"Our current plan is to remove the Caged Bird Seals from all the branch family members first, without alerting the elders."
Hiashi cleared his throat, took a sip of tea, and spoke to Tsunade.
Tsunade nodded, looking at Hiashi as she asked curiously.
"Can Hinata's eyes really remove the Caged Bird Seal? To think the Hyuga's Byakugan has that kind of power."
Hiashi hesitated for a moment, and Hizashi stepped forward.
"In that case, let me be the first test subject."
Nothing like this had happened in the past several hundred years. Everything was unknown.
If Hinata could not remove the Caged Bird Seal as she said she could, Hiashi and Hizashi would choose another approach and make changes gradually.
"Hizashi!"
Hiashi looked at his younger brother, who turned toward him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly into a smile.
"Brother, let me do it. If it works, the Hyuga will be reborn."
"If it fails, this will still be enough for me."
For every member of the branch family, removing the Caged Bird Seal was a longing buried deep in their hearts, one they could never voice.
It was the anguish of birds bound by a cage, unable to embrace freedom.
Hizashi did not regret becoming part of the branch family. He believed his older brother could lead the Hyuga toward a better future.
But he longed for freedom, too. No one wanted to be bound.
Perhaps the Caged Bird Seal had indeed once served to protect the Hyuga's Byakugan, but once the birds became strong enough, that protection would gradually become a cage instead.
Nothing could have described the current Hyuga Branch Family more aptly.
"The risk is too great. Should we find..."
At that point, Hiashi's mouth froze, the words catching in his throat, unable to