Several hours earlier, at the Hyuga Clan compound.
Early morning.
Neji pushed open the door to his room, but his footsteps suddenly came to a halt.
Hinata stood quietly at the doorway. There was a trace of nervousness in her pale eyes, but even more than that, there was a determination rarely seen before, as though she had been waiting for a long time.
Neji looked at Hinata and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "Hinata... You don't need to come with me. This is my personal decision, after all. It may... cause a major conflict."
"No." Hinata directly interrupted Neji. She clenched her hands tightly before her and lifted her head, meeting Neji's gaze. "I don't want to be as weak as I was before anymore, Brother Neji. I think you're right. The Hyuga Clan... needs to change."
"So, I will support you. I will support changing this unreasonable system."
Hearing Hinata's unexpectedly resolute reply, Neji was clearly stunned for a moment.
He looked into Hinata's eyes, which no longer avoided his, as if he were truly meeting the Main Family's eldest daughter for the first time. After several seconds of silence, he finally said, "I understand. Then, please come with me."
With that, Neji raised his hand without the slightest hesitation and untied the Konoha forehead protector he wore.
Once the forehead protector was removed, it revealed the completely unmarked forehead beneath.
That spot had once borne the green Caged Bird curse mark, symbolizing the fate and shackles of the Branch Family.
Because of Naruto, it would never appear again.
Hinata watched Neji's actions and his retreating back as he continued forward. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and walked beside Neji.
The two walked in silence along the path leading to the Hyuga Clan's