The Hyuga Clan enjoyed respect and prominence in Konoha, which makes them suitable for one thing that they were never even considered for in Naruto.

SUMMARY

Among the many clans in Naruto, the Hyuga enjoyed great respect, yet they were never considered in the important decisions of Konoha.
For instance, Hiashi Hyuga was the perfect contender to become the Hokage but it was never discussed throughout the series.
The Uchiha reacted very differently to the same circumstances, which makes the reaction of the Hyuga all the more surprising.

Among the many strong clans in Naruto, the Hyuga Clan became a subject of intrigue for its internal politics. The Hyuga enjoyed great respect from Konoha and were often left to their own devices without interference from the village. While that’s a great thing in itself, one could argue that despite their proven strength and capabilities, they were never considered in the important matters of Konoha.

The Hyuga Clan in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

This unfair treatment makes it almost seem like a miracle that the Hyuga didn’t go down the same path as the Uchiha. As striking as it is, there are some valid reasons that explain the lack of rebellion on Hyuga Clan’s part. Here’s how Konoha neglected the Hyuga Clan during important matters, and why the Hyuga Clan never had any objections against it.

The Hyuga Clan was never considered in the important matters of Konoha

In the original Naruto series, Konoha faced a huge crisis during the Chunin Exams. Hiruzen’s death left Konoha without any strong leadership, and the only person who could become the next Hokage was Tsunade. While that was the popular belief, it’s hard to deny that many exceptional candidates could become the Hokage including Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Clan.

Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Clan | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

The Hyuga Clan had many exceptional shinobi, and the clan remained strong and united despite the internal politics under Hiashi’s leadership. This exemplifies his leadership skills, and while his abilities were never explored properly, it’s safe to assume that he was a skilled Byakugan user.

With exceptional strength and the right skills, it’s surprising that Hiashi was never considered to become the Hokage. Moreover, the Hyuga never rebelled or pushed for Hiashi’s candidacy. If it had been the Uchiha clan, they would have put up a fight and they had a coup planned for the same purpose.

The key difference between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan

Fugaku Uchiha and his wife | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Unlike the Hyuga Clan, who enjoyed respect and prominence in Konoha, the Uchiha were always met with judgment from the authoritative figures. Moreover, they played an equal role as the Senju Clan in the establishment of Konoha.

A huge part of their fight was due to the unfair treatment and involvement in the village’s important matters. The Hyuga Clan, on the other hand, was more focused on its internal dynamics.

Hashirama and Madara founded Konoha together | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

They probably never rebelled as they prioritized their own matters over the village. They were not concerned or interested in rising to the top as much as the Uchiha were. It needs to be mentioned that Masashi Kishimoto presented the Uchiha and the Hyuga in extremely different ways, which explained their varied interests and perceptions.