"Is it raining..."

From the time he got up in the morning, Ning Ci heard a murmuring sound coming from outside the house, and it was obvious that it was the sound of rain.

Judging by the volume of sound, it seems that the rain is not light.

Walking out into the hallway, water was flowing into the courtyard with water on the eaves.

The sky was overcast, and thunder could be faintly heard in the distance.

In this kind of hot weather, it can be considered a little comfortable to be able to encounter rainy days occasionally.

Even if Ning Ci can bear hardships and stand hard work, it is not a problem to be exposed to the sun for a long time, but after all, he doesn't like this stuffy weather very much.

The breeze was carrying the smell of dampness and earth, and my mind suddenly became clear, which was still a little sleepy.

It's been a few days since I returned from the land of ghosts.

Although he was rude in the game and was reprimanded by the Zong family after he came back, in essence, he did not receive any substantive punishment, which was not something he could control.

Thinking back to the game scene of that day, although I re-simulated it in my brain countless times after that, the result I got was still that I ended up losing miserably.

And compared to the defeat of the war, he felt that the sect family's distrust of the split family made him feel even more gloomy.

Perhaps after returning from the Oni Country, he became extra sensitive to certain things, and was able to detect things that he would never actively pay attention to before.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, the woman named Hinata Ayane is right, the Konoha Hyuga clan is indeed full of various contradictions, and the relationship between the clan and the division family seems to be very strange.

Thinking of the fact that my father also vaguely revealed that there was a strong hostility between the clan family and the split family, it felt like it was not like a family getting along at all.

As a result, he began to hesitate to ask his father for a certain truth.

He wanted to know the answer, but he was also afraid that the answer he received would plunge his heart into pain and despair.

Separation...... What is it?

Village...... What is it exactly?

It was as if something was constantly preventing him from integrating into the family and the village.

"Ningci."

A warm voice came from the other end of the hallway, and my father came over in his usual casual black civilian clothes.

"Father."

Ning Ci turned around and said hello slightly.

"You've been waking up late these days."

Yes. "

Ning Ci nodded.

It's seven o'clock in the morning, and normally, he gets up at five o'clock in the morning for morning exercises.

"Are you still haunted by the words of the patriarch?"

The clan meeting was also present that day, but it was not suitable for him to speak for Ning Ci on that occasion.

He feared that he would make things self-defeating, complicating what was already simple.

Ning Ci fell silent and did not speak.

"You haven't mentioned this kind of thing since the clan came back, I thought you didn't care about it. But now it seems that your heart doesn't look like you don't care at all. ”

Hiza laughed.

Ning Ci didn't know how to answer.

"They've always been like this, there's no need to be upset about it."

Hinata comforted.

I'm not upset about that. Ning Ci said in his heart.

He was not so fragile that he didn't even dare to admit defeat.

He would not feel depressed because of the punishment of the sect family and put himself in a dilemma.

But seeing that his father would be wrong, Ning Ci didn't plan to explain.

Father thinks it's really good for the family to keep this state and continue? ”

Ning Ci asked.

"You mean..."

"Through the competition, I can more or less directly look at the Hyuga clan in the country of clear ghosts, which is completely different from what we have here."

Although the elders of the clan here will regard the soft fist of the Hyuga clan in the country of ghosts as a crooked evil way that deviates from the orthodoxy of the Hyuga clan after watching the video of the game, they still want to break their heads behind their backs, and they all want to study the tricks used by the clansmen over there.

Because it's an enemy, it doesn't want to recognize the other party's achievements, and will use the name of orthodoxy to deny it completely.

However, since it did bring a powerful deterrent effect, he could only despise and reject it while secretly researching and meditating to obtain the powerful secret of the Hyuga clan in the country of ghosts, which was different from the orthodox jutsuken.

For these dishonest clan elders, Ning Ci suddenly understood a truth, it is meaningless to preach, and only by taking action can they make their bodies obedient.

"This is something that the clan needs to consider."

Hizashi said.

In other words, there is no reason or condition for the separation to intervene in such a dispute.

Although it also belongs to the Hyuga clan in name, it is essentially at a disadvantage, and it is only a branch of the subordinate existence, and it is impossible to talk directly with the Hyuga clan in the country of ghosts like the clan.

Ning Ci looked at the stagnant water in the courtyard and did not speak.

"Speaking of which, your friend just came looking for him, and it looks like he's on the same squad as you."

Hinata said suddenly.

Ning Ci understood, it was Xiao Li and Tiantian.

"Then I'll go out first."

"It doesn't matter if you come back later, just relax when it's time to relax."

Hizashi smiled.

Ning Ci glanced at Hiza, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

"Ningci, this way!"

Next to a shop not far from the Hyuga clan's land, Ning Ji saw Tian Tian waving at him.

She and Xiao Li sat on a bench under the eaves outside the store, where they ate breakfast.

"Isn't Mr. Kai here again?"

Ning Ci didn't see Kai's figure, so he asked.

"Yes, it seems that after coming back, many of the shinobi have become very busy, and I just met with Mr. Kai in a hurry yesterday."

Every day, he took out the extra hot rice balls and put them in front of Ning Ci.

"Here you go, Ning Ci shouldn't have eaten breakfast yet."

Thank you. "

Ning Ci felt a hint of warmth, and a shallow smile appeared on his face.

Compared to the family whose atmosphere is always dull and serious, and all kinds of rules, it is more relaxed to get along with the companions here.

Don't think about superfluous things.

Sometimes, he also thinks that it would be nice if he wasn't born in the Hyuga family.

There's nothing wrong with being an ordinary ninja.

Although I don't care on the surface, I still feel a longing in my heart—happiness called freedom.

Freely... What does it feel like?

It seems that in this family, he never knew what it was like to be free.

Even without the caged bird curse mark, the family's various rules and regulations still made him feel pressured.

"Doesn't the injury matter anymore, Lee?"

Ning Ci looked at Xiao Li and asked about his injuries.

"The doctor said that in another week you will be fully recovered."

Xiao Li said energetically.

A large part of his injuries were caused by the overuse of the Eight Gate Dun Armor, which can be said to be a dangerous move that injures the enemy by injuring a thousand and injuring eight hundred.

"Since that's the case, don't do some drastic exercises during the recovery period, what if the injury recurs and suddenly comes to the task?"

Tian Tian said dissatisfied.

She knew that Xiao Li had been secretly doing overloaded physical exercises in the past two days, and she was very worried that his injury that was about to heal would prolong the recovery time due to excessive exercise.

"Every day, youth is not allowed to waste time!"

Xiao Li said with a serious face.

Tian Tian rolled his eyes, knowing that his words were in vain.

"Is there anything on schedule for today?"

Ning Ci bit the hot rice ball, swallowed it, and asked.

"Teacher Kai is here, whatever we want. However, it was a rainy day, so it was not suitable to go out for training. “

Looking at the gloomy sky every day, I didn't really want to cultivate in this kind of weather.

Moreover, the middle ninja exam had just passed, and she didn't want to spend her rare leisure time focusing on cultivation.

She is not a cultivator like Xiao Li.

"So, it's a girl every day."

Xiao Li seemed to be thinking about something.

His unintentional words, the corners of his mouth twitched every day, didn't she act like a girl before?

"Ning Ci, what are your arrangements?"

"I guess I want to rest at home."

Ning Ci said without hesitation.

"I thought you'd be like Lee, and you'd have to keep training in this bad weather."

Surprised every day, she rarely saw Ning Ci so leisurely.

But she can also guess something, and it has something to do with the game.

I don't care on the surface, but I will definitely be unwilling in my heart.

Therefore, every day I didn't extend the topic to this.

"Even I want to take a break by chance. Also, I don't want to get wet and get myself cold. “

I don't like the hot weather, but the rainy day is too much.

"But it's not good to be too laid-back, you have to become a middle ninja as soon as possible. So let's go to Hokage-sama to take on the mission later! “

Even on this rainy day that can extinguish people's enthusiasm, Xiao Li's whole body is full of enthusiasm for wanting to perform tasks, and wants to train himself through various grinds and make himself grow rapidly.

After passing this middle ninja exam, he seriously felt that his strength was insufficient, and compared with those top lower ninjas, he was still far behind.

"No, you're going to take on those tiring tasks."

Tian Tian refused without hesitation.

"How?"

And Mr. Kai is not here, so let's talk about the task later. “

"yes, this kind of thing is a bit out of place."

Ning Ci nodded, his enthusiasm for carrying out the task was not high at the moment.

"I can't say that completely, if it's a parent-child mission, it's different."

"Parent-child mission?"

This new term made Xiao Li and Ning Ci look at Tiantian in confusion.

"To put it simply, it's a mission with a family member who is also a ninja. Because the difficulty is very small, and the task process is easy and pleasant, it will not seem boring, and by the way, you can get close to your family and enjoy the warmth of family affection... So, it's more like a family trip than a mission. This is where the parent-child mission comes in. Why, don't you know? ”

Tian Tian asked strangely.

Xiao Li shook his head without hesitation and said, "No, my parents are not ninjas, and I didn't know that such a mission existed at all. “

"Hasn't Ningci experienced it yet?

Tian Tian asked curiously.

Ning Ci hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, I have never been on a mission with my family. “

I don't know what to say every day.

If it was those who had just graduated, it would still be forgivable, but they were graduates of the previous year, and the life of the lower ninja had lasted for more than a year, and Ning Ci should have the time to do this kind of task with his family.

"That's a pity, I heard that Ino and they will do this kind of task with their families after a few days off, it's really beautiful."

Like Xiao Li, Tian Tian's parents are not ninjas, just businessmen who run a ninja shop, and have never experienced what it's like to go on a mission with their family.

Ning Ci was silent.

In fact, it's not just the so-called parent-child mission, he doesn't even have the experience of traveling with his family.

Every time he wanted to travel with his family, his father would excuse himself from these requests.

Thinking of this, Ning Ci's heart couldn't help but be clouded with a layer of haze.

Ning Ci suddenly stood up from the bench, Tian Tian and Xiao Li looked at him, always feeling that something had happened to Ning Ci, and his face didn't seem to look good.

"What's wrong, Ningci?"

"I'm sorry, I suddenly remembered that there was something going on at home, so let's stop here today."

"But, you've just... Come...

Tiantian, who wanted to say something, saw Ning Ci get up, shuttle through the rain, and return to the clan land of the Hyuga clan, so that the words that Tiantian had left paused in his mouth, unable to speak.

"Ning Ci's state doesn't seem to be quite right. It's the first time I've seen him with such a serious expression, and I always feel like something big is going to happen. ”

Xiao Li looked at Ning Ci's back and felt that it was a little unusual for Ning Ci to suddenly go back.

"Ning Ci, won't he be fine?"

I am also worried every day, did I say the wrong thing?

However, in the words he said before, he did not mean to offend people at all.

"At times like this, it's better to let him be alone and quiet, we'll only help in the past."

This is Xiao Li's sincere speech.

He knows very well that there are some private things that he can't get others to help with.

As a companion, he could only pray that Ning Ci would come out safe and sound.

"Really, it would be nice if Mr. Kai was here, I really don't know what he's up to."

I complained bitterly every day.

Midday.

The rainy weather did not improve, but tended to get worse and worse.

Seeing the figure of Ning Ci's return, the day difference that had just returned from the Zong family's territory was slightly stunned.

"Are you back so early today?"

According to his guess, Ning Ci should have lunch with his companions, and maybe he won't come back in the afternoon, and won't come back until after dinner.

"Did my father come back from the clan?"

Ning Ci did not answer the rhetorical question.

"Yes, it's my brother... No, it was the patriarch who asked me to come over and discuss some private matters. “

Hinata nodded.

"Private?"

"It's about Hinata."

Ning Ci blinked, even more confused.

He didn't understand that Hitozu, who was the patriarch, called his father over just to discuss Hinata's affairs.

If it is for the sake of the heir of the clan, then there is no point in looking for his father.

In the matter of deciding the heirs of the clan, although the division has a little right to participate, it is only the right to participate, and the decision has always been in the hands of the clan.

The vote for the split is just a formality in the past.

And private matters...... This made Ning Ci even more unclear.

Hisashi didn't explain directly, but took Ning Ji into a nearby room, the door was not closed, and the rain scene in the courtyard could be seen from here.

Father and son sat down on the floor facing each other.

"Speaking of which, Ning Ci, do you have a favorite girl?

Regarding such a thing as a sudden question from the day difference, Ning Ci's face was very strange.

Tiantian's voice instantly appeared in his mind, but it was only for a moment, because Tiantian was the girl of the same age that he had contacted the most, and as for the rest of the girls, he didn't have much contact.

During the ninja school period, he was often single, and although there were many girls who had a good impression of him, he had to say that he liked this kind of thing.

Ning Ci felt that it was a little too early.

"Why did my father ask that?"

"Didn't you see it? I thought that with your ability, there would be a lot of girls pursuing it. ”

Hiza said jokingly.

"I didn't think about it."

"It's like your style."

"So, what is that so-called private matter?"

Ning Ci revealed this topic, and was a little curious about the private matter that Hinata went to the patriarch Hitsuzu to discuss.

"I heard from the patriarch that Hinata seems to have a boy she likes."

Ning Ci thought of the yellow-haired boy who was on the way back, maintaining Hinata and arguing with him.

Compared to his own opposite-sex relationship, there seems to be less heterosexual relationship as a cousin Hinata.

If Hinata really had a man he secretly liked, so much so that Ning Ji locked on to the target at once.

"It's impossible for them."

Ning Ci said directly.

Although the Hyuga clan has people who marry outside, the number is very small, and there are many restrictions.

What's more, Hinata is the young head of the clan who is likely to inherit the position of the patriarch.

Even if he takes a step back and loses in the struggle for the position of patriarch, he is also the daughter of the patriarch Hinata and the sister of the next Hyuga patriarch, which is also of great significance to the clan family.

For example, his father is the younger brother of the patriarch Rizu.

With this blood relationship, his father can be said to be the most trusted member of the sect family.

Therefore, whether Hinata succeeds in competing for the position of patriarch or not, it is impossible for her to marry outside.

Therefore, if Hinata really has a liking for a foreigner, Ninji thinks that it is better for both parties to break it off as soon as possible.

"That kid is called Naruto Uzumaki."

Hinata looked at the rain in the courtyard.

"Hmm."

"That kid's identity is a bit unusual."

?

Turning his head, seeing Ning Ci's stunned expression, Hisaji smiled slightly.

"Whether in the past or now, it is very common for ninjas to intermarry with each other. Especially during the chaotic Warring States period, due to the lack of villages, the alliance between the ninja clan and the ninja clan was usually concluded by in-laws. For example, the first Hokage-sama who founded our Konoha Village, and his wife, Mito-sama Uzumaki, represent the union of the two families. ”

"Vortex..."

Ning Ci suddenly thought of something.

He thought of the Uzumaki Karen who appeared in the final of the Chunin exam, and the other party also had the same surname as Naruto.

I am afraid that this surname represents an extraordinary meaning.

"It's a bit premature, but the patriarch can't really make up his mind. The things involved behind that kid are so huge that even us Hyuga clan have a hard time coping with them. Moreover, it is said that he has a great relationship with Jiraiya, one of the three ninjas. The Muji ninjutsu that he used in the middle ninja exam to defeat my Airo was taught by Jiraiya-sama. ”

Ning Ci did not recover from the shock.

In his cognition, the Hyuga clan can be said to be the model of all the ninja clans in Konoha, and he can't imagine that the entire Hyuga clan will back down because of a single Naruto Uzumaki.

"I didn't expect him to have such a network."

"Hokage-sama also values him very much, and because of this, the sect family seems to be in a bit of a dilemma."

Hizashi sighed.

Because the initiative in this matter is not in the hands of the Hyuga clan, but on the Hokage's side.

Naruto's guardian is the third Hokage.

Even if the three generations of Hokage resign as Hokage, the fact that the guardian is the Hokage will not change.

What's more, there are three ninjas behind him, and even the Minister of the Dark Department is inextricably linked to him.

Although the Hyuga clan had long been aware of this kind of thing, considering the intricate relationship behind Naruto, even the Hyuga clan did not dare to meddle in it at will, so they could only let it develop.

After all, if Hinata really loses her identity as the patriarch, then it is also an option to take it out and marry someone.

Judging by the results, it doesn't seem to be a bad thing either.

But the issue of face and tradition is still something that the clan needs to consider.

After the split, the Hyuga clan is too weak after all, if it is like the Uchiha clan in the past, even if it is the Hokage, he can confront it head-on and be fearless.

Hinata couldn't help but sigh, time was pushed forward by twenty years, and the Hyuga clan would not be so cautious. That split caused the strength of the Hyuga clan to be seriously damaged.

Ning Ci nodded distractedly.

It is not too early for the family to consider the issue of marriage so early.

Even nowadays, it is not uncommon for a family to marry and have children at the age of fifteen or sixteen.

Compared with the Warring States period, although the average life expectancy has increased a lot, it is not much higher. Therefore, the population problem is still one of the major problems faced by the village and even the country.

The only task of those who are incapable is to contribute to the family in terms of population.

Not only the Hyuga clan, but also the rest of the ninja clan, and the village has also specially introduced many preferential policies for this.

"What about Hinata-sama's thoughts? Did the patriarch go to talk to him? ”

Ning Ci asked.

"Not yet, the patriarch and the rest of the clan elders plan to wait and see."

In the final analysis, they dare not put the initiative in their own hands.

With the degree of protection of Naruto by the three generations of Hokage songs, even if Naruto is wearing what color underwear he is wearing today, he knows everything about the secret love of the eldest daughter of the patriarch of the Hyuga clan, Hinata doesn't believe that the three generations of Hokage don't know anything about it.

Is that so? ”

"You should pay a little attention to this matter in the future, after all, that is your cousin, she is different from the rest of the sect family."

Hinata looked at Ning Ci and said.

"I know, I'll pay attention to this aspect in the future, Hinata-sama is not suitable for the environment of the sect family."

Ning Ci nodded in agreement, even if the day difference didn't ask for it, he planned to do it.

"That's good, okay, it's almost time for lunch, together..."

"Father."

Ning Ci suddenly stopped Hiza and sat still.

"What's wrong?"

Hinata looked at Ning Ci suspiciously, and sat down again.

"I'd like to do a parent-child mission with you later."

Ning Ci raised his head and met the eyes of the day difference, revealing a hint of longing.

Parent-child mission? “

Richa was stunned, he didn't know why Ning Ci suddenly made this request.

He knows about parent-child missions, that is, under the premise that children and parents are ninjas, they go out to perform tasks together, which is a novel way to travel for the whole family.

"Well, since I've never experienced anything like this before, I want to know what it's like. Is that okay, father? ”

Ning Ci looked at the day difference with a hopeful gaze.

Richa was silent, and a trace of guilt and sorrow flashed on his face because it was not just a parent-child task, he found that even the so-called tourism, he couldn't give Ning Ci.

"I'm sorry, but the clan has been doing it lately..."

The daily difference can only be excused by busy affairs.

"Actually, I returned to the clan three hours ago, and found the rest of the clan ninjas who were my age and asked some questions."

Riza's eyes were a little evasive, as if he was afraid to look at Ning Ci.

"Father, you know what? It's a coincidence that those who are as big as me have no parent-child missions with their families, no, they don't even have the experience of traveling with their families, which is a very interesting coincidence. “

As Ning Ci spoke, Hiza took a deep breath and looked at Ning Ci with a complicated gaze.

In this complicated gaze, there is also relief.

Because he suddenly realized that his child had grown up and was able to think on his own, rather than being sheltered by him.

But then came a burst of sadness and helplessness.

"What do you want to ask?"

"When I went to the Land of Wind and the Land of Ghosts to take the exam, my father wasn't doing a task at all, but was being monitored, right?"

Ningji stared at Hiza's face, as if trying to find the answer he wanted.

He clenched his fists and almost sank his nails into the flesh.

Looking at Hiza's gaze, there was longing, there was worry, and more than that, anger, and a strong hatred that even he didn't realize!

For the sake of the family, the family was born and died, and the result was only in exchange for this kind of end.

Zongjia!