accused, although the sudden feeling of suffocation made his voice tremble. "Wait until he is so angry that he can't help but attack you."

Hinata shrugged as if the details didn't matter.

"Yeah, that's right. I wasn't expecting it to be so quick. For a man known for his 'patience', Grandfather does have a pretty bad temper."

"Hinata..."

"Neji."

His name came out of her mouth like a gentle reproach, as if she thought he was slow or childish.

Neji resisted the urge to retort and began to think seriously about his situation.

Hinata always managed to make him fall into deep thought, and he turned his head to look at the pond.

The koi seemed to sense her gaze and several of them swam to the surface of the water, rolling and swimming in the water, making various shapes, perhaps trying to ask for food.

Their patterns didn’t match—some were faded white and yellow with odd spots, some had spots on their heads that looked like they’d been accidentally splashed with red ink, and others were solid colors with obtrusive birthmarks on their tails or fins.

It suddenly dawned on Neji what this pond was, what it was used for, and why it was so remote.

This is a quarantine pond, but it's not for sick fish; it's for fish that don't fit in, fish that aren't bright or uniform enough in color to meet Hinata's strict breeding standards. So they live here, forgotten, underestimated, and ignored.

Except for one person.

Neji took another deep breath and tried to calm himself down one last time, and this time, he succeeded.

His breathing had finally evened out and his heart rate had dropped to a manageable level, and while he wasn't completely calm yet, he found it easier to focus.

The fact is, Neji's truth has begun to waver, and he must make a choice.

Choice 1: He could stick to his ideals and responsibilities and stay where he is. He could try to convince Hinata to give up the fight, her bright but foolish ideas, her dangerous revolution.

But his chances of success were slim. They were both stubborn, but Hinata was more than stubborn, she was unwavering, and Neji lacked the conviction needed to convince her right now.

Option 2: Maintain the status quo. Hinata continues her transformation, while Neji does his best to mediate between her and her father, but mostly stays out of it.

Choice three is the choice he fears the most, and it is also Hinata's choice.

Rejection. Freedom. Change.

Revolt against centuries of tradition, responsibility and the status quo and say “no” loudly.

Neji didn't know what the right answer was - maybe there wasn't a right answer - but he needed to figure something out.

"I don't hate you, Hinata," he whispered.

She smiled bitterly, but the smile did not reach her eyes and she did not look at him.

"I don't blame you, Neji-nii."

She doesn't believe me, he realized.

Why should she believe it? He hadn't done anything to deserve her belief.

Maybe I should do something, he thought, swallowing hard, his throat knotting at the top of his breastbone. Maybe I should prove it to her.

Is it really that simple? Does he have a choice? Does he have the right? Does he really dare to take the risk? What if she is right?

Beneath all the confusion and doubt that was welling up in my mind, a different feeling of fear surfaced, deep and raw, sharp and clear enough to overwhelm all other emotions.

Do I dare to do this?

"I don't hate you," he repeated, his tone firm, surprising both Hinata and himself.

This statement rings true.

A voice spoke in his mind—as soft as a whisper, yet as firm as the sunrise—answering his own thoughts.

Maybe you should prove it to her.

"I don't know if this is the right thing to do," he said slowly, but his tone was firm and sincere.

He held Hinata's hand in return, just as she held his, and this intimate gesture, this expression of close affection, surprised Hinata.

She turned and looked at him warily.

"I don't know if challenging the traditions that have sustained my family for hundreds of years is the answer," he continued, then paused, waiting for her to retort or question. But she said nothing.

"But what?" she demanded.

"But... I'll think about it," he promised hesitantly. "In the meantime, I'll help you."

This time, it was Hinata's turn to open her eyes wide in surprise.

"what?"

Neji snorted, feeling somewhat helpless, but his breathing seemed to become smoother, and his words became more determined.

"Like I said," he said firmly, reaching out and gently brushing the burn on Hinata's forehead with medical chakra.

He didn't know much about medical ninjutsu, but he knew how to remove residual chakra from wounds and how to enhance her own healing abilities.

Neji was thankful for all the gods who were watching over her, at least the Byakugan itself seemed unharmed.

“There’s not much I can do, but I’ll definitely try my best.”

Hinata shook her head, looking just as bewildered as Neji had just been.

"You don't have to do this," she assured him, shifting. "I started this fight, and I'll handle it myself."

Neji flicked her forehead, a hint of annoyance in his tone, and Hinata exclaimed.

"Yes, I know exactly what kind of fight you're starting," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "But I still find it hard to believe."

Hinata smiled, without any regret.

"I know what I'm doing."

"How irresponsible your behavior is."

"I know." She changed the subject. "What made you change your mind?"

Neji thought back to the time during the Chunin Exams when Hinata took off her Hyuuga clan robes and fought alongside those who were not related to her by blood.

He thought of Uzumaki Naruto, bloodied and bruised but still standing, finally winning. He also remembered Nara Shikamaru's voice, calm, annoyed, but with a hint of seriousness.

"Such a narrow vision will get you killed sooner or later..."

"There are many reasons." Neji admitted. "But what we can all agree on is that no matter what the answer is, the separation system is not the solution to the problem." He met her gaze, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile. "I can't let you face all this alone without any protection. So, no matter what you plan to do, you'd better tell me."

Hinata jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly.

Neji fell backwards onto the soft grass with a muffled groan, Hinata's hug nearly squeezing all the air out of his lungs.