Willingly Entering the Cage, to Break the Cage

Neji remained calm, listening silently to the girl's sobbing in the hall, knowing that now was not the time to speak.

But when this thought popped into his head, he was suddenly startled. He had never considered these kinds of questions before. His mind was always focused on cultivation and constantly becoming stronger.

All the trials and tribulations were for that one breath in my heart, to prove that geniuses can emerge from the Branch Family, and to prove that Caged Bird was a mistake.

Looking back on the journey we've taken.

All he saw was that awkward young man training in the rain, a genius with broken wings. He naively believed that as long as he harbored resentment, as long as he became the strongest...

Perhaps in the past, he would have been incredibly excited to see the glimmer of hope in freeing the Caged Bird. But as he gained more experience, he realized that the real cage is invisible.

So many things happened afterward, and my temperament became much more peaceful. My sharp edges were worn down, and I gained a greater sense of acceptance and composure towards fate.

The riverbank outside the Bamboo Forest.

The water gurgled continuously as Hinata and Naruto sat side by side. Above them was a dense bamboo grove, and beneath their feet lay a carpet of pebbles, which felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"Neji is becoming more and more like a clan leader. I think Hinata would be best to hand over the Hyuga clan to him." Naruto glanced at Hinata, and could only say this to Hinata.

Since they're on our side, as long as we don't make personal attacks on our fellow Hiashi players, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Neji -nii?" Hinata didn't know how to answer. Her father seemed to want to groom Hanabi as his successor, but... Hanabi

"Hanabi is too weak. She probably Neji even if she tried for eight lifetimes." Naruto hit the nail on the head, showing no mercy to his sister-in-law.

"Naruto." Hinata was speechless. How could he talk about his sister-in-law like that? Even though she wasn't there, "Hanabi is still amazing."

"I don't know if Hanabi is strong or not, but you're quite formidable." Naruto continued to hold and play with Hinata, taking advantage of the situation at this crucial moment.

Even though the Hinata was engulfed in flames and chaos, it wouldn't disturb Naruto's romantic evening. This was something he had been planning for half a month, and he had finally made it to this day.

Taking Hinata away was also part of the plan, intentionally keeping her out of the upheaval Hinata the Hyuga clan. Without being involved, the outcome wouldn't be so difficult to accept.

Hinata has always been the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan, which causes Naruto immense pain. What era is this? She's still bound to the home as a traditional woman.

The fairies on a certain planet have started waging interstellar wars; this is bound to be criticized to death. To protect Hinata from online bullying, Naruto decides to bring down his father-in-law for her sake.

He broke the seal on the Caged Bird, leaving the rest to Neji. The tangible shackles were broken; the intangible ones would have to be broken by themselves.

Hinata destined to break through that thick, pathetic barrier, and Naruto will also take this opportunity to break through the barrier of unrequited love between him and Hinata.

Even if it means getting hurt and bleeding, I wouldn't hesitate. Thinking about it this way, I realize I'm a really good person.

It was all worth it. The father-in-law's determination to change Hinata was like a middle-aged man who couldn't urinate, and now he finally did.

Neji got the chance to redeem himself from the Hinata Branch Family, and Hinata got him. Perfect.

"Naruto, let's chat a little longer, stop touching me." Hinata was really afraid of him. Every time he said something nice, his hands would wander off.

"Huh? What?" Naruto selectively ignored him. "I see. Well then, let's talk about dreams. Hinata, what's your dream?"

He asked this question without stopping his hands.

Hinata blushed deeply. This place was still in the wild, and thankfully, no one came here. "My dreams are twofold: to become an excellent ninja, and then to be a housewife."

She spoke haltingly, and Naruto shook his head at her. Hinata's physical abilities were clearly inferior to his; her physique, honed through years of arduous training, far surpassed that of ordinary people.

"You're Jonin now, right?" He suddenly remembered that Hinata had mentioned this to him some time ago.

"It has been like that for a long time." Hinata's voice was somewhat resentful. "I wanted to tell you, but Father wouldn't let me see you, so I haven't been able to."

My father-in-law is so mean! He interferes with my free choice in marriage. Damn it, I was too kind. I guess I have to give him a gift—a grandson, I guess.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it." Naruto said, while casually pulling out a batch of gifts from his Sealing Space.

A delicate crystal pendant, radiating a warm glow in the sunlight. Even though it was purchased in bulk, the design and quality are absolutely top-notch.

Furthermore, jewelry trends change every few years, and they often go retro. There's no need to worry about being out of style; as long as it looks good, that's all that matters.

"Congratulations on becoming Jonin, Hinata," Naruto said, holding the necklace in one hand.

"Thank you, Naruto." She was touched, but she wished Naruto would put it on her with both hands instead of just one. Why couldn't his other hand stay still?

"It's alright. When it comes to relationships, I prefer a slow and steady approach," Naruto said affectionately.

Hinata wanted to say that she had sensed it, but her face burned as if on fire, and she simply lowered her head and hummed in agreement. All around, insects chirped, birds sang, Bamboo Forest provided shade, and a stream murmured.

Neji wasn't as relaxed as Naruto. The patriarchs of the Main Family were still discussing how to punish Sachiko Hyuga, while the Hyuga branch Hyuga Branch Family kneeling in the courtyard were already itching to make a move.

The girl kneeling on the ground was almost out of tears; her body was trembling uncontrollably.

"The Caged Bird's mark must be reapplied. How could the mark have fallen off naturally? There must be something going on. We must investigate and find out the truth." The elder of the Main Family was agitated.

"Perhaps it's an exceptional case. Why don't we check within the Branch Family first to see if anything similar has happened?" another elder from the Main Family advised.

"Let's investigate first. If it's man-made, then we'll see," Hyuga Hiashi sighed and spoke.

"Then what about her?" one of the Main Family asked, his tone unfriendly.

Hyuga Hiashi was silent for a moment, then pondered.

"Let's put a Caged Bird mark on it first, to prevent the situation from escalating further."

Hearing this, Neji, who was kneeling at the end of the hall, suddenly raised his head and glanced at Hyuga Hiashi. He could understand the Main Family's strong reaction, but wasn't this also an opportunity?

To prevent the situation from escalating further, is it necessary to re-mark the Caged Bird? This isn't a bandage; it can be easily torn off after being hung up. Is Branch Family really unimportant?

Indeed, no matter how eloquent the words, they are not as effective as actions.

Sachiko Hyuga upon hearing that she was about to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal. If she were to be branded with it, she would undoubtedly receive a severe beating from the Main Family.

Caged Bird experiences excruciating pain, it is unbearable for an ordinary person. At best, it will lose control of its bowels; at worst, it will become mentally disabled or crippled.

The Main Family can't even be bothered to maintain a semblance of respect anymore; they have neither substance nor face, so the existence of the Branch Family is truly unimportant. They share the same blood, yet they insist on distinguishing themselves.

"Someone come here!" an elder of the Main Family shouted.

These kinds of things are usually done by the Branch Family, but of course, the sealing is still done by the Main Family. After all, it's core technology, and we can't let the Branch Family members get their hands on it.

But this time, no one responded even after calling twice, which made the elder of the Main Family somewhat angry.

"Are all the people outside deaf? You have no manners! Hurry up and come in! You're getting more and more outrageous. Are you trying to rebel?"

There was a rustling sound outside, and finally someone came in.

But it wasn't just one or two people, but a scattered dozen or so. Some of the other members of the Branch Family had appeared outside, silently gathering around.

The elder from the Main Family, who had a bad temper, twitched his eyelids violently, gritted his teeth, and flew into a rage.

"You're asking for death! You bunch of bastards!"

The Main Family weren't usually as hostile as this old man, but their prejudices ran deep. Even though their own siblings were from the Branch Family, in the Main Family's subconscious, class was above kinship.

Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi are exceptions, firstly because Hizashi Hyuga died for his brother Hiashi, which touched the rigid Hyuga Hiashi.

Secondly, Hyuga Hiashi did not want his two daughters to be branded as Caged Bird, so he deliberately downplayed the concept of the Main Family Branch Family and emphasized family ties.

Therefore, Hinata and Hanabi's relationship remains very good. If they were to be separated from the Caged Bird, even though she is the clan leader's daughter, she would at most not be bullied; in essence, it would still Branch Family of the families.

The pitiful, thick barrier perfectly describes Caged Bird.

"We never intended to rebel; we were simply rejecting you, Lord Hiashi, Lord Tywin, and..." One of the younger Branch Family members bravely stepped forward.

Starting from the middle, he read out the names of all the Main Family members present one by one, his voice steady and calm, without the slightest fear on his face.

"Sachiko will not be marked Caged Bird again unless we are all killed."

"Rebellion! They've all rebelled!" The hot-tempered elder laughed in anger, reaching out to make a hand gesture to activate the Caged Bird Seal, only to find the man standing unharmed in the same spot.

The wind blew through the courtyard, but nothing happened.

"What's going on! You!" The elder expanded the area of effect, but found it useless. "Damn it! How could it fail? Could it be that you...!"

The Branch Family standing in the hall did not move at all, nor did their expressions change. They stared coldly at the elder without saying a word.

Hyuga Hiashi frowned, seemingly having already guessed something, and spoke calmly.

"Since it's already like this, there's no need to hide it anymore. Take off the bandages wrapped around your foreheads."

The dozen or so Branch Family were unsure what to do and all looked at the young man in charge. The young man was also a little hesitant, but now he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

"Let's untie it," he said.

As he spoke, he took the lead and untied the white bandage from his forehead, and the rest of the Branch Family followed suit. With a whoosh, dozens of the Branch Family in the main hall and courtyard removed their bandages.

Their foreheads were completely smooth, showing no trace of being Caged Bird.

The members of the Main Family seated at the head of the table were in an uproar, all standing up, dumbfounded. The Caged Bird had been released, and its code had been deciphered on a large scale.

"You! How dare you do this? Breaking the seal without permission?" the elder roared. "Who gave you the right to do this? Who allowed you to do this!"

"Tywin, calm down, things haven't come to that point yet," another elder from the Main Family advised, then turned to the members of the Branch Family.

"Let's clarify things first. There might be a misunderstanding; if we correct our mistakes in time, there's still a chance."

"This is not a mistake!" The young man who Branch Family knew he couldn't win an argument with the old guys, but he couldn't help but chime in, "The Caged Bird is the mistake. We are no longer Branch Family."

"We are members of the Hyuga Clan, not Branch Family."

The hall was noisy and chaotic. The kneeling girl was pulled up and helped to stand aside by her companions. Hyuga Hiashi's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Neji.

Neji Hyuga seemed to sense something, looked up and met Hyuga Hiashi's gaze, his eyes calm.

"Nonsense! The system of the Branch Family the Main Family into branches has existed for hundreds of years. It is a rule set by our ancestors." The elder was furious and wanted to take action immediately.

But Hyuga Hiashi hadn't given any orders, he couldn't act rashly. Even if the opponent only had a few insignificant Branch Family members, their fighting strength was far from impressive.

"Ancestors?" The young man sneered. "Since we are Branch Family, then let the Branch Family manage it. There's no need to trouble the elders of the Main Family."

"What did you say?"

"Our ancestors must have thought the same thing!" The young man was not intimidated at all; a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger.

The elders of the Main Family were so enraged by these treasonous words that they laughed, their gazes turning cold. Since reasoning wouldn't work, they might as well just take action and suppress them.

Whether it's ten or a hundred Branch Family, in terms of resources and strength, the Branch Family simply cannot compete with the Main Family. The idea of splitting the Hinata is utterly absurd.

The elders looked at the clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, waiting for him to make a decision. The members of the Branch Family also looked at the stern-faced clan leader, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Compared to the Main Family, they were nothing more than a rabble. They had no advantage in either righteousness or military strength; their only strength was their sheer numbers.

The scene fell silent instantly. Hyuga Hiashi's expression remained unchanged; he simply turned to look at Neji.

Neji, what are your thoughts?

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze immediately turned to Neji, who had remained silent. The elders of the Main Family looked at him angrily and impatiently, instantly filled with displeasure.

What opinions could someone who Branch Family possibly have? Perhaps the Caged Bird mark on his head has been removed, Lord Hiashi.

In the end, isn't it just an ungrateful dog?

Neji looked up at the sound, first glancing around carefully at the expressions on the faces of the Main Family elders. Finally, he looked at the Branch Family standing in the center, and then silently stood up.

Without saying a word, he walked to the front of the hall, knelt down, and reached out to untie the bandage on his forehead.

The Main Family members stood with their arms crossed, sneering, Branch Family members looked tense, Hyuga Hiashi's brows furrowed slightly. Their gazes were all fixed on Neji's forehead, as if waiting for a lottery result.

Swish, swish, the bandages were unwrapped one by one. Starting from the last layer, the blue markings of Caged Bird were revealed.