Shin Uchiha had not lied. He had put a great deal of effort into studying the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal.
After all, the Caged Bird Seal was the Hyuga Clan's most fundamental cursed seal, so he owed much to Kushina's help for being able to remove it without causing any harm.
Neji Hyuga did not hear Shin Uchiha's words. Or rather, he had subconsciously shut out everything around him, his eyes fixed on the mirrorlike curtain of water before him.
In its reflection, Neji Hyuga could clearly see his smooth forehead. The ugly green mark that had once marred it was gone.
To Neji Hyuga, it felt almost like a dream.
That ugly mark had been branded onto his forehead when he was three. It represented not only his shackles, but his humiliation-and the tragic fate of the Hyuga Clan's branch family.
Neji Hyuga slowly raised his fingers and touched his forehead with a slight tremble. Within the curtain of water, his reflection made the same movement.
It was real. All of this was real.
Only now did Neji Hyuga fully believe what Shin Uchiha had told him. This man truly could free him from his cage, and he had already done it.
At that thought, Neji Hyuga came back to his senses. Overcome with emotion, he dropped to one knee beside Shin Uchiha and said in a trembling voice:
"I, Neji Hyuga, swear to serve Lord Shin Uchiha for all eternity."
But upon hearing Neji Hyuga's words, Shin Uchiha shook his head and said:
"Neji Hyuga, as I told you earlier, I wanted to take you under my command not only because you're a rare talent, but also because of Hinata.
"She has always thought of you as her older brother. But she also knows that you've never