Interest in Caged Bird

Hyuga Clan Territory

Rin was, as always, practicing the Soft Fist.

The wooden stakes were covered in the marks of her training. Sweat streamed down her flushed face and into her collarbone, soaking her clothes, yet she seemed tireless.

She stood up and continued striking the wooden stake, as if it weren't wood, but the irritation and unwillingness within her heart.

Finally, exhausted, she dragged her weary body back.

The residences of the Branch Family and the Main Family were separated. To enter the other's dwelling, one had to pass through the courtyard in between.

Rin's training ground was in the Branch Family area, and now she had to go to the Main Family's.

Her breathing was a little rapid as she walked through the courtyard leading to the Main Family, with Hyuga Branch Family members hurrying past her.

They saw Rin's state but paid her no mind, as if they couldn't see her.

Only after she passed did the sound of gossip begin.

"She's from the Branch Family, yet she hasn't had the Caged Bird cursed upon her yet. Truly doesn't follow the rules."

"Well, she has a good uncle, who's one of our elders."

"Exactly. She has a good family, but she's still Branch Family. She'll eventually get the Caged Bird cursed, just like us later on."

"Heh, that's true. Maids are always maids, and Branch Family is always Branch Family."

Rin's five senses were sharp, and it was also because none of those Branch Family members were trying to hide their words.

The Branch Family must serve the Main Family, and the Branch Family must have the Caged Bird cursed upon them.

And these Branch Family members who had the Caged Bird cursed upon them were jealous of Rin, jealous that she could avoid having the Caged Bird cursed upon her, even if only temporarily.

Rin's eyes turned red, and she almost ran.

She passed through the small courtyard and headed towards the Main Family's residence.

The Main Family's residence was better than the Branch Family's, but not by much. After all, they had to maintain the superficiality of the Main Family and Branch Family being one big happy family, so they didn't dare to go too far.

But in terms of status, there was indeed a vast difference.

These mental shackles and restraints could almost drive the Branch Family people crazy. Even if they lived in better conditions, what was the point?

They were still controlled by the Main Family.

Rin's eyes were red, and unwillingness and confusion filled her heart.

She didn't dare to look up at the Main Family members by the roadside. She imagined they must be looking at her, a Branch Family member, as if she were one of the inferiors.

Faint sneers seemed to echo, and Rin dared not linger, heading straight for the Main Family's main courtyard.

Pushing open the door, Rin, with red, tear-filled eyes, looked towards the middle-aged man inside.

"Uncle."

"Rin."

Hyuga Elder had initially intended to scold whoever was so impolite, but upon seeing Rin, his expression immediately softened. He reached out a trembling hand, embracing the red-eyed Rin, and comforted her.

"Rin, what's wrong? Who bullied you? Uncle will vent your anger for you."

The Elder had no offspring, only Rin as his junior, so naturally, all his doting attention was focused on Rin.

He even went so far as to offend Clan Rules for her, delaying the inscription of the Caged Bird curse mark on Rin.

He wanted little Rin to have a happy childhood, at least to have beautiful memories.

But it seemed even this childhood was now imperfect.

"Uncle, I don't want to be inscribed with the Caged Bird."

Tears could no longer be controlled. Thinking of Raikou's appearance, thinking of the gossip from the branch families, Rin felt so wronged.

Why must the Caged Bird be inscribed? Why must they serve the Main Family? Why must there be a difference between the branch families and the Main Family?

Why?

Her heart was filled with confusion, feeling as if she were walking alone in the darkness, with no one to accompany her, feeling unprecedented loneliness and bewilderment.

"My Soft Fist is better than the other Clan Members. I can defeat the Genin in the clan, and I can definitely defeat the Chunin too.

Why must we, as part of the same clan, be inscribed with the Caged Bird!"

Rin truly didn't understand, her heart filled with doubt and unwillingness.

She didn't want everything to be controlled by the Main Family. She wanted to be a Free Bird. If she were truly controlled, would she still be herself?

This undoubtedly stifled her inner self and erased her entire future.

"I'm sorry, Rin, I can't do that. I could only delay the clan's decision."

Hyuga Elder sighed.

He had originally wanted to deceive Rin with a Well-intentioned Lie, but that would be an Irresponsible act.

Rin's personality was too Strong-willed, with a Ferocity in her bones.

She could, in order to achieve School Top Rank, train until her hands bled from Grinding and still not stop, training Day and Night for it.

If he lied to her, when the Caged Bird brand appeared on his head, heartbroken, the elder feared she would directly commit suicide to prove her resolve.

Therefore, he couldn't lie; he could only tell her the truth and let her adapt on her own.

Hearing this, Rin seemed to lose her soul. stood up and walked out of the Main Family's residence.

Leaving the Hyuga clan grounds and walking onto the street, aimlessly.

It wasn't until her stomach growled that she remembered she hadn't eaten all day.

In a high-end BBQ restaurant.

Miyoshi and Yan walked in, and a server kindly came to ask for their order.

Miyoshi refused the server's eager Service and took the menu to order.

"Rin?"

In a corner of the BBQ restaurant, there seemed to be a Byakugan Loli.

Yan looked there and tugged at Miyoshi.

"Rin."

Miyoshi looked at Rin, who was eating BBQ bite by bite, and felt a strange sensation in his heart.

Can you imagine a Loli coming alone to the Akimichi Family BBQ Restaurant to eat BBQ?

Miyoshi couldn't imagine it, but he saw it.

"Want to eat together?"

Yan's eyes showed cunning. had been watching Miyoshi-kun's deskmate and found her quite interesting.

"Okay."

Miyoshi didn't refuse Yan's suggestion. Besides, they had been deskmates for a year, and it was only natural to talk to one's deskmate when meeting outside.

After ordering their food, the two walked towards Rin's Direction.

"Rin, long time no see."

Miyoshi greeted her.

"Do you mind if we share a table?"

Perhaps it was a Resonance of loneliness, or perhaps it was because the other person was his deskmate of one year. Rin didn't speak, she just nodded.

"Rin-chan, are you in a bad mood?"

Yan suddenly appeared, and Rin looked up towards Yan.

This was the opponent she had trained hard against for three months.

She remembered clearly, she should have expected that wherever Yayoi appeared, Yan would definitely be there too.

"Training is too boring, I came out for some grilled meat. Are you here for that too, Rin?"

"Mm."

Rin nodded, responded, and then lowered her head to continue eating the grilled meat.

Seeing that Rin wasn't talking to them anymore, Yayoi didn't force it. After the waiter brought his grilled meat, he and Yan started eating without politeness.

The price of this grilled meat was not cheap; it was something only ninjas, with their high-profit profession, could afford.

However, to repay Yan for her guidance, Yayoi couldn't be stingy over a little money.

But putting the grilled meat aside, he was indeed worried about the dwindling funds in his pocket right now.

Yayoi's parents had left a considerable amount of savings, and as an orphan, he had also received a good sum of compensation. However, due to the purchase of equipment, most of it had already been spent.

What remained was not enough to support his upcoming plans, which was a serious problem.

Originally, as a researcher, the simplest solution to funding issues was to seek investment.

But this was Konohagakure. Yayoi feared that one moment he dared to discuss a project, and the next he would be suddenly captured by a Masked Ninja.

Then, he would have to dedicate his all to the Will of Fire, and finally, his body would be displayed in a laboratory to contribute its last value.