The Hyuga's Successors

Within the Hyuga Clan, there exists a clan rule: among the members of the Main House in each generation, only one person shall become the true successor of the Hyuga Clan. This person will also become the next clan head, and they are the only one who constitutes the Main House.

As for those who are not chosen, they are separated into the Branch House between the ages of three and four, and the secret technique of the Hyuga Clan, the "Secret: Caged Bird," is branded upon their foreheads.

(The successor, the "Main House," is chosen before the age of four; at the age of four, the "Caged Bird" technique is cast upon those of the Branch House.)

Perhaps some might ask: "Why don't Hinata and Kamizuki have a Branch House?"

Indeed, they do not have one, as mentioned in the previous story. It is because Hiashi began to harbor doubts about the "Caged Bird" technique.

He felt that with this "Caged Bird" curse seal, the Hyuga Clan was not only restricting the potential of the Branch House members, but that the technique itself was stifling the strength of the entire Hyuga Clan.

Consequently, the Hyuga Clan had been declining with each passing generation over the years.

For these past years, Hiashi had not chosen between Hinata and Kamizuki as to who would inherit the Hyuga Main House. It was not because he did not know who to choose; in fact, when these two children had just turned two, Hiashi had already made his decision. His choice was, of course, that monstrously talented child, Kamizuki.

Although he had already made his choice, he wanted to abolish the clan rule of the "Caged Bird" curse seal, so he kept delaying the announcement of the next Main House successor.

Over these years, Hiashi had made many efforts, constantly attempting to persuade the clan elders.

After so many years of Hiashi's persistent efforts, finally, during a Hyuga Clan meeting held yesterday, all the clan elders finally nodded and passed the proposal to abolish the "Caged Bird" curse seal.

After the proposal was passed, Hiashi and his brother Hizashi, who had always supported him, were both extremely happy.

In high spirits, Hiashi announced on the spot during the meeting: "Today, in my capacity as the Fifth Head of the Hyuga Clan, I hereby announce that Hyuga Kamizuki shall become my successor." (The "Fifth Head" here is purely the author messing around; there is no basis for it.)

All the Hyuga clansmen attending the meeting, upon hearing that the successor Hiashi had chosen was Hyuga Kamizuki, all wore expressions of gratification.

The scene returns to the two children standing in the main hall, waiting for Hiashi's lecture. Oh! Right, Kamizuki was also holding a baby.

Hiashi looked at the two children standing in the center, still wearing his face of stern majesty. He coughed twice, cleared his throat, and then spoke:

"Children! Today, your father has something to announce to you."

Glancing at the two children who stood there without much reaction, Hiashi continued: "From this day forward, the second child, Kamizuki, will be the future successor of the Hyuga Clan."

Hearing this, the adorably naive and somewhat shy Hinata had no reaction. She would much rather have her monstrously talented younger brother be the successor; if it were really left to her, she would cry her eyes out.

Kamizuki didn't have much of a reaction either; he only felt that the responsibility on his shoulders had grown heavier.

In truth, throughout his growth in the Hyuga family over these years, he could clearly feel Hiashi's high expectations of him, so he was not overly surprised when he heard this news.

As for the little girl in Kamizuki's arms, heh! Never mind her... she was only three, what could she possibly understand? She wasn't a reincarnated soul like Kamizuki; her only task now was to grow up happy and carefree every day.

Seeing that these children had no reaction, as if they had known the result beforehand, Hiashi thought about it for a moment and felt that there was nothing to be resentful about. After all, who else could claim to have such a monstrous son!

Thinking of this, Hiashi felt a slight touch of pride.

Hiashi continued to speak to the children: "There is one more thing: after the unanimous agreement of the clan elders, from now on, our clan will abolish the 'Caged Bird' curse seal."

(To add a brief explanation here: the abolition of the Caged Bird only means that it will no longer be branded on the children of the Branch House in the future. However, if someone in the clan commits a grave error or refuses to obey the family, this technique can still be used to restrain them.)

Upon hearing this news, both Hinata and Kamizuki were stunned.

Neither of them had expected that this clan rule, which had been passed down for so many years, would be abolished just like that. They had no idea how much effort Hiashi and Hizashi had put in to finally get it repealed.

Kamizuki had originally been thinking about bringing up the abolition of the "Caged Bird" curse seal to Hiashi when he was a bit older. He had even found a legacy within the inheritance of Hamura on how to break the "Caged Bird" curse seal.

What he hadn't expected was that Hiashi would abolish the "Caged Bird" curse seal so quickly.

The next day, the news that Kamizuki had been appointed as the successor of the Hyuga Clan spread throughout the various families and departments of Konoha.

In the dark underground of Konoha, an old man wrapped in bandages, with only half his face exposed—a man of similar age to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen—was standing on a bridge, listening to his subordinate report intelligence.

His subordinate was respectfully reporting information to the old man.

After reporting for about ten minutes, the subordinate, who was kneeling before the old man and wearing a mask resembling a raccoon dog, finished his report.

After the subordinate finished, the old man covered in bandages waved his hand to dismiss him.

The subordinate who had been kneeling with the raccoon dog mask rose, bowed respectfully to the old man, and with a "whoosh," vanished into the darkness.

After a moment, the old man seemed to snap out of his deep thoughts. A cane appeared in his hand from nowhere. Leaning on the cane, he stood on the bridge, and a faint, sinister, and cunning smile appeared at the corner of his mouth—a smile so subtle that if you didn't look closely, you wouldn't see it at all.

He muttered to himself: "Hyuga Kamizuki... Hyuga Kamizuki... Hyuga Kamizuki, heh... an interesting little brat."

Uh... why does it feel like every time we reach the "Author's Note" segment, I always start with the word "sorry"! (The author is feeling awkward...)

Finally, it might be a little messy, my apologies.

Alright! No more nonsense, if you're late, talk less!

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time!