Hiashi and Yu sat facing each other in the tatami room.
As stern as ever, Hiashi got straight to the point. "Your father has already told you about the Hyuga Main Family and branch family system, hasn't he?"
Yu nodded.
Hiashi studied Yu. "What do you think of it? I want your honest opinion."
My honest opinion? You foolish humans, of course! If I weren't after a peaceful life, I wouldn't bother with your family's mess!
But saying that would hardly be appropriate.
Yu said, "I think sacrificing so many clan members' lives to protect the Byakugan isn't worth it..."
Hiashi said, "You're still young. You see things too simply. In the world of ninja, only those with power have a voice. The Hyuga became a pillar of Konoha, and even the entire shinobi world, precisely because of the Byakugan kekkei genkai!"
"And so, every nation covets this power. Since Konoha's founding, other villages have made countless attempts to steal the Byakugan. The last clan to suffer the same fate, the Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools, was wiped out years ago!"
"In light of those painful lessons, the division between the Hyuga Main Family and branch family was a necessity."
"To preserve the Byakugan's power, someone must make sacrifices."
"Yu, you are Hizashi's child, a son of the branch family. The branch family's destiny is to bear the Caged Bird Seal and defend the Main Family to the death! This isn't something you, your father, or I can decide alone. It is the reality you must face when you bear the Hyuga name and carry Hyuga blood!"
"However, you weren't born into this clan, and Hizashi owes your mother's family a debt. So I'm willing to make an exception for you!"
"Yū Hyuga, effective immediately, you will be adopted into the Main Family!"
Outside the door, Hizashi jerked his head up at those words!
Yu asked, "Adopted? What does that mean? I'll become your son?"
Hiashi said, "Of course not. Amano Hyuga is a cousin of your father and me, and he has no children. If he adopts you, you will rightfully become a son of the Main Family. That way, you can escape the fate of bearing the Caged Bird Seal. What do you think?"
Hizashi's shout came from outside. "Yu, say yes!!! This is the best choice for you!!!!"
Yu asked, "Then what about me and Dad?"
Hiashi said, "Naturally, you would sever that relationship. From then on, you would have to regard Amano as your biological father and honor him as such."
"..." Yu gripped his knees with his little hands.
Honestly, those terms were pretty good.
He was an outsider who had transmigrated here, after all, and had no actual blood relation to Hizashi. As for familial affection, the few days he had spent in the clan hadn't made their bond inseparable.
But Yu had lost his father very early in the real world.
To him, the word "father" was far more than a label!
Hizashi's acceptance and care had reminded him of the fatherly affection he hadn't felt in so long.
Perhaps... Hizashi wouldn't blame him for making this choice.
But he would certainly be hurt afterward!
The thought of Hizashi's feelings left Yu unable to say yes!
More importantly, he didn't want to do it!
Watching Yu lower his head in thought, Hiashi said gravely, "You should be grateful. Hizashi has already brought you home and introduced you. Almost everyone in the clan knows your relationship, so I'm facing considerable pressure over this!"
Yu lifted his eyes, extraordinary resolve on his young face. "Thank you for your kindness, but I refuse!"
Hiashi's pupils tightened. "You... are serious?"
Yū Hyuga spoke with ringing conviction!
"If I'm so afraid of the Caged Bird Seal that I won't even acknowledge my own father, then I'd truly be a bird trapped in a cage!"
"Hizashi Hyuga is my father. Nothing will ever change that!"
"Go ahead! Put that Caged Bird Seal on me!"
Outside the door.
"Yu, my foolish child, why would you... why would you do this?!"
Hizashi dug both hands into the damp soil. "But why... why am I so happy that I can't stop crying?"
Inside the room.
Hiashi gazed deeply at that little face, so utterly resolute. After a long while, his tense expression softened. "You truly surprise me. A child raised outside the clan, yet you have such understanding and a sense of responsibility..."
Hiashi rose and faced the calligraphy hanging on the wall, "Clear Mirror, Still Water," as he revealed his true feelings.
"Half a year ago, in the dojo, the difference in our children's talents caused my younger brother Hizashi to show murderous intent toward me for the first time. No, it was really his resentment toward fate."
"I subdued him with the Caged Bird Seal's cursed seal, right in front of Neji and Hinata."
"I said that I would forgive his foolishness only that once. In truth, those weren't my true feelings. How could I not know that, had I been born a few seconds later, I would have become another version of him?"
"Neji's mother, Miwako, also fell ill from anguish over the fate awaiting Neji and passed away."
"Your arrival made me realize even more clearly just how much Hizashi has endured all these years."
"How unfair fate is."
"The Hyuga Main Family and I owe my brother and the branch family far too much."
"If I made you follow in Neji's footsteps as well, Hizashi would surely hate me for the rest of his life."
"So I had people watch you, hoping to understand what sort of child you were."
"Then I put you through this test."
Yu looked startled. "A test?"
Hiashi turned around. "That's right, a test. I never truly intended for Amano Hyuga to adopt you. If you had agreed, I would have given you the Caged Bird Seal without hesitation. Hizashi would have been saddened, but I imagine he would have been even more disappointed..."
"But you exceeded my expectations, and you certainly didn't disappoint your father. Yu, you earned this yourself, both for your own sake and for Hizashi."
"My brother has spent his entire life following the fate arranged for him. He has never made a choice of his own."
"In that case, I'll act on fate's behalf and make one more arrangement for him. But this time, it will be an elder brother's act of care."
Yu said, "I... don't have to bear the Caged Bird Seal?"
Hiashi smiled. "No, you don't. But there are two things I'd like you to agree to."
Yu said, "Please, tell me!"
Hiashi sat down again. "First, the division between the Main Family and branch family is an ancient tradition. Even as clan head, I cannot set this precedent."
"So we must still keep up appearances."
Hiashi took a brush from inside his robe.
"This brush's ink won't fade for years. I'll use it to draw a false Caged Bird Seal on your forehead. You must never tell anyone about this. Can you promise me that?"
Yu said, "Of course!"
"Good."
Hiashi raised the brush and began tracing the mark on Yu's forehead.
Once he finished, he put the brush away.
Hiashi said, "As for the second matter, my second child will be born next year..."
Yu exclaimed, "Hanabi? Isn't she supposed to be born two years from now?"
Hiashi looked astonished. "How do you know her name is Hanabi?"
Oh no, oh no! I got excited and let it slip!
Yu hurriedly said, "A-Aunt Kuwako told me!"
Hiashi's wife, Kuwako, was indeed very fond of Yu.
Hiashi looked thoughtful. "Is that so..."
Yu twiddled his fingers and said plaintively, "Could you please not ask Auntie? I promised her I wouldn't tell."
Hiashi said, "Uh, all right. But don't tell anyone else about this, either."
As it turned out, Hiashi had planned to have another child the following year. But after learning that Hizashi had a healthy little boy outside the clan, he grew more jealous the more he thought about it. That night, he went home and put in some vigorous extra effort, planting the seed of Hanabi ahead of schedule!
Even Yu hadn't foreseen this. It was an unexpected delight!
In other words, in just ten months, Hanabi would be born early, in Konoha Year 52!
Hiashi said solemnly, "Well, in any case, Hanabi will be the future hope of the Hyuga Main Family. Yu, as the branch family's second son, I hope you will take on the responsibility of caring for and protecting her. Can you do that?"
Rather than answer, Yu took a piece of candy from his pocket and placed it in Hiashi's hand.
Hiashi looked bewildered. "What... does this mean?"
Yu grinned. "Hehe, have some candy, Uncle."
"Oh... all right."
Hiashi unwrapped the candy and ate it.
Yu smiled innocently. "Then it's a deal..."
Hiashi thought, A deal? Why do I feel like I'm selling my daughter? Never mind. This candy tastes quite good. I feel strangely energized. I'll put that to use with Kuwako tonight...
Creak!
The door opened.
Hiashi stepped into the courtyard, and the two brothers faced each other.
With a complicated expression, Hiashi asked, "My little brother, will this ease even a little of the resentment you feel toward me?"
Hizashi dropped to both knees and bowed deeply. "Brother, I truly don't know how to repay you!!!"
Hiashi helped Hizashi up. "Take Yu home and raise him well. Make him as outstanding as Neji. That will be the best answer you can give me and the Hyuga!"
Hizashi was beside himself with excitement. "Yes! I won't let you down, Brother!!"
Just then, snowflakes drifted down from the sky. It was already deep winter in Konoha Year 51.
The chunin ninja exams were held twice a year, in summer and winter.
That year's summer chunin ninja exams had been held in Kumogakure.
The winter chunin ninja exams were scheduled to take place in Konoha.
Watching the snow, Hiashi murmured, "But there's no need to rush Yu's training right now. It can wait until spring next year. The chunin ninja exams are about to begin, and all sorts of people will be coming into the village. We Hyuga must prioritize maintaining security!"
The chunin ninja exams held in Konoha in Year 51 were precisely when Hizashi would give his life for the village and the Main Family!
"..." Yu's little face darkened.
With him here, he would never let that happen. Never!
He wouldn't allow anyone to ruin the peaceful life he had worked so hard to obtain~.
Before you continue