29 Arriving to the Patriarch's Residence

Another morning swiftly arrived, and after completing his morning chores, engaging in a training session with Takumi, and following through with his new post-training ritual, Hikari moved on to his chakra control and physical exercises.

He allowed himself a brief period of recovery, albeit on a somewhat rushed schedule. Before he knew it, lunchtime and the afternoon had approached.

Realizing the day was moving quickly, Hikari dressed in slightly more formal robes, opting for dark blue colors that he favored, and prepared for a significant occasion.

He had received an invitation to visit the Patriarch's Estate, a summons delivered through Takumi earlier that morning. This invitation was the reason behind the urgency in Hikari's routine today.

As Hikari made his way to the Patriarch's Estate, his thoughts drifted towards the Patriarch himself. This wasn't the first time he had been invited over for lunch, so he was well-acquainted with the path and felt no nervousness about the meeting. 

In fact, Takumi, along with his wife who resided in the Seventh Estate with Hikari, extended an invitation to Hikari to join them for lunch, typically on the weekends, and Hikari often accompanied them.

Walking through the pathways primarily used by the Main Branch and its attendants, Hikari reflected on how different his journey felt compared to three years ago. Back then, as he walked through similar hallways and paths, he was met with scorn, mockery, and ridicule. Insults were thrown his way, and the disdain in the eyes of others was palpable.

This time, however, the atmosphere was markedly different. Regardless of age, everyone he passed looked at him with kindness in their eyes, as if he were their son, grandson, or a precious treasure.

People greeted him warmly as "Hikari-kun," inquiring about his well-being, and his training progress, and confirming if he was off to see the Patriarch again.

Offers of help were freely given, coupled with expressions of curiosity, care, respect, affection, and even envy. The disdain that once colored their interactions was nowhere to be found.

This shift in treatment was a direct result of Hikari's burgeoning talent and the Council's decision urging the clan to change their approach towards him.

Instead of continuing the previous treatment, the clan was now instructed to nurture and support him with all their might.

The recognition of his potential and the official endorsement of his importance to the clan had transformed how he was perceived by his peers and elders alike.

Arriving at the grand facade of the illustrious building, Hikari was met by Side Branch members stationed at the door. Despite his young age of six, they addressed him with a respectful "Hikari-sama," acknowledging his status and potential within the clan. Their demeanor towards him was respectful, a sign of the high regard in which he was now held.

The Side Branch members attentively led him inside while informing him, "The Patriarch has been expecting you, alongside young master Hiashi."

As Hikari nodded and was promptly escorted through the estate, his thoughts drifted to Hiashi, who was now 18 years old. He also considered Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, who Hikari suspected might also be present at the lunch, like during their last few meetings together but wasn't mentioned by the attendants due to obvious reasons.

In reality, after Hiruto and Haruto Hyuga, who were now 8 and 10 years old respectively, Hiashi and Hizashi were one of the closest to Hikari in age within the Main Branch. 

The Patriarch often paired Hiashi and Hizashi with Hikari in the hope of fostering a stronger bond among them. The Patriarch's decision was influenced by Hikari's exceptional maturity, which overshadowed his mere six years.

Despite his young age, Hikari demonstrated a level of understanding and composure that surpassed those of many of his older peers.

Also following that pivotal Hyuga Council meeting which affirmed Hikari's restored status within the clan, the dynamic between him and the younger Hyugas, Hiroto and Haruto, took another turn.

Initially, their grandfather, the Seventh Elder, had explicitly forbidden them from antagonizing Hikari any further.

This prohibition was a direct consequence of the council's discussion that day to restore his status and stand behind him collectively. 

However, once things regarding Hikari finally calmed down, and the brothers were allowed to issue a formal challenge to him, the situation was notably different than the last time again.

Hikari had not only embraced his training unlike before but had excelled, even mastering the Eight Trigrams 16-Palms already by that point. 

This put him at a significant advantage. When the brothers, with Haruto even activating his Byakugan by that time, initiated their challenge, they were utterly unprepared for Hikari's strength once again.

Hikari, remembering their past actions and his promise of retribution, effortlessly defeated them. He not only humiliated them in combat but also fulfilled his vow to choke them out once more.

This decisive victory served multiple purposes for him: it reinforced Hikari's burgeoning reputation as a prodigy within the clan, deterred Hiroto and Haruto from contemplating further challenges out of a newfound extreme fear, and symbolized the capitulation of the Seventh Elder's lineage in the face of Hikari's undeniable talent.

Over the past few years, Hikari also hadn't made any visits to his parents' graves located in Konoha's Cemetery. The emotional connection to his parents had dimmed to a point where he felt indifferent towards them.

For Hikari, there was no compelling reason to pay respects at the cemetery, especially considering the potential risks involved.

He understood that such a visit could be misunderstood by the clan, stirring unnecessary suspicion or concern about his loyalties once again.

Moreover, visiting the cemetery could unintentionally signal to the Third Hokage and the village's leadership that he was vulnerable or seeking a connection outside the Hyuga clan.

This could lead to unwanted attention, including the possibility of Anbu operatives being dispatched to 'escort' him for a meeting with the Hokage. Such a scenario was fraught with risks, as it might not only be an attempt to sway him towards serving Konoha's interests 'more directly' but could also escalate to more coercive measures if he seemed resistant.

As Hikari stepped into the living room of the Patriarch's personal residence, he found himself in a space that reflected the elegance and tradition of the Hyuga clan.

The room was spacious and immaculately kept, with polished wooden floors that gleamed under the soft light filtering through the paper screen windows.

Traditional Japanese scroll paintings adorned the walls, depicting serene landscapes and powerful dragons, symbols of strength and wisdom that resonated with the Hyuga's values.

In the center of the room, a low, polished wooden table was set upon tatami mats, around which the Patriarch, Hiashi, and Hizashi were already seated, Patriarch's wife already passed away a few years back. 

The furnishings were minimalist yet sophisticated, with cushioned seating arranged around the table for comfort during their meal.

Delicate vases holding simple, elegant flower arrangements provided a touch of color and life to the room, while carefully placed incense burners filled the air with a subtle, calming fragrance. The Patriarch nodded to the Side Branch attendants and they all stepped away. 

The Patriarch's soft smile and warm greeting set a relaxed tone as Hikari entered the living room, "Hikari-kun, you are finally here, please sit down. Let's enjoy our meal first; it will soon be finished."

Hiashi, with a welcoming smile, chimed in, "Hello, Hikari-kun, how are you doing?", In contrast to the others, Hizashi made an effort to rise and greet Hikari more formally before being gently encouraged by Hikari to remain seated, "Please sit down, Hizashi-senpai, I will join you at the table right away."

Hikari then addressed the table with a polite and fluid greeting, "Lord Patriarch, young patriarch, good afternoon, how have you all been?", He found his place at the low wooden table and settled into the traditional sitting position on the tatami mats.

His behavior reflected not only his respect for Hyuga traditions and the clan's hierarchy but also his understanding of the delicate dynamics within the family, especially concerning Hizashi.

Hikari made a conscious effort to address Hizashi with the respectful "-senpai" honorific, acknowledging him politely despite Hizashi being only six years his senior and a member of the Side Branch, unlike Hikari from the Main Branch.

Hikari understood the unique circumstances surrounding Hizashi well; although he was born into the Patriarch's lineage, a direct line of the Main Branch, fate and clan traditions had designated him as a Side Branch member, instead, complete with the Cursed Seal marking.

However, despite these external labels and the burdens they carried, Hizashi was still regarded as a genuine family member by his father, Hirayoshi the Patriarch, and his twin brother, Hiashi, the heir apparent to the Patriarch position, in Hikari's past observation.

The hierarchies of the Hyuga clan tradition necessitated a public adherence to the roles prescribed by one's branch status, creating a necessary distance in formal settings.

However, within the privacy of the family home, such distinctions faded, allowing for a semblance of normal family interactions, including shared meals and other domestic activities.

Therefore, Hikari's kind way of treating Hizashi wasn't just about being nice. He hoped it would make a good impression on the Patriarch and Hiashi themselves.

By showing respect to Hizashi, Hikari was showing that he understood and cared about the family's complicated situation.

He thought this might help him get on even better terms with the Patriarch's line. And it seemed to have worked, so far, judging by their increasingly warmed-up relationship. 

Hikari had long understood the reasons behind Hizashi being branded with the Cursed Seal. It boiled down to his being an identical twin born just minutes after Hiashi.

This situation presented potential complications for clan succession that could be neatly avoided by designating one twin as a Branch member.

The concern was that Hizashi, being the younger and identical twin, might challenge Hiashi's position as the heir due to him being unwilling and indignant in the future.

After all, he was the younger brother, that was true, but just for a few meager seconds younger.

Moreover, their identical genetic makeup meant their chakra networks could be indistinguishable, raising the possibility of one posing as the other with no definitive way to tell them apart.

It would be a really bad situation to have related to one clan's main Patriarch position. 

The decision to brand Hizashi with the Curse Mark and assign him to the Branch family was a preemptive move to sidestep these potential issues.

And Hikari recognized that such a decision likely came under considerable pressure from other elders within the clan.

It was hard to imagine any father willingly imposing such a harsh fate on his child simply because of the timing of his birth, to prevent theoretical future disputes.

The choice to mark Hizashi was probably driven by the elders' insistence, a move to safeguard the clan's stability and succession line.

Understanding this, Hikari saw the special treatment Hizashi received from his father, Hiyaroshi the Patriarch, and his brother Hiashi not just as acts of love but also of remorse.

Both Hiyaroshi and Hiashi were likely trying to compensate for the injustice Hizashi faced due to the clan's rigid traditions and the elders' demands.