Naraku Takes on a Disciple

"Hiashi, I promised to take Neji 'Hizashi son, as my disciple. Where is Neji?"

Seeing that the Naraku Hyuga Clan below were all sitting upright and not eating, Naraku felt embarrassed to eat heartily, so he asked in a low voice.

"Hizashi, bring Neji."

Hiashi turned his head and glanced at Hizashi, calling out softly.

"Yes"

Hizashi responded softly to Hiashi's call, then got up and led Neji to the center of the hall.

"Lord Hokage, my son Neji is here."

Neji Hyuga held his father Hizashi Hyuga's hand, his eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment.

There were many high- Hyuga Clan of the Hyuga clan present, some with their children, who seemed somewhat surprised by what they saw.

Naraku and walked down the steps, came to Neji's side, squatted down and looked Neji up and down.

Neji Hyuga was puzzled when he saw Naraku looking at him with a warm expression.

Young Neji was quite dignified, but he seemed a little nervous at this moment, gripping Hizashi's hand tightly.

"Neji, don't be nervous. This is the Fourth Hokage, the guardian deity of Konoha."

Hizashi sensed Neji's unusual behavior and smiled as he gently comforted him.

"Neji, hehe... not bad. Would you like to become my disciple?"

Naraku Neji's adorable expression, Naraku's smile softened even more. He stood up, reached out his right hand to pat Neji's head, and asked softly.

Neji, upon hearing the question, looked at his father Hizashi, bewildered.

Hizashi hearing Naraku's words, Hizashi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. He released Neji's hand and said to Neji with a somewhat serious expression:

"Neji, now that you've become the Lord Hokage's disciple, your future achievements will be like those of the legendary Sannin. Hurry up and kneel before your teacher!"

Although Neji Hyuga was confused, he still knew what the Hokage was, and upon hearing Hizashi's words, Neji Hyuga quickly knelt down and whispered:

"I am willing to pay my respects to the teacher."

After speaking, Neji Hyuga bent down and pressed his forehead to the ground.

Many high-ranking Hyuga Main Family, witnessing the scene unfold, were somewhat puzzled. Hyuga Clan, the Great Elder of the Hyuga Ten, frowned deeply and, before Naraku answer Neji Hyuga, interrupted, saying:

"It is an honor for the Lord Hokage to accept a member Hyuga Clan the Hyuga Clan as a disciple, Hokage. However, Lord Hokage, our Hyuga Clan has many talented members in the Main House. Why don't you accept Hiashi, the eldest Hinata, as your disciple?"

Hizashi hearing Great Elder Hyuga Ten's words, Hizashi's face paled, then flushed slightly, his complexion shifting between red and white.

Hiashi hearing the Great Elder's words, Riji sighed inwardly and said expressionlessly:

"Great Elder, the Lord Hokage and Hizashi fought side by side on the battlefield of Hidden Mist and forged a deep friendship, which is why he is taking on a disciple today."

This is a personal matter, so please, Great Elder, do not trouble yourself with it."

Great Elder Hyuga Ten's words were in support of Hiashi, but Hiashi's attitude left Great Elder Hyuga Ten somewhat puzzled.

"Hiashi, today is Hinata's third birthday, the day she carved the Caged Bird Seal for Neji... Isn't it a bit inappropriate for Branch House member to become the Lord Hokage's disciple?"

Hyuga Ten's contempt for the Branch House was fully revealed in his words, proving that the Hyuga Clan's strict rules were indeed well-deserved.

Neji Hyuga was kneeling on the ground, also heard Hiashi and the Great Elder's conversation, and looked up with a somewhat bewildered expression.

At that time, he still didn't know what "Caged Bird Seal" meant.

Naraku noticed Neji's bewildered expression, knelt down, helped Neji up, and patted Neji's head. He said in a deep voice:

"It is indeed somewhat imprecise."

Upon hearing these words, Hizashi's mouth gaped slightly in surprise.

Her face flushed even more, and she slowly closed her eyes, with veins seemingly throbbing on either side of them.

Hiashi sighed inwardly, unsure how to respond.

Hyuga Ten nodded upon hearing this, showing even greater admiration for the Fourth Hokage's openness to advice.

Naraku, oblivious to the expressions of the others, continued:

"How about we just leave the Caged Bird Seal alone? I quite like Neji; he'll definitely become a successor to the Will of Fire someday."

Naraku's words caused a huge uproar among the Hyuga Clan members present.

Hizashi Hyuga opened his eyes in shock, all the anger in them vanishing in an instant. Looking at Naraku, his eyes revealed a look of gratitude.

"Lord Hokage, no! Our Hyuga Clan has a thousand-year history, and our lineage is distinct! Lord Hokage, you are the Uchiha Clan Head, you should... be able to understand!"

The Second Elder of the Hyuga Main Family to the side, was extremely shocked and exclaimed loudly.

"Yes, Lord Hokage, when Konoha was founded, the First Hokage promised that he would never interfere in the internal affairs of other clans. How could you say such a thing!"

The Third Elder of Hyuga also spoke, as if the Hyuga Clan Branch House would perish if it didn't break away from the Caged Bird Seal.

"Lord Hokage, the Hyuga Clan's Main House branch has many talented members. Do you have any other candidates in mind, such as Hinata- san..."

A middle-aged Hyuga Clan ninja offered a suggestion in a soft voice.

The Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal inscribed on all Branch House members when the eldest son of the Main House turns three, to ensure its inheritance.

Caged Bird Seal can prevent the Byakugan from leaking out. However, if a bird dies after separating from its Branch House, the Caged Bird Seal will destroy the Byakugan, rendering Byakugan ineffective.

Secondly, the Main House can control the life and death of the Branch House through the Caged Bird Seal.

Seeing the intense reaction from the Hyuga Clan members in the arena, Naraku frowned and said in a deep voice:

"Elders of the Hyuga Clan, please don't misunderstand. Not interfering in the internal affairs of other clans is a promise made by the First Hokage, and all Hokage have respected it, including myself."

Naraku's words brought a sigh of relief to the Hyuga Main Family present.

Is the Destiny of Branch House truly irreversible?

Seeing that even the Fourth Hokage, Naraku, could not change the Destiny of the Branch House, Hizashi Hyuga felt a pang of sorrow.

Naraku glanced at the dazed Neji Hyuga and continued softly:

"I'm just offering a suggestion in my personal capacity, so I hope you'll all give me some face."

Naraku spoke softly, but the pressure he exerted was immense.

The faces of the main Main House elders of the Hyuga Clan immediately darkened.

Ultimately, this is about destroying the traditions of the Hyuga Clan.

Personal status? Personal status? He's still the Hokage, and who would dare disrespect the Hokage?

Even if the Hokage went to other major powers, hoping to gain some respect, which Daimyo or Kage wouldn't give him face, let alone them?

Hiashi looked at Naraku, impressed by Naraku's sense of responsibility. Hiashi sighed softly, seemingly troubled, and said:

"Well, in that case... let's move Hizashi's residence to the edge of the clan's territory. That way, Neji can leave the clan's territory and receive instruction from the Fourth Hokage."

The rhetoric of Hiashi, on the surface, expelled and marginalized the Hizashi, but in reality, it tacitly acknowledged the idea of not caring for Caged Bird Seal.

The Hyuga Clan elders, who had originally wanted to argue their case, were now at a loss for words.

They faced a very simple question: whether or not to give the Fourth Hokage the face he deserved.

As a major Hyuga Clan Konoha, the Hyuga clan has never interfered in Konoha's power. When the Hokage makes a move, they mostly cooperate and contribute their manpower and resources.

Not for rights, but for the sake of inheritance.

The elderly elders of the Hyuga Clan exchanged glances, their faces showing a conflicted expression.

"In that case, we shall listen to the clan leader. It is the greatest honor for our Hyuga Clan for the Lord Hokage to accept Neji Hyuga as his disciple."

Hyuga Great Elder of the Hyuga Ten Hyuga Clan, spoke in a deep voice without expression, thus defining the nature of the incident and tacitly accepting it.

Naraku paid no attention to the Hyuga Clan higher-ups' thoughts, and patted young Neji's head, saying:

"Neji, I can sense the powerful ocular energy residing in your eyes."

In the future, you will surely be the pillar of Konoha.

"Yes, teacher..."

Young Neji Hyuga, unaware that his Destiny had been altered, answered softly with a slightly bewildered expression.