Chapter 103: I Just Wanted to Save Some Money for the Family - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

Chapter 103: I Just Wanted to Save Some Money for the Family Sandaime... he actually wanted to die in battle. He was a legend among shinobi, Konoha's Third Hokage, and he couldn't bear the thought of dying old and feeble in a sickbed. To be slain on the battlefield was the only fitting end for him. Perhaps, carrying the name of Hokage meant accepting such a fate. Honestly speaking, Sandaime's life was a mix of great achievements and grave mistakes. He gave much for Konoha, performed many commendable deeds, yet he also committed significant errors. When Orochimaru attacked, Sandaime might have already decided to die. A shinobi's worth is determined by his death. Sandaime wanted his death to be meaningful, to use it as a wake-up call for the stagnant Konoha. And perhaps... to atone for past mistakes by reclaiming Orochimaru's forbidden jutsu. Others might not have saved Sandaime for various reasons. But Jiraiya understood him, which is why Jiraiya entrusted Orochimaru to Sandaime. From the start to the end of the Konoha Collapse Plan, Jiraiya didn't even glance at the venue. He feared that if he saw it, he would be compelled to save Sandaime, wasting Sandaime's painstaking plans. With the war ended, Hinata communicated with the Nine-Tails, asking it to retract its chakra. Exhausted, Hinata made her way back to the Hyuga household. The Hyuga estate was mostly intact, suggesting they hadn't faced any formidable enemies. Hinata initially planned to take a bath, feast, and then enjoy a good night's sleep... Hyuga Tokuma suddenly appeared before her with a swift Body Flicker Technique. "Lady Hinata, Lord Hiashi requests your presence." Hinata sighed, a hint of helplessness on her small face, and said, "Tokuma, can you tell Father that I'm really tired and I want to rest first? I'll go see him later this evening." Hyuga Tokuma looked up at Hinata and said earnestly, "Lady Hinata, forgive me for being blunt, but you don't look very tired." Hinata: Fine then! "Can't I be emotionally tired?" "Never mind! Lead the way!" Hinata was somewhat exasperated. Tokuma, with his rigid steadfastness, remaining loyal yet lacking discernment in knowing whom exactly to pledge his loyalty to, was indeed frustrating. Initially, when Hinata found herself brought into the Hyuga clan, she thought the branch family would be extremely hostile towards the main family. However, the reality was... There was some animosity and resentment, but they were rare exceptions. Just as Konoha used the 'Will of Fire' to indoctrinate its shinobi, the Hyuga clan had its own methods. From birth, the branch family members were indoctrinated by their elders. The elders would tell them that their life's duty was to protect the main family and the Hyuga bloodline. Under this indoctrination policy, as long as the main family didn’t overtly abuse the branch family, the latter would harbor no grievances. While some may feel dissatisfaction or resentment, they wouldn't outwardly express it. If there were true animosity between the main and branch families, with the main family viewing the branch as slaves and the branch seeing the main as enemies, the Hyuga clan might have been doomed long ago, perhaps even more catastrophically than the Uchiha. Such hatred could easily be exploited by enemies. The fact that the Hyuga clan has survived from the Warring States era to become the foremost noble clan in the ninja world proves that their brainwashing policy was effective. Neji from the original story was an exception—he resented the main family because of his father's death. If Hyuga Hizashi hadn't died, perhaps Neji would have protected Hinata throughout his life! Following Tokuma, Hinata entered Hiashi's study. Hiashi sat behind the desk, face stern yet movements poised, brewing tea and then sliding a cup toward Hinata. He calmly said, "Come and sit." "Father!" After greeting Hiashi, Hinata sat across from him and asked, "How are things at home?" Hiashi replied slowly, "Since we prepared in advance, we only suffered some financial losses." Hinata sipped the tea, looked at Hiashi, and curiously asked, "Will the village reimburse us?" Hiashi was speechless for a moment. Our Hyuga clan is wealthy, losing some ninja tools and structures, and yet you want to ask the village for reimbursement? Where does that leave the dignity of the Hyuga clan? Unaware of Hiashi's expression, Hinata continued, "Surely there are family members injured as well! That should be workplace injuries; the village ought to provide for their treatment, right?" Hiashi's voice deepened, "What exactly is going through your mind?" Hinata blinked in confusion, "Saving money for the family, of course!" "Father, you see, when I inherit the Hyuga clan, the clan's wealth will be mine, so isn't it natural to save a bit for myself?" Makes sense, doesn't it? Hiashi: "..." Wisely ignoring Hinata's reasoning, Hiashi asked, "I heard you captured Gaara of the Sand Village's One-Tail?" Hinata was astonished, "Father, you found out so quickly! Our Hyuga intelligence is impressive!" Hiashi thought: Isn't this something you yourself bragged about around the village? Feeling his patience tested, Hiashi asked, "Do you realize the significance of a tailed beast to a village? Capturing the Sand Village's One-Tail might bring trouble to Konoha!" Hinata was puzzled, "It can't be that serious, right? I just wanted to use the One-Tail to bargain a little money from the Sand Village..." "By the way, Father, could you handle this matter with the village elders for me?" "There were others who helped capture the One-Tail with me; once we trade it with the Sand Village, we can evenly split the rewards!" Initially, Hinata didn’t intend to share. But sensing the seriousness in Hiashi's tone, involving others seemed prudent for sharing any potential blame. Hiashi, slightly exasperated, wondered why his daughter's mind seemed filled only with thoughts of money... Hiashi asked, "What do you need so much money for? If you need funds, you can draw from the family!" Delighted by his offer, Hinata responded, "Thank you, Father!" After a moment’s pause, Hinata sighed and said, "I need the money to cover my losses! I just lost several hundred million!" Hiashi was shocked, "Lost that much? What on earth did you do?" At this moment, Hiashi just wanted to quickly review the clan's finances to see what egregious act Hinata could have committed to squander billions! "Alas!" Hinata sighed. "Father, did you know there were bets on the Chunin Exams?" "If only I had placed my bets beforehand, wouldn’t I have effortlessly earned billions?" Hiashi, feeling exhausted, said, "Get out!" Hinata stood, offering a respectful bow, "Father, I'll go back to sleep then. Goodnight~"