Caged Bird

Time, the little thief, had slipped away unnoticed, taking Hyuga Iwa's years with it while kindly leaving behind something called memories.

In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and Hyuga Iwa was about to turn three.

That day, Hyuga Iwa looked into the mirror with an utterly narcissistic expression.

"Hmm, I'm still pretty handsome."

He swept aside the short hair on his forehead, revealing a smooth, blank brow. At this point, he had yet to receive the Caged Bird.

Generally speaking, members of the Hyuga Branch Family received the Caged Bird at the age of three. The Hyuga Main Family also chose one three-year-old as the heir, while the rest would receive the Caged Bird as well.

From what Hyuga Iwa had learned over this period, the Main Family was not limited to the clan head's household. There were still eight Main Family households of varying stature—only eight remained.

In truth, the Hyuga Clan did not have many members. Including the Main Family, the Branch Family, and clan members who were not ninja, there were fewer than a thousand in total. The Main Family numbered only a little over fifty.

The eight great Main Family households and their eight elders had long held the Hyuga Clan's highest authority. Even the clan head could not always make every decision alone.

In this respect, the Hyuga Clan was not much different from the Uchiha Clan. Ever since the Uchiha Clan's former head, Madara Uchiha, left Leaf Village, the Uchiha Clan had never been united again.

By comparison, the Hyuga Clan remained relatively stable because of the restraints of the Caged Bird.

Even so, the conflict between the Main Family and the Branch Family grew worse by the day. While wandering around the clan grounds, Hyuga Iwa had witnessed the Main Family using the Caged Bird to punish Branch Family members several times. Their heart-wrenching screams had given him nightmares for several nights.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Hyuga Iwa muttered, "Fate gave me a chance to live again. I won't bow my head to it so easily."

What was the Caged Bird, anyway?! Hyuga Iwa refused to believe that once he possessed the Tenseigan, the Pure Eye, or some other evolved form of the Byakugan, he still would not be able to break such a mere Caged Bird!

There was no need for self-pity or meaningless lamentation. The future was in everyone's own hands. The only difference was that some could seize it, while others let their chances slip away.

In Hyuga Iwa's view, since the original purpose of the Caged Bird was to protect the Byakugan from being stolen at will, then the Hyuga Clan must have encountered something in distant history that led them to develop such a seal.

So Hyuga Iwa maintained a good mindset and took things in stride. He did not, like certain Branch Family members, harbor hostility toward the Main Family. That was completely useless.

The days passed one after another, and Hyuga Iwa celebrated his third birthday just as he had in previous years.

One morning, just after Hyuga Iwa got out of bed, he saw a member of the Hyuga Main Family standing at his doorway, dressed in an ornate kimono. Hyuga Iwa recognized him. He was the future head of the Hyuga Clan—Hyuga Hiashi.

His mother, Hyuga Yuko, stood opposite him, and the two seemed to be discussing something. His mother appeared rather agitated. In the end, she even covered her mouth and began sobbing quietly.

When Hyuga Iwa saw his mother crying, anger surged through him. Just as he was about to speak, Hyuga Hiashi's gaze passed over his mother and landed on Hyuga Iwa, who stood by the window.

Hyuga Iwa did not care whether Hyuga Hiashi was the future clan head. Since he had made his mother cry, he absolutely could not be forgiven!

Hyuga Iwa stomped out of the house, his round little face filled with fury.

"Hyuga Hiashi, don't you bully my mom!"

Hiashi was still a hot-blooded youth then, and as the clan head's son, he had never suffered such disrespect. He replied irritably, "Hmph. I've delivered the notice. Don't be late."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and left. Before he went, though, he gave Hyuga Iwa a meaningful look. Honestly, he had not expected three-year-old Hyuga Iwa to recognize him.

???

Hyuga Iwa blinked in confusion, apparently not expecting things to unfold this way. He had only come to deliver a notice, so why had his mother cried?

"Mom Yuko..."

Before Hyuga Iwa could finish, Hyuga Yuko pulled him into her arms. "Mom's fine. Lord Hiashi came to tell us that we need to attend the clan meeting today. He didn't bully Mom."

"Then Yuko, you..."

"Hmph, how many times have I told you? Call me Mom!"

"Mom Yuko."

Seeing his mother smile through her tears, Hyuga Iwa was full of doubts. Besides, according to custom, today was not a clan meeting day. Could some major announcement be coming? Still, he would find out soon enough, so there was no need to rush.

When Hyuga Yuko brought Hyuga Iwa to the clan shrine, a large group of clan members had already gathered inside. The Main Family and Branch Family sat on opposite sides, their boundaries clear as day.

After quickly sweeping his gaze around, Hyuga Iwa found that quite a few people had come. It seemed that most clan members who had become ninja were present.

Hyuga Yuko brought Hyuga Iwa to her place and knelt with both knees on the floor.

Hyuga Iwa, on the other hand, found a comfortable position and sat cross-legged on his cushion.

The shrine was quiet. Every clan member sat upright without saying a word.

As a transmigrator with a mature soul, Hyuga Iwa felt no reverence for such a scene. He looked around, observing the clan members, and noticed quite a few Branch Family members glaring at those of the Main Family, their hatred unmistakable.

Speaking of which, the Hyuga Clan's shrine was quite solemn and majestic. It was dignified without losing its luxury, showing the foundation of a clan that had endured for a thousand years.

Before long, the clan head seated at the head of the hall—Hyuga Tenka—stood after seeing that everyone had arrived.

The moment Hyuga Tenka rose, hundreds of Byakugan turned toward him in unison.

Hyuga Tenka did not waste words and said directly, "There are two matters to announce today. First, it is said that the war between Leaf Village and Sand Village has ended. Orochimaru and Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin are already on their way back and will reach the village tomorrow. Clan members are needed to welcome them."

"Oh?"

"Really? That's great."

"What about Lord Jiraiya?"

"Ever since the war with Rain Village ended, Jiraiya has remained in Rain Village. It is said that he is teaching several children there, so he will not be returning for the time being." Hyuga Tenka cleared his throat and answered the clan members' questions.

"Oh."

"Why?"

"Those little brats are so lucky."

"Yeah."

After Hyuga Tenka spent quite some time discussing the precautions for tomorrow's welcome with the clan members, he brought up the second matter.

"Alright, now for the second matter." Hyuga Tenka swept his gaze over the clan members and continued, "For the future of the Hyuga Clan, and to ensure that the Hyuga bloodline is not lost, several children in the clan who have reached the age of three must receive the Cursed Seal."

Hyuga Tenka's expression changed, and an imposing aura spread from him. "This is a tradition of the Hyuga Clan. It cannot be refused! Unless you are dead!"

This time, neither the Main Family nor the Branch Family spoke. However, judging from their expressions, the Main Family wore smiles while the Branch Family looked furious.

"Hyuga Iwa, Hyuga Tetsu, Hyuga K..." Hyuga Tenka called out more than ten names in succession. Every one of them belonged to a Branch Family child who needed the Caged Bird.

So that was it! No wonder Mother had cried that morning.

After receiving Hyuga Tenka's signal, several Hyuga Jonin stepped forward and led out each of the young Hyuga whose names had been called. At the same time, they drove the remaining clan members out of the shrine.

Their stern, even somewhat disdainful expressions made Hyuga Iwa curl his lips.

Honestly, judging by this scene, if Hyuga Iwa had not possessed an adult soul, he might have been frightened into crying like the other children.

Before long, only several Main Family elders, the clan head, and the few young Hyuga about to receive the Caged Bird remained in the shrine.

Seeing this scene, several of the young Hyuga scrunched up their faces and began crying again.

"Quiet!"

Apparently growing impatient, Hyuga Tenka glared and let out an angry roar.

Startled, the young Hyuga seemed to have had their pause buttons pressed and instantly fell silent. But everyone knew that once children started crying, it was not so easy for them to stop.

The sight of them hiccuping and struggling to stop, yet unable to, amused Hyuga Iwa so much that he let out a snort of laughter.

Following the sound, Hyuga Tenka looked at Hyuga Iwa among the crowd and nodded in satisfaction.

In fact, Hyuga Tenka had been observing these young Hyuga all along. He had noticed Hyuga Iwa's unusual behavior early on and felt that either Hyuga Iwa was foolish or he had a strong heart. And for a future ninja, a strong heart was a good thing—at the very least, it was better than being timid, wasn't it?!

"Alright, begin." Hyuga Tenka looked toward Hyuga Hiashi, signaling for him to perform the seal.

Oh? Had Hyuga Hiashi already been confirmed as the next clan head? Otherwise, they should not be letting someone else handle this sort of thing, right? Hyuga Iwa thought to himself.

"Yes, Clan Head." Hyuga Hiashi nodded, stepped forward, swept his gaze around, and then looked at Hyuga Iwa. "Then we'll start with you."

Without saying anything more, Hyuga Iwa knew he definitely could not avoid this today. He walked over to Hyuga Hiashi with a relaxed expression, raised his head to look at him, and said nothing.

Hyuga Hiashi's mouth twitched a few times. He cleared his throat and pointed at the tatami to one side. "Sit over there."

After Hyuga Iwa sat down, Hyuga Hiashi went to the altar, took out the prepared tools, returned to Hyuga Iwa's side, and sat cross-legged.

There was not a trace of fear in Hyuga Iwa's eyes. There was only a little nervousness and curiosity.

Looking at Hyuga Iwa before him, a trace of curiosity rose in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Would being afraid help?" Hyuga Iwa asked in return.

"Uh, it really wouldn't."

Hyuga Hiashi's impression of the child before him improved even more, and he reminded him, "Then I'm starting."

"Mm."

The moment his words fell, Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath, glanced at Hyuga Tenka in the distance, and gave a low shout. His hands instantly formed seals. After a dizzying series of hand signs, he pressed one finger against Hyuga Iwa's forehead.

Almost instantly, black markings crawled across his forehead. Hyuga Iwa's little face turned deathly pale, and indescribable agony surged from the depths of his soul. His body trembled uncontrollably from the pain.

As Hyuga Hiashi poured in chakra, the pain continued to intensify. Hyuga Iwa let out a scream, and his body fell backward beyond his control.

The instant he hit the ground, Hyuga Hiashi reached out and caught him. He slowly laid Hyuga Iwa flat on the tatami, then let out a breath.

Several Main Family elders stepped forward to inspect him. Afterward, they nodded at Hyuga Tenka, who remained seated.

"How was it, Hiashi? No problems?"

"Mm. I was a little unskilled the first time. It won't happen afterward."

"Mm. Then continue."

By the time Hyuga Iwa woke up, it was already the next morning. As usual, he lay in bed, though a trace of pain occasionally crossed his flawless little face.

Suddenly, Hyuga Iwa cried out and shot upright in bed. Heavy panting filled the room.

Only after quite a while did Hyuga Iwa gradually calm down.

"So this is what it feels like to receive the Caged Bird."