Caged Bird Experiment

Hyuga Hiashi picked up his wine glass, stood up, and walked towards the head of the table.

"Lord Chun," he walked up to him, raising his cup in greeting, "I've long admired your name, and meeting you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."

Uchiha Jun raised his head, looking at the seemingly rigid but actually flexible and rational Hyuga Clan leader in the original story, and a smile appeared on his lips, "Hiashi Leader Hiashi is too kind. Speaking of which, I should thank you for your previous care for the Hyuga Yo family."

Hyuga Hiashi was slightly taken aback, then realized— Hyuga Yo, the Hyuga Branch Family Jonin who died on the battlefield, somehow managed to get connected with Uchiha Jun, and even get Uchiha Jun to speak.

Hyuga Hiashi didn't ask further, but simply nodded. "Members of the branch family are also of the Hyuga Clan's bloodline, so it's only right that we take care of them."

"Well said." Uchiha Jun raised his wine cup and clinked it against Hyuga Hiashi's. "I hope that Hiashi Head Hiashi will always remember those words."

These words were quite meaningful. Hyuga Hiashi's heart stirred, but he didn't show it on his face. He finished his drink and returned to his seat.

After a moment, Uchiha Fugaku stood up and cleared his throat.

The entire room fell silent.

Uchiha Fugaku bowed respectfully towards Uchiha Jun before turning to the crowd and saying loudly, "Thank you all for attending my son Sasuke's one-month celebration today. It is a great honor for me Uchiha Fugaku, that you have taken time out of your busy schedules to come."

He paused, then continued, "Besides celebrating my son's one-month birthday today, I have another important matter to announce to a distinguished guest."

After speaking, Uchiha Fugaku turned to Uchiha Jun and bowed slightly. "Jun-kun, please."

All eyes were once again focused on Uchiha Jun.

Uchiha Jun stood up unhurriedly and walked to the center of the main hall.

His gaze swept over the people at the table—some curious, some doubtful, and some expectant.

Representatives from almost all the major ninja clans of Konoha were here, which saved him a lot of trouble.

"Everyone," Uchiha Jun's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, "I've invited you all here today not only to celebrate the full moon of the Fugaku clan chief's son, but also to take this opportunity to announce something else."

Uchiha Jun paused, then turned his gaze to Fugaku's side— Mikoto Uchiha was holding a baby in swaddling clothes; the baby was Sasuke Uchiha had just turned one month old.

"Sasuke Uchiha— " Uchiha Jun said slowly, "I will take this child as my disciple."

These words caused an uproar among the audience.

"What?!"

"Taking on an apprentice? Taking on a baby who's just a month old as an apprentice?"

"That's Uchiha Jun —he's actually going to personally take on a disciple?!"

"... This... this... it's true that nothing beats being born into a good family."

Before everyone could recover from their shock, Uchiha Jun had already walked up to Mikoto Uchiha and looked down at the baby in her swaddling clothes.

At this very moment, Sasuke Uchiha was staring at the world with wide, curious eyes.

Unaware of what was happening around them, they simply waved their little hands, babbling as if greeting someone.

Uchiha Jun reached out a finger and gently touched Sasuke's small hand.

Sasuke immediately grasped his fingers, holding them tightly.

"...Interesting." Uchiha Jun's smile deepened.

Uchiha Jun raised his head, looking at Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, "Fugaku, Lady Mikoto, I wish to take Sasuke as my disciple. What do you think?"

Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and bowed solemnly. "This is my son's blessing, and the glory of my Uchiha Clan!"

Mikoto, holding Sasuke, bowed slightly. "Thank you for your high regard, Jun-kun. I entrust Sasuke's future to Sasuke."

Uchiha Jun nodded and took something out of his pocket—a black Tomoe with intricate patterns, strung with red silk thread.

This thing was formed from Uchiha Jun's Senjutsu Chakra and can withstand attacks of Super-Kage Level strength, whether they are Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Dōjutsu.

Furthermore, after being modified by Uchiha Jun, it gained the ability to anchor itself in space.

Uchiha Jun doesn't want to 'put herself in someone else's shoes' and experience the same thing Namikaze Minato did, like Obito Uchiha the 'croissant'.

Uchiha Jun personally tied the Tomoe to Sasuke's swaddling clothes.

"Consider this Tomoe a gift from me to my future apprentice."

Hyuga Hiashi sat at the table, remained silent for a moment, then raised his wine cup and said loudly, "Congratulations to Lord Jun on taking on such a fine disciple! And congratulations to Clan Chief Fugaku! The Uchiha Clan has produced two geniuses in succession, Itachi and Sasuke, and with a strongman like Lord Jun presiding over them, they truly have a wealth of talent, which we greatly envy."

Following this lead, the leaders of the other ninja clans also stood up to offer toasts and congratulations.

The atmosphere of the full moon celebration reached its climax.

The banquet lasted until the afternoon before gradually dispersing.

The guests took their leave one after another, each with a different expression on their face—some envious, some jealous, some complicated, and some thoughtful.

Without a doubt, news of today's full moon celebration will spread throughout Konoha and even the entire Shinobi World in the coming days.

--Uchiha Jun accepted Uchiha Fugaku's second son as his disciple.

Everyone realized that, starting today, the landscape of Konoha had undergone a profound change.

After seeing off the last group of guests, Uchiha Jun did not linger. Instead, he took Yugito and Hyuga Yo and left the Uchiha Clan Grounds, heading towards the outskirts of Konoha.

"My lord, shall we go now..." Hyuga Yo asked in a low voice.

"Go to Orochimaru's research base," Uchiha Jun said calmly. "It's time to deal with that thing on your forehead."

Hyuga Yo paused slightly, then quickened his pace to catch up.

For the first time, a feeling called "hope" welled up in his heart.

At dusk, on the outskirts of Konoha, at Orochimaru's secret research base.

Hidden beneath a dense forest, the base appears from the outside as just an ordinary wooden hut, but beneath lies a hidden world—a spacious three-story underground laboratory equipped with various sophisticated research devices and Sealing Jutsu.

When Uchiha Jun led Hyuga Yo into the base, Orochimaru's assistant—a young ninja wearing glasses—was already waiting there.

"Lord Jun," the assistant bowed respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru has already instructed that all the facilities within the base have been arranged for you. Do you need me to arrange for someone to assist you?"

"No need," Uchiha Jun waved his hand. "The upcoming research involves some sensitive topics, so the fewer people involved, the better."

The assistant nodded, tactfully exited the second basement level, and closed the heavy metal door.

In the laboratory on the second basement level, the heavy metal door slowly closed, completely isolating the outside world.

The fluorescent lights emitted a soft hum, their pale light illuminating the entire space.

The walls and ceiling were covered with densely packed Sealing Jutsu techniques, and a faint Chakra barrier flowed over the surface of the techniques. This was Orochimaru's special preparation for high-risk experiments—to prevent the leakage of internal energy.