Hyuga Neji

Hyuga Hiashi's White Eyes were icy cold.

They held not a shred of emotional warmth, as if he were scrutinizing a criminal.

"Lord Patriarch!"

Hyuga Wa's expression shifted. He had not expected such an outcome; it was the Hyuga Branch Family who had been insulted first, and it was the relationship between the Branch and Main Families that had been provoked.

"This matter has its reasons. It was Gekko Hayate who provoked Kagami-kun first. Kagami-kun acted to uphold the dignity of the Hyuga Clan, which is why he could not help but strike back!"

"I beg Lord Patriarch to investigate thoroughly!"

How could it be like this?

Hyuga Wa's White Eyes trembled. Clearly, Hyuga Kagami was not the one in the wrong.

If it were him, he could not guarantee he would have done any better than Kagami-kun.

"Are you questioning this Patriarch?"

Hyuga Hiashi's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority that made one's heart turn cold.

He turned to look at Hyuga Kagami and let out a cold snort.

He looked down from a position of superiority.

"Regardless of the provocation, the Hyuga Clan operates by its rules. Your actions have violated the regulations of the Hyuga Clan!"

At this, he paused. "However, what you did was not without cause."

"Therefore, this Patriarch will not hold you responsible. But Hyuga Kagami, you must remember: as a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, you do not have the right to make decisions on your own!"

"This is the only time; do not let it happen again!"

His White Eyes were cold, carrying the weight of a condescending command, and after speaking, he turned and left.

After a long while.

Hyuga Wa finally let out a heavy sigh of relief, recovering from that overwhelming aura.

"Lord Patriarch's presence is truly terrifying. But... I didn't expect Lord Patriarch to be so indifferent to the matter, and furthermore... he still thinks we broke the rules."

He gave a bitter smile.

The light that had been in his eyes at the start, along with his indignation, had all vanished.

Only disappointment remained.

Perhaps, it was not just outsiders who felt this way; in the eyes of the Patriarch, the members of the Hyuga Branch Family were equally unimportant. But... how could it be like this?

"This is the difference between the Hyuga Main Family and the Branch Family. The Main Family and the Branch Family can never be equal."

Hyuga Kagami walked slowly toward the exit.

He narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, Originally, pulling Hyuga Hiashi down from his pedestal was just for a sign-in mission, but now... there is one more reason!

No one shall have any control over my head!

Hyuga Wa looked dejected. "But we have no way to change it."

"Once the Caged Bird Seal is branded upon us, our fate is sealed. We are merely puppets and pawns in the hands of the Hyuga Main Family, without a will of our own!"

He turned and walked away, his head hanging low like a soldier who had lost all fighting spirit.

Nothing remained but a walking corpse.

When the faith and hope in one's heart are shattered, living has no meaning.

Just as Hyuga Kagami was about to leave, he suddenly saw a young boy covered in sweat, training with all his might.

"Why!"

"Why must I be branded with the Caged Bird Seal? Is the Branch Family destined for such a fate!"

Hyuga Neji's eyes were red; he refused to accept all of this.

His father was clearly the younger brother of the Patriarch.

Yet, he had to kneel before the Patriarch, devoid of all dignity!

And he himself had been branded with that ugly Caged Bird curse mark!

He would lose his freedom for his entire life!

"This year is Konoha 54. Hyuga Hizashi has become the scapegoat, and Hyuga Neji has also been branded with the Caged Bird..."

Hyuga Kagami glanced at the white cloth on Neji's forehead.

A young boy's thoughts were easy to guess; the purpose of that white cloth was to hide the ugly Caged Bird Seal.

Hyuga Neji let out a sharp shout: "Gentle Fist: Sixteen Palms!"

Weak chakra condensed on his hands as he struck out in rapid succession!

He actually managed to execute sixteen palms in a row!

The moment he finished, he collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving violently as he greedily gasped for air.

"I won't accept this! I won't be a bird trapped in a cage! I must break my own destiny!"

He gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with anger and unwillingness!

His father was dead.

He died on a mission.

He couldn't accept this outcome!

Hyuga Kagami walked over slowly, "Without powerful strength, mere passion won't achieve your goals."

From Hyuga Neji's upward gaze, the handsome and upright Hyuga Kagami appeared in his vision.

"You... are also from the Hyuga Clan?"

Hyuga Neji was stunned, with a hint of hostility.

"You're from the branch family, aren't you also branded with the Caged Bird Seal? Unable to break free from the main family's control, what right do you have to lecture me!"

He didn't back down at all.

He was practically challenging the heavens and the earth!

Oh?

Hyuga Kagami was amused. He hadn't expected young Hyuga Neji to be so difficult, refusing to yield to anyone.

"I have no obligation to help you, I was just casually giving you a couple of words of advice."

Hyuga Kagami shrugged.

No matter what Hyuga Neji did, it had little to do with him.

He narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

But no matter what game it was, in the hands of the player, a pawn was needed to charge into battle. And in the grand game of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Neji, as the son of the branch family head, was the best pawn!

He slowly opened his mouth with a half-smile.

"Your father's death wasn't that simple."

Hyuga Kagami paused, "He became someone's scapegoat. If you want to change your destiny, why not... first clear your father's name."

"What!"

Hyuga Neji's expression changed drastically, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid!

The clan head had told him his father died on a mission.

But now... he learned his father hadn't died on a mission, but had been made a scapegoat?

"Who is it? Who is it? Tell me!"

He roared, like a wounded young beast!

Hyuga Kagami turned and left, offering no explanation. "You want to find the answer? Find it with your own strength. If you don't even have the strength to seek the truth, then what are you talking about breaking free from the bonds of the Caged Bird?"

He turned back.

The corners of his mouth turned up. Hyuga Neji investigating the truth and eventually making the matter of Hyuga Hizashi being a scapegoat public.

He imagined... it would certainly be very interesting!

"Mastering the Azure Dragon Fruit doesn't mean everything has to be solved with violence. Kaido isn't stupid; some things are more interesting to solve with your brain."

Hyuga Kagami shrugged.

He didn't want to give up Konoha, such a good place to sign in.

Konoha, as the most outstanding place in Naruto, offered the most sign-in locations and the most generous rewards!

Making a huge scene within the Hyuga Clan and then falling out with Konoha.

Was clearly not a wise choice.

On the other side.

Hyuga Neji stood up, his eyes firm and calm. "Father, I will absolutely not let you die without justice!"

"I will definitely find the true reason for your death."

"And clear your name!"

His White Eyes flickered, and he turned to walk back into the room.

To investigate, he needed to make a plan first!

Moreover... his father had many trustworthy subordinates!