Ino's POV (Yamanaka Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
"Daddy, it was terrible. They were trying to hurt him just because he's a jinchuriki!" Ino complained. "I was shocked, too, but he's been a nice guy. How could they treat him like that?" Ino had quickly stormed home and cornered her father in the store room of their flower shop. Her mother had heard her side and offered her support. It may aid her in her bid to gain her father's aid.
"It's complicated, dear. I don't mind him, but I feel tension around him." Inochi explained with a nervous smile. He raised his hands in surrender upon Ino's eyes, whipping him in accusation. "Now, sweety, I don't mean it like that. Merely Kyuubi has caused a lot of pain over the years. Civilians don't understand how a human can contain it without it somehow taking over. They don't think of it logically and cannot accept the perceived "threat" he may be. On the other hand, Shinobi was likely involved in the Kyuubi attack or lost someone in the process. Especially as trained killers, they tend to be more upfront about a threat. They get a group like that together and start to whip themselves into a frenzy. Slowly growing more outlandish as people outdo each other to rally more support. It's not pretty, baby, but it's how it is." Inochi offered.
"Can't we offer our support as a clan?" Ino asked incredulously.
"I understand why you ask, dear. But as much as I would love to help him, we can't afford to." Inochi said sadly.
"I can't afford to!" Ino screamed back at the man. She didn't mean to be so angry, but she was desperate to help her friend. He didn't deserve the treatment he was receiving!
"You have to try to understand sweetie. Jinchuriki may be hated, but they have always been political tools. If someone were to influence Naruto, they could wield a power that could overpower Kage. As such, there are firm rules against any group making moves towards them. If our clan suddenly offered backing, it would be seen as a power play by our clan. The other clans would likely revolt against us, and we could even face banishment." Inochi explained.
"So we just let him suffer?!"
"Of course not, dear; we must convince many clans to support him. Then it will be seen as a group work of sorts. As opposed to use merely aiding him to benefit ourselves." Inoichi explains as he rose and gently moved past his daughter. "It's unlikely, though, and I can't help you do so. The burden will be on you if you truly want to help. Please pick your battles wisely."
Neji's POV (Hyuga Main House - Hidden Leaf Village)
It had been a two-hour-long argument between him and Hiashi. Neji had never been someone to move impulsively, yet after seeing his friend discriminated to such a degree, he felt desperate to aid him. He stormed into Hiashi's office. Suffering a cruel activation of his seal, he had known such was likely and rode out the pain in silence. Once freed of the shameful pain, he launched a request to have the Hyuga support Naruto.
It had gone as expected, to Neji's dismay. He knew it was unlikely due to the ramifications of supporting a jinchuriki, but he needed to at least try. Yet after the failure, he had found himself pacing. He had never been someone to accept failure. But how could he convince the clan? He was merely a branch member.
"Neji-neesan? A-are you ok?" Hinata asked nervously, happening to walk into the courtyard he was thinking in. "Should I return later?" She wondered more nervously as Neji's intense gaze locked onto her. He and Hinata had been training together for a while now. The woman had become somewhat confident to an infuriatingly polite degree. She had shown great skill in a gentle fist but wasn't quite at his level, yet to his shock, she seemed to be creating her own style. She even made her own jutsu to fit it into her preferred style. She would be evasive in combat, using subtle movement and jutsu to slowly shut down her opponent. At any moment, capable of ending the fight at a mere touch if she so pleased. Neji was confident in her chances of becoming the next Head now. Hanabi, while still a rival to her, simply couldn't match her outside of pure taijutsu bouts. Her attitude is also slowly becoming more unbecoming of a leader. Though it was doubtless, she wasn't out of the race yet. What she lacked in maturity, she matched it with a shocking level of raw intelligence… Even if he convinced Hinata if Hanabi pushed against it. It would likely be meaningless.
"Hinata…" Neji asked quietly. "What would it take for Hanabi to support us regarding my teammate?"
"You're referring to Naruto Uzumaki? You've mentioned great things about him. I-it was heartbreaking to hear how they treated him. But unfortunately, she would likely side with her father. Especially now that I seem to be the more likely candidate." Hinata explained that she fiddled with her fingers as she often did when she was younger. A habit Neji had yet to correct for her.
"Hinata, you're still developing your own style, right?" Neji asked, tapping his chin.
"H-hai. Nowadays, in training, we mostly spar or do chakra exercises. It's difficult for you to help me form my Flowing Gentle Fist."
"Exactly. What if we offered her the training that allowed you to surpass her?" Neji explained.
"But it wouldn't be as useful as it was for me. We accidentally discovered my own way of fighting. For her, it would merely sharpen what she already has." Hinata said, confused.
"Precisely, she'll close the gap, but your style will make it meaningless," Neji explained. "It will get her on our side without jeopardizing your reign."
"It feels underhanded to do so," Hinata said. I suppose if it's to help your friend, though…"
"Thank you Hinata-sama." Neji bowed.
"N-N-No! We decided not to bow!" Hinata nervously chastised before bowing as well.
"Merely showing my appreciation to my future leader," Neji said with a small smile.