As Hikari took his seat, the conversation flowed easily, covering a range of subjects but mainly focusing on Hikari's recent training progress, how he was feeling recently, his potential immediate needs, and his plans.
The atmosphere was cordial, indicative of a very intimate gathering, albeit one with significant implications given the status of those involved.
After enjoying the lunch, which was served promptly and savored by all, there was a hush in the conversation.
It was then that the Patriarch, with a tone of genuine interest and perhaps a hint of excitement, addressed Hikari with a soft tone.
"I heard that you mastered the '64-palms' from the Fifth Elder...?", The Patriarch inquired, his eyes keenly observing Hikari for his response. This question was not casual small talk; it was a recognition of Hikari's growing prowess and his potential impact on the clan's future.
"Yes, under the careful guidance of Sir Fifth Elder and the help of the clan's resources, I managed to become fairly proficient in that technique...", Hikari replied, his tone humble yet confident.
Hizashi seemed a little stunned after hearing about Hikari's achievement, unlike Hiashi, who appeared ready with his praise at this time,
"It's a big deal, Hikari-kun, and it speaks mostly to your talent, smarts, and effort. I only got the hang of the '64-palms' when I was 12...," Hiashi said this with genuine warmth as if showing that he was truly happy for Hikari.
There was no hint of jealousy or resentment that you might expect from someone who's next in line to lead the clan, from the Patriarch's Lineage, and found out a younger clan member, from another Main Branch Lineage, mastered a critical technique six years before he did so.
However, Hiashi's present reaction could be traced back to a profound conversation he had with his father, the Patriarch, just the day before after the Patriarch got notified about Hikari's achievements from the Fifth Elder.
During that father-son discussion, Hiashi learned in great detail about several critical issues facing the Hyuga clan, including the delicate balance of power between their clan and Konoha village, and other clans as well, and the shifts in the Hokage's stance towards the said clans too, particularly the Hyuga as well.
That conversation had been a revelation, fully opening Hiashi's eyes to the broader challenges and responsibilities that came with his role as the future Patriarch, for the first time. All cards were laid in front of him, for the first time, by his father, who had been reluctant to fully involve him in the highest decision-making of the clan until that time.
Moreover, Hiashi had been also made initially aware of another, and most important, stunning secret about the clan vaguely, that only Patriarchs and future Patriarchs of their lineage get to know about, a revelation that had reshaped his perspective on Hikari's talents and the future of the Hyuga clan. A clan he was the most proud of and loved, with all of his heart, in his life, and for which and its future he was ready to sacrifice his own life at any point in time.
That newfound knowledge completely assured him that even if things got out of control, his own position and their Patriarch lineage could never actually become in jeopardy, even by someone of Hikari's potential and future personal strength level, due to another revelation.
This newfound, comprehensive understanding helped him see Hikari currently not as a rival or a threat, to his position as the future legitimate Patriarch, but as a valuable asset to the clan, someone whose exceptional future abilities could play a crucial role in navigating the complex political landscape they were facing and who was crucial part of the new strategy.
With this insight, Hiashi fully embraced his father's advice to support and value Hikari in the future completely, recognizing the importance of unity and collaboration within the clan to ensure their collective strength and survival, especially regarding Hikari, who in his father's words, would become the second pillar of the Hyuga clan alongside him, the new Patriarch.
Such high valuation again affirmed his resolution to have a good relationship with and treat Hikari well in the future, more so as his main partner in the clan than just another clansman.
While the warmth and enthusiasm from Hiashi and the Patriarch took Hikari by surprise, it set his mind racing with thoughts, 'They seem genuinely pleased with what I've accomplished.',
'But, why? Aren't they worried that since my talents overshadowed Hisashi's by this margin, I might want Hisashi's spot in the future, given how strong I'm becoming? No, they're too savvy and grounded in reality to overlook such implications, especially this old Patriarch.',
'Instead, they must feel secure in their positions and confident they can keep any ambitions I might have in check, for some reason... Fascinating... This clan has even more depth and mysteries than I previously thought...',
'If they keep supporting me like they are now, I see no reason to disrupt the current line of succession and status quo. However, on the other hand, I'm definitely going to dig deeper into these secrets, and uncover them, one way or another...', These thoughts raced through Hikari's mind, though he kept up a guise of child's innocence and modesty on the outside.
Internally, Hikari was busy piecing together his next moves. He understood the importance of aligning himself closely with the Patriarch's lineage, recognizing their significant influence within the Hyuga clan - the highest individual say than all the other Main Branch lineages.
However, beyond that, Hikari also saw an opportunity to be near the clan's core, to uncover the layers of mysteries he sensed were guarded closely by the Patriarch's Lineage alone.
Hikari had long pondered the resilience and enduring power of this exact same Patriarch's Lineage throughout the Hyuga clan's history shown in the historical records he read before.
His studies of their past only deepened the mystery until now when he began to grasp the edges of an answer. It appeared that the lineage's unshakeable position and its ability to maintain leadership over centuries against the nine other different Main Branch lineages of Elders, at the same time, might indeed stem from possessing a true, tangible secret power, unlike the others.
Additionally, while the Patriarch did not wield absolute authority within the clan—acting instead as 'the first among equals' among the ten Elder Lineages of the Main Branch—their lineage's dominance was perhaps anchored so deeply not merely due to tradition but also from this "hidden power" perhaps.
The Hyuga clan's governance was structured around a council system, with the Patriarch presiding as both the head and the facilitator of the council's discussions and organizational logistics.
This setup mandated that significant decisions required a collective consensus among the Elders, adhering to a straightforward majority-vote mechanism. In these critical votes, the Patriarch's voice carried the same weight as any other Elder, with just a single vote to his name.
For some day-to-day operations, while the Patriarch had the autonomy to make executive decisions, even many of these routine matters were typically brought before the Elders' weekly meetings for their advisory input.
Furthermore, the Patriarch's Lineage played a pivotal role in representing the Hyuga externally, becoming the primary interface with other clans and village authorities.
Intriguingly, unlike the other Main Branch lineages, which might choose successors based on merit, the Patriarch's Lineage adhered to strict primogeniture, bestowing leadership on the firstborn son.
Hikari now speculated that this rigid approach to succession was deliberately designed to minimize disputes and ensure stability, which was especially important for this lineage due to that same critical matter.
As their conversation continued, the discussion, somewhat unexpectedly, shifted toward the Hyuga clan's various commercial ventures, administrative tasks, and broader operations.
Hikari, drawing upon his extensive modern knowledge from Earth before his transmigration, contributed to the conversation with insights that demonstrated a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of these topics.
His grasp on matters usually reserved for seasoned clan members did not go unnoticed, eliciting another round of admiration from all three present.
However, Hikari managed to maintain a balance between humility and a modest sense of pride. He purposefully showed that ability in hopes of solidifying his standing in the eyes of the clan's leadership even more, showcasing the depth of his intellect and the breadth of his potential contributions to the Hyuga clan's future.
While Hikari engaged enthusiastically in the conversation, sharing his insights, he consciously held back the bulk of his revolutionary ideas and strategies.
He had a treasure trove of knowledge from his previous life that could potentially transform the Hyuga clan's commercial and administrative efficiencies.
Yet, he chose not to lay all his cards on the table during this discussion with the Patriarch and his sons. Hikari had bigger plans.
He reasoned that unveiling his full suite of ideas before he officially assumed the role of the Third Elder—a position that was rightfully his by birth—would be premature.
Hikari envisioned first applying these innovations to bolster the operations and standing of his lineage within the clan.
He believed in enhancing his lineage's prosperity and influence as a priority, demonstrating a blend of self-interest and strategic foresight.
After all, at his core, Hikari was someone who meticulously calculated his moves, always aiming to maximize benefits for himself before extending his advantages to the broader clan.
The knowledge he shared today was merely the tip of the iceberg, basic insights from his past life. In contrast, he had already mapped out detailed, actionable plans to significantly boost his lineage's financial returns and elevate its influence.
Instead, Hikari's strategic reveal of his knowledge during this conversation was a calculated move, designed to further enhance his standing in the Patriarch's eyes.
By demonstrating a high level of understanding and insight into the clan's operations without unveiling the full extent of his revolutionary ideas, he aimed to position himself as both capable and intelligent, yet still hinting at a deeper potential yet to be unlocked.
This tactic was part of Hikari's broader strategy to solidify his reputation and value within the clan, particularly with the Patriarch, ensuring that when the time came for him to assume his rightful place as the Third Elder, he would already be viewed as a highly esteemed and indispensable member of the Hyuga clan.
And Hikari's decision to share just a glimpse of his profound knowledge paid off sooner than expected. The Patriarch, perhaps impressed by Hikari's demonstration of advanced insight or his remarkable mastery of the '64-Palm' technique at such a young age, made an unexpected announcement.
He expressed his intention to advocate at the next Hyuga Council meeting for Hikari to begin his immersion into the business and administrative operations of the Third Lineage, currently overseen by Takumi, earlier than originally planned.
This early introduction, before officially taking on the role of the Third Elder at the age of 12, was designed to help Hikari familiarize himself with the inner workings of his lineage's affairs, build rapport with its members, and ensure a seamless transition into future leadership.
Hikari, seemingly prepared for such an opportunity, responded with a mix of gratitude and enthusiasm. He thanked the Patriarch with a respectful politeness, infused with a genuine sense of appreciation.
His response, brimming with the eagerness of youth to take on new challenges and prove his worth, was exactly what one might expect from someone of his age and position. Yet, beneath this facade of innocence, Hikari fully recognized the strategic significance of this.
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