Disclaimer: I summon the disclaimer of fanfiction authors to defend myself!

For a while I had been kicking a pebble as I walked across the streets of Konoha, it looked harmless but I was receiving nasty looks from some civilians and merchants because I was covering their stands and entrances with faint layers of dust.

I didn't care for their opinions as I was absorbed in my thoughts until I saw Sasuke with a small bag filled with tomatoes.

"Sasuke?"

He heard me as he turned to see me for a moment before ignoring me completely.

I did feel offended and as a temporary mentor I couldn't allow such an attitude towards me continue, I ran to him and grabbed his shoulder.

"You need to work on that attitude of yours:"

He smacked my hand away and looked at me with narrowed eyes.

"Why should I?" His reply was met with a good smack on his head, even if he was a shinobi he had to respect his elders. especially me. I didn't want him to start causing a problem with people who didn't bend to his will, even if they would straighten him up I would rather be the one to do it and not Kakashi.

"Because I said so, now tell me about your training," I answered.

Sasuke was mad but the look of his eyes told me enough, he was quick to understand his position."I can do all the routines you gave me without issue, however despite reading over and over again all the elemental jutsus from my library I cannot perform any of them besides the Fireball."

I rubbed my chin trying to understand his problem. "Have you been reading them with you Sharingan?"

"I did, I memorized everything." He nodded.

"Impressive, what element you are?" I asked, my memory could recall that he could perform both fire and lighting attacks.

"Fire." He proudly said.

I rolled my eyes, it was the obvious Uchiha pride lingering within him, even with the slight improvement he had a long way to go.

"That's a pretty common element for an Uchiha, however, I cannot help you much besides giving you another couple of exercises or improving the intensity of the old ones."

"Why?" He frowned.

"Because I have earth affinity, I can perform a couple of Lighting jutsus but only basic ones. Fire is unknown to me and learning about it would be counterproductive but I know a couple of exercises that might help you." In a matter of teaching and learning, but I did have experience fighting fire users and methods on how to maximize my earth affinity against it.

His eyes shined with excitement for a moment. "What should I do?"

"Rather simple, meditate inside a ring of fire."

He looked at me in silence before tilting his head to the right.

"What?"

"You must learn how to control your body to withstand high temperatures because what's the point of learning one of the strongest fire techniques if your body cannot endure the heat? Your body must adapt."

"But I can perform the fireball…"

"Is a relatively safe technique you barely feel the heat that it emanates since it isn't close to you other jutsus don't work like that."

"I never thought about that."

"You learn with time, besides I suggest you wear sunglasses."

Sasuke tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"

"Because we don't want others to see you stealing other people jutsus do you?" I gave an innocent smile with my answer.

"I don't understand."

"You have the infamous but highly desired Sharingan, the eye that can copy anything. You never thought about start copying others besides your teachers?" I asked a bit puzzled, while he was a stuck up brat he wasn't by any means an idiot.

"I...did not, I only used it for fights."

I grabbed the bridge of my nose and let out a long sigh, he wasn't an idiot just short-sighted.

You are the last...loyal Uchiha so people will spoil you and accept your whims as long as they are within reason, use that to your advantage." I was in his position I would use the shitload of money that his clan amassed over the generations and start funding research about a couple of trinkets that would have made my life WAY easier.

"How?"

I shrugged. "Rather simple, try to see if any shinobi have scheduled the arena for fight or ask if you are allowed to see the training of other shinobis team; when you are there use Sharingan and copy as much as you can. That's why you should wear sunglasses, so nobody suspects what you are doing." Who cares if it is immoral if it gives an advantage you damn well must exploit it.

"I see, but why should I copy in secret?"

"Because people will feel offended that you are...learning their techniques in an instant while in their case it took them probably years to develop them."

"I don't see the issue." Sasuke's reply made me want to facepalm.

"Because you are an Uchiha, is perfectly normal but one who isn't an Uchiha feels completely cheated."

"Do you feel cheated?" He asked in a mocking tone.

However, I only looked at him with a blank expression.

"Of course I do, how much do you think I had to go through just to get this level of strength and developing my techniques? And when you activate your eyes you can easily replicate everything that I can do and before I forget do not dare to replicate any of those jutsu just watch and learn."

Sasuke frowned."I've read every detail and risk, I know what I'm doing." His argument was pretty weak, to be honest.

I snickered. "You don't, let me show you but in another place."

I turned and walked with a place in mind where I could show him the reality, Sasuke didn't seem too happy about being doubted but followed me nevertheless.

I lead him towards one of the nearest training grounds available, a very basic ground with a couple of practice dummies made of wood and a couple of metal poles. Once there I walked directly to the center and turned to face him.

"Activate your Sharingan."

He closed his eyes and slowly opened them, revealing a pair of red eyes with two tomatoes staring right back at me.

"Copy this if you can."

Sasuke's Sharingan immediately focused on my hands performing the three-hand seals to channel lighting to my hands.

My hands were sparkling with lighting and I stopped channeling chakra as a signal for him to try to do the same.

Soon after he did copy my actions and almost immediately his body lost its support and fell to the ground screaming while his body suffered spasms.

His suffering was giving me some amusement since I did warn him.

Real-life is a great master on its own.

"So how does it feel to be shocked?" I asked with a knowingly smile. "Do you still feel capable of replicating all the jutsus now?"

From his fetal position, he slowly turned his head to look at me with a pained expression, heavily breathing.

"But..but I read everything from the scrolls, it should have worked." He said between gasps.

I shrugged.

"Theory and practice are two different things, you need the two to succeed and let me tell you that was a low-level lighting jutsu. Now imagine what would have happened if it was a higher level jutsu, I can guarantee you that your body wouldn't even be recognizable." My explanation made me recall my training and the trainees, poor bastards.

Sasuke, on the other hand, looked downcast.

"Dammit…."

I wasn't really bad per se and he deserved some sympathy from my part, I kneeled and grabbed his arm helping him to get up to his feet while allowing him to use me to support his body.

"You still have a long way to go but I know that you can do it with enough training and time." I patted his back. "Don't hesitate to ask for help from me or Kakashi or other jounins." However, you should go to the hospital for a check because such shock isn't exactly healthy for your body." I ruffled his hair and walked away.

But Sasuke's body didn't recover because I heard a sounding thud, with my curiosity, peaked I turned to see him on the ground once again, with his mouth tasting the dirt.

When our eyes met I only grinned and resumed my walk.

"Hey, don't leave me here!" He screamed.

"Consider it a lesson of life." I dismissed his call and kept walking forward.

"FUCK YOU!"

My ears became deaf to Sasuke words as I walked away from the training grounds, however, I didn't stop thinking about him and how he still showed the Uchiha's infamous pride but in lesser degree and was receptive of suggestions as long as those suggestions helped his progress but there were more things to be done with him.

I looked up to the sky but the sunlight forced me to look down. "I think is time to return…" I grumbled as I rubbed my eyes.

Sasuke little reunion did help me to clear some of my thoughts, and as much as it would pain me I had to support Fū.

Naruto needed an attitude check once again and the whole problem was the perfect time to set her straight hopefully once and for all, she was a great imouto but she was crossing the line of my tolerance, better said, she had already crossed the line but I was very forgiving as a justification for my absence.

She would hate me for a couple of weeks tops but with time she would understand, or Hiruzen would help me by giving her explanations and advice to her since she would run to him for advice.

However, I needed to learn about what had happened in the time I wasn't around. Fū attitude was proof enough to tell that Naruto did something quite serious to her and I couldn't leave the issue any longer for another fight like before could happen and nobody would be around to stop them.

"Kichiro-san, may I have a word with you?"

When I turned I was honestly surprised to find Neji, and he wasn't wearing his usual clothes but the signature robes of the Hyuuga clan. "Neji? Sure what do you need?"

"Hiashi-sama has requested your presence at the Hyuuga compound." He said.

I frowned for a moment. "That's unexpected, but an honor nevertheless. I will follow your lead."

So he nodded and turned around leading me towards the Hyuuga compound at his own pace. When we arrived at the crowded streets he slowed down enough so he could be right next to me.

"I thank you for visiting my cousin at the hospital, I haven't been able to visit her much with my team taking so many C ranks mission." He suddenly said.

I looked at him and smiled.

"Naruto's friend is a friend of mine, I too hope for Hinata's full recovery. Though I heard she will soon be dismissed from the hospital." I was optimistic but behind my optimism was my realism which I didn't want to think at the moment but whose eyes would she receive?

"Yes...she will."

He went silent after that.

I wanted to know why the sudden change of attitude but I didn't inquire further, I didn't need words to understand how delicate was the topic for him.

The clan compound was big as expected, and the gates had two guards who nodded and opened the gates letting us go inside without any issue. It was a very traditional architecture and the Hyuugas choice of attire was fitting to the design. The only problem was that one could easily get lost in the compound without a guide since everything looked the same.

We walked and walked across hallways and occasionally passing through a small garden, in the meantime I was looking at the Hyuugas, their hierarchy was as expected. The main house members had their chin up showing pride while the branch members usually had their head down wearing a bandana on their foreheads.

Neji didn't have that attitude, perhaps his father is responsible and raised him well.

When we finally arrived at what I assumed to be Hiashi's office, he slid the door open and announced our arrival.

"I have brought Kichiro Hasegawa as instructed Hiashi-sama!"

He stepped aside giving me entrance.

Hiashi was seated in front of a small table that worked as a desk where he had been writing in scrolls. He closed the scroll and placed it on a medium-sized shelf that was behind him.

"Thank you Neji, you may leave now." He calmly said.

Neji bowed and left the room closing the door.

I stepped forward.

"Good afternoon Hiashi-sama. It is a pleasure to see you but first I must express my gratitude for your invitation." I bowed before him but he didn't say anything, he looked at me for a moment and then our surroundings.

The silence was awkward.

Then, Hiashi performed a single hand seal and certain spots from the wall glowed for a couple of seconds before the light died out.

I tensed for a moment as my heart accelerated, I couldn't remain calm at such a sudden turn of events.

"Now we can discuss in private." He pointed the beige cushion on the floor.

His words surprisingly calmed me, talk always talks.

"I assume is something for my ears only, right?

"You are correct, I have sealed this room to stop any other Hyuuga from meddling in others affairs "

"So what do you want to discuss with me in private, Hiashi-sama?" I asked wondering about the topics, there were so many things to discuss but deep within me, I had a nagging feeling that I knew what he wanted to discuss with me and only me.

He looked at me to the eye before letting out a long tired sigh. It made me wonder how mentally tired he truly is especially for what happened in the last couple of weeks.

"Is about my daughter." He said.

"Hinata? What's wrong with her." I wasn't that surprised at hearing his reason since I was right but at the same, I wished I wasn't, my mind was already thinking of the possibilities and reasons.

Hiashi looked downcasted. "As a father, I did my best to protect both as long as possible but there is much what I can do as a father without directly interfering with my duties as a clan head and this incident was the breaking point."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Hiashi-sama don't tell me..."

He only looked at me. "I tried my best with my brother to defend her but the clan elders finally overruled us with this incident as the final straw."

"Hinata…"

"Hinata has been officially disavowed from the Hyuuga clan." He finished the sentence for me.

There was a very tense silence between us.

I was looking at him incredulously but he maintained his serious face.

"This is outrageous!" I abruptly stood up looking down on him, Hinata did not deserve to be disowned over such an unfortunate accident. It was out of everyone's control, absolute nobody could have predicted it, even me.

The clan elders' decision was truly outrageous.

"And as a father is a grief that I cannot forget, however, I was able to secure her freedom to some degree." His words caught my immediate interest.

"Explain."

He shook his head.

"I cannot."

"Aren't we supposed to be safe to speak our minds to our heart content?!" I unconsciously snapped back at him.

Hiashi remained with the same expression as he looked at me."Yes, but I do not want to remember everything that I was forced to do to ensure her safety and freedom, or she would have become an even lower branch member."

He was right, at least to some degree. I had no right to force an answer out from him but that didn't mean that I had to like his answer, and I didn't know how it could be a status lower than a branch member in the Hyuuga clan.

My frustration was growing for I wanted answer, better say I needed answers because all of my plans I made regarding Hyuuga clan needed Hinata as the clan head to proceed smoothly, with her out of the picture all the effort I put into them would be in vain and I had doubts that Hanabi could help me since I rarely saw her, even less talk to her. Naruto also kept her distance regarding her.

It was instant but thinking about Naruto made me realize another truth.

I calmly took my seat again.

"Hiashi-sama, this is no longer about personal feelings but political matters. Do the elders know that they are burning a bridge with the Jinchuuriki of Konoha?" I asked, I wasn't so versed in politics but the little I knew was important.

Hiashi closed him before exhaling a very tired sigh, how much had he been enduring? "It was one of my strongest points to rely on, I truly believed that her being friends with Naruto would have been enough to protect her but I had been proved wrong because she is no longer the Jinchuuriki of Konoha."

"I don't...no...they don't mean…" My words stopped as the realization hit me like a bucket of cold water.

"Correct, Fu's arrival destroyed the pseudo hierarchy. They have already established connections and good relations with her in these months that have passed." Hiashi caught my attention again.

"Excuse me? I would've noticed right away!" I exclaimed racking my brains thinking when or how Fu talked with any of them.

"Whenever you left for your missions Kichiro-san, besides Fu wasn't accompanied by Naruto most of the time so they established contact on many occasions through proxies, and not only the Hyuugas had done this but the Aburame and the Inuzuka's as well."

I felt my blood ran cold as my eyes widened at the revelations, Jiraiya was right to doubt Fu's strength and new abilities that could even overpower Naruto's years of diligent training.

She had been receiving help from other clans all this time!

Her taijutsu overpowering Naruto's without many problems and her exploit on insect abilities, it all fitted together.

"This sounds like factions forming right under our noses, this is birthing ground for a potential civil war," I commented because I knew how fragile and volatile politics could be. Kumo didn't have to face problems like that because the good relations both jinchuurikis had with each other but Fu and Naruto relationship had a turn for the worse days ago and the more I learned from others I was slowly placing the scattered pieces together to get a bigger picture of psychological bullying.

If jinchuurikis hated each other the union would fracture and sides would undoubtedly form, creating factions indirectly led by the jinchuurikis in question, tensions would grow until every little action would be considered as an act of hostility.

I was hoping that I was only overthinking but when I saw Hiashi nodding in agreement I felt another weight fell on my shoulder, it shouldn't be my responsibility but it was my responsibility for neglecting both of them for so long.

Why nobody could ever follow what I say to the line?

Is it because they are alive like me?

It is idiotic to think but we cannot think or act alike, because each one of us is only ourselves a different person in all senses of the word.

"I understand the risks, and I understand that this was never your intentions neither the Hokage when accepting her within our ranks but we are not them and we do not think like them."

"This is bad, and I should assume that the Sarutobi, Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi support Naruto, right?" I looked at him waiting for his confirmation.

"Correct, and the positions solidified themselves after their sparring session."

I narrowed my eyes after hearing something I wished I did not. "That's supposed to be a secret."

"You cannot hide from our eyes Kichiro." He dryly replied.

I rubbed my temples, of course, it was impossible to hide from the Byakugan unless we could set up a barrier.

"Goddammit…what about the Shimura?"

Which Jinchuuriki would Danzo support? But he already had me to create a bridge between both Jinchuurikis...or that's what he is supposed to believe.

"That remains to be seen, but I believe that Fu would be the chosen." I didn't say anything, because I believe that Danzo would always support Naruto since she had more history behind her, the daughter of the Yondaime and an Uzumaki to add to the mix.

Unlike Fu who was only the Jinchuuriki of the seven tails, she only has an advantage that she has a relatively good relationship with Chomei, unlike Naruto.

"If we tip the balance then we can avoid all of this together," I commented on my obvious solution, no side would risk staying on the losing side.

"Of course it is possible but how?"

Hiashi was right. How could I tip the balance to destroy all the nonsense that was forming right in our home without recurring to drastic measures?

Racking my brains I tried to think of possibilities and solutions to all the scenarios that could present themselves, diplomacy but who could do the talks?

"Marriage!" I exclaimed.

Hiashi's eyes widened for a second but he shook his head.

"I mean no offense Kichiro, but I cannot marry any of my daughters to you, a clanless orphan, even if you have a relatively strong position. And Neji cannot marry Naruto as he is with the caged bird seal, offering him as a marriage candidate would be an insult." Hiashi words stung a bit, calling me a clanless orphan can be hurtful.

"No, I meant Kimimaro! He is the last Kaguya and user of one of the strongest kekkei Genkai in the world, I know that the Hyuugas always search to produce the strongest offspring." My explanation surprised Hiashi and I could see a glint of hope on his pupilless eyes but as soon as it came, it faded.

He shook his head again, letting out another tired sigh. "It will not work, Hinata still would remain disavowed because I have Hanabi as well and she showed more promise to the eyes of the clan than Hinata."

"So if I were to offer…" I too become downcasted at my idea being shot down so easily, if I offered the marriage before the incident then it could have been another story.

"Hanabi would be chosen to become his bride." He finished the sentence for me again.

"There is nobody else who could help you?" I asked wondering about his allies, men of power like him must have allies outside of his clan or circle of contacts.

Hiashi looked at me with his pupilless eyes and took a deep breath.

"Kurenai could have been of help, better said she was supposed to be her guardian in case of any problem but as you can see…"

He didn't finish since we both knew what happened to her.

"Is an unfortunate occurrence." I rubbed my temples, was this the so-called butterfly effect?

"Agree."

I was feeling frustrated since I was being given responsibility, better say burdens, which I never wanted to take, it would be an unwanted weight on my shoulders. Naruto and Fu were different, they were giving me stress but I decided to accept them and deal with them but Hinata wasn't.

I wasn't a foster home dammit!

"I didn't want more problem comings my way, just with these two living under the same roof I feel overwhelmed and with this new situation thing might get another turn for the worse especially now that I will be with my hands full trying to defuse this whole mess," I said.

"I'm not asking you to take care of her but to supervise her, my daughter is self-sufficient and can take care of herself."

"Hiashi-sama, I'm tight on budget even with the increase that was given to me I have to cover too many costs another addition would simply leave me without food and then on the streets. Besides this bit of news will wreck her emotionally, how can I deal with another emotional mess if I still haven't fixed my own?" I tried to explain my unfavorable situation to him since I was hoping to receive at least some kind of help from his part.

After all, it was the least he could do for me, after dumping me his daughter.

Hiashi pulled out from his robes two small scrolls which he gave to me.

"Which is why I am giving you the rights to oversee and manage my daughter's bank account and I've set up a schedule to visit the phycologist for her and all of your family."

That caught me off the guard.

"Excuse me?"

Hiashi was handing me a lot of economical power as if it meant nothing to him, it was just odd.

"I prepared a bank account with enough funds for her to have a peaceful life, in case she needs more then I will happily oblige and transfer her more and the Yamanaka of my absolute trust will be overseeing her mental health along with your family in case you can no longer deal with the pressure or unforeseen situation arise. " He said with closed eyes.

I opened both scrolls and started to read its contents, and it indeed said everything that he said moments ago, I was given the right to manage the bank account. And the sum of money prepared for Hinata was enough to support her for the rest of her life in luxury.

I put the scrolls aside.

"You truly care for her, don't you?" I looked at him but he only sighed with sadness and grief coming out.

"Any father would care for their children." He replied fast.

But even then I was still confused by his decision, I couldn't deny I was excited to receive a lot of money but I needed to be cautious. "Why trust me with this? Even with Kurenai gone there should be somebody else that would happily take care of Hinata instead of me."

"You are right, there are others who can take care of her but you are the only one who I can trust because your relationship with both Naruto and Fu, with this division you had been placed in a privileged position if you haven't noticed by now." Hiashi was right again, with me supervising her she would be indirectly protected by the fact alone of my position.

But even then I couldn't house another girl in my home, and Hinata was not going to be an exception.

"Look, I won't have her living with me but in another apartment relatively close to mine and every week I will check on her, is that okay?"

I was brutally honest with Hiashi about that regard, the house was in a volatile state and Hinata's introduction could potentially trigger the situation.

Hiashi gave me a faint smile and stood up from his seat.

"Is enough. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Kichiro-san for accepting the request from a grieving father" He bowed.

"Don't mention it."

I was getting a headache thinking about Naruto's reaction when she hears the news.

At least Danzo gave me the mission to stay inside the village until the Chunin exams, plenty of time to deal with everything.

Or so I hoped.

AN: *Sees growing numbers of his other story*

SULKING INTENSIFIES!

Anyways, I never saw Hiashi as a bad father. Just Kishi's lack of depth and explanation when writing characters as always, besides in the few clips of Boruto that occasionally appears in my recommended I see Hiashi bein rather caring grandfather.

Also, one comment mentioned about a missing chapter and well it was right, a chapter is missing, probably deleted by accident I will upload it as well.