Birds Were Born to Fly!

"Shan, do you know what happened?"

Even as a veteran Jonin of the Branch House, Wada Hyuga was rarely summoned to Hizashi Hyuga's home at night to discuss matters.

Shan Hyuga, another Branch House ninja who was also a Jonin, merely shook his head. "No idea. I came as soon as I received the notice."

The two veteran clan ninja looked over the people around them, unable to help but feel puzzled by the strange assortment gathered in the room.

Of the two of them, one was a highly decorated elite Jonin, while the other was an ANBU squad captain. It could be said that they were the most trusted pillars of support Hizashi Hyuga had within the Branch House.

Compared to them, however, the identities of the others seemed rather mismatched.

Sakura Hyuga was a middle-aged kunoichi who had officially retired and was now in charge of the Branch House's logistics. Before retiring, she had only been a Chunin. Her left arm had been severed in battle, and she had honorably retired afterward.

Kaoru Hyuga was an eight-year-old girl who had suddenly been promoted to guard duty, yet still seemed somewhat unfamiliar to them.

Chuntian Hyuga was an utterly ordinary Chunin whose job was to guard the Hyuga Clan gates—or, to put it more nicely, to handle security for the Hyuga Clan.

This bizarre group had been summoned together to Hizashi Hyuga's study.

How could they not be suspicious?

It did not seem like they were being assigned a mission.

A conversation? Who called so many people together for a conversation? They were not even familiar with one another.

Other than Kaoru Hyuga, whose barely concealed excitement and smiling expression gave them something to think about, no one else had any idea what was going on.

That was until Hizashi Hyuga pushed open the door and entered.

Yuzuru Hyuga followed close behind. Once Hizashi Hyuga entered, he casually shut the door. The veins around his Byakugan bulged as he stood by the door, smiling as he adjusted his glasses and greeted them.

Simply activating his Byakugan made the experienced ninja tense up instinctively.

"Lord Hizashi." The ninja lowered their heads with mixed thoughts and greeted him.

Hizashi Hyuga nodded sternly. He walked over to stand before them and fell silent for a while. Just as their hearts were about to leap into their throats, he suddenly spoke.

"Shan Hyuga. Wada Hyuga."

"Yes!"

"A year ago, you were punished with the Caged Bird by the Main House because you prioritized saving members of the Branch House on the battlefield. Is that true?"

Shan Hyuga and Wada Hyuga exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads in silence. Their voices were low. "It is."

"Half a month ago, after drinking, you got into a conflict with a Chunin of the Main House. You said that if not for the sacrifices of the Branch House, he would have died on the battlefield long ago. Lord Hiashi reprimanded you for this, fined and punished you, and issued a severe warning. Is that true?"

The two remained silent and nodded. This time, they did not even answer.

Hizashi Hyuga looked at them indifferently before turning to Sakura Hyuga, his tone still calm. "Last month, you publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Main House, believing that their attitude toward the maidservants was excessively arrogant. Is that true?"

"It is." Sakura Hyuga was already past forty. As an elder, she had witnessed far too much within the Hyuga Clan. Even Hyuga Hiashi would not casually punish an elderly disabled woman who had devoted her entire life to the clan and had even lost an arm for it, even if she might harbor resentment toward the Main House.

"Three months ago, you had an argument after refusing to provide supplies demanded by several Jonin of the Main House. Afterward, you privately complained about the injustice and were reprimanded by a Hyuga elder. Is that true?"

"It is."

Sakura Hyuga held her head high. Silver strands mingled with her long black hair, and her aged face was full of wrinkles despite her being only in her forties. There was a rare defiance in her expression for someone from the Branch House.

Hizashi Hyuga turned to Chuntian Hyuga. "A year and a half ago, you were beaten up for refusing to allow several Chunin of the Main House to leave after curfew. You received no compensation afterward. Is that true?"

"It isn't." Chuntian Hyuga had a kindly appearance. Simply put, he looked like an honest and dependable man at first glance.

He smiled foolishly and said softly, "Lord Hiashi made them apologize."

"Half a year ago, your second son was branded with the Caged Bird. When he was mocked by playmates from the Main House, you reprimanded several of them in defense of your child. You later went to apologize in person. Is that true?"

"It is." Chuntian Hyuga's smile dimmed somewhat.

Hizashi Hyuga glanced at Kaoru Hyuga. Seeing how she kept stealing glances at Yuzuru Hyuga, he lightly shook his head and skipped over her.

"All of you have not only acted this way in recent years. In fact, even before then, you repeatedly clashed with the Main House over matters great and small, and were punished or warned as a result. Am I wrong?"

After Hizashi Hyuga finished speaking, the ninja nodded, some coldly and some calmly, accepting his words.

"You... desire to break free from the Caged Bird, don't you?"

The moment those words were spoken, all their expressions changed. They instinctively activated their Byakugan, their hands almost unconsciously lifting as they assumed defensive stances.

Only Sakura Hyuga, who had a single arm, gave a cold laugh and appeared remarkably composed.

"Clan Head... please mind your words." Even Chuntian Hyuga, who had always been kind to others and kept a low profile while enduring in silence, did not dare accept those words. He merely said solemnly, "We are absolutely loyal to the Hyuga Clan and harbor no thoughts of betrayal."

"Besides, the Caged Bird is our fate." Chuntian Hyuga sighed and said in a low voice, "Accepting our fate is also what members of the Branch House should do."

"But what if I told you that fate can be broken?"

The one who spoke was not Hizashi Hyuga.

It was Yuzuru Hyuga.

At that moment, he gently removed the headband from his forehead.

The ninja instinctively looked at his forehead, only to discover that the once bluish mark now appeared somewhat faded—something that should have been absolutely impossible. Even after death, the mark would not grow lighter in color.

Kaoru Hyuga held her breath. At last, she understood why Yuzuru Hyuga had been concealing his forehead beneath that headband.

She looked at the mark on his forehead with delight, longing, and fervor. Her fists unconsciously clenched, then her gaze shifted to Yuzuru Hyuga as she pressed her lips together with yearning.

The others, too, gradually realized something at that moment.

Sakura Hyuga, who had remained calm and composed all this time, suddenly went pale. She instinctively reached out, wanting to touch Yuzuru Hyuga's forehead. Though Yuzuru neither dodged nor avoided her, her hand still trembled and withdrew before it could reach him.

"Lord Hizashi."

Several ninja turned in unison to look at Hizashi Hyuga.

Hizashi Hyuga sighed, then slowly spoke with a complicated expression. "This was not my doing."

"You mean...?" The ninja looked in shock at Yuzuru Hyuga, who only came up to their waists.

Yuzuru Hyuga merely smiled and lightly tapped his forehead with a finger. "If the fate you speak of is being born into the Hyuga Branch House and receiving the Caged Bird mark..."

"Then as of today, your fate has come to an end."

Yuzuru Hyuga picked up his hair tie again, leisurely tying it on as he looked intensely at the people before him.

"Right here, decide."

"Will you die as birds in a cage?"

"Or will you spread those wings that were once broken... and fly?"

Almost as soon as his words fell, while the ninja were still too uneasy to believe what had happened before their eyes—

Kaoru Hyuga dropped to one knee with a plop and bowed her head deeply. "I'm willing!"

It looked just like a proposal.

Yuzuru Hyuga smiled, raised a hand to form seals, then gently pressed his right hand against her forehead.

"Sealing Technique: Flying Bird."

Pitch-black sealing patterns spread out, then vanished.

Kaoru Hyuga trembled as she reached up and gently touched her forehead.

She could feel it.

"The technique will not take effect immediately. Depending on the individual's constitution, it may take up to a year."

"Once the technique is complete, the Caged Bird will not disappear at once. However, it will no longer possess its former power. It will only retain a faint connection, to prevent the Main House from noticing."

After Yuzuru Hyuga explained the basic details of the technique—

Unexpectedly, Sakura Hyuga was the first to speak. "Then please allow this old woman to try first."

Unable to wait any longer, she dropped to one knee. Even in that posture, her adult height allowed her to look directly into Yuzuru Hyuga's eyes.

Though her face was full of wrinkles, her Byakugan still shone with dazzling hope. Smiling gently, the old woman spoke softly. "Young Master Yuzuru, I leave it to you."

She lowered her head.

After forming the seals again, Yuzuru Hyuga once more performed the Sealing Technique.

It was a long while before Sakura Hyuga slowly rose, one hand covering her forehead. She turned to the other three Hyuga Clan ninja behind her and nodded heavily.

She silently stepped aside, seemingly lost in memories. After a long time, a gentle, beautiful smile appeared on her face. Holding her missing left arm, she seemed to softly bid something farewell.

Shan Hyuga and Wada Hyuga looked at each other for several seconds, then nodded together.

After repeating the Sealing Technique twice more, Yuzuru Hyuga let out a breath and looked at Chuntian Hyuga with a smile. "Senior Chuntian."

Chuntian Hyuga trembled as he reached for his forehead. "Can I..."

He wanted to say that he needed more time to think. Just a little more time.

This was not simply a matter of removing the Caged Bird!

If the Main House discovered it, it would be betrayal of the clan. They would die!

His two sons, his wife—

He abruptly looked up, only to find Hizashi Hyuga standing there calmly, not even looking at him, while Yuzuru Hyuga merely smiled without urging him.

But—

Wada Hyuga, Shan Hyuga, Kaoru Hyuga, and even Sakura Hyuga were all looking at him with sharp eyes.

He suddenly understood—he could no longer refuse.

Those Flying Birds who had already resolved to break free from their cages would never allow themselves to be strangled within them before they could spread their wings and soar.

His eyes reddened, his fists clenched tight, and he spoke softly in a hoarse voice. "I... I accept."

He dropped to one knee, yet even after the technique took effect, his heart remained filled with nothing but fear and unease.

"Senior Chuntian." Yuzuru Hyuga gently patted his shoulder.

Chuntian Hyuga looked up uneasily.

"If you do not know what to do, or where to go, then just watch."

Yuzuru Hyuga's voice was somewhat childish, yet at that moment, it carried a strength that could not be ignored.

He smiled, as though no problem ahead could ever stump him. The gentleness in his gaze did not change in the slightest because of Chuntian Hyuga's wavering and hesitation.

"Today, we take a step forward not because one step can cross a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, but because if we remain where we are, everything will end before it even begins."

"If you're afraid to move forward, then watch."

"I will forge a path through the darkness where hope cannot be seen, burning away the weeds blanketing the mountains with scattered sparks."

"I will personally set foot upon the mountaintop, embrace the evening wind, tear through the dark clouds, face the bright moon, and spread my wings to fly."

"If you fear the mountains and the deep night, then please watch me in silence."

"There is no need to reject all of this because of your confusion right now, because—"

"Birds are born to fly."

As his voice fell silent, the room sank into a long, lingering silence.

PS: Fixed a bug. Before graduating, Yuzuru Hyuga should have entered fifth grade rather than fourth grade. The achievement system has been fixed, and the title has been changed to: Youngest Fifth-Grader in History. Everyone is welcome to keep reporting bugs like this. My hair will also keep working hard to fall onto the keyboard.