Hiashi had been very impatient for the last 3 weeks. He was not a man that was used to having to wait on anything. That was not to say he was not patient in general but this particular desire had made him very impatient. He was currently awaiting the SIPA results for both of his daughters. Getting Hinata evaluated was easy enough as her team was assigned to attend. Getting Hanabi evaluated was a whole other issue. He had to grease many palms with a great deal of funds to get her the access to their evaluation tools.
"Welcome Hiashi," greeted the hokage congenially. Yuuhi Kurenai sat in one of the chairs waiting for the evaluation to began.
"Hokage-sama," he responded politely.
"I understand you went around several people's back to have your youngest evaluated before we've even finished with the evaluations of the various teams we expect to attend the chuunin exams," said the hokage nonchalantly.
"That is correct," said Hiashi, "I know there is only one other team expected to be evaluated before the chuunin exams and that team is in poor standing as it is. Six attempts and six failures correct?"
"True enough," the hokage chuckled. "I do not mind the extra funding SIPA received as a result."
"I did not think you would be too upset by it."
"I'm not."
"He may not be but I am," said Kurenai finally joining the conversation. "I had to wait an extra week to get Hinata's results because of your nonsense."
"Anyway, the evaluator for both of your daughters should be here soon. Fushi-san has already told me the reviews of Hinata and Hanabi would be done separately. After which we will have a sit down with just the three of us as you made a rather unusual request of the evaluator," Sarutobi explained. He was leaning back in his chair with his pipe in hand.
"I understand," said Hiashi with a firm nod of acceptance though not apologizing in the slightest.
Kurenai scoffed choosing to remain quiet so long as the man remained in the room.
Sarutobi reached across his desk and pushed the intercom, "Please send in Hyuuga Hinata and Fushi Ringo."
The doors opened and the two requested individuals entered. The former walked in nervously while the later walked with purpose.
"Welcome back Fushi-san. Hello Hinata-chan," greeted the hokage of the pair, "Please sit."
"Thank you Hokage-sama," said Fushi sitting rather stiffly.
"You may begin when ready," said Sarutobi blandly but kindly. This would be the twelfth time he had been through one of these.
Fushi handed each person a booklet of about 50 pages.
"We broke the testing into three main areas, Physical, Mental and Chakra. I'll be explaining the results for each section in brief. First I will explain strengths and weaknesses of each area and then recommendations for training in each area. I will end with a potential career path recommendation. If you require any clarification you can interrupt if needed or simply refer to the full evaluation you each hold now. Any questions before we begin?"
Hiashi gave pause before nodding his assent. He wanted to ask about the additional request he made but that would have to wait for now.
"Physical," Fushi began. "Hyuuga-san is just above moderate physical condition. Her flexibility is exceptional and her strength and stamina are both moderate. Her reflexes are just above moderate. Her diet is well balanced and maintained. Her sense of taste and smell are both moderate."
"Training recommendations are as follows. Given her exceptional flexibility, we believe she is completely unsuited to the traditional Hyuuga 'hard' style jyuuken. Because of this she would perform better if she used a 'soft' style jyuuken."
Hiashi was nearly instantly very red in the face it was only a look from Sarutobi that prevented him from assaulting the evaluator.
Hinata meanwhile was sinking further and further into her coat.
"We recognize that the Hyuuga clan does not have a 'soft' style jyuuken so it may be necessary to make one. We are of the opinion that there are many Hyuuga that would benefit from a 'soft' style as opposed to the indoctrinated 'hard' style."
This was not something Hiashi expected or wanted to hear. This scientist was criticizing his clan's traditions without any concern or forethought.
"How dare you?" Hiashi finally burst.
"I dare nothing," said Fushi. "This is based purely on empirical data and research. Whether you listen to our recommendations or not is up to you but do not waste your anger on us for providing an unbiased evaluation."
"Fushi-san speaks true Hiashi," said Sarutobi trying to assuage the man. "You don't have to like what is said here but you should listen in full. Besides, your clan's refusal to create a 'soft' style of the jyuuken has been criticized for generations. This is not the first you've heard this."
Hiashi huffed once. "Fine, proceed."
Fushi nodded once before speaking. "Mental. We administered several tests to gauge both mental acuity and personality in addition to a psychological profile.
"Hyuuga-san scored well on her intelligence quotient test coming in just above average with a 117. Her memory is moderate and her synaptic rate is slightly above moderate, most likely a result of the byakugan needing a higher rate of synaptic response to interpret all the information.
"We conducted two different personality tests. First, she is a Type B personality which is fairly rare amongst shinobi. The important detail to this is that when faced with competition she generally does not care about winning but more enjoying the activity.
"She is a very slight extravert. She enjoys the company of small groups of people but is easily overwhelmed by large groups often causing her to become very shy. She relies on her senses to perceive the world around her. She is also very feeling in making judgments and decisions.
"Her psychological evaluation is a bit more concerning. She shows signs of emotional abuse and neglect perpetrated by her family, specifically at the hands of the clan elders and to a lesser extent her father. It has resulted in a crushing shyness and self doubt."
"Now see here..."
"No," said Fushi coldly. "These facts are irrefutable. I'm not here to insult you or you lack of compassion or your complete lack of parental skills. I'm here to relay facts. What you do with this information is again up to you."
Hiashi at that point was barely able to restrain himself.
"Training recommendations are as follows. Improving her ability to make decisions based on logic will serve her well. Books on anatomy, botany, and possible medical texts would serve her well."
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow at that. It was similar to the recommendation given for Haruno Sakura.
"It is also highly recommended Hyuuga-san be removed from the Hyuuga household and be given counseling to deal with her emotional issues."
"Hiashi," said Sarutobi preemptively. "Calm yourself Hiashi."
Hiashi sneered in contempt but remained silent.
Kurenai naturally smirked feeling no small amount of vindication.
"Chakra," said Fushi without missing a beat. "We tested for the various chakra affinities both major and minor. Hyuuga-san has a moderated affinity to water. Her chakra is well balanced between spiritual and physical. On the spiritual side she has a moderate affinity to iryojutsu and on the physical side she has a moderate affinity to taijutsu and a slightly below moderate affinity to shape manipulation. She has a very strong bloodline affinity. She has a moderate affinity to fuinjutsu."
Hiashi was actually pleased by this information though only temporarily.
"Training recommendations are as follows. Iryojutsu is recommended. Some elemental training would not hurt her development. With her strong taijutsu affinity a proper 'soft' style of taijutsu would greatly benefit her.
"Hyuuga-san has potential to be an exceptional combat medic given her potential for both iryojutsu and taijutsu. Or, if she is given a chance to learn an appropriate taijutsu she could become an exceptional taijutsu specialist. Both paths are viable but each also has its own challenges. However, if her emotional problems are not resolved in the immediate future, her growth will be forever stunted."
Hinata sat silent in her seat weeping. She knew she was damaged but this was almost too brutal.
"Kurenai," spoke the hokage solemnly. "Why don't you take Hinata-chan for a walk? I'm sure you two have much to discuss in regards to her training."
"Right away Hokage-sama," said Kurenai with a small bow. She then stood and escorted Hinata out of the office.
"We'll bring Hanabi in shortly. Fushi, please excuse us for a moment. I'll call you back in with Hanabi-chan," said the hokage looking to Hiashi. "So, what do you think? Were they accurate?"
"I believe I have wasted a large sum of money," said Hiashi irritably.
"They haven't been wrong yet," said the hokage. "So, should I remove your daughter from your care? I know you have been in mourning for your late wife but 9 years is quite enough don't you think?"
Hiashi sneered angrily, "How I raise my children is my business. Stay out of clan affairs."
"Ah, but you were the one that made this a village issue by placing your daughter in SIPA, partly at the villages expense."
Hiashi's eyes widened very slightly, "You are playing a dangerous game."
"No game," said Sarutobi turning suddenly very serious and very cold. "I've long grown tired of your clan's stubborn traditions ruining the future of many shinobi. You've been advised a great many times in the past by taijutsu experts, that even your best jyuuken users could not defeat, that you need to adapt a 'soft' style to compliment your 'hard' style. You've been told multiple times you need to discontinue use of the Hyuuga Soke no Juinjutsu. Jiraiya has volunteered to create a new fuinjutsu to protect your entire clan, not just the branch family but you and your elders insist on continuing what roughly equates to slavery. Need I remind you slavery is strictly outlawed in Hi no Kuni. The Daimyo's patience is running thin with this issue as it is."
"And you would interfere with clan rights? You would violate the clan charter with Konoha?"
"Not me," said Sarutobi sliding a scroll across the desk.
Hiashi only needed to glance at the Daimyo's seal on the scroll to know he was in for some very unpleasant changes. "Why now?"
"I'm done defending your clan," said Sarutobi. "I received that girl's report a week ago. It came about an hour before the Daimyo's latest demand for justification again. You have no one to blame but yourself and your stubborn clan's unwillingness to adapt and change."
"You would do this over one evaluation of one girl?"
"I cannot claim to follow the Will of Fire instilled in me by the shodaime and nidaime hokage if I did not. But it is not just her, your nephew Neji's report was much more concerning."
"You would risk our clan's defection?"
"Let me be clear," said the hokage with an edge of death in his voice. "You attempt a coup or to defect en mass, I will salt the earth with your ashes and let those remaining loyal rebuild your clan as I dictate. No more shall this be tolerated."
Hiashi knew a loss when he saw it. "The elders will slaughter the branch family for this. They will assume they caused this to happen. You would have that on your conscience?"
"Read it," said Sarutobi pointing at the scroll.
Hiashi grimaced as he picked it up and broke the seal.
Sarutobi seemed to take a perverse pleasure in watching Hiashi's face darken in anger then pale in fear.
When Hiashi finally rolled the scroll up and tucked it into his yukata, Sarutobi spoke. "As you can see, the Daimyo has been quite thorough."
"Quite thorough indeed," said Hiashi.
"I expect the formula to Hyuuga Soke no Juinjutsu to be delivered by end of business today. If not I will consider it an act of open rebellion," said Sarutobi coldly.
"This will not be forgotten," said Hiashi equally as cold.
"I expect in a generation it will be celebrated," said Sarutobi with a devious grin.
"Celebrated for the destruction of the clan, I should think not," said Hiashi.
"Celebrated for the salvation of the clan," said Sarutobi without a hint of doubt in his voice.
"Time will tell," said Sarutobi effectively ending the conversation. He then reached towards the intercom switch, "Send in Hanabi-chan and Fushi-san."
BREAK
"It's okay Hinata-chan," soothed Kurenai. After listening to the evaluation results she'd brought Hinata back to her apartment so they could talk in more depth. But first she had to get the girl to calm down.
"I'm worthless and broken," choked Hinata through her sobs. "How can it ever be okay?"
"I know it was harsh Hinata but stop thinking about the negatives," said Kurenai calmly.
"It's all negative," sobbed Hinata. "I'm a failure to my clan's traditions. I'm an emotion liability. How can I ever be a good shinobi?"
"Hinata-chan," said Kurenai calmly, "you need to stop that line of thought. Think it through logically."
Hinata sniffled a few times trying to bring her emotions under control.
"You are not a failure to your clan's traditions, they failed you because they could not adapt to you. You are like your water affinity. Which is why a soft style is recommended. A soft style which your clan's stubborn traditions have failed to create," explained Kurenai.
Hinata sniffled a few more times before reluctantly nodding. "Why doesn't my father see it that way?"
"Like your clan's traditions, your father is also very stubborn," said Kurenai. "He is frustrated because he is a failure. Not because you are a failure. He failed to recognize that the 'hard' style of jyuuken did not, does not suit your body type. He failed to create a style that would allow you to excel."
"But he's always calling me a failure, the elders too," said Hinata with a fresh bout of tears welling in her eyes.
"That is another failure of your clan and father," said Kurenai with a bit more venom behind her words than previous. "No parent or adult should ever speak to a child that way. It is a parent's duty to protect and care for their child. You should have been reassured growing up that you would be the amazing girl I see you as now. It will take time Hinata-chan but I promise we'll work through your emotional issues together."
Hinata nodded a few tears dripping from her eyes. It was only a slight but gentle smile for Kurenai that let the elder woman breathe in slight relief.
"Now, what were the positives?" asked Kurenai with a smirk for her young charge.
"Iryonin training," stuttered Hinata. She had to sniffle once more but this time it was followed by a small smile.
"It's something you've always wanted no?" asked Kurenai with a smile for the girl.
Hinata nodded vigorously.
"Well, we'll get that sorted out tomorrow," said Kurenai. "Why don't you stay here with me tonight? We'll have our own little slumber party."
Hinata dove at Kurenai hugging her fiercely. The girl had never been so grateful for getting the greatest sensei ever.
BREAK
"We broke the testing into three main areas, Physical, Mental and Chakra. I'll be explaining the results for each section in brief. First I will explain strengths and weaknesses of each area and then recommendations for training in each area. I will end with a potential career path recommendation. If you require any clarification you can interrupt if needed or simply refer to the full evaluation you each hold now. Any questions before we begin?
"Physical," began Fushi. "Hyuuga-san is just above moderate physical condition. Her flexibility is moderate and her strength and stamina are slightly above moderate. Her reflexes are just above moderate. Her diet is well balanced and maintained. Her sense of taste and smell are both moderate.
"Training recommendations are as follows. Continued work in the 'hard' style of jyuuken is recommended for her strength and flexibility."
Hiashi nodded very pleased with this knowledge. This was what he expected of a Hyuuga child.
"Mental," continued Fushi without pause. "We administered several tests to gauge both mental acuity and personality in addition to a psychological profile.
"Hyuuga-san scored moderately on her intelligence quotient test coming in average with a 105. Her memory is moderate and her synaptic rate is slightly above moderate, most likely a result of the byakugan needing a higher rate of synaptic response to interpret all the information. Please bear in mind she is young so these results are expected to improve as she grows older.
"We conducted two different personality tests. First, she is a Type A Personality, details can be read within the evaluation results.
"She is a very slight introvert. She prefers to be alone but does not mind a little company for short periods of time. She relies on her senses to perceive the world around her. She is also very strongly oriented towards thinking in making her judgments and decisions."
"Her psychological evaluation is a bit more concerning. She has been given a very false sense of entitlement that will result in many social problems as she ages. She struggles when speaking with peers as she believes them to all be below her and therefore have no worth. She does not comprehend friendship or its value in the social order.
"Training recommendations are as follows. Enrollment in to the academy is highly recommended to start working on reversing her poor social skills and to make friends."
Hiashi sat stone-faced. This was the second child of his that had some manner of psychological problem. It was starting to work on his own self doubt.
"Chakra. We tested for the various chakra affinities both major and minor. Hyuuga-san has a strong affinity to earth. Her chakra is extremely physically oriented. On the physical side she has a very strong affinity to taijutsu and a slightly below moderate affinity to shape manipulation. She has a very strong bloodline affinity. She has almost zero affinity to fuinjutsu.
"Training recommendations are as follows. Some elemental training would not hurt her development. With her strong taijutsu affinity, continued work in the 'hard' style jyuuken is also recommended. She may develop additional affinities as she ages so future testing is advised."
"Hyuuga-san's current potential lies strictly in front line combat and reconnaissance. However, I repeat, she is still very young. Her potential could develop into something different if given time and a repeat of this testing in a few years," said Fushi finishing his report.
Hiashi nodded firmly at that note. This report was much more pleasing to hear but did not invalidate the truth of the other report.
"Why would attending the academy with commoners benefit me?" asked Hanabi. "What could they hope to teach me that father has not?"
"That is precisely why you need to attend," said Fushi with a certain finality.
"Hanabi," interrupted Hiashi, "go home and practice your jyuuken. I will be along shortly."
"Yes Father," said Hanabi as she stood and bowed to him and the hokage before leaving without another word.
"Now, as to my other request," said Hiashi not doubting that what he knew would be confirmed.
"As you requested while doing the evaluation for your daughters we were also doing a comparison or their talents. And at the hokage's request we also compared them to your nephew Neji," started Fushi handing him and the hokage another booklet.
"You asked us to confirm that Hanabi was a prodigy of jyuuken. You wanted confirmation that Hanabi was a better fit to be the future leader of the Hyuuga clan. I'm afraid I cannot do that as it would be false."
"What?" shouted Hiashi angrily.
"Hinata has only ever lost to Hanabi because she must lose to keep her sister safe. If you straight up compare Hinata and Hanabi on a purely physical basis, Hinata should be incapable of losing to Hanabi. However, if Hinata were to defeat Hanabi the elders would have put the Hyuuga Soke no Juinjutsu on her immediately – something Hinata would never allow to happen. Hinata's position as heiress has protected her from the juinjutsu but even that won't last forever and she is fully aware of it."
"Currently, neither Hanabi nor Neji have the mind sets to be great leaders at this time. Leading a squad of shinobi, maybe, but an entire clan, no. At least not now and not if they both do not resolve their psychological issues."
"And Hinata is that much better?"
"Hinata is because she is capable of working in conjunction with others where Neji and Hanabi prefer to work in isolation from others. Now, Hanabi is young and may grow out of her current issues but right now Hinata is the stronger candidate. Neji has no interest in leading the clan and it does not appear that will change anytime soon.
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering, 'what if they were both fully matured?' Hanabi would most likely defeat Hinata if they both used 'hard' style jyuuken. However, if Hinata was to learn a 'soft' style jyuuken they would probably be much more evenly matched. Your nephew Neji though is a true prodigy, neither of your daughters will ever measure up to Neji's innate skill and ability. The only thing holding that young man back is his fear that fate will forever control his destiny."
"This is your doing," said Hiashi standing and glaring at the hokage. "You put them up to this."
"I assure you Hiashi, this was not my doing," said Sarutobi returning the glare with equal fervor.
"Such nonsense and a waste of money," said Hiashi storming out not knowing the seed of doubt was now firmly planted at the back of his mind. With the changes being forced by the daimyo it was only a matter of time before Hiashi himself started appraising things with a more honest eye colored ever so slightly by the SIPA evaluations.
BREAK
Hiashi steamed into the clan compound. He was furious that he wasted so much time and money on that nonsense.
"Call the elders," he said to one of the branch member as he entered the main house. "Tell them we need to meet immediately." He continued through the house and out the back of the building as he walked along the path leading to the clan meeting house.
He was still furious when the elders arrived. Today was supposed to have been a good day. He was suppose to finally have the last bit of validation he needed to elevate Hanabi to heiress. How had it gone so terribly wrong?
"What have you called on us for Hiashi?" asked his father, the former clan head.
Hiashi took the scroll from inside his yukata and handed it to his father, "The daimyo has ordered me to court to answer for crimes of human enslavement."
"Why has Sarutobi not crushed this?" asked another elder.
"The hokage has withdrawn his support of our clan," said Hiashi coldly. "He has also promised our near extinction if we even attempt to defect to another country. He was very serious."
"This is not good," said Hiashi's father. "How dare they interfere with traditions older than them?"
"We knew this day could come," said another elder. "We knew it was possible when that young Minato became hokage. We were very lucky at the time that he was still dealing with the aftermath of the war or daimyo may have pressed this then."
"What course of action do we take then?" asked Hiashi. "Surely we cannot abide this ruling. It would destroy us."
"The decision was already made for us," said Hiashi's father as he passed the scroll to another elder. "For now, all we can do is recall all members of the Hyuuga clan and boycott any village missions. At least until this new seal has been applied to all of us. And even then we have funds that would allow us to hold out for several years if need be."
"And what of the genin Hyuuga family members," asked another elder. "I cannot see allowing my grandson to stagnate because he is unable to take missions with his team."
"He makes a valid point," another elder said agreeing.
"We have a few Genin participating in the upcoming chuunin exam do we not?" added yet another of the elders.
"Genin are very low risk and they do not do much to influence the village standing," said Hiashi's father. "We can allow them to be excluded from the boycott for now."
"Very well," said Hiashi irritably."I must go pack and arrange travel to the capital. Father, I leave Hanabi's training in your hands."
"I'll see to it," said Hiashi's father. "By the way, what happened with the SIPA evaluations?"
"They were a waste," he said even more irritably as he placed the three booklets on the table. "You may review them at your leisure."
BREAK
Hanabi was annoyed. For the first time she'd been exposed to something that was not the clan. Her time at the SIPA testing center was strange to her. The people there did not respect her or bow down to her as they did when she was at home.
They were constantly telling her what to do which she did not approve of. Only her father and grandfather were permitted to tell her what to do and that was only because they were above her if only just so. It really left her confused.
And then her father was so angry with the results. They must have been lying about some of the things. But the hokage was calm throughout, why wasn't he upset with the results as her father was.
"Oi, why were you seeing jiji?" called a boy running down the hall to catch up to her.
"Are you talking to me?" asked Hanabi.
"Yeah, who else just came out of jiji's office?" said the young boy.
Hanabi had guessed the boy was around her age, maybe a year younger. "I do not know this jiji but I was receiving some test results with my father and Hokage-sama."
"What kind of test?" asked the boy narrowing his eyes at the girl. "Was it some kind of secret ninja test?"
"If it were a secret I could not tell you," said Hanabi. "Why do you care?"
"You were seeing my grandpa about a test you took. Why wouldn't I want to know?"
"You are the hokage's grandson?" asked Hanabi with a raise eyebrow. How could this classless ruffian boy be related to the hokage?
"Yeah, so? You got a problem with that shiro-chan?" asked the boy.
"Shiro-chan?"
"Yeah, you're all pasty and your eyes are totally white," said the boy crossing his arms like he's won some manner of war or battle.
Hanabi felt her eyebrow twitch once. It had never happened before. Then it twitched two more times. "Baka!" she shouted as she suddenly found her closed fist coming down on the boys head. After it happened she froze. She completely ignored the fact that the boy was rolling on the floor clutching his head in pain. She was transfixed looking at her closed fist. She had never punched anyone before. She'd hit plenty of clan members with jyuuken strikes but she'd never punched anyone before. Why had she done that?
She was finally snapped out of it when the boy on the ground rolled back to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at the girl and shouted, "I'm telling the boss and he's gonna kick your ass for messing with me!"
The boy then turned and ran leaving a still-bewildered Hanabi glancing from her closed fist to where the boy had run off. She decided then and there that more investigation was necessary and chased after the boy. Luckily he wasn't hard to find, thanks to her byakugan.