Another month passed in the blink of an eye.
Hyuga Clan Compound.
In the room, Kamado sat cross-legged bare-chested. The intricate array patterns carved into the floor around him glowed with a blue sheen, slowly spreading over his entire body.
Shin stood outside the array, controlling everything as he inscribed a complex seal onto Kamado's body. Black patterns writhed before finally converging over his chest, circling it again and again. At the center, the character "One" emerged, surrounded by intricate, mysterious black markings.
A long time had already passed. Kamado's eyes remained tightly shut. He wore neither a forehead protector nor any silk bandage, yet his forehead was completely bare. That ugly green mark had vanished without a trace.
After Hizashi and Ayari, he was the third person to have his Caged Bird Seal removed. Once he walked out of this room today, it would likely cause another stir within the clan.
When the Sage Engraving was finally complete, Shin let out a long breath, and the light of the array on the ground faded away.
"Done."
Hearing Shin's voice, Kamado slowly opened his eyes and carefully sensed the changes within his body.
"You'll only be able to feel its power after activating it," Shin added. "I've already removed your Caged Bird Seal."
Kamado immediately dropped to one knee. "Thank you, Lord Shin!"
He did not feel much emotional upheaval over having the Caged Bird Seal removed. If he had to name something he was pleased about, it was only that Lord Shin trusted him more.
Of course, Shin had also done this to further provoke the clan members.
"Go test it outside," Shin said.
Kamado got dressed and headed into the courtyard outside.
He could clearly sense the seal on his chest. It seemed to connect every part of