The So-Called Will of Fire

Hizashi Hyuga knew this all too well.

The only reason he had survived was because of a series of "coincidences."

The sudden attack by Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki had given Leaf Village the chance to turn public opinion around and strike back.

But that alone was not enough to completely pull him out of the deadlock.

The Dove Faction, led by the Third Hokage, might still choose to sacrifice his life for that slim chance at "peace."

The Hawk Faction, led by Shimura Danzō, was also happy to see such a situation unfold.

It could damage the Third Hokage's prestige while driving a wedge between the Hyuga Clan and the Hokage faction.

At the end of the day, Hizashi Hyuga was merely a Branch Family member.

But what had truly saved his life was Kumogakure's inexplicable order to withdraw.

According to intelligence from spies, an unknown powerhouse had directly clashed with the A-B Duo in Moon Valley.

The final result...

Half of Moon Valley had been reduced to ruins, while the A-B Duo had been severely injured and knocked unconscious. Kumogakure's forces retreated without a fight.

Now, the attention of not only Konoha High-Ranking Officials, but the entire Shinobi World, was focused on that mysterious powerhouse.

Naturally, no one cared about an inconspicuous "scapegoat" like him anymore.

At first, Hizashi had not connected that mysterious powerhouse with the Masked Man.

But after being reminded of it, now that he thought about it...

The same descent from the sky, the same unfathomable mystery, the same overwhelming strength.

...This song is called "Caged Bird."

...We will meet again soon.

...I came here only to set the bird in the cage free, but it seems he does not wish to leave.

Their past conversation resurfaced in Hizashi's mind. Words that had once made no sense suddenly gained an explanation.

Every coincidence was an inevitability born from chance. When coincidences led to only one possible outcome, then it was inevitable!

"You!!"

Staring at the figure exuding an aura of mystery, Hizashi's eyes widened. Even his twisted expression could not conceal his shock.

"You are the powerhouse who appeared at the Moon Valley Battlefield and defeated the A-B Duo head-on?"

At those words, the icy aura around Menma abruptly shifted. With a smile in his voice, he said, "Can you calm down now and listen to what I have to say?"

Without waiting for Hizashi's response,

he picked up the unconscious Neji and sat rather improperly on a cushion in the Tea Garden.

Hizashi instinctively frowned at the sight.

But remembering that this was not someone he could afford to provoke, he could only suppress the traditions ingrained in his bones and sit properly across from him.

"Your Excellency not only saved my life, but also prevented the Fourth Shinobi World War from beginning. I assume you also desire peace..."

"Don't flatter yourself."

Before Hizashi could place that lofty label on him, Menma mercilessly interrupted. "This was merely one method of achieving my goal."

A method of achieving his goal...

Realizing that the other party would not fall for that, Hizashi stopped beating around the bush and decisively asked, "Then what is your goal, Your Excellency?"

"I hope to obtain the assistance of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family."

Hizashi's expression was resolute, his gaze unwavering as he firmly replied, "The Hyuga Clan is utterly loyal to Lord Hokage."

"What if I can grant the Branch Family's Caged Bird freedom?"

"True freedom?"

Hizashi Hyuga's expression froze. At last, he could not help but give a bitter smile. "For the Branch Family, death is the only way to attain freedom."

"Then what about Neji?" Menma countered.

At the mention of Neji, Hizashi's expression immediately changed. The deliberately maintained calmness and composure from before vanished completely.

In a low voice, he said, "This is none of Your Excellency's business! When Neji grows up, he will understand me. He will understand the meaning of the Caged Bird as well."

"You are only deceiving yourself."

As calm as ever, Menma said, "He is different from you. What runs through his veins is the hot blood that refuses to submit to fate. He wants to become a bird soaring freely through the sky, not a bird trapped in a cage by the Main House."

Hizashi's eyes shifted away, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Neji is still young. Once he has battered himself bloody, he will no longer..."

"That is impossible."

Menma cut him off. "One day, he will surely break free from the shackles binding him and fly into the sky."

"Then, like you, he will trade death for a fleeting moment of freedom. Like brilliant fireworks, no matter how dazzling and resplendent they may be, after death, they are nothing but emptiness."

"But I am different..."

Menma slowly leaned closer to Hizashi, his tone thick with temptation. "Without death, I can give Neji true freedom. And all of this depends on a single thought from you, his father."

Huff... Huff...

A bead of cold sweat slowly slid down Hizashi's cheek. His chest rose and fell as his breathing became rapid.

His heart was filled with temptation.

Without question, Menma's words had struck directly at his weakness.

For a brief taste of freedom, he could choose to die humbly.

But he wanted Neji to live more freely—to live as a flesh-and-blood human being.

Not as anyone's subordinate, and even less as someone burdened by so-called "fate."

But...

Hizashi suddenly raised his head and asked, "What exactly is this true freedom you speak of?"

Their eyes met. Menma's tone became serious as well, and he said in a deep voice, "True freedom is, of course, completely removing the Caged Bird Curse Mark and overturning this muddleheaded, rotten system of the Main House and Branch Family!"

"Let every Branch Family member become a whole person, rather than a tool without thoughts or freedom!"

"Fate is our own fate. Our own fate should have always been held in our own hands!!"

Menma's tone gradually grew heavier, while Hizashi's face became increasingly pale, his eyes full of conflict.

This person did not merely intend to use him and Neji. His goal was anything but simple.

He wanted to use the entire Branch Family to stir up turmoil within the Hyuga Clan.

If that happened, Konoha High-Ranking Officials would never sit back and do nothing. It would inevitably affect the entire situation in Leaf Village.

"Do you believe the Third Hokage's Will of Fire is correct?"

Just as Hizashi was still struggling, Menma suddenly asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Of course..."

Hizashi answered without hesitation, only to suddenly fall silent.

The Third Hokage's... Will of Fire?

"Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, fire also burns without end. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout."

"The young are the hope of the future. The older generation must trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless; they will inspire the young to become the pillars who bear the future."

Menma recited those words as if reading from a text and sighed, "What a perfect will!!"

But then his tone suddenly turned cold.

"Then when the Third Shinobi World War ended, among the names on those Memorial Stones, how many belonged to children under ten who could not even properly use the Three Body Technique?!"

Looking into those deep blue eyes, watching them draw closer and closer,

Hizashi's lips trembled. Unable to refute him, his body slowly retreated.

But Menma suddenly pressed closer, a flash of coldness crossing his gaze as he harshly demanded, "While the Tsuchikage, Raikage, Kazekage, and the rest were active on the battlefield, the battlefield was already littered with the cold corpses of those children!"

"And the Third Hokage and the rest of Konoha High-Ranking Officials—where were they? And where was the Main House of your Hyuga Clan?!"

Bang!!

Watching Hizashi Hyuga collapse onto the ground before him, cold sweat streaming down his face,

Menma slowly sat back down, let out a long breath, and said coldly:

"Fate..."

"Is nothing more than a means for tyrants to bind minds, and an excuse for fools to comfort themselves."