Neji had never expected his clan to be hiding a secret like this. For a moment, he felt conflicted.
He was glad that the Byakugan could keep evolving just like the Sharingan, reaching for an even higher level of Dojutsu. At the same time, he worried that, as a member of the Branch Family, he had no right to know about this secret.
That was right.
Even a young man hailed as a genius of the Hyuga Clan like Neji had first thought that he wasn't qualified to know such a secret.
The Hyuga Clan's strict hierarchy had been carved into the bones of its members.
Even full siblings could have vastly different social standings because one belonged to the Main Family and the other to the Branch Family.
The mysterious man smiled. "Are you hesitating?"
Neji shook his head. "You don't understand. I'm only a member of the Branch Family."
The mysterious man replied coolly, "So?"
"So..." Neji lowered his head. "So even if my clan really is hiding the secret of the Tenseigan, someone like me from the Branch Family has no right to ask about it."
"Is that so?" The mysterious man smiled. "I thought you had the resolve to break the shackles of fate. Turns out you're just a foolish bird content to hide in a cage."
With that, the mysterious man turned away again, leaving without the slightest hesitation.
As the mysterious man's figure was about to disappear into the night, Neji seemed to come to a decision. He hurried after him. "Please wait!"
The mysterious man didn't stop. "I have no interest in hearing a member of the Branch Family feel sorry for himself."
Neji chased after him, apologizing as he went. "I'm sorry."
Only then did the mysterious man stop. "For you, there's