Hizashi sat alone in the room, his eyes tightly shut, as though he were consciously stopping himself from seeing something.
Under the setting sun, dusk spread endlessly, shrouding the entire room and making it darker and darker.
"Father, what are you thinking about? Have you run into some difficult problem?"
Seven-year-old Neji had just returned from school. Normally, at this time, he should have continued training for a while, then eaten dinner, finished the homework assigned by the academy afterward, and gone to bed.
But the clever Neji had noticed something unusual.
As the head of the branch family, his father was acting far too gloomy.
He had not even turned on the lights.
Neji walked in and sat across from Hizashi with a respectful expression.
Throughout the entire process, he behaved with exceptional propriety. Every tiny movement was perfectly measured, showing that he had received extremely strict etiquette training.
These were the rules of etiquette all Hyuga Clan members had to follow. Even before their closest relatives, they could never be disrespectful.
"Neji..."
Hizashi finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
He looked at his genius son.
Neji's talent far surpassed that of outstanding young Hyuga Clan members like Huomen and Tokuma. It could be said that for many years to come, Neji would be the leading figure of the branch family.
But...
Hizashi glanced at Neji's forehead.
His long, thick bangs hung down, covering his forehead and concealing that swastika-shaped mark.
The fate of the branch family... the Caged Bird. If not for this damned Caged Bird, Neji would have been the Hyuga Clan's greatest genius. He would have possessed complete Byakugan and overwhelming talent free from restraint.
"Father, are you still worried about me? I have already moved on. Since this is my fate, I will stake my