"I'm not Rin's lover… neither is Kakashi! Then who married her?! Damn it! Damn it all! In this world, Kakashi clearly failed! Why don't I still have a chance?!"
"It's all because of that damn Uchiha Itachi! If not for him, I'd have married Rin in this world long ago! That cursed bastard! I'll kill him! I'll kill him!"
Imperial Obito roars wildly in his heart.
But at the same time, he's burning with curiosity about who actually married Rin. So, he heads to the Nohara residence…
Then…
"NO!! NOOOO!! NOOOOO!!!! This isn't real! No! Why?! Why is Rin dead too?! What's wrong with this world?! Aaaaah!!!!"
"I don't believe it! I won't believe it!!!"
In front of an old apartment building, Imperial Obito screams at the sky, blood tears streaming from both eyes. His figure spins and vanishes without a trace.
Only an elderly couple remains, exchanging bewildered glances.
"What's with that young man? Rin passed away twenty years ago… why was he so shocked?" the man says.
"Maybe he's from an outside village, someone who knew Rin when she was young, on missions. He came to Konoha for the first time today, remembered her, and visited here…" the old woman muses.
"Rin… our poor daughter…" The couple's eyes glisten as they recall their obedient, adorable daughter.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Elsewhere, Imperial Neji walks toward the Hyuga Clan's residential area with a faint smile.
He wants to see the Hyuga Clan in this world, his counterpart here, his sweet little sisters Hinata and Hanabi, and more clan members—whether they're as happy and kind as in his world.
As he nears the Hyuga residences, Imperial Neji occasionally overhears passersby glancing at the Hyuga homes, their voices tinged with envy and jealousy:
"The Hyuga Clan's houses are so grand… when could we ever live in a place like that?"
"The Hyuga are Konoha's top clan. Us commoners should know our place…"
"If only we were Hyuga Clan members."
"But… if you're Hyuga, better be main family. Being branch family is miserable!"
"Huh? You mean the Caged Bird?"
Such conversations warm Imperial Neji's heart.
The Hyuga Clan in this world is the top clan, surpassing the Senju and Uchiha?
'Is this because the Senju Clan here lacks His Majesty the Emperor, and the Uchiha Clan's average strength is relatively low?'
Though the thought feels a bit disrespectful, it unexpectedly delights him!
'But what's this Caged Bird? Why is the branch family so miserable? That's nonsense! The Hyuga Clan is the most united and kind!'
'Oh! I see Hyuga children—their Byakugan eyes are truly beautiful!'
'Wait… what are they doing?'
Imperial Neji's steps halt. He stands frozen, slightly stunned, staring into the distance.
There, a Hyuga child, about ten years old, clutches his head, rolling on the ground, screaming in agony.
In front of him, another child glares arrogantly at the suffering boy, flanked by several cold-faced Hyuga adults.
"Aaaaah! It hurts! It hurts so much! Please! Someone help me! It hurts! It hurts so bad! Aaaaah!" the child on the ground wails hysterically.
A cold-faced Hyuga adult sneers, "Hyuga Kenji! Have you forgotten who you are? How dare you injure Young Master Nao of the main family?!"
"Ughhh… we… we were clearly… sparring… Young Master Nao… aaaaah… told me to use all my strength… I just… aaaaah! Sorry! Sorry! I won't do it again! Spare me!" The child on the ground, wracked with pain, begs repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.
"Hmph! Lowly scum! I was just caught off guard! You think you could hurt me otherwise?" the protected child snaps, annoyed.
As he speaks, he kicks the pleading child's waist hard.
"Aaaaah! Young Master Nao! Young Master Nao… please forgive me… I can't take it…" the child on the ground continues to scream.
The smile on Imperial Neji's lips vanishes. Veins bulge on his forehead. He strides forward, scoops up the suffering child, and presses several points on his body.
Only then does the child's pained cries cease. He offers a weak smile and says, "Thank you… big brother…"
After those words, the child closes his eyes, fainting.
"!"
Imperial Neji's teeth grind. He glares at Young Master Nao and the two Hyuga adults, shouting, "What did you just do?! Why are you bullying this sweet child?! What did he do wrong to deserve such torture?! Answer me!"
"Huh?"
The Hyuga Clan members stare at the enraged Imperial Neji, noting his tall, strong build and his furious, vein-popping face. Their hearts skip, but they also feel indignant.
"Didn't you hear? This scum, a servant, dared to injure me when I was off guard!" the boy called Young Master Nao says, displeased.
"Servant? You're saying this Hyuga child… is your servant?" Imperial Neji mutters, incredulous.
"Of course he's a servant! Young Master Nao is main family Hyuga! We branch family members are all just Young Master Nao's servants!" a branch family adult says sternly.
"Servants… the branch family are servants of the main family… why? Why are branch family members servants to the main family?" Imperial Neji says, his expression dazed.
"This shouldn't be… The Hyuga Clan, isn't it supposed to be the most united and kind? How can there be something as archaic as servants… impossible! Impossible!" Imperial Neji whispers, his eyes slowly reddening.
"Weirdo! The Hyuga Clan's affairs are none of your business, outsider!" a branch family adult says, frowning.
"Outsider!? Outsider…" Imperial Neji pants, the pressure emanating from him intensifying.
"Young Master! This guy's trouble! We should leave!" a branch family member says, frowning.
"Hmph! This is Hyuga Clan land! Would this guy dare cause trouble?" the main family boy replies dismissively.
Imperial Neji continues panting, finally turning away with a grim face and leaving.
He deliberately begins asking about the Hyuga Clan's situation in this world.
Then… he slowly learns everything!
Caged Bird, main family, branch family!
Imperial Neji looks up at the sky. The once-clear blue is now cloaked in gray clouds, making him frown unconsciously:
"The Hyuga Clan in this world… is sick…" he mutters.
His gaze grows vacant.
*WHOOSH!*
At that moment, a masked ninja suddenly appears beside Imperial Neji: "Excuse me, are you Neji? Hokage-sama requests your presence."
"I'm Neji. Lead the way. I'll meet the Hokage at once." Imperial Neji says, lowering his head. His eyes flash with madness, but when he looks up, they're calm again. He follows the masked ninja.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Elsewhere, Imperial Lee still searching for Guy and Lee in this ninja world, and Imperial Obito, who fled from the Nohara residence, are also found by Anbu and brought to meet the Hokage.