For the Hyuga Clan, the Caged Bird Seal had always held great importance as a key means of protecting the Hyuga Byakugan from theft.
Under its influence, conflicts between the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family grew increasingly numerous.
To the Branch Family, the Caged Bird Seal was no longer armor that protected them, but a birdcage that bound them.
Hizashi often wondered at night just how far Neji could fly in the future if he had not been branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
And that evening, Hinata returned home from Training Ground 4.
The Hyuga clan head's residence was brightly lit, with the Branch Family residences not far away.
When the clan elders saw Hinata return, murmurs began to rise.
"Isn't this our Hyuga Clan's young lady? Why is she always out?"
"As the Main Family's young lady, getting so close to that Blondie is utterly improper."
"Honestly, Hiashi ought to rein her in. That girl's appetite alone accounts for a good chunk of the Hyuga Clan's expenses."
Several elders happened to be leaving the ancestral hall. Seeing Hinata return only after dark, they vented all the frustration they had suffered at Hiashi's hands over the past few days on her.
The reason was that they could not outargue Hiashi, and he also had the Third Hokage backing him.
But Hinata was their junior. Surely they were entitled to offer her a little guidance?
Their guidance was well-intentioned, after all. Every elder was a staunch supporter of the ancestral precepts.
All their guidance was framed around those precepts, so even if Hiashi came, he would find nothing to fault them for.
Hinata gave them a cold glance with her blue eyes. In an instant, a sense of bloodline suppression rose in the elders' hearts.
Cold sweat broke out