Kagome, Kagome~

Neji Hyuga stopped his forms and turned to look at the man by the courtyard gate. "Father."

Menma concealed his presence in the shadows, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the man.

"Tonight's leading man. I hope you're not rotten wood, or I'll be very disappointed."

Hizashi Hyuga, a jonin of Konoha, leader of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family, and father of Neji Hyuga, one of the Twelve Little Strong.

Hizashi had been born only fifteen minutes after his twin brother, Main House Clan Head Hyuga Hiashi. Yet those mere fifteen minutes had made him a member of the Branch Family. Branded with the [Caged Bird] Cursed Seal, he had become a "caged bird" controlled by the Main House.

The Main House could use the [Caged Bird] Cursed Seal to control and destroy the brain nerves of Branch Family members, thereby controlling the Branch Family.

This Cursed Seal could seal the Byakugan. If the bearer's eyes were removed or they died, it would completely destroy their eyeballs and brain, and could only be lifted upon the death of the Branch Family member.

During the chaotic years of war, it was the Hyuga Clan's greatest safeguard against their Kekkei Genkai being stolen.

But in an era of stable peace, it became the source of conflict between the Hyuga Clan's Main House and Branch Family.

Hizashi gently patted Neji's head, a warm, gratified smile appearing on his face. "Neji, you've become very proficient with the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. In a while, I can teach you more advanced Gentle Fist Art techniques."

Neji shook his head. "I still have a long way to go."

He clenched his fists, unwillingness written across his face.

Seeing Neji like this, Hizashi fell silent as well, sighing inwardly.

In the end, he still had failed to protect Neji's innocence.

Some days ago, he had taken Neji to watch his brother Hiashi train with his daughter, Hinata.

Yet as he watched Hinata's attacks, riddled with openings and weak beyond measure, all kinds of dark thoughts surged into Hizashi's mind.

With Neji's talent, he could clearly become the strongest of the Hyuga Clan. Yet because he is Branch Family, he must be branded with the Caged Bird and lose his freedom completely, living under the Main House's shadow for the rest of his life...

Meanwhile, the Main House's daughter, with no talent to speak of, can simply reap the benefits, naturally enjoy Neji's protection, and order him around...

For a moment, a trace of killing intent appeared in his gaze as he looked at Hinata.

"Hizashi."

Hiashi knocked Hinata back with one hand, then looked at Hizashi with utter coldness. "As a Hyuga ninja, you cannot even control your emotions and dare reveal killing intent toward the Main House's daughter. It seems you have forgotten the duties of the Branch Family."

"No, ahhh!!"

Before Hizashi could say anything more, Hiashi decisively formed a hand seal.

Before everyone present, Hizashi fell to the ground, clutching his head and howling in unbearable agony.

"Father..."

Neji witnessed the entire scene from beginning to end.

It was the first time he had seen the ugliness of the Hyuga Clan, the first time he understood what the Branch Family truly meant to the Main House.

After that, Neji became even more taciturn. The way he looked at Hinata was no longer with an elder brother's affection, but with the disgust and hatred one reserved for an enemy.

Even on Hinata's Third Birthday, he hid in the courtyard and practiced Gentle Fist.

...Rather than practice, it was more like venting.

Hizashi suppressed the gloom in his heart and forced a smile as he patted Neji's head. "You've already done very well. Once you enroll, you'll definitely become the Top Student."

"However, don't say such things in front of anyone from the Main House."

As he said those words, Hizashi suddenly felt sickened and disgusted.

Not disgusted by anyone else, but by himself.

As a father, he could not even protect his child's future, much less give him a carefree childhood.

He was far too useless...

"I understand, Father."

Neji was mature for his age. Since the last incident, he had vaguely come to understand the gap between the Branch Family and the Main House.

"With your talent, you'll definitely become an even more outstanding ninja than I am."

Hizashi knew full well that Neji's talent far surpassed his own.

The greatest achievement of his life was becoming a jonin, while Neji would surely become an Elite Jonin.

Unfortunately, Branch Family ninja branded with the Cursed Seal had a blind spot directly behind their first thoracic vertebrae despite the Byakugan's original 360-degree vision. They were also not qualified to learn advanced Gentle Fist Art techniques such as Rotation, completely limiting the upper bounds of their strength.

Hizashi believed Neji could learn Rotation on his own. That was how much faith he had in his son's talent.

But...

I only hope that when he grows up, he won't hate the clan and torment himself like I do, Hizashi sighed inwardly.

Just as Hizashi was about to leave, a soft hum drifted over from somewhere unknown.

Kagome, Kagome~

The bird in the cage~

When, oh when will it come out?~

On the night before dawn~

The crane and turtle slipped~

Who stands behind you?~

The nursery rhyme sounded deeply sorrowful, and the voice was especially eerie, seeming to come from all directions, making its source impossible to distinguish.

"Who is it? How did they infiltrate this place while avoiding every guard?"

Hizashi assumed a Gentle Fist stance in front of Neji. Veins bulged around his temples as he activated his Byakugan.

Then, a black shadow flashed through the corner in an instant, vaulting over the courtyard wall and fleeing outside.

After hesitating for a moment, Hizashi instructed Neji, "Neji, tell the clan. Someone has infiltrated the Hyuga Clan Grounds. Tell them to be careful."

With that, Hizashi moved and flashed after the shadow.

At the same time.

"Whereas the Leaf Village welcomes the Cloud Village's expression of the aforementioned intentions, the Leaf Village and the Cloud Village resolve to conclude a peace treaty, appointing the following plenipotentiaries, who, having presented their full powers, agree to the following terms..."

The Cloud Envoy Delegation and Konoha High-Ranking Officials such as the Third Hokage concluded a peace alliance.

The delegation leader took the initiative to extend his hand. "Long live peace."

The Third Hokage also extended his hand with a smile. "Long live peace."

Their eyes met, their hands clasped, and both wore the same perfunctory smiles.

After releasing hands, the delegation leader suddenly asked, "When we entered the village just now, we saw that your village's Hyuga Clan seemed to be celebrating something. We were rather curious. Would it be convenient to tell us what it is?"

"..."

What was this guy trying to do?

Sarutobi could not help frowning, but his smile returned in an instant.

"Hahaha, today is indeed a good day. Not only have Konoha and Kumogakure concluded a peace alliance, but the Hyuga Clan is also celebrating the Third Birthday of the Main House's daughter."

"Oh?"

The leader's smile did not change as he pressed his advantage. "I have heard that the Hyuga Clan has a very rich history. I imagine the Main House's daughter's birthday celebration must be quite splendid. Could you let us observe it?"

The Third Hokage exchanged looks with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura beside him.

...There was absolutely no reason to refuse.

Soon afterward, the Third Hokage and other Konoha High-Ranking Officials accompanied the Cloud Envoy Delegation to Hinata Hyuga's birthday banquet.

For a time, they had truly given the Hyuga Clan plenty of face.