Disclaimer:
Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing except for the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 269: Hinata's Challenge
"Lady Hinata! You are going too far!"
A young man around her age was the one who spoke.
Everyone in the clan recognized him. He was the grandson of the Elder Hinata had just slapped, the same young man who had previously questioned her marriage to Naruto, earning himself a few punches from her in return, as well as having his chakra veins destroyed by her.
Hinata had already expected both Elder Murano and his grandson to protest during her promotion.
The young man had never forgotten the humiliation he suffered at her hands and they were more than eager to get revenge.
"Am I going too far?" Hinata repeated, her voice unwavering. "I thought I made it clear that I wouldn't tolerate any insults toward Naruto. You, of all people, should have known that."
"You...!" The young man glared at Hinata with pure hatred in his eyes. Once, he had hoped to marry her, believing himself to be a far better match than anyone else in the village. But now, that dream was gone. He no longer desired her...he only wanted retribution. He wanted to see her suffer. And his grandfather shared that sentiment.
"Urgh…" Elder Murano struggled to his feet, his expression contorted in anger. "See? Is this the kind of leader our clan needs? One who would assault her own kin?"
"Elder Murano, you brought this upon yourself," Lord Hiashi responded, his tone calm but firm. "You and your grandson hold a clear grudge against my daughter. And now you question her right to become Clan Leader."
"Father, let me handle this," Hinata said, stepping forward. "Very well… I will propose something that may be more to your liking."
She walked to the edge of the platform, her gaze sweeping over the assembled Hyuga clan members, both from the main family and the branch family.
"First and foremost, the word of the Clan Leader is absolute. If he declares that I am to be your next leader, then that is exactly what will happen, whether you like it or not."
She let her words sink in before continuing.
"However, that is not how I wish to begin my leadership. I see that many of you still doubt me. So, I will give you all a chance to prove that you are right." She glanced at Hiashi. "I will need the Lord of the Clan to approve my request."
Hiashi sighed, already guessing what she was about to do. "Go ahead. I grant you whatever you suggest."
Hinata pointed to the empty space beside her.
"Anyone who believes I am unfit to rule this clan, step forward and prove it. Show everyone that you were right. If I am defeated by any challenger… I will withdraw my candidacy for leadership...forever."
"Hinata! What are you saying?!" Hanabi snapped, alarmed by her sister's proposal.
Hiashi glanced at his youngest daughter but showed no sign of concern. He merely thought this was an unnecessary gesture on Hinata's part. As she had said earlier, the clan was bound to follow his decision, whether they approved of it or not. Most of the clan already supported her, and only a minority opposed her leadership for their own reasons.
"Are you serious?" Elder Murano looked at Hinata as if she had lost her mind.
His grandson scanned the crowd, searching for anyone willing to take up the challenge. But as seconds passed, no one stepped forward. The crowd only exchanged uneasy glances.
Hinata's reputation as a fierce warrior had spread throughout the village. But even without that, few would take the risk, as there was nothing to gain for them. At best, they would defeat the Clan Leader's daughter and earn a powerful enemy.
Elder Murano seemed to grasp this immediately. Leaning on his grandson for support, he turned to address the crowd.
"Anyone willing to take Lady Hinata's challenge will be rewarded by me! Ten thousand Ryo to anyone who dares to step forward, and one hundred thousand to the one who defeats her!"
"Murano! How can you make such an offer?!"
"That is outrageous!"
The other Elders glared at Murano in anger.
"I don't mind," Hinata interjected, her voice cutting through the rising tension. "In fact, I will add my own reward to the challenge. If anyone defeats me, I will grant them one wish...anything they desire."
The crowd erupted in chaos.
"What?!"
"Seriously?!"
"Any wish we want?!"
"Father! You can't allow this!" Hanabi ran to Hiashi's side, looking at her sister in concern.
"I see… so that's what you're doing," Hiashi murmured, realization dawning in his eyes.
"Father? What do you mean?" Hanabi asked.
"I believe your sister is aiming to accomplish two things with this challenge," Hiashi explained. "First, she wants to earn the clan's respect more quickly. The Hyuga Clan has always valued martial prowess above all else. In our clan… might makes right."
"And the second reason?" Hanabi prompted.
"Elder Murano and his family aren't the only ones who disapprove of Hinata becoming the next leader. Others have kept silent only because they lack a position high enough to voice their complaints," Hiashi said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"You mean the branch family?" Hanabi guessed.
"Exactly. And this challenge will give them an opportunity to remove her as a candidate. I believe your sister is trying to flush out anyone disloyal to our family."
Hanabi stared at her father, then back at Hinata, who stood confidently on the platform.
"Since when did my sister become so… shrewd?" she muttered.
Meanwhile, Hinata's voice rang out across the courtyard once more.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Are the rewards not enough? Or is my clan filled with spineless cowards?, you can all attack me at the same time."
That was the final push.
Suddenly, men and women from the Hyuga Clan began stepping forward, making their way onto the platform.
The Elders and other members who weren't participating moved back to clear the area.
The wooden platform, originally built to serve as a stage for the Clan Leader's speech, had now become a battlefield.
Hinata stood at the center, surrounded by her clansmen, all of them prepared to fight her with everything they had.
A slow smile crept onto her face.
"Byakugan!"
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