Caged Bird-Why Did It Stop Working?!

"Elder, isn't this going too far...?"

Within the Hyuga Clan, atop a high platform, Hyuga Shingo gazed into the distance.

However, the Main Branch behind him seemed somewhat unsettled and at a loss.

Hyuga Shingo had decided to take action against Neji, they also began to devise various plans.

However, before they could even figure out their plan, Hyuga Shingo came up with the simplest and most brutal solution!

"He attacked him directly in front of all the Branch Family and Hyuga Makoto, and used his status as the Main Branch to intimidate them."

The Main Branch were all somewhat bewildered upon hearing this. Could this really be considered a plan?

"Well...

However, Hyuga Shingo was also in a bad mood at the moment, as he realized that the Main Branch's manners seemed to be quite poor.

Have they become so sluggish from being pampered for so long?

"We don't need to make any plans at all. Don't forget who we are."

Although Hyuga Shingo was somewhat annoyed, he still began to explain.

"We are the Main Branch, and we want to use this simplest and most direct way to remind them of the Clan Rules and Ancestral Teachings."

Even if the Branch Family felt a pang of pain, a fierce fire had already ignited within them.

But if they don't feel pain, that raging fire won't subside!

Hyuga Shingo understood perfectly well that there was no point in resorting to scheming and trickery in some matters.

They did it openly and honestly, making everyone aware of the authority of the Main Branch!

As for whether doing so is somewhat despicable...

In the face of Clan Rules and Ancestral Teachings, nothing else matters.

"I've learned a lot, Elder..."

Upon hearing these words, the Main Branch exchanged bewildered glances.

They suddenly realized that they had indeed been naive.

They are the Main Branch, and even if they have to restrain their use of the Caged Bird, they are still at the top of the clan.

When dealing with a pet dog, they should act like a "master"!

"Elder, there's movement over there."

Just as the members of the Main Branch were still pondering this, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh?"

These words immediately energized Hyuga Shingo and the rest of the Main Branch.

"How is the situation now?"

"Like...

The head of the Main Branch who was speaking had a strange expression, but a smile also appeared on his face.

"Hyuga Makoto couldn't hold back anymore; he's probably really going to do something!"

"Very good, that's for the best."

Hyuga Shingo nodded; this was a dead end to begin with.

Hyuga Makoto moves or remains still is all within his calculations; the only difference lies in whether he needs to intervene.

After all, this kid's identity is somewhat special, and only he, as the Grand Elder, can keep things in check!

"At least I wasn't kept waiting for nothing."

Hyuga Shingo turned around and walked straight downstairs.

"Let's go, everyone, let's go and meet this prodigy from the Branch Family."

"Should we agree or not?"

Inside the Hokage Office Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking a pipe, looking at the Anbu application form in his hand.

This kind of application is actually quite common, but this time the applicant has some issues. This is what Uchiha Izumi thought of when he recalled the last Uchiha in the Anbu. Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but shudder.

That's too cruel, too wicked...

Even though he felt he had seen it all, he had never actually seen anything like what Uchiha Itachi had done!

"If it weren't for Makoto, the destruction this guy would have caused would be unimaginable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his pipe dangling from his mouth, pondered to himself, but this was precisely where his headache lay.

Because Uchiha Izumi was recommended by Hyuga Makoto.

The reason is quite simple...

"She recognized me and begged me for help. I could tell she truly hated Uchiha Itachi, so to avoid future trouble, I agreed."

Hyuga Makoto's attitude was quite indifferent; he didn't even need to consider it too much, leaving everything to the Hokage's decision.

But as Hokage, there are many more things to consider...

"You little brat, are you trying to dump this trouble on me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pursed his lips. Regardless of what the kid thought of Hyuga Makoto's recommendation, he had to take it seriously.

He was indeed considering that perhaps the Anbu could recruit another Uchiha.

The Uchiha has fallen into such a state; their elite Police Department has been wiped out, and there are very few ninjas left.

The village is still helping them recover, after all, everyone is watching.

Recruiting an Uchiha into the Anbu at this time would indeed further demonstrate the village's stance!

Uchiha Itachi really set a bad precedent...

"Hey, old man!"

Just as he was feeling down, Jiraiya suddenly rushed in through the window.

This made Hiruzen Sarutobi raise an eyebrow. Did this guy have a way of refusing to use the door?

Before he could even speak, Jiraiya's words completely baffled him!

Are you really planning something?

"?

"You agreed to me, Makoto, and Kakashi forming a team, is there really some hidden meaning behind it?"

What are you saying?

"You wouldn't actually be thinking of staging a Night of the Three-Tails, would you?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely baffled. What the hell was this?

What Night of the Three-Tails?

What are you talking about?

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Jiraiya with a puzzled expression and spoke in a low voice.

"Explain yourself clearly, what exactly happened?"

"It was Cheng's analysis and judgment that led to this."

Jiraiya uttered a name with a soft hum, which immediately made Hiruzen Sarutobi a beat.

"Not good...

Hyuga Makoto, the "mouth substitute," is always able to analyze things logically and with evidence.

The only drawback is that I always think of him in a negative light.

And this time seemed to be no exception. After listening to Jiraiya's story, Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely dumbfounded!

Damn it, is that what I was thinking?

Is this even possible?

It seems this configuration isn't entirely unacceptable?

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his pipe dangling from his lips, inexplicably fell into deep thought.

The hatred between Kirigakure and Konoha has a long history. It is said that before the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara established the village, they invited the Kirigakure clans to join them.

"But they didn't think much of the ninja village model at the time," and rejected it outright.

As a result, Uchiha Madara didn't waste any words with them and directly ordered them to go into the sea.

Whether that was actually the case or not, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself wasn't quite sure, as he was too young at the time.

The hatred between Konoha and Kirigakure is very real; every time a major war breaks out in the Shinobi World, Kirigakure is always the first to come looking for them!

"If the intelligence can be completely confirmed, then it's not impossible to teach them a lesson."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly. After all, they were on a rescue mission; mistakes were to be expected, weren't they?

And all of this stems from the Akatsuki Organization and Uchiha Obito, right?

Plan ahead and consider all possibilities.

Then, making the appropriate arrangements and plans is essential!

"Hey, old man, you really have this idea?"

Jiraiya's face was full of strange expressions. He cursed inwardly, "That evil Third Hokage," but couldn't help speaking up.

"Although this is a bad idea, if you really have this idea, then you must plan it in detail, and try your best not to harm civilians."

Jiraiya was actually somewhat opposed to it.

But he had experienced war and had truly risked his life against Kirigakure, so he knew better than anyone what Kirigakure had done in the Land of Whirlpools.

He couldn't bring himself to say those words; he only hoped that it wouldn't affect Konoha or harm the common people.

"I know...

Hiruzen Sarutobi blurted it out instinctively, but his face darkened as soon as he finished speaking.

Doesn't this mean he's admitting that this is his true thought?

The thought of it made him grit his teeth.

How Hyuga Makoto's eyes, he's almost as Danzo?

"Let's go and find Cheng first."

Even though he was annoyed, he suppressed his emotions, and then an idea suddenly popped into his head.

"Let Kakashi's Squad go at full strength. This kid has been training with you for so long, and he's never even met his own teammates. That's really not right."

"Ah?"

Jiraiya was somewhat confused, but then Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up quietly.

"In any case, he should treat his teammates to a nice meal."

"And we can't let him Hyuga in Hyuga; that would make it easy for him to get a free meal!"

"?

"Isn't he greedy? Then let's make him cough some up!"

Jiraiya felt that his teacher was not only ruthless, but also a bit petty.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently rubbed his temples; this was the only way he could think of to make Hyuga Makoto feel the pinch. "I... apologize?"

Within the Hyuga Clan, the main Main Branch who deliberately bumped into Neji still maintained a cold smile.

However, he was also somewhat flustered, after all, he was facing Hyuga Makoto!

This kid's strength is truly formidable; in some ways, he's the strongest member of the Hyuga...

Moreover, this kid's identity is sensitive; even if he's from the Main Branch, it's hard for him to be without reservations.

However, this mindset also caused his sense of shame to swell.

He was from the Main Branch, and to be treated like this by a Branch Family was truly unbearable for him!

"Hyuga Makoto, although you are from the Anbu Lord Jiraiya..."

"..." The Main Branch gritted his teeth and hissed in a low voice.

"But don't forget, you are a member of the Hyuga Clan, and moreover, a Branch Family!"

"So what?"

Hyuga Makoto reached out and helped Neji up, looking at the head of the Main Branch with amusement.

He finally understood why he had sensed someone watching him earlier.

He also realized that his special mission "seemed to be nearing completion!"

He thought the Main Branch had remained unmoved because they had behaved themselves.

After all, the Main Branch doesn't have many members, only about a dozen.

If they hadn't mastered the technique of the Caged Bird Seal, which allows them to instantly control one or even multiple Caged Bird to erupt, they would have been different.

Otherwise, the people Branch Family would have already followed the example of those people on the moon, turning around and having the Main Branch fight each other, with the elders dying suddenly.

Although he was an "accident," he still had Konoha's backing, so they wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

"As it turned out, it was a huge surprise..."

He naturally understood this scene; it was an attempt to force him to "reset his reputation to zero" and regain control of the family situation.

Whether they intervene themselves or not, they're stuck in a rut, unable to achieve their goals. It's just a pity they got some things wrong.

"Both the Main Branch and the Branch Family Hyuga Clan. Are you trying to split the Hyuga with your actions?"

The Main Branch was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale.

Split Hyuga?

Damn it, they're throwing such a huge accusation at us right off the bat?

This is going to kill him!

"The Hyuga will not split, and it will absolutely not be split by the Main Branch."

Just when he was at his most anxious, Hyuga Shingo's voice suddenly came from afar.

Behind him were several members of the Main Branch, each with a gloomy expression and their eyes fixed on Hyuga Makoto.

Hyuga Shingo, however, remained calm and composed, speaking without any sign of anger or displeasure.

"Hyuga Makoto, you're not wrong, both the Main Branch and the Branch Family belong to the Hyuga, but you seem to have forgotten one thing."

"Oh?"

Hyuga Makoto raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Hyuga Shingo said indifferently.

"The Hyuga Clan's Clan Rules and Ancestral Teachings are our eternal foundation. The Main Branch are the true inheritors, bearing the heavy responsibility of protecting and promoting the Hyuga Clan, while the Branch Family..."

He paused slightly at this point, his gaze growing even colder.

"You are the guardians of the Main Branch, the protectors of everything within Main Branch. This is your duty and mission!"

His words immediately silenced the entire street.

Those who had separated from the Branch Family involuntarily clenched their fists; these words were etched into their very bones!

This is the root of their suffering, because these Clan Rules and Ancestral Teachings make their fate seem predetermined from birth.

That damned Caged Bird was like a nightmare, completely locking them in, making it difficult for them to even struggle or resist!

"So, you can do whatever you want?"

A smile reappeared on Hyuga Makoto's face, but this time it seemed to have a hint of mockery.

"Do they just treat their own kind like domestic dogs?"

"No, this is just Clan Rules, a continuation of tradition."

Hyuga Shingo glanced at Hyuga Makoto; he agreed with what he said, but he wouldn't admit it.

Then, his gaze slowly fell on Neji.

He was the one who pushed Hyuga Hizashi into the abyss Hizashi Hyuga then, and now he's going to lay a hand on his son.

However, he will not hesitate for a moment in order to protect the true foundation of the Hyuga!

"A game of chess has rules, a village has laws, a family has Clan Rules; everything is subject to the constraints of rules, therefore..."

As he spoke, he raised one hand without hesitation, and his Chakra surged continuously.

Caged Bird?!

Upon seeing this seal, almost all the Branch Family turned pale.

Even if some of them have never experienced the suffering of Caged Bird, this mark can still trigger their instinctive fear!

"He made a mistake and must be punished; that's the rule."

Hyuga Shingo whispered, while simultaneously remaining fully alert, keeping a close watch on Hyuga Makoto's every move.

Hyuga Makoto's reputation was earned through hard work, and even he had to be careful.

"Um?"

However, he was shocked to find that Hyuga Makoto standing with his arms crossed, looking at him with a mocking expression.

This puzzled him, but before he could think about it, he suddenly heard some sounds coming from all around him.

"How is that possible?!"

What is this?

"Rumors... could the rumors be true?!"

"So, fate really can be broken?"

The sounds were not loud at first, but gradually they began to converge.

In the blink of an eye, these sounds turned into cheers, echoing like a mountain roar and a tsunami over the Hyuga Clan!

"This is...

Hyuga Shingo frowned, his gaze suddenly falling on Neji, and his face turned pale in an instant.

Neji remained standing there, not wailing in agony at the activation of the Caged Bird.

His expression was calm, his gaze fixed on Hyuga Shingo, but some strange Curse Mark appeared on his face!

"Impossible! How could this happen? How could Caged Bird..."

Is it invalid?

Hyuga Makoto finally spoke, his right hand, which was wrapped around his chest, clenched down to just two fingers that were constantly flicking.

"The Clan Rules are meant to protect the Byakugan and ensure the Hyuga lineage, not..."

The next instant, his figure vanished, and his two fingers, like a sharp sword, pierced straight towards Hyuga Shingo.

"Weapons like yours, used to lord it over all your people."