[Ding! Host detected to have successfully changed Kurenai Yuhi's fate. Reward points: 100.]
Sitting alone on his bed, Shinichi smiled knowingly at the notification on the system panel.
Looks like the bond between Asuma and Kurenai has been severed for good. Now Kakashi just needs to try a little harder, and she should be all but guaranteed to become my future sister-in-law.
"Looks like it's time I changed my mindset, too."
Thinking back once more to what Nami had said that day, Shinichi was filled with mixed emotions.
All this time, he had treated himself as a spectator in this world, never truly becoming part of it. Only when that adorably clueless girl Nami snapped him awake with a few words did he finally realize that he had already become part of it without even noticing.
In this world, he was just like everyone else: a person of flesh and blood, with feelings of his own.
Since he was here, he might as well make himself at home.
Perhaps he should never have overthought things in the first place. Some things really were best left to take their natural course.
With his thoughts finally untangled, he immediately felt much lighter.
He enjoyed a good night's sleep.
The next day, Shinichi visited Hiashi's home and finally agreed to take Neji and Hinata as his students.
Though the brothers Hiashi and Hizashi showed little on their faces, they were deeply pleased.
After all, almost everyone in Konoha now regarded Shinichi as its strongest fighter. Being accepted as students by someone so powerful was undoubtedly a stroke of luck for Neji and Hinata.
More importantly, this brought them closer to the Hatake Clan. Both personally and publicly, it was a win-win situation.
"Leaving Hinata aside for now, there's something about Neji that I need to discuss with you two first."
Shinichi said calmly, "I can tell that Neji is exceptionally gifted. He's unquestionably the greatest talent in your Hyuga Clan. Given time to grow, he'll certainly be capable of shouldering the clan's responsibilities."
Hiashi nodded in wholehearted agreement, but Hizashi's expression dimmed, his eyes filling with self-reproach.
What good would it do, no matter how talented Neji was?
He was still a member of the Branch Family. He could never become the Hyuga Clan's successor.
Neji, I'm sorry. It's your father who's holding you back!
Hizashi was overwhelmed with guilt. If Neji had been born into the Main Family instead of being his son, he would surely have had a bright future.
"For that very reason, I intend to remove Neji's Caged Bird Seal."
Having observed both brothers' reactions, Shinichi spoke with a solemn expression.
Neji was a character whose fate had left many Naruto fans with lingering regrets.
The Hyuga Clan's Main Family and Branch Family system had cost Neji his father at an early age, leaving him to grow up surrounded by hatred. Only after Naruto talked him around during the Chunin Ninja Exams had he gradually begun to let go of his bitterness.
Yet his life had remained a tragedy. In the end, he had actually died saving Naruto during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
If Shinichi was going to make up for those regrets, he certainly couldn't leave out a character he had liked so much in his previous life.
Saving Hizashi had only been the first step. The key was finding a way to remove the Caged Bird Seal placed on Neji!
"What did you say?"
At those words, both Hiashi and Hizashi shot to their feet in shock.
The Caged Bird Seal was a special Cursed Seal that their Hyuga Clan had passed down for countless years. Once applied, it could never be removed.
Yet Shinichi was now claiming he could remove the Caged Bird Seal?
"Shinichi, do you really have a way?"
Hizashi could no longer stay calm. He hurriedly said, "If you can free Neji from those shackles, I won't hesitate even if you ask for my life!"
Such was a parent's love.
"Let's set your opinion aside for now. I'd like to ask Hiashi first."
Unexpectedly, Shinichi ignored Hizashi and looked at Hiashi with a faint, teasing smile. "If Neji is no longer bound by the Caged Bird Seal, would you be willing to make him the next clan head? Or are you determined to have Hinata inherit the position?"
Hizashi's expression shifted slightly, and the atmosphere grew particularly tense.
"No. Neither Hinata's talent nor her personality makes her suited to becoming clan head."
Under Hizashi's conflicted gaze, Hiashi said calmly, "If possible, I don't want Hinata to shoulder that responsibility in the future, either. I only want her to live a happy life. You're right, Shinichi. Neji is a talent the Hyuga Clan sees only once in a century. If he had been born into the Main Family, I would certainly have raised him as its successor!"
"The system separating the Main Family and Branch Family that the Hyuga Clan has maintained all this time is far too outdated. Shinichi, if you can free Neji, then I, Hyuga Hiashi, will forever regard your Hatake Clan as our most dependable ally! Whatever you ask of us, Hizashi and I feel the same way!"
Hiashi's expression was sincere. Every word came from his heart.
"Brother, you...!"
Hizashi was deeply moved, as though he had returned to their childhood, when the bond between them had been so close.
"You said it yourself. Don't regret it later!"
Shinichi smiled faintly. "But I have no interest in taking either of your lives. How about this? If you stop keeping Naruto and Hinata from seeing each other, I'll consider that your payment for my help in freeing Neji."
The corner of Hiashi's mouth twitched.
You bastard, so you're finally showing your true colors?
After all that talk, you're still scheming to get your hands on my daughter!
"Fine."
Though he was deeply reluctant, Hiashi still nodded.
What else could the poor father do?
His precious daughter's heart had already flown away. There was little point in forcibly keeping them apart.
"Then it's settled!"
Shinichi looked thoroughly pleased as he continued, "Oh, right. I nearly forgot to tell you. I haven't actually figured out how to remove the Caged Bird Seal yet, but I'm sure I'll find a way in the near future."
Even though he had already mastered the Uzumaki Clan's Complete Sealing Jutsu Compendium, the Caged Bird Seal had survived for so long that it surely wouldn't be easy to undo.
Still, Shinichi believed that as long as he could get his hands on that snake-like man, every problem would fall neatly into place.
When the time came, never mind a caged bird-even a caged eagle would be set free!
"Bastard! Are you deliberately messing with us?"
Hiashi lost his temper again.
You don't even fucking know how to remove the Caged Bird Seal, and you have the nerve to demand payment up front?
Do you really take me, Hyuga Hiashi, for a fool?
"Brother, calm down! Please calm down!"
Hizashi wore a helpless, wry smile.
"Calm down, my ass! I'm going to beat this bastard up today!"
At that moment, Hiashi looked just like a little monster that had been thrashed by Ultraman, aggrieved and furious, on the verge of completely losing it.
If Hizashi hadn't been holding him back with all his strength, he probably would have already thrown a punch at Shinichi's handsome face.
"You're hardly young anymore, yet you lose your temper this easily? And you call yourself a clan head? Can't you be mature and composed like me? Besides, you can't beat me anyway. What good does all that shouting do? If you can't win, you can't win. Why the hell are you putting on an act?"
Shinichi spoke disdainfully.
"I can't be bothered to stand here bickering with you. I'm going to mooch a meal first."
Before his words had even faded, Shinichi vanished from the spot.
"Bastard! Don't run away if you've got the guts!"
"Brother, stay calm. You really must stay calm!"
Hearing all the commotion coming from the clan head's home, the Hyuga Clan members exchanged bewildered looks. They had no idea what had gotten into their normally unflappable clan head lately. It seemed he suddenly flew into a rage every two or three days.
It truly was baffling!
Before you continue