Bonds, Finally Free

After the assessment concluded, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally placed the forehead protector on Aoike's head.

The sight of Aoike covering the Caged Bird Seal left him in a trance.

A new generation of Konoha's saplings had grown once more.

Kagami, Sakumo, Shisui, Kakashi, Minato, Itachi... it seemed no one could escape a painful fate.

The Caged Bird Seal... what a pity.

Danzo, standing behind him, appeared somewhat impatient. Sarutobi Hiruzen knew exactly what he wanted the moment he saw his expression, so he proceeded with the usual speeches and words of encouragement.

When the two returned to the Hokage's office, Danzo finally could not help but speak up.

"Monkey, that ninjutsu should be mastered by the village..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen merely looked at him in silence, the immense pressure making the atmosphere between them stiff.

Someone had just developed a new technique, and you're already shamelessly asking for it? If word got out, what would people think? Besides, that technique looked like a variation of the Hyuga's secret Rotation; do you think you can learn it without the Byakugan?

Consumed by greed, Danzo realized this point after a moment of reflection, though he still wanted it in his heart—after all, Wind Release was his specialty.

However, secret techniques involving bloodline limits were often the most sensitive topics among ninja clans. Although Aoike was the developer, anyone who understood the Hyuga knew that ownership belonged to the clan, or more accurately, to the Main House.

While Danzo and Sarutobi were deliberating, Aoike was being ushered toward a dango shop by some of his closer friends from class.

Over a dozen children nearly filled the entire shop, each holding two skewers of dango, noisily sharing their experiences.

Aoike chewed on a skewer, the harmonious atmosphere leaving him momentarily dazed.

Before he transmigrated, he was just a student whose only schemes involved calculating discounts on shopping apps.

Yet, less than nine years after arriving in this world, he had experienced the loss of loved ones, discrimination, and the branding of the Caged Bird Seal...

The warmth that had been so ordinary in his past life was now difficult to grasp.

His gaze swept over the joyful crowd. Are they my bonds? Probably not. Just acquaintances to whom I've offered a little bit of emotion.

His eyes shifted to Hinata's position; perhaps she counted as half a bond.

As for Sasuke, he was just a useful punching bag and a foolish little brother.

After the gathering ended, Aoike enjoyed a brief period of leisure.

Hyuga Hiashi could not withstand the pressure and traded Aoike's technique to Danzo. As compensation for the party involved, Aoike received a few Fire Release ninjutsu.

Just as Aoike was going through his daily training, Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself in a dilemma regarding his assignment.

Aoike's strength was excellent for a Chunin, but he was still too green.

Don't let the fact that Yamamoto Shin lost the assessment fool you; if they were on a battlefield and Yamamoto Shin fought with the intent to kill, it would be much harder for Aoike to win than it was during the exam.

Yamamoto Shin's file recorded his combat record: during the Third Shinobi World War, he had the capacity to unleash three large-scale composite ninjutsu at the start of a battle just to cover the medical team's retreat.

It was a pity his shortcomings in other areas were obvious, which was why he had been languishing as a Special Jonin for all these years.

Sarutobi flicked his pipe, pondering how to make the arrangements.

Should he assign a Jonin who balanced both taijutsu and ninjutsu to Aoike? Would that be too extravagant?

Aside from those stationed abroad, most of Konoha's elite ninjas were absorbed by the Anbu and Root, and a small portion were away on missions; there wasn't much manpower left.

Hyuga Hiashi had once spoken to him, saying that once Aoike grew up, he would still need to prioritize guarding the Main House...

If Aoike didn't have the Caged Bird Seal on his head, Sarutobi might have gritted his teeth and focused on cultivating him. With a light sigh, his aged hand placed Aoike's file together with those of the other Hyuga Branch House members.

Just as Sarutobi was hesitating, his old friend knocked on the office door.

"Hiruzen, hand that brat Aoike over to Root." Danzo pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and spoke as if it were a matter of course.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his long-time partner and close friend with suspicion.

"He is a member of the Branch House, you want him too?" Sarutobi said, implying something deeper.

Danzo merely tapped his cane against the floor, unconcerned.

"That's none of your business. I have my own ways."

The old man who had served as Hokage for many years immediately guessed Danzo's intentions.

"You want to plant the Cursed Seal of Sealing on him? Absolutely not..."

"This is to ensure they don't leak Konoha's secrets!"

"Heh..."

The Hyuga Branch House was already sensitive to such restrictive seals; if you go and add another one, and Aoike ends up being driven to his death by the burden, it would be a laughingstock.

...Two years passed quickly.

Aoike wore the uniform of the Anbu, the corpses of Danzo's subordinates lying before him.

Two years ago, no one knew what kind of deal the Konoha higher-ups had reached with Hyuga Hiashi, but it resulted in Aoike joining Root.

Perhaps due to a prick of conscience, Sarutobi had secretly warned Danzo, so Aoike had not yet been branded with the Cursed Seal of Sealing, though looking at Danzo's restless behavior lately, it would happen soon.

Aoike had originally thought his future was bleak, but to his surprise, he had adapted quite well.

In this place, he didn't have to put on a fake smile to please anyone; he only needed to follow Danzo's orders and kill.

In any case, the only person he cared about in this village was Hinata, and Danzo wasn't deranged enough to lay a hand on the daughter of the Hyuga clan head.

Over these past two years, Aoike had killed quite a few people—spies, rogue ninja, those from enemy villages, and even some from Konoha.

Danzo was very satisfied with his performance and had taught him many ninjutsu.

With the resources of Root, Aoike had even managed to complete the Fire Release Chakra Mode.

In Danzo's mind, having a record of Aoike killing fellow villagers meant he had completely fallen into the darkness and become a blade in his hands.

He had been brainwashing Aoike constantly over these two years, and combined with Aoike's obedient demeanor, he had successfully gained a measure of his trust.

He did not know that Aoike merely viewed Root as a vent for his negative emotions; the Mangekyo's dark chakra was vast and twisted, and his body felt significantly more comfortable after venting it.

It was just that every time Aoike went on a mission, there were always two or three "partners" following him.

Wiping his blood-stained short blade, Aoike used a technique to bury the corpse thoroughly.

At ten years old, he already possessed ten units of chakra; while he couldn't compare to heavy hitters like Kisame or Naruto, it was already far higher than that of an ordinary ninja.

It was time to leave this cage.

The mission deadline for leaving the village this time was one week. Aoike wasn't in a rush, but to be safe, he left the village at the first opportunity.

At this moment, only a Shadow Clone remained in Konoha to serve as a farewell.

After sneaking into the Hyuga compound, Aoike shed his disguise. Ever since the Cloud Village kidnapping incident, the security level of the Hyuga compound had clearly increased significantly.

Walking in openly would not arouse suspicion.

It just so happened that Hinata had just returned from school, and Aoike flickered into existence right before her.

"Long time no see, little Hinata."

He patted her mushroom-cut hair with a sense of nostalgia; it felt very fluffy.

She had grown a lot since they last met, though overly intimate gestures no longer turned her into a steaming mess.

The two chatted for a long time until the sun dipped below the horizon. Aoike stared at Hinata's small face as if he wanted to imprint her image into his heart.

Aoike's hand gently brushed over her forehead, tucking a slightly messy strand of hair behind her ear.

"I don't know when we'll meet again after this."

Hinata looked slightly worried. "Is it dangerous?"

He cupped her face in both hands. "Don't worry, take care of yourself."

He let go before her blush could reach her brow.

"Well then~ goodbye, Hinata."