Prologue
Hyuuga Hinata and Hyuuga Neji sat side-by-side as they sat through one of the Hyuuga clan meetings, both bored. The elders had been debating for hours about Neji coming of age and getting himself a wife.
"Give him a couple more years, and if he hasn't married by then, that is when you can start bringing in possible brides," Hiashi said with finality, glaring at the elders. "In case you have forgotten, it has recently been enforced that elders no longer have any power in decision making. That power is allowed to clan leaders and the Hokage alone. Now, onto a new topic." Hiashi looked around. "Hinata, my daughter, are you prepared to take your place as clan leader at any time?"
"Yes, Sir," Hinata said, face stoic and voice void of emotion. The Final Battle between the Five Great Nations and Akatsuki had cured Hinata of her shyness and meekness. And those lessons on schooling emotions with Neji sure helped.
"Then you shall be put in charge immediately," Hiashi said. "As of today, I step down from my position as clan leader, and join the council of elders."
"Of course, Father," Hinata murmured, standing. Hiashi stood as well. He took his place with the elders and Hinata took his former place at the head of the meeting.
"After this meeting, I will be leaving the village for a while," Hiashi said. "This war took a great toll on me, and I need a vacation. Therefore, I will be vacationing in Suna. Now, Hinata, you may make the changes you wish to make."
"Neji, could you come to sit at my right side, please?" Hinata asked. Neji rose silently, and sat next to his cousin. "Neji is my second, and I want no arguments. If I am not capable of taking care of something, you go to him, is that understood?" There were murmurs of agreement throughout the room. "Also, within a few years, there will be no line between the Main House and the Branch House. I am developing a counter for the Caged Bird Seal, and it should be completed within these few years. Once it is developed, all Branch House members will have the Caged Bird Seal removed, and they will not be permitted to serve the Main House. They will be free to do as they wish.
"Also, by that time, we will annul the feud that has gone on between the Hyuuga and Uchiha clans for many centuries. Do not argue, it is a pointless feud that we don't even know the purpose behind. We will be making a truce with the remaining Uchiha, of which will be three once the two brothers of Uchiha Keinai get their issues sorted out.
"As you all know, Uzumaki Naruto has been chosen to take on the training as the next Hokage. The Hyuuga clan will stand behind him completely, and anyone who voices their prejudice against the Kyuubi inside him will be disowned and their name wiped from the Hyuuga Family Tree. The Hyuuga clan stands behind their family, and Uzumaki Naruto will be our family. He has proposed to me, and I have accepted. Any order he gives you, Hokage-wise or clan-wise, you will obey without complaint. Am I understood?" There were more murmurs of agreement, and a few grumbles. "Good. This meeting is adjourned."
