Caged Bird: It Starts with a List
Hidden Leaf, 3 PM.
The windows in the Hyuga Main House's study were closed, and the air was so stuffy it felt like it was about to rain.
Hinata stood in front of the long table, holding a stack of papers in both hands. Her fingertips were a little white, but her back was ramrod straight.
Across the table, Hiashi sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed.
Naruto leaned against the bookshelf, hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over the stack of papers before returning to Hinata's face.
She wasn't wearing her usual loose kimono today; instead, she wore a fitted dark blue short-sleeved shirt, and her hair was tied back, revealing her forehead and the light-colored lines on the whites of her Byakugan.
Her posture and expression are different from the girl who used to look down and avoid eye contact.
"This is the list of the Hyuga Branch Family."
Hinata spoke, her voice soft but steady.
She pushed the paper in front of Hiashi.
"Forty-three children from the branch family, aged three to seventeen, are all restricted like Caged Bird. They don't even qualify for any missions to leave the village."
Hiashi didn't move, just stared at the paper on the table.
Hinata continued, "Twenty-one of them have Chunin strength, and seven have Jonin potential. But because of the mark on their foreheads, they were even deprived of the opportunity to go out on missions prematurely."
She paused.
"This isn't protection, it's waste."
The study was silent for a few seconds.
Hiashi raised his head, his eyes turning cold.
What do you want to say?
Hinata didn't dodge.
"I think the Caged Bird should be discarded."
Hiashi tapped his fingers on the armrest.
"Abolishing the Caged Bird would shake the foundation of the Hyuga Clan."
His tone was calm, but his presence was very authoritative.
"Once the line between the Main Family and the branch family becomes blurred, the Hyuga Clan will no longer be the Hyuga Clan. Have you considered the risk of the Byakugan being leaked?"
Hinata bit her lip.
"Then let's change the rules."
She took another piece of paper from her pocket and spread it out on the table.
"I have drafted a proposal. Initially, the Main Family will assume the responsibility of guarding outside the village, allowing branch families to take on missions and accumulate merit. After three years, based on their performance, the restrictions on leaving the village will be gradually lifted."
Hiashi looked at the draft, his expression grew even more grim.
"Are you teaching me how to manage Hyuga Clan?"
Hinata shook her head.
"I'm trying to make Hyuga Clan better."
Naruto's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this.
He didn't speak, but simply changed his posture, shifting his gaze from Hinata to Hiashi's face.
Hiashi gripped the armrest tightly, his Adam's apple bobbing.
He wanted to argue, but the words stuck in his throat.
Because he knew that Hinata Naruto.
That monster who crushed more than a dozen Jonin with his Pure Byakugan and forced him to compromise on the spot.
The silence lasted for half a minute.
Naruto finally spoke.
I have a question for you.
He looked at Hiashi.
"Is the foundation of the Hyuga Clan the Byakugan, or is it locking its own people in a cage?"
Hiashi's face froze.
Naruto didn't wait for his answer and continued:
"You were afraid your Byakugan would be exposed, so you used the Caged Bird Seal to keep the branch family locked up. But have you ever considered how many geniuses the Hyuga Style over the years because of the Caged Bird?"
He pointed to the list on the table.
"Forty-three people, twenty-one of Chunin, and seven of whom have the potential to Jonin. You locked them up in the village, preventing them from taking on missions and standing out. And what was the result?"
Naruto lowered his voice slightly.
"They'll either be crippled or harbor resentment. You think this is protection? This is self-destruction."
Hiashi opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
The study door was suddenly pushed open.
Neji stood at the door, his eyes as cold as ice.
"That sounds nice."
He walked in, his gaze sweeping over Hinata before settling on Hiashi's face.
"Is the Main Family truly willing to relinquish power?"
Hinata turned around and looked directly at Neji.
"You'll never find the answer if you don't try."
Neji sneered.
"Try it? Do you know how the Caged Bird was branded? When I was three years old, my father held me and watched as the technique was etched into my brain."
He pointed to his forehead.
"What did the Main Family say back then? 'This is to protect the Hyuga Clan.' And what happened? My father died protecting the Main Family, and even his body was taken away by the Byakugan after his death."
Neji's voice trembled slightly.
"Now you're telling me you want to change? Who would believe that?"
Hinata did not retreat.
I believe it.
She looked at Neji with a determined gaze.
"Because if it doesn't change, Hyuga Clan will always be like this."
Neji stared at her, remaining silent for a long time.
Naruto walked over from the bookshelf and stood between the two.
"The Uzumaki Estate Establishment Ceremony will be held in three days."
He looked at Neji.
"The Hyuga Branch Family can come. Whether they dare to come or not is their own business."
Neji frowned.
"What's the meaning?"
Naruto didn't answer directly, but instead turned to look at Hiashi.
"If Hyuga Clan really wants to change things, he should announce the reform proposal at the ceremony in front of everyone. If he doesn't want to change things—"
He paused.
"Then don't waste my time."
After saying that, he turned and walked out.
Hinata followed, and as she passed Neji, she whispered something:
I will wait for you.
Neji stood still, his fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked slightly.
Hiashi looked at the list and draft on the table, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
A long time.
He looked up at Neji.
What do you think?
Neji sneered.
"Me? All I see is the Main Family making plans again."
He turned and walked out.
"But--"
He stopped when he reached the door.
"If Hinata -sama can really do it, I wouldn't mind going to see."
The door closed.
Hiashi one left in the study.
He stared at the draft, his fingers tracing the paper for a long time.
Finally, he picked up a pen and signed his name on the draft.
Evening.
Inside the Uzumaki Estate, the craftsmen were still busy laying floor tiles.
Tenten, he carried blueprints and directed a few people to erect the frame of the sealing gate.
Bai carried a teapot and poured water for the workers.
Naruto stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at the Uzumaki Crest hanging on the flagpole.
Hinata walked up to him.
Do you think Father will agree?
Naruto turned his head to look at her.
He will agree.
Hinata was a little surprised.
"Why?"
Naruto smiled.
"Because he had no other choice."
He pointed to the flagpole.
"If Hyuga Clan doesn't show up in three days, it'll be a public slap in my face. Does he dare?"
Hinata paused for a moment, then smiled.
Naruto turned and walked into the yard.
"Go back and prepare. In three days, let those old fogies of the Hyuga Clan see what a true clan-establishing organization looks like."
Hinata nodded and followed.
On a distant rooftop, an Anbu crouched in the shadows, rapidly scribbling notes in a small notebook.
His hands were trembling.
Because he knew that the ceremony three days later would cause an uproar throughout Hidden Leaf.
It's 11 p. m.
The border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.
A group of Hidden Cloud stopped on the hillside.
Samui stood at the very front, gazing at the lights of Hidden Leaf in the distance.
Behind him, Yugito crossed his arms and asked impatiently:
How much longer do we have to wait?
Samui didn't turn around.
"Lord Raikage said they will make their move in three days."
Yugito pouted.
"Three days? What if that brat runs away?"
Samui turned around, his eyes as cold as knives.
He won't run away.
She raised her hand and pointed into the distance.
"Because he's going to establish his clan in Hidden Leaf in three days."
Yugito paused for a moment.
"Establish a clan?"
Samui nodded.
"A kid in his teens dares to establish a clan in Hidden Leaf and even invites people from other villages to come and see."
She paused.
"Lord Raikage said that such a person is either a madman or truly confident."
Yugito sneered.
"Then let's go see if he really has the confidence."
Samui didn't say anything more.
She turned around and continued to stare at the lights in the distance.
The wind blew across the hillside, stirring up a cloud of sand.
What will Hidden Leaf be like three days from now?
Nobody knows.
But everyone is waiting.