Hyuga Reform: When the Deer Is Lost, All May Chase It

When the Caged Bird Seal on Neji's forehead was revealed, the expressions of the Main Family members were clearly unpleasant. They felt a mix of relief and dismay, as if they'd been punched hard.

"Still keeping it?"

"Why would he still keep it? Doesn't he want to untie the Caged Bird?"

The members of the Branch Family exclaimed in surprise. They naturally knew that Neji had led them to untie the Caged Bird, and subconsciously felt that he should be the first to do so.

But who could have known that Neji still had the Caged Bird tattoo on his forehead?

"Why won't Lord Neji untie it?"

"Yeah, are you saying we should try it first?"

"Shut up, don't speak so loudly. Lord Hiashi to Lord Neji, wouldn't it seem ungrateful to undo this? Even if it's an experiment, there have been so many cases already."

Hyuga Hiashi silent; Neji did not choose to untie the Caged Bird. However, many of the younger Branch Family behind him had untied it; these were the future pillars of the Branch Family.

Punishing them all, forcing all the young members of the Branch Family back into Caged Bird? That's clearly unrealistic. Even if we forced it, the Hinata would face a severe backlash. Without the protection of the Branch Family, the Main Family would no longer be the Main Family.

Furthermore, the fact that all the Caged Bird by the new generation after the Branch Family have been freed is clearly not a coincidence. If they can be freed once, does that mean they can be freed a second time?

But if left unchecked, the distinction between the Branch Family and the Main Family will disappear. The conflict between the Main Family Branch Family and the Main Family has already been brewing for some time; how will the Main Family conduct itself in the future?

Even Hyuga Hiashi countless storms, found the current situation extremely difficult. He frowned slightly, unsure of what to do, and could only wait and see.

"Is Lord Hiashi asking for my opinion?" Neji stood up and stood in front of a group of young members of the Branch Family.

The blue Caged Bird Seal his forehead stood out starkly against the backdrop of his smooth forehead, and his long black hair cascaded down. He simply raised his head and quietly looked at the members of the Main Family, his face revealing no emotion.

"I have no objection. I don't know about the other Branch Family, but if the elders of the Main Family need someone to serve them in the future, I would be happy to do so."

His words were like a soft rebuke, making the adults in the seats of honor uncomfortable once again.

The elders of the Main Family stared at Neji, at the hideous mark on his forehead. Those high-sounding reasons, the sacrifices and dedication of the clan, seemed especially ironic at this moment.

"The future of the Hyuga Branch Family is all here, without leaving anyone out," Neji said neither humbly nor arrogantly. "I think instead of asking someone like me who has the Caged Bird Seal, we should listen to their opinions."

"After all," Neji Hyuga looked at the most hot-tempered Main Family, paused, and continued, "They are the majority of the Branch Family; I am just a minority."

This puts the problem back on Hyuga Hiashi. Neji is right; he is indeed one of the few remaining members of the younger generation in the Branch Family.

The last Caged Bird evokes emotion only through comparison.

Neji stood at the very front of the Branch Family, his head emblazoned with the Caged Bird. He was like a yin-yang line illuminated by Nikko, with the arrogant Main Family in front of him and the courageous younger generation of the Branch Family behind him.

On one side is supreme power, and on the other is the burning flame of resistance.

And he, with the Caged Bird tattooed on his body, stood at the very front of the Branch Family. Because of his presence, the Main Family couldn't criticize the Branch Family; instead, it made the Main Family appear ugly.

Because of him, the anger of the Branch Family were dividing the Branch Family hesitant younger generation.

I'd rather die standing than kneel like a dog.

Behind Neji, the young man from the Branch Family stepped forward and shouted through gritted teeth at the elders of the Main Family.

"We will not compromise. Either cripple the Caged Bird or kill us. Since you look down on us, the Main Family will only need the main family from Hinata on. Why bother with the branch Branch Family?"

"I really want to see how the head of the Main Family plans the Branch Family. Will he put some members of the Main Family in Caged Bird to continue serving as members of the branch Branch Family? If that's the case, I'll be very excited."

Hyuga Hiashi knew very well that no matter how this matter was resolved, the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family would cease to exist from this day forward. Putting Caged Bird into the open was like putting on underwear that hadn't been washed in years.

The Main Family stood like statues, Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand and said.

"We can discuss this matter later. Now that the seal has been broken, there's no reason to put it back on. Give us some time to discuss it before making a decision."

Upon hearing this, Neji obediently bowed and withdrew. He still respected Hyuga Hiashi, and by not releasing the Caged Bird, he had done right by Hyuga Hiashi.

Seeing Neji leave, the rest of the Branch Family members simply followed suit and left as well.

With only the Main Family members remaining in the hall, Hyuga Hiashi had no choice but to take charge. He glanced at the Main Family elders and spoke with a stern expression.

"Things have come to this point, there's nothing left to discuss."

"Hiashi, are we going to compromise?" the elder asked, somewhat unconvinced.

"Yes." Hyuga Hiashi nodded and said, "From now on, the Branch Family will no longer need to be marked with the Caged Bird, and all resources within the clan will be open to all Hinata clan members."

"Have they gone mad?" A taciturn Main Family couldn't help but speak, staring at Hyuga Hiashi. "Then what do we do? Are we to follow their example?"

"What? Is the Main Family superior to the Branch Family? Don't forget, the Hyuga Clan is declining, brothers are turning against each other, and sisters are becoming enemies." Hyuga Hiashi's voice was cold.

Upon hearing this, the members of the Main Family were speechless. Hinata the Hyuga clan were weak; it was common for the brothers to be polite on the surface but secretly remain estranged.

But these old guys don't care; they only care about profits.

"As the clan leader, I have failed to lead the Hyuga Clan to prosperity, and instead, we have come to this situation. I will take responsibility for this and resign from the position of clan leader indefinitely, effective today."

"What?"

"Resign from the position of clan chief? Just for something like this?"

"Hiashi, you're so foolish!"

The Main Family were all talking at once, not even discussing the Caged Bird anymore. Hyuga Hiashi had made a huge hole in the roof, so he had no time to worry about the windows.

Now it seems that the abolition of the Caged Bird is a foregone conclusion, since no matter what, the Branch Family is an important part of the Hyuga Clan.

Without Branch Family Main Family is powerless in the treacherous Shinobi World. They would only resort to force to suppress the Branch Family if they wanted to exterminate the entire clan.

After all, they've already broken the seal on you, and the deed is done; it's too late to say anything now.

Given that there is little difference between the Branch Family Main Family and the main family, if Hyuga Hiashi were to suddenly resign as clan head, the position would inevitably become a competition between the Branch Family and the Main Family, and the outcome would be uncertain.

Especially among the current younger generation, only Neji Hyuga can truly be called a genius. But he's from the Branch Family; wouldn't the position of clan head be...?

"Hiashi, are you insane! What does this have to do with the position of clan leader?!"

"Absurd! So what if it's been resolved? The Branch Family's strength is far inferior to the Main Family's. Why make such a decision? It's utterly absurd!"

"What's the harm in letting them untie it?"

The water flows gently along the riverbank.

Hinata hugged Naruto tightly, looked at him with pleading eyes, and said.

"Not here."

"I know what I'm doing." Naruto withdrew his hand, stood up, and pointed in the direction of Hinata. "Things should be mostly resolved. Let's go back and take a look."

"Naruto."

"What's wrong?" he asked, looking down.

Hinata bit her lower lip, looked up at him, and said with a flushed face.

"My legs are weak from sitting for too long."

"It's okay, I'll carry you over." Naruto was capable of doing so, and easily picked Hinata up in his arms.

Hinata only appears heavy; in reality, it's just an illusion caused by the abundance of grain. Her entire frame is very light, and her total weight doesn't exceed 42kg.

Naruto's actual measurements for other data are 91E-59-86.

Hinata's popularity is no accident. Who wouldn't like a beautiful girl who is approachable and charming? She's delicate, gentle, and has a good temper.

"Am I... heavy?" Hinata, a little embarrassed.

"It's not heavy at all; it's a gift from heaven," Naruto said without batting an eye. "The heaviest part of the human body is water, so losing some of it will make you much lighter."

"The weather is so hot now. Even though you don't sweat much, you still lose some water."

Hinata's face flushed instantly, and she buried her face in his chest without saying a word. "How can the canal be so clear? Because it has a source of living water." The human body is a treasure trove, inexhaustible.

Just as thirst increases internal osmotic pressure, stimulating the hypothalamus and transmitting signals to the cerebral cortex via nerve impulses, the body regulates itself to prevent overexploitation.

Back in Hinata, the argument was indeed over. Hyuga Hiashi announced that the Caged Bird Seal would be abolished, and that Branch Family still clinging to the Caged Bird could request its removal.

At the same time, the system of the Main Family and Branch Family was abolished.

At the same time, Hyuga Hiashi announced his resignation as clan leader to take responsibility for the matter.

With everything settled, Hinata was still somewhat dazed. It wasn't that she was reluctant to give up the privileges of the Main Family, but rather that she was worried that her family members would turn against her and seek revenge.

And coincidentally, her father was no longer the clan head, which meant he would no longer be involved in clan disputes. After all, she was also a member of the Hyuga Clan, and her fate was intertwined with the Hinata's.

"It's alright, let's go back first." Naruto took Hinata's hand and stepped through the Hyuga compound for the first time, secretly pleased with himself. "I'm finally in!"

Although he had entered many doors, he had never gone through the back door or entered the main gate of the Hyuga Clan.

Hinata was a little nervous; it was her first time entering the Hyuga Clan's compound with Naruto. The two were still holding hands, and in this chaotic situation, they were bound to be seen.

To her surprise, the young members of the Branch Family she encountered along the way not only had smooth foreheads, but they also seemed to be selectively blind, completely ignoring her and Naruto.

The atmosphere was rather eerie, and Hinata's heart pounded. She didn't stop until she saw Neji emerging from the clan head's mansion; the bandage on his forehead had been removed, but the Caged Bird mark remained.

"Hinata? Naruto?" Neji paused for a moment, but still greeted them.

Outsiders are generally not allowed to enter the Hyuga compound, but Naruto is clearly no outsider in the eyes of the Branch Family, after all, it was Naruto removed the Caged Bird.

More importantly, the Hyuga Clan has one advantage: they don't like to gossip.

"Neji- san." Hinata glanced at the conspicuous blue Caged Bird mark on Neji's forehead and felt a little guilty, because she had also been a member of the Main Family.

However, Neji was quite frank and made no attempt to hide anything.

"Neji, I never really noticed before, but this mark is actually quite nice," Naruto said with a smile, not holding back much.

Upon hearing this, Hinata was startled and instinctively tugged at Naruto's sleeve. She thought to herself, "How could you say something like that? Neji will definitely be angry."

To everyone's surprise, Neji wasn't angry; instead, a smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, I think it looks pretty good too."

Hinata was stunned. She had no idea about what Neji and Naruto were plotting. She also had no idea how much the main branch of the Naruto Main Family was suffering because of Neji's final Caged Bird.

It's disgusting that they're standing on some moral high ground. The Main Family is now weak and powerless. The Caged Bird is practically useless, and of the younger generation, Neji hasn't had his Cursed Seal removed.

"I'll take Hinata home first, you can go ahead and do your work," Naruto said.

"Hmm." Neji nodded, gave Hinata a slight nod, and then left.

Hinata gripped Naruto's hand tightly, looking somewhat lost as she faced the unknown future. In just half a day, the Hinata had undergone a dramatic transformation.

"Naruto."

"It's okay, I'm here."

It is precisely because of his presence that things are more unstable. Without him, the Hinata wouldn't have changed so quickly. Perhaps the Caged Bird will be abandoned ten or even twenty years from now.

At least in Hyuga Hiashi's mind, this was a slow and peaceful process. But he never expected that the transformation of the Hinata would be accomplished in such a radical way.

"Yeah, Naruto, you're so nice." Hinata looked at him with a look of dependence.

The latter felt somewhat guilty and was hesitant to enter the clan head's residence. So he made an excuse, saying that it was too early to see Lord Hiashi, and Hinata was also a little uneasy.

So the two parted ways at Hinata's house.

Three days had passed Hinata the Hyuga incident, Naruto and Neji met privately again. The meeting took place in a small teahouse, where the two sat in a private room and talked.

This time, Neji's forehead was clear, and the Caged Bird Seal had been removed. Naruto was somewhat uneasy, but probing into his brain was too dangerous, so after much deliberation, he had no choice but to give up.

"Don't worry, Lord Hiashi personally helped me untie it," Neji said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

"That's true," Naruto said, then changed the subject, "Is the current Hinata close to your ideal image?"

"That's about it, but although there's no longer an overt distinction between the Main Family and the Branch Family, there are still underlying conflicts," Neji said.

"The Hyuga Clan has a long way to go, and the ideal family cannot be achieved in a short time."

"Then become the clan leader!" Naruto put down his teacup and said nonchalantly, "Hinata clan loses its leader, both the Main Family Branch Family can pursue it."

"The Hinata terminally ill; perhaps we should just turn the tables?"