Naruto Modern AU/Hollywood pt.10 : The Hyuuga Family and the Downfall of Neji
The Hyuuga family estate sits among the many "noble" clans/families. They are just a long-time established family who made a shit ton of money with certain industries (like the Senju and Uchiha did at Konoha's foundation.) In this case, the Hyuugas' source of fortune is complicated to pinpoint since it goes decades back before the creation of the country of fire, but they own a real estate empire. Many imposing structures and important buildings are under their ownership, securing generational wealth for centuries to come. This clan values “high-status” and high-paying careers like lawyers, doctors, engineers, surgeons, etc.
Like Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi made a name for himself. He is a renowned criminal defense attorney and was elected the leader of his clan for his dominant personality, many successful business ventures, and his gigantic wealth compared to his relatives.
The Hyuugas have the strictest values and rules. There is a fixation on blood purity because they believe it's where their strength and immense wealth come from. Unfortunately, when you mix it with the feeling of superiority, it is why xenophobia is so common. They consider being part of this family a closed practice, so no outsiders, especially for marriage (they are lowkey into inbreeding).
The most popular family unit resides under Hiashi, with his 2 daughters Hinata and Hanabi, along with his twin brother Hizashi and nephew Neji. They all grew up in the limelight and are like celebrities because the patriarch made up a “rivalry” against the Uchihas (in popularity). Competition, for the general public interest, but both families are good friends behind closed doors.
Neji's father was always known as the softer version of his twin brother; he was indeed more lenient and kind-hearted, especially with Neji. compared to Hiashi, it's night and day. Neji grew up comfortable as the only son of a real estate agent, compared to the strict, suffocating rules Hinata lives under.
Overnight, Hiashi was murdered without the possibility of properly investigating what happened. Neji was devastated as it was made clear to him that it was an inside job, and his father paid the price for his “disobedience”. With no time to let his son mourn, Hiashi took the opportunity to take the lead and revamp the clan system. CREATING THE SECOND BRANCH and officially branding the forehead of all that belongs to it. It is ironic, since it should apply to all second-born, but forced Neji to be branded under this title. Unfairly, Hiashi justified it by saying that he qualified for it because he lost his father. It was a lie, since he couldn't wait to kick Neji out of the inheritance priority seat (as a firstborn son) to place his daughter Hinata instead and secure the clan's future with an arranged marriage with other powerful families. Neji is not concerned by the loss of inheritance (because it's pocket change, honestly), but the complete disregard for his father's demise and how Hiashi could establish his dictatorship over their family for his ego.
It was extremely frustrating for Neji as he was gradually cut off from the family, and Hinata remained egregiously passive behind her father’s iron fist. Hanabi couldn’t intervene as she was underage at the time.
On top of wanting to propel his daughter forward at the cost of their family dynamic and everyone else, Hiashi severed the loving link between Hinata and Neji because he isolated her so she can focus on the goal of marrying someone of value to the height of our prestigious "superior" family and maintaining their image/status.
Finally breaking free from the system of his clan (mentally at first), Neji was able to finally express himself authentically. He had nothing to lose, and it’s what his father would’ve wanted for his life. Over time, he finally departed from the imposed old money aesthetics to step into his own identity. Many were shocked by it, the public was used to "clean cut suit wearing" "rich nepotism older brother" Neji.
It was not a deliberate act of rebellion (let me do outrageous things to trigger my uncle) but more (let me find myself and succeed). Neji couldn’t care less about what his uncle could think of him, which was far removed from his child self, where he was a law-abiding Hyuuga.
The main issue was that Neji started to run his mouth, exposing the depth of the traditions and customs of the Hyuuga clan. Publicly discussing the curse mark on his forehead and why many Hyuuga have it as well. It's not just some edgy tattoo but something sinister. Contrary to his peers, he didn’t cover his mark, breaking vital clan rules.
He was constantly in the spotlight of gossip news after he changed his style. A venture as a producer/record label owner led him into successful avenues. To all's surprise, he co-owns a very successful company (BNJ Entertainment) along with lifestyle social media influencer Ino Yamanaka. It is hilarious because when they were spotted together on various occasions, a lot of people thought they were dating. They are the best business partners and close (but no, they are not dating). They barely look like they get along, but it's far from the truth.
They produced a popular trio that has been sitting at the top of the charts since their debut. He recruited Fuu, Sumire, and Namida to form the group FRAGRANCE, an electro pop masterpiece.
Gradually, Neji became more open about his relationship with Kiba Inuzuka (member of the Red Leaves of Konoha).
Suddenly, his behaviour changed. Neji started to appear more and more unhinged. Going from questionable fashion choices, getting into fights, posting pictures/videos online under the influence & etc. While his business/company boomed and no financial struggles were in sight, his mental and behavioral state was rapidly declining. Many blamed his father's death, but no apparent major event seemed to have triggered this change of behaviour.
Along with increasing cussing, he ran his mouth to the end of the earth about everything and anything, revealing the inner workings of his life as branch clan members and airing his uncle’s dirty laundry (on the way to becoming male Azealia Banks).
(it's Kidomaru btw...)
Without warning, Neji was declared dead by drug overdose under weird circumstances. His family barely mourned him (Hinata included). The theories about his death left many perplexed. Some painted him as a plain drug addict and a man who lost his way because of his father's death. Others (like Tenten, Lee, and Hanabi) were not buying the mainstream explanation of his passing. The conspiracy theorists go as far as saying it was a planned murder orchestrated by Hiashi himself to get Neji out of the way for "tainting" the image of their clan.
As a legacy, Ino inherited the company and signed Hanabi and her group to it.
During the entire saga, Hinata has been passive and never publicly addressed anything about her cousin, even if he expressed getting close to her after trying so many times. Hiashi firmly intervened to prevent a good relationship between the two. What saddened Neji was the lack of action from her cousin's part. She really cut him off and occupied herself with being the "perfect old money wife." (to Shino Aburame, another noble clan heir.)
The brainwashing worked. She doesn’t understand or believe why such an oppressive structure like their branch system could breed rebellion and opposite views since she sits on the “good side” of it.
NejiKiba not because I think their personalities would lead them to an amazing romance (they'd barely tolerate each other for like. 5 years. and then become reluctant besties who gossip) but because I believe in Tsume's ability to manhandle Hiashi's slavery bullshit into the void. (Especially with the headcanon of Tsume and Hizashi being on the same genin team). Because Neji should get to be protected by a parental figure known for saying 'fuck you' to shinobi society's rules as a whole. And because Neji deserves to adopt 500 dogs and 13.5 children.
Do I have kibaneji porn sitting in my google docs? Yea. Will I ever finish it and let you guys read it? That’s enough questions for today actually never mind
