No Matter What Happens, At Least Live Like a Boy for Now

Beside the waterfall on the back of the Hokage Rock.

A campfire, stirred by the wind, continuously sputtered sparks.

The boy had a black ribbon wrapped around his forehead, and his eyes were staring blankly at the cascading waterfall.

"Fate... is determined at the moment of birth."

Neji Hyuga muttered to himself.

"If that's really what you think, you wouldn't have come here tonight." Hagoromo's voice suddenly appeared behind Neji.

Neji Hyuga's pupils dilated suddenly. He was about to turn around when he found Hagoromo already sitting next to him.

"I just..."

Neji Hyuga opened his mouth to refute, but found himself under the gaze of the man in front of him.

He couldn't utter a single word that contradicted his true feelings.

"But what?" Hagoromo picked up a branch from the side, turned it over in the campfire, and asked.

Neji Hyuga closed his eyes and did not respond.

"You must understand that the Cursed Seal can only be on your forehead, but it cannot imprison your heart."

Seeing Neji like this, Hagoromo couldn't help but sigh.

"Don't let the cage build up in your heart..." Neji Hyuga felt these words made him feel particularly dazed.

"I don't actually know the truth of what happened back then."

Hagoromo Yi glanced at Neji; to say she knew absolutely nothing would be to underestimate Neji.

However, if you say you don't know the truth, then you really don't know.

After all, it was only after the Hyuga Clan had handled everything that they sent Hiruzen Sarutobi over.

This isn't sophistry; it's the truth.

After all, given the suddenness and urgency of the situation at the time.

One's own master might still be overwhelmed with border affairs.

Moreover, handing over Hizashi's body, to put it bluntly, directly damaged Konoha's dignity.

Another point is that the ancient clans' tradition of high autonomy has never changed because the Hokage of Konoha is their leader.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be any such thing as the Main Family and Branch Families.

From Hokage's perspective, during wartime, he would have preferred the village to have countless skilled fighters.

Even if these experts belong to only one clan, we can find a way to balance them after the war ends.

They wouldn't do something like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to demand Hyuga the Hyuga clan hand over Hizashi, countless clans would defect the very next day.

And the Uchiha Clan now...

If it weren't for the fact that the current clan leader Fugaku's son has the Mangekyo, and Shisui's bias towards Hokage, it wouldn't be possible.

Do you really think the Uchiha Clan would so obediently accept this?

However, nowadays, Uchiha Fugaku should have already resolved these destabilizing factors within the clan.

Her scattered Hagoromo returned to normal, and she looked at Neji to the side.

I think your father was probably at his freest when he died.

As she spoke, Hagoromo pointed her finger at Neji's forehead, which was being covered.

For Caged Bird Seal...

Isn't resistance precisely about risking one's life for freedom?

Hearing this, Neji clenched his fists and said coldly, "How can someone forced to die in someone else's place feel 'free'!"

"Please don't say such things! It's blasphemy against the dead!"

Hagoromo lowered his eyes, ignoring Neji's words.

After all, this young man in front of me...

At this moment, the veins on Byakugan were bulging, and his eyes were full of ferocity, but tears were sliding down the corners of his eyes.

That stubborn expression on his face, trying to appear fierce, couldn't stop the tears that dripped onto the ground.

"A person who dares to willingly face death cannot be said to have been forced to die in someone else's place."

"Neji, are you willing to let the rumors and criticisms become reality?"

Hagoromo narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled warmly, "That would be the greatest blasphemy against your father."

Neji, kneeling, had his pupils contract and staggered slightly. "I..."

Yes, if I were to say that my father was forced to die in his place, wouldn't that be a pure desecration of my father?

"I think the only person your father didn't consider, or rather, didn't consider comprehensively, is you."

Hagoromo sighed and reached out to touch Neji's head.

It wasn't that he wanted Neji to change his mind, but rather that he wanted to change the boy's mind.

We shouldn't continue growing up like this. No matter what happens in the future, we should at least live like teenagers now.

Just like Naruto now.

All I can say is that Neji truly lives up to his Neji, even at this point.

He maintained his composure and did not wail like a teenager.

After a long silence, or rather, after releasing his tears, Neji slowly raised his head.

The Byakugan that were just filled with hostility have now returned to calm as it looks at Hagoromo.

"Teacher Hagoromo, I would like to ask you to become my master!"

After saying this, Neji immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Hagoromo.

"Stop..."

Hagoromo quickly reached out to stop her, but caught a glimpse of Neji's eyes halfway through.

That stubbornness and confusion unique to teenagers.

Knock--

A dull thud echoed from afar near the campfire.

Hagoromo slowly lowered her outstretched hands, looking at Neji was kneeling on the ground with his head in front of her.

A little blood was already slowly flowing out from the ground.

"Get up, I agree."

"Just as I said that day, I really hope that you will become a force driving this change in the future."

Until then, I will do everything I can for you!

Thank you, teacher!

After Neji finished speaking, he slowly raised his head.

Perhaps it was because of the vigorous movement just now, or perhaps it was due to the blood on his forehead.

When Neji looked up, the black ribbon that had been tied to his forehead slipped off quietly.

The Caged Bird Seal, which should have been a deep green, looked as if it had been pierced by blood, and had become incredibly dull.

Neji straightened his back, looked at Hagoromo, and slowly said, "Master, I'm counting on you from now on!"

"Ah, if I slack off, I'll have endless assignments to complete."

Hagoromo grinned and laughed heartily.

--

[It has been determined that 'Neji Hyuga' is willing to establish a master-disciple relationship.]

[Trust level being checked]

[Neji Hyuga's current trust level is the highest; one copy of the 'Caged Bird Seal' seal-breaking Sealing Jutsu has been obtained.]

[Successfully Neji Hyuga, obtaining the perfect reward: Hamura's Blessing (one-time use).]

Under the pitch-black night, Hagoromo wore a white haori robe over a black outfit.

He slowly walked out of the Konoha Gate.

After closing the panel, Hagoromo temporarily ignored the special reward.

We'll talk about everything when I get back.

Besides, wasn't the plan to show off his muscles this time?

Then let me collect some interest from this newly accepted disciple.

"Hagoromo, what's wrong?"

Kakashi keenly noticed the difference in the Hagoromo and turned to ask.

Upon hearing this, Might Guy rushed to Hagoromo's side, grabbed Hagoromo shoulders, and said anxiously:

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Feeling the pain in her shoulder, Hagoromo gritted her teeth.

He said with a wry smile, "Senior Kai, I'm fine, but if you keep shaking like that, something really bad will happen!"

"Haha, it's good that you're alright!" Might Guy quickly lowered his hands and then patted Hagoromo's back vigorously.

Kakashi, standing beside him, couldn't help but shudder. The force with which Might Guy patted the Hagoromo was enough to make Kakashi's whole body ache.